If this should be better placed in the romance section, I'll move it-so let me know.

My question is about the "re-writes" or additional "histories" etc for some favorite Austen characters.  In particuliar those from P & P.  The "did you know Mr. Darcy had an American cousin" ? or "Pemberley-the first year...-type. 

Did you like them?  Would you recommend them?  Are some authors better at it than others(which ones)? 

I've been curious about these for awhile but have hesitated to read them because I don't want "my" version of a "follow up" messed with(if that makes sense).  Similiar in the way a favorite movie has a sequel and when you see it, you go "well, THAT didn't happen the way I wanted."

TIA

Jan

The only ones I have found good are the Elizabeth Aston ones, but they aren't "Austen-like" at all to me, just good, fun reads.

The ones by Linda Berdoll seem to be pretty popular, but I haven't read them yet.

I doubt any of them are really, truly good enough to be called a true sequel, but maybe some of them will be good enough to just be read as a fun novel, an enjoyable waste of a few hours. ;-)

I read several before deciding it was enough already.  I enjoyed Pamela Aiden's books and did NOT like Linda Berdoll's.  I've picked up a few others, and spot read, but not purchased.  I would recommend actually reading 10-15 pages randomly, whether electronically from Amazon's Look iIside, or from a physical book.  Because the quality and styles of writing are all over the map.  Sometimes the characters are NOTHING like the originals.  Filtering out the crap is time consuming, and IMO, worth it only if you REALLY, REALLY want more P&P story.

I'm not a huge Austen fan (I don't mind her, just don't love her like others do) but the only one I've read is Stephanie Barron's first Jane Austen mystery.

But, honestly, I think it's person by person - perhaps you'd like them, perhaps not, grin! 

I agree that I think it is a very personal choice about liking them or not.  I absolutely hated one  called Darcy's Daughters and won't ever read another; but that's just me.  My daughter likes some of them and my husband likes the mysteries, so go figure.  Each to their own.

I love Jane Austen.

Of the rewrites/sequels/whatevers (lo) I have only read the Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron. I read two of them, but wasnt crazy about them.

Thanks for the thoughts all.  I think I'll give Amazon a try with the "look in the book" thing.  Hadn't thought of that. 

Jan

Speaking of the Jane Austen books I have 3 of Stephanie Barron's mysteries series up for takers. All 3 for 1 credit

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor (Jane Austen, Bk 1):: Stephanie Barron

 Jane and the Man of the Cloth: Being the Second Jane Austen Mystery:: Stephanie Barron

 Jane and the Wandering Eye: Being the Third Jane Austen Mystery:: Stephanie Barron

all gone

They are posted to my shelf Just order one and I will send the other two. Give me a pm.

Alice