USAToday has a rather breathless review of Janet Aylmer’s Book Darcy’s Story, which is being released in the U.S. for the first time next month, though many of us read it years ago.

Enter Darcy’s Story: Pride and Prejudice Told from a Whole New Perspective by Janet Aylmer. It will not be released until Aug. 1, but Austen fans will want to order this delectable crumpet ASAP so they can again witness Elizabeth Bennet’s charms.

Delectable crumpet? Has the book been rewritten since we read it?

This is not, let me stress, one of those awful “sequels” to P&P in which mediocre writers attempt to write with sparkling wit about what the future holds for Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

While we agree that there are indeed many awful “sequels” and other Austen paraliterature around, we are not sure that this particular book would be the shining beacon that the lost lambs of Darcyville are looking for, either. (How’s THAT for a metaphor, eh?) We dare say that Gentle Readers of differing opinions will post a comment. (Yes, that is an invitation.)

(Is anyone else amused by the cover illustration? The image centered on Darcy’s crotch? Subliminal selling much?)

P.S. Bonus Disco Darcy!

The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre is presenting a play called Pride and Plot of Pointlessness in Minneapolis for three shows on July 28-30.

Love. Marriage. Money. Sex. Lots of sex. Jane Austen did it first. We’ve done it faster. Leave your library card at home and laugh at the stuff you didn’t understand in high school.

Okay, if you say so.

Alert Janeite Heather L. wrote to tell us that a poster at the Republic of Pemberley said that her local paper (no news which one) is reporting that Sally Hawkins has been cast as Anne Elliot in the upcoming adaptation of PERSUASION. Ms. Hawkins has had roles in the films VERA DRAKE and TIPPING THE VELVET. More photos from the cast page of the BBC drama FINGERSMITH and her head shot is posted at her voice agent’s Web site (scroll down).

And is it our admittedly overactive imagination or has the news blurb about PERSUASION on the Clerkenwell Films site changed since we posted about it less than 24 hours ago???

Clerkenwell Films’ TV Movie adaptation of Jane Austen’s PERSUASION for ITV1 is set to start shooting in September 2006. Simon Burke (Sons and Lovers, White Teeth) has written the screenplay and Adrian Shergold (Dirty Filthy Love, Ahead Of The Class) is directing. PERSUASION is set to broadcast in 2007 as part of ITV1’s Jane Austen season.

Definitely more news there! The director’s name, and that it starts shooting in September…

(Hint to the producers: ONE HOPES IN BATH! AT LEAST PARTLY!)

…and that it will be broadcast next year. But we swear on our C.E. Brock illustrated edition of Persuasion that it only said last night that it would be a two-hour movie. Could they be, um, reading this blog? Hmmmm?

P.S. to the producers: *coughWentworthcough* (We must have our share in the conversation! Anyone else who thinks it’s a good idea, post a comment and let them know!)