Pride and Prejudice: The Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote in Austen Variations

May 07, 2014 Sheila Majczan rated it really liked it

I just finished reading this book on kindle. I understand from one author that there was a problem with some editing and that is why there are 2 editions. Some typos remain and on one page a complete paragraph is repeated. It is very long, giving the reader about 14 pages to every 1 % of the book. I think I counted 22 authors, some who contribute only one vignette while others have many contributions. I was familiar with some of the authors (one of whom is my favorite JAFF author) but plan to us I just finished reading this book on kindle. I understand from one author that there was a problem with some editing and that is why there are 2 editions. Some typos remain and on one page a complete paragraph is repeated. It is very long, giving the reader about 14 pages to every 1 % of the book. I think I counted 22 authors, some who contribute only one vignette while others have many contributions. I was familiar with some of the authors (one of whom is my favorite JAFF author) but plan to use the web page addresses to look up the ones with whom I am not familiar to research what they have written. Sophia Rose's review reflects much of my opinion concerning this book.

There were some mundane chapters, i.e., giving us an accounting of the crops gathered. It was obvious that research went into how estates were managed and the various offices in certain chapters. Then there were segments giving us viewpoints from the servants of events and people. Some events come up more than once as different authors bring those events into their part of the whole. Several new characters appear and parts of the story take very unexpected twists; the most erratic being the tale of Charlotte's secret life. I don't think the latter sits too well with me and do know that JA would be turning over in her grave if she knew what was written.

I almost choked on my laughter while reading the chapter(s) concerning Mr. Collins's Cucumber and those large red radishes growing nearby in his garden. Too bad that they were stolen. I had to share that part with girlfriends who are not even into JAFF.

My favorite parts were those getting inside our characters' heads, reading their thoughts which JA omitted in her book. I love reading of sexual tension...but leave the bedroom physical action to my imagination. This book did exactly that! You were brought up to the union but then woke up the next morning. There were even scenes, the reading of which, brought tears to my eyes. I am referring in particular, to Bingley's thoughts about Jane. It was so interesting to get into that romance at the same time we are exploring Darcy's and Elizabeth's.

My thoughts during the reading of the first chapters were that it would be nice to take these chapters and place them in P&P so that you could read them in context. I agree with the other reviewer who said you do have to have read P&P to get full enjoyment out of this book. ...more

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