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Variations -- a series of Jane Austen “what-ifs”
The following is a series of short stories, each one starting with a different point of departure from JA canon. I hope you enjoy them.
I. – An Uninterrupted Visit
(Pride & Prejudice – Lydia does not go to Brighton)
II. – A Most Deserving Couple
(Pride & Prejudice – What if Wickham really did fall for Lydia?)
III. – Three Conversations
(Pride & Prejudice – Lizzy does not go to Derbyshire)
IV. – Reflections
(Mansfield Park – Sir Thomas Bertram looks back on life)
V. – Lovers’ Vows
(Mansfield Park – Edmund pays a call on Fanny)
VI. – Highbury Hijinks
(Emma – Frank Churchill & Jane Fairfax attend the Christmas Eve party)
VII. – A Very Worthy Young Man
(Sense & Sensibility – Edward meets Elinor first)
VIII. – Combe Magna
(Sense & Sensibility – Marianne marries Willoughby)
IX. – We Have Mrs. Radcliffe to Thank
(Northanger Abbey – Things at Northanger Abbey are not what they seem)
X. – In the Year Eight
(Persuasion – Frederick writes from his new command, the Laconia)
I. – An Uninterrupted Visit
(Pride & Prejudice – Lydia does not go to Brighton)
II. – A Most Deserving Couple
(Pride & Prejudice – What if Wickham really did fall for Lydia?)
III. – Three Conversations
(Pride & Prejudice – Lizzy does not go to Derbyshire)
IV. – Reflections
(Mansfield Park – Sir Thomas Bertram looks back on life)
V. – Lovers’ Vows
(Mansfield Park – Edmund pays a call on Fanny)
VI. – Highbury Hijinks
(Emma – Frank Churchill & Jane Fairfax attend the Christmas Eve party)
VII. – A Very Worthy Young Man
(Sense & Sensibility – Edward meets Elinor first)
VIII. – Combe Magna
(Sense & Sensibility – Marianne marries Willoughby)
IX. – We Have Mrs. Radcliffe to Thank
(Northanger Abbey – Things at Northanger Abbey are not what they seem)
X. – In the Year Eight
(Persuasion – Frederick writes from his new command, the Laconia)
62 pages
First published March 3, 2011
1 person is currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Jack Caldwell
37 books100 followersJack Caldwell, born and raised in the Bayou County of Louisiana, is an author, amateur historian, professional economic developer, playwright, and like many Cajuns, a darn good cook.
His nickname -- The Cajun Cheesehead -- came from his devotion to his two favorite NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. (Every now and then, Jack has to play the DVD again to make sure the Saints really won in 2010.)
Always a history buff, Jack found and fell in love with Jane Austen in his twenties, struck by her innate understanding of the human condition. Jack uses his work to share his knowledge of history. Through his characters, he hopes the reader gains a better understanding of what went on before, developing an appreciation for our ancestors' trials and tribulations.
When not writing or traveling with Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons.
Jack's blog postings -- The Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles -- appear regularly at Austen Variations.
His nickname -- The Cajun Cheesehead -- came from his devotion to his two favorite NFL teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers. (Every now and then, Jack has to play the DVD again to make sure the Saints really won in 2010.)
Always a history buff, Jack found and fell in love with Jane Austen in his twenties, struck by her innate understanding of the human condition. Jack uses his work to share his knowledge of history. Through his characters, he hopes the reader gains a better understanding of what went on before, developing an appreciation for our ancestors' trials and tribulations.
When not writing or traveling with Barbara, Jack attempts to play golf. A devout convert to Roman Catholicism, Jack is married with three grown sons.
Jack's blog postings -- The Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles -- appear regularly at Austen Variations.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 20, 2017
Only 62 pages long and under each of ten chapter titles, Jack gives a sentence summing up the variation. Some are comical while others reverse the marriages in canon or even give up a Twilight premise. To talk of the short stories would be too close to revealing the story. Jack uses much of canon but then in the prose that is his matches Jane Austen's Regency style so well that it is only those of us who are well acquainted with her words who might be able to distinguish one from the other. Well done, short and sweet....
But then.. “Now, before your wife gets back, what’s that about the Bennet girls being talented?”
Oh, my!
But then.. “Now, before your wife gets back, what’s that about the Bennet girls being talented?”
Oh, my!
February 18, 2017
This is a collection of 10 short tales of Jane Austen what ifs.. as that I only read P&P variations I only read the 3 based on P&P. They are fun and clever the second one A Most Deserving Couple contains adult themes and language
January 15, 2015
Variations by Jack Caldwell is a short collections of quaint Regency stories to say What If? to all JA's novels. I enjoyed reading the various stories, though some of them seemed like they could have gone further with more detail. If you're looking for something quick, try out this book. All JAFFers will enjoy it.
March 30, 2022
Some I liked. Some not so much. Generally enjoyable short stories to read when you want something to read through in a short stretch of time.
November 20, 2017
I thought the MP ones were especially well done!
July 10, 2014
10 short stories all starting from various places in Jane Austens' books
February 24, 2015
Expertly written. Free on Austen variations.com
August 24, 2015
A fun collection of Jane Austen variations, 10 short stories.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews