Elizabeth Aston’s trilogy of Pride and Prejudice-inspired novels are not the sort of thing that we, as a dedicated Janeite, should like, or even countenance. We are on record as disapproving of Jane Austen Brand™ products that are only a pale imitation of the real thing, and in some ways that is the case with these novels. Darcy and Elizabeth are nowhere to be found; their names are invoked occasionally when someone needs to be frightened (Darcy) or charmed (Lizzy) or reminded of Real True Romance (both) but they never are actually present. Characters look like them–particularly Mr. Darcy–or behave like them, but those demmed elusive Darcys are always elsewhere. It’s an evil tease, how they are dangled just out of reach, like the readers are dogs being trained to sit up and beg. (And properly motivated, the Lizzy/Darcy fanatics will beg, believe us.) (more…)

We asked Robin Hutchinson, a regular AustenBlog commenter and university librarian, to review After Jane, since he takes great delight in bibliographical tools and wields them on our behalf on a regular basis. –Ed.

After Jane: A Review of the Continuations and Completions of Jane Austen’s Novels by Jennifer Scott (Privately Published: Second Edition, 2006.) http://www.lulu.com/content/217902

After Jane is an annotated bibliography of Jane Austen sequels (or, continuations and completions). In the introduction the author clearly states the scope of the work; what is to be included and what is not. Included are published sequels to Jane Austen’s novels and other works. Excluded are fictional treatments of Jane’s life, such as the series by Stephanie Barron, and works that only incidentally use names or locations from the canon but are not true sequels. The second type of exclusion is by format and is more serious. (more…)

Hidden Britain Tours is offering a tour of “Jane Austen Country,” meaning the area around Steventon where she lived the first 25 years of her life, danced at balls and flirted with young men (not to mention writing S&S, P&P and NA). There are morning, afternoon or full-day tours available, so we dare say each involves different stops. We suggest that you contact the tour company for more information about cost and other specifics.

This might be a good option for those who wish to visit Steventon and don’t have private transportation. If anyone takes the tour, please post a review.