Jane Austen discussion

Over the course of time, I keep steady at my search for fiction that an Austen reader might enjoy. I am distinguishing the category of fiction apart from Austen fan fiction (continuations, retellings, etc.) and also excluding any novel that has the words "Jane Austen" in the title (this is not a criticism of that category of book, just me clarifying.)

So for example, I might find a Georgette Heyer novel as something Austen-like due to the quality of writing, similar setting, attention to character. Even with my restrictions above, this can still be a broad category. Again I am just try to fill in the answer to the question "What do I read when I have read all my Austen?"

Also, please add your recommendations of specific books with a short description of the book. If you have a longer review on your GoodReads bookshelf, refer us to that too if you would like.

I have added one thread as an example of a book I recently enjoyed. Please share your good book finds.

Sarah wrote: ""What do I read when I have read all my Austen?"

Frightening thought - which I have over the years steadfastly refused to contemplate!

Will have to think about this topic. I have movies on the brain lately (thanks to the 'Must-See' thread ;) ), and any Regency books that immediately come to mind are more in the Harlequin line. Eh.

You're so funny Robin. But it is a helpful thing to think about to me that there may be SOMETHING out there for us to read! ha ha If you stumble on anything the rest of us might like, this folder is always open for business....

And remember, it doesn't have to be a Regency era setting either....just something that speaks to the Austen in us....

The Lucia and Mapp series by E.F. Benson definitely spoke to the Austen in me. Small town, upper middle class characters whose personalities, with all their flaws, are great fun. I definitely recommend starting with the first in the series - Queen Lucia.
Humor, wit, and well developed characters, what more could you want?

We have talked about that series here in our group. Previously we have discussed books that follow Austen's line in some way and the E.F. Benson books were recommended by others. I STILL haven't read them though! I add E.F. Benson as a separate thread here in this folder and quote -- just to make it stand out more -- check the next thread in the folder to see what I mean.

Margaret Oliphant's Miss Marjoribanks is sublime; and I would second the hysterically funny 'Lucia & Mapp' series.

Barbara Pym writes some pretty special novels too.

Thanks Chris. I think Marjoribanks is one the Austen fans should try also. I read it in Victorian group just recently. And last year I was discovering the Barbara Pym novels -- I agree. I will list a few of these within this folder. I think my last I read was Crampton Hodnet, but I recently found another I hadn't heard of. I will get up-to-speed and post them here.

After reading Austen, I started reading novels like
Wuthering Heights
Jane Eyre
Mysteries of Udolpho
David Copperfield
and recently Sherlock Holmes

It must be the fluent British enligh style of writing that made me choose these novels

Abigail wrote: "After reading Austen, I started reading novels like
Wuthering Heights
Jane Eyre
Mysteries of Udolpho
David Copperfield
and recently Sherlock Holmes

It must be the fluent British enligh sty..."

That's a great list, Abigail! I'd like to recommend I Capture the Castle as a book you might enjoy.

Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre are my favs!

The Apothecary's Daughter

Lady of Milkweed Manor

And I'm reading this one right nowThe Silent Governess

Klassen is fairly new author, but I like her. She reminds me alot of Austen and Emily Bronte. She's been compared to both.

You folks have been reading some great stuff. Thanks for adding all the suggestions. I think it is still one of the hardest things for readers to actually find "like-minded" books similar to the ones they already love. We have so many books sources online these days, but still hard to make a connection to those similar types of books.

You have a great reading list going there Abigail. And Jeannette, I agree that I Capture the Castle might be a hit with Abigail. Lovely book. Thanks also for pointing out an author new to me, Jennifer. Do you put written reviews on your GoodReads bookshelf? I'd love to take a look if you do.

I would also like to very strongly recommend Thomas Hardy's little novel, Under the Greenwood Tree for all of you who love Austen so much! It is a beautiful and incredibly compelling story of romance and the rural way of life in the 1830s or 40s in southwestern England (Hardy's 'Wessex').

When you are done reading the book; run, don't walk, to your nearest video purveyor and the rent the 2-hour BBC film adaptation with Keeley Hawes and James Murray. It is fabulous! I believe it is a DVD that I would like to own, so that I could watch it at any time!

Thanks for the recommendation, Chris :)

I came across this listopia list on Goodreads:


What to read when you've finished Jane Austen

Looks like a lot of standard classics, but there were also some titles that I didn't recognize. Who knows, there might just be some great new recommendations!

Before the Season Ends
The House in Grosvenor Square
The Country House Courtship

These are all Christian fiction novels based in the Regency era by Linore Rose Burkard. I've read the first two (the last one is not available in Kindle content yet, however, so I've not had a chance to read it). I thoroughly enjoyed these books! I've always loved the Regency-era books but until recently, there were not many available in CF (which is about all I read).

Thanks ladies for adding to our suggestions. And, Joy, isn't that ironic that the listopia parallels our thinking here? Excellent. I am back to look at that list now....

I know, isn't that funny? Someone else was channeling your thoughts :)

That is a great list of books, classics and all. Some of them are a bit of a stretch to liken to Austen though, in my humble opinion. Many of 'em are excellent books though, nonetheless. I'd certainly push "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," "Cranford," and "Wives and Daughters" to those looking for something in the quasi-Austen realm. Cheers! Chris

Cold Comfort Farm, The Pursuit of Love, and I Capture the Castle sound interesting.

Joy wrote: "Cold Comfort Farm, The Pursuit of Love, and I Capture the Castle sound interesting."

Cold Comfort Farm is wonderful! There is also a movie of the book that was made in the 1990s (Rupert Penry-Jones has a small role). It is a hoot.

Joy wrote: "I came across this listopia list on Goodreads:


This list is amazing! I've read a lot of them, but there are a few that I haven't. Thanks for finding and sharing.

I like Cold Comfort and Capture the Castle too. You know Dodie Smith wrote the original 101 Dalmatians -- a little literary cultural trivia there.

You are right Chris, some of the Listopia list might not cling too closely to the Austen world. I guess mainly I was seeking after-Austen writing that is thoughtful, maybe somehow looks at society, maybe transmits some of the same sensibility as Austen. Wouldn't it even be cool to find quasi-Austen from many parts of the world? And I am very weak in knowledge fiction from all around the world.

I Capture the Castle is one of my favorite books; there's just something so quirky and real about it that I enjoy it more every time I read it. And that's why it's Austenesque!
(The description of Cold Comfort Farm as a hoot is spot on, Megan!)

Karlyne wrote: "I Capture the Castle is one of my favorite books; there's just something so quirky and real about it that I enjoy it more every time I read it. And that's why it's Austenesque!
(The description o..."

Yes - I do love me some Brother Amos and Aunt Ada Doom.....

I have never heard of Cold Comfort or I Capture the Castle, but I am excited to read them after all of the favorable recommendations!

ICtC is a wonderful little book. The film adaptation is pretty good, too, but not as good as the book.

I don't have a copy of Cold Comfort, so I'll add that to my list (along with North and South) so I can refresh my memory.

I am a little late to the game here but i have to recommend North and South by Gaskell. Some of the book went long on descriptions about manufacturing but I really loved the book and the BBC series was wonderful as well. I also have a question - I just found Georgette Heyer and I am enjoying the light reading and Austenesque tone. . Has anyone read Frederica?

Yep, and I loved it, especially the relationship between the children and the hero. It's a fun read!

Me too Linda and Karlyne -- Frederica is one of the best of Heyer IMO. Such a good read.

Oh, and I agree with you also about North & South Linda-- and not ever too late because this is a very ongoing thread. We mention N&S quite a lot here in this group and we even had a side read discussion of novel and film this past spring here in the group. We purposely held the discussion to compare the novel to Austen's novels. I enjoyed the it so much -- it is a very rich read in so many ways. I think Austenites should give it a try. And the film version of North & South is classy, but I still prefer the novel.

I found Gaskell's "Cranford" & "Wives and Daughters" a good follow-up because of their visions of country life in England. And then all of Goerge Eliot (except for "Silas Marner") followed naturally, perhaps because I wanted to stay with a woman's POV.

Of course, to really understand "Northanger Abbey," you must read Ann Radcliffe's terror Gothic classics "The Mysteries of Udolpho," "The Italian," and "The Romance of the Forest." Only then do you see how fiendishly funny Austen is, how she's inhabited the genre and turned it inside out to mock.

I would also add three Elizabeths: Elizabeth Bowen, Elizabeth von Arnim, and Elizabeth Taylor. All three wrote in a vein of compassionate irony that matches or at least evokes Austen's.

We delved into Udolpho a little here a few months ago. I would like to read more of fiction preceding Austen, but I haven't yet. And Elizabeth Bowen is a very nice choice. Have you read The House in Paris? Lev, do you remember when the main body of her work was written by any chance?

Wow, and I thought Elizabeth Taylor was just famous for her husbands and violet eyes. (hohoho) I have to confess I've never read the authors Elizabeth Taylor or Elizabeth von Arnim, so I'll look them up!

"The Enchanted April" -- loved the film, so now I'll have to find the book!

I would recommend Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford. I read it some years ago. Also, I would recommend Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh.

Birdie wrote: "I would recommend Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford. I read it some years ago. Also, I would recommend Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh."

I loved Brideshead. Also the BBC series of it with Jeremy Irons.

After Austen I would recommend Jude Morgan's Indiscretion or An Accomplished Woman. They're both somewhat reminiscent of Austen and Georgette Heyer. Not quite the same writing style, of course, but a lot of the important elements such as a dry sense of humour, witty dialogue and good characterization.

I love all of the recommendations. Thank. My to read list is getting longer.

You are adding to the reading list! And if anyone wants to list any of these and more as separate threads under this folder (either books or authors), please do. You can give a short summary of them too, so Austenites can know why they might be interested -- or point us to your reviews of the book elsewhere. Many thanks for great recommendations.

Danya wrote: "After Austen I would recommend Jude Morgan's Indiscretion or An Accomplished Woman. They're both somewhat reminiscent of Austen and Georgette Heyer. Not quite the same writing style, of course, but..."

Danya, I also listed Jude Morgan, I believe in separate thread under this folder. I agree, I really liked that book.

I just read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark and it struck me as something that was appropriate for what to read after Austen. Set in the 1930s in Edinburgh, Scotland, the story centers around the charismatic teacher Miss Jean Brodie. Her passion for the arts (and fascism) makes her an unorthodox teacher at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls. However, she is devoted to her students, especially those special girls she sets out to make the crème de la crème. The story follows the girls from 11 year olds in Miss Brodie's class in the Junior school through their last year in the Senior school. We catch glimpses of their lives as adults, as the girls look back and remember Miss Brodie and the influence she had on their lives.

It is a quick read (my copy was less than 150 pages), yet a very complete and enjoyable story. Like Austen, Spark's novella has plenty of wit, is a character study, and leaves the reader to sort out the ambiguous nature of some characters. Even though it may initially seem straightforward, it is a complex story (especially in regards to the characters' motivations) and the type of book that I could reread multiple times with enjoyment and come away with a different perspective. This was the first of Spark's work that I have read, but I will definitely read more.

This might be one of those where the movie spoiled me for the book. I'd seen the movie starring Maggie Smith several times, & came upon the book years later. They are very different & I couldn't connect with the book at all.

Interesting to think of it as an 'after-Austen' read.

Robin wrote: "This might be one of those where the movie spoiled me for the book. I'd seen the movie starring Maggie Smith several times, & came upon the book years later. They are very different & I couldn't ..."

That's too bad that the movie spoiled the book for you, Robin. I have the movie in my Netflix queue, and am very much looking forward to watching it.

I really can't say what about this novel made me link her to Austen, it was just a general impression/feeling I had. Perhaps it also has to do with the majority of the main characters being female and a strong, independent (yet flawed) woman as the central character. There is no tidy Austen-like denouement; however, I think that if Austen would have written in the 1960s like Spark did, her endings would have been much more ambiguous and untidy.

I would definitely recommend trying something else of Spark's, as I really did enjoy the story and her writing style. I have often heard of one of Spark's other novels,
Memento Mori , which sounds like an interesting mystery-type.

I read I Capture the Castle, I also saw the movie prior so that is why I wanted to read the book. Very nicely done. I just finished Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay, she is a goodreads author, I found that the book was so mesmerizing, I felt I was in Communist Russia. Check it out.

I ate up Georgette Heyer and I'm working my way through the copycats. If you want to match Jane Austen in tone, try Jude Morgan. Also read the Glamoruist Histories by Mary Roninette Kowal? They read like Jane Austen but have a bit of magic thrown in.

Hi all! I just joined Goodreads and this group. One of my favorite books is "Evelina" is Frances Burney. If you love Austen, I promise you'll love it because it was one of Jane's favorites! I have a novel coming out that (I hope) fits the bill for this category! Here's a brief description:

What if Jane Austen was secretly married? What if she had a baby whose descendants were still alive today? In Aerendgast, that’s what Violet Atherton has to find out, but she isn’t the only one interested in the famous authors’ secrets. Someone is willing to do whatever it takes to stop Violet from uncovering the truth.

Aerendgast: The Lost History of Jane Austen is coming out this February. Here's a link to my blog: http://rachelberman.merytonpress.com/

Would love to chat about any and all things Austen and late 18th/early 19th century fiction :)

Dear Rachel

It is not surprising that you like "Evelina" as it was written by the same person as Jane Austen's novels. This was Eliza de Feuillide,Jane Austen's cousin. I am sure you would enjoy the other two "Fanny Burney" novels which are "Cecilia" and "Camilla" (it is best to read them in this order). In the Jane Austen novels it is "Camilla" which is most often mentioned and indeed this is the best and funniest of the "Fanny Burney" novels.

As mentioned above, you would also enjoy the novels of Ann Radcliffe, especially The Mysteries of Udolpho. One curious fact is that the first hundred or so pages of this novel describes in great detail a journey from Guienne in France along the river to the Pyrenees. This is an identical journey to the one undertaken by Eliza de Feuillide and her husband. Ann Radcliffe never left England.

We can be completely certain that Jane Austen did not write her novels. Gaye King confirms that Northanger Abbey in the novel of that name is based in very close detail on Stoneleigh Abbey. The original version of Northanger Abbey was sent for publication in 1803. When Jane Austen visited Stoneleigh Abbey in 1806 with her mother, her mother's surviving letter confirms they had no idea what it looked like before they visited it. Eliza de Feuillide would however have visited Stoneleigh Abbey in 1794 when she passed within a mile of it on her journey from London to Newcastle.

If you want to know more about this you can go to my website "janeausten-anewrevelation.com".