Writing Jane Austen

by Elizabeth Aston

Book Overview

From the author of Mr. Darcy's Daughters comes "a witty, page-turning love letter to [Jane] Austen's work" (Publishers Weekly).

Critically acclaimed and award-winning--but hardly bestselling--author Georgina Jackson can't get past the first chapter of her second book. When she receives an urgent email from her agent, Georgina is certain it's bad news. Shockingly, she's offered a commission to complete a newly discovered...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141658787X
• ISBN13: 9781416587873
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Charming novel with great characters

This book had something that is all too rare these days: charm. It is, of course, froth, but it has more teeth than a run-of-the-mill chick lit novel. I loved the characters, especially Maud (a beautifully drawn, highly individualistic 14 year old girl) and Henry. The plot is completely improbable, but the charm of the novel means that this doesn't matter--the book draws one in, even while one feels a bit rueful about allowing oneself to be seduced into its world. I laughed out loud in places, something that I rarely do. In any event, the book is beautifully written. I very much enjoyed the main protagonist's inevitable love affair with Jane Austen's work, and her waking up to the idea that a novel does not have to be grindingly and depressingly politically correct to be good. No one read her deeply depressing, albeit prize-winning, first novel, and in a way the book is about her figuring out why. She learns that it is acceptable for a book to be enjoyable, and that social commentary does not require that the author convey the view that life is not worth living. I highly recommend this book. It is ideal for long summer days, but also great for cozy fall and winter evenings. Reading it in the winter would actually be fun, as it will keep you warm. I will wait to reread it until the cold weather comes.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Georgina Jackson has forty-eight chapters written for her sophomore novel, except they're all Chapter One. She simply can't move forward. When her agent rings and demands a meeting, she knows there's going to be sharp words exchanged. Instead, Georgina's in for a shock. She's being offered the role of a lifetime, an opportunity most authors would kill to achieve. Someone recently discovered a never-before-seen chapter of a Jane Austen novel. It's been authenticated and her agent demands that Georgina finish the book. Georgina knows nothing about Jane Austen and she has no desire to start learning. However, the advance would be substantial, and when Georgina discovers that the monies might be her only chance at remaining in England, she agrees to write the book in twelve weeks. First, she must learn about Jane Austen, and then she must come up with an idea, and transfer that idea into a manuscript. Georgina's certain she's doomed to fail, but with her landlord, Henry, his sister, Maud, and flatmate, Anna, propping her up, she just might be able to accomplish the impossible. Elizabeth Aston writes an amusing tale about the discovery of Jane Austen after avoiding the author like the plague. She humorously focuses on the pains of writing, including the need for many breaks, procrastination techniques, and how to duck phone calls and dodge unwanted visitors. She details the joys and annoyances of friendships and adds a dash of romance to this entertaining read. Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

Predictable but pleasant

I adore Elizabeth Aston's continuations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her novels are the only ones I've found to stand up to the Austen standard. This was her first foray (that I'm aware of) into a novel set in modern times. The heroine of the story is an author who has never read any Jane Austen, yet is coerced into completing a manuscript of Austen's that has just come to light. The story follows her as she travels through Austen's life, seeing the world as Austen must have. Parts of it were a bit flighty for me - how many times was she going to run away? - but in general it was an entertaining and easy read. Predictable, but enjoyable. The protagonist is not the strong Austen heroine we are used to, and perhaps that is what detracts from the story the most.

Interesting next novel for this author

This author is known for her P & P continuation series with the children of Darcy and Elizabeth. This book takes a new direction with it set in modern times and with the main character who despises Austen and is baffled by the appeal. It was interesting how Georgina has misperceptions regarding the JA books and what they are about until she finally gives in to read them. I will not give away the plot, but it is a light and easy read. I would have enjoyed more detail with her friend in Bath and not so quick a resolution in the end, but all in all, not bad.

A good summer beach read

Elizabeth Aston has written six novels set within Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy universe. Her latest novel, "Writing Jane Austen""" is set in 21st century Britain and features a young female protagonist who is an award winning and critically acclaimed author named Georgina Jackson. Georgina's debut novel while celebrated in literary circles did not sell very well at all. She is also in a writing slump and cannot get past the first chapter of her second novel. Forty eight different versions of chapter one to be exact. It is at this point she is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: to finish a recently discovered uncompleted novel by Jane Austen. Georgina is horrified because she has never read anything by Jane Austen and has never wanted to. She also is intimidated because she knows that Jane Austen has fervent, rabid fans. How could anyone try and imitate the literary style of Jane Austen? That would be impossible. It certainly could not be done in three months time which is what her shrew/harpy of an agent and her publisher give her. Georgina hesitates, but a financial crisis forces her to take up this Literary Call to Adventure. I found the novel to be a light, breezy read that is laugh out loud funny. Georgina's literary agent, Livia Harkness, explodes off the page as someone I would never want to meet in real life. Aston shows how Jane Austen's works are continuing to have an impact: from academic treatises to themed tours of the city of Bath to trinkets. Almost as if her fans are making a pilgrimage to sacred sites and the venerating of saints' relics. The story is has a delightfully quirky tone and shows the stresses of pressure put on someone to create magic with the written word. I think fans of Jane Austen will find many Easter Eggs hidden within the text. I recognized a character insertion of Miss Bates from "Emma" and feel that there are probably more such delights to be discovered by Janeites. Those who are not big fans of Austen will also enjoy the novel. Overall, I recommend this book. This would be a good summer beach read.