Nov. 14, 2007 - Book Review ~ Old Friends and New Fancies
Just a little bit ago, I finished reading a book that Kekoa had gotten me for my birthday. I was ecstatic when I saw what it was. Old Friends and New Fancies, by Sybil G. Brinton, is "An Imaginary Sequel to the Novels of Jane Austen".
Jane Austen? Did someone say, Jane Austen?
The other interesting fact is that this book was written in 1913, and right on the front cover it says it is the first Jane Austen sequel ever written.
I find that I really have to be careful with "sequels" of Jane Austen books; either, the characters are totally changed (which is understandable), or they are pretty much junk.
This book, I thought, would prove to be the former, and it kind of was.
Characters:
14 from Pride and Prejudice
7 from Mansfield Park
5 from Northanger Abbey
7 from Sense and Sensibility
4 from Persuasion
and
2 from Emma
OF&NF contains the lives of familiar characters like
the Darcys, the Crawfords, the Tilneys, the Ferrars, the Wentworths, and the Knightleys. Having all of those pesonalities to maintain, I didn't think that the charachters were written as well as they could have been, and somethings were changed slightly. For instance, Elizabeth is something of a matchmaker, which kind of annoyed me.
I also missed some characters like Edmund Bertram and Fanny Price from Mansfield Park, and Catherine Morland and Henry Tilney, from Northanger Abby. While they were mentioned, they did not make appearences in the book.
Other than that, I really enjoyed reading it, as long as I reminded myself that it wasn't going to be the same as reading a authentic Jane Austen. I would love to have some of you guys read it, and hear what you think. Just another excuse to talk books!
Comments
Nov. 14, 2007 - Hey!
Posted by Kekoa
Glad you liked my book!
Kekoa
Nov. 14, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sweetpotato
Very interesting. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Jane Austen sequal, although I should have guessed. It might be interesting to read one of those, if, as you say, I kept in mind that it wouldn't be like the original.
Nov. 15, 2007 - .
Posted by vintagegirl
That would be quite frustrating if they changed the characters up. Did the writing have as good a quality as Jane? I know my momma read a trilogy that would come after Pride and Prejudice, it took some strange turns (she told Bre and I the story lines).
May God Bless,
Emily Rose
Nov. 15, 2007 - EyeBright
Posted by SuperAngel
So glad you like my post. Thanks for coming by.
As Always,
SuperAngel
Nov. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JenIG
that sounds like a fascinating find! i just finished a book called, Miss MIles by Mary Taylor who was a life long friend of Charlotte Bronte. it was interesting; i had never heard of her before.
:) Mrs. Ig
Nov. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Poetess
Woah. I didn't know there was any such thing
Nov. 16, 2007 - Really?
Posted by melarooski
There are Jane Austen sequels? I hadn't realized. OF&NF sounds interesting, thought I think I'd better read more of the actual novels before going into sequels. If I ever do get read it though I'll let you know what I think!
Thanks for letting me know about the Backyard! I had just posted my SE entry and noticed I had two more comments. You and Blue are so sweet, and I was so surprised! Gracious, I don't think my Mom's read the post yet (she wanted to)! I'd better go get her over here. ;-)
Until later!
-Mellie
Nov. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
You, of all people, know that one doesn't need an excuse to talk books.
I have never read a Jane Austen sequel, though I know there are hundreds. Partly because Jane is easily one of the three greatest writers of the English language, partly because no matter who the original author, a sequel written by someone else will not have the same 'flavor'. It is VERY difficult, not to mention practically impossible, for some one to imitate another's style. And the greater the original, the more impossible the imitation.
All that being said, I am still interested in reading it. I wonder what sort of story line it took to unite all those characters? Did the author only have Jane Austen characters, or did she incorporate her own? Never mind; I will have to find out myself.
By the way, I have not forgotten about you-know-what. long-winded as usual,
Erin M.
Nov. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TheSAYR
Hello,
The SAYR blog has been updated!! We are preparing to read The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Make sure to stop by soon and find out what's going on. :-)
Regards,
Sylvia (totustuus)
PS About your post, that sounds really interesting. I have a good friend who is a Jane Austen FANATIC. She has read an amazing amount of Jane Austen sequels...I wouldn't even believe that there were so many if I didn't know her. lol
Nov. 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by BreezyTulip
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
"Old Friends and New Fancies" sounds neat. I'll have to look into finding a copy...
Merry Christmas!
-BreezyTulip
Nov. 26, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Your SSA
Hi!
I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to "visit you"!
You have a very pretty blog! I love all the Jane Austen books and mentions that you have on here. I absolutely LOVE reading!
I wish I could leave my username.... that way we could talk back and forth! But, I suppose it will wait until the end of this session. :-)
Until next time,
Blessings,
Your SSA
Nov. 26, 2007 - a note from Rose
Posted by Rose
Hello Eyebright,
I have never read any sequels to Pride and Prejudice....I was always afraid that they would mess it up. =)
Love to hear from you!
Rebekah Rose
Nov. 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Jocelyndixon
Hello! I am glad you're back! and you had a good time... I saw you were in the HSBA! woot!
Love,
Jocelyn
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