I like to consider myself a Jane Austen purist and was almost tempted to tears when I finished reading all of her books...it was like saying goodbye to an old friend.  I'm all for reading the books over again but I have also heard a lot about the Austen sequels.  Someone recommended Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife but I got through 60 pages and was sickened...this was not the Jane Austen that I loved (rather it was trash).  As there are so many, can someone recommend a sequel to any of her books that would at least feel a little like Jane?

Thanks & eagerly waiting,

Rissa38

>Sigh< There's nobody like Jane Austen.  But for a less brilliant substitute when you just have to spend some more time with the characters, I enjoyed Pamela Aiden's Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy, especially the last one "These Three Remain".  They're from Darcy's viewpoint but the prose and characterizations ring true.

If you want something that rings a little more true to Austen, I would suggest picking up some Joan Aiken.  She truly develops her female characters in a more (shall we say) progressive line.  But the style and decorum of writing remains respectful to Austen.

Emma Watson

Eliza's Daughter

Jane Fairfax

The Youngest Miss Ward

Mansfield Revisited (not my fav)

I also liked Sanditon (the completion of ) by Jane Austen and "another Lady". 

Emma Tennant is a hack and I would advise you to steer clear of her.  Sorry, just my opinion. 

I feel bad for you that the first foray into sequals was with Berdoll.  She really REALLY goes out there with Austen's characters and for those not open to it, its not very pleasant. 

Give Aiken a try!  I guarantee you will like her.   I'm very unwilling to give any up but it looks as though this one is available:  http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780385197939-Mansfield+Revisited+A+Sequel+to+Jane+Austens+Mansfield+Park

Also check out my wishlist to see what I'm waiting on.

both YANKEROSA & SEVENSPIDERS,

thanks for the tips.  I just bought Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange on Friday and finished it yesterday (it was an easy read but enjoyable).  I just bought today An Assembly Such As This...looking foward to reading. 

As for your wish list Kelly...I think I can help you soon, as I also bought Capt. Wentworth's Diary today.  As soon as I finish, I'll post.  Also, I noticed that you had The Bostonians on your list...I have never read anything by Henry James but have been tempted.  Is this your first James book or have you read others???

Thanks again and I look forward to any future Austen sequels advice.

Rissa38

Rissa38, there is a very informative page here-- http://pemberley.com/sequels/sequels_02.html. Pemberley's a community for Jane Austen fans, if you've never been on it.

I have quite a few Austen sequels sitting on my pile but have not touched any yet (I will as soon as I finish Mansfield Park and move on to Emma, by which point I will have read all the novels). I am looking forward especially to the Brandon, Tilney, and Bertram diaries from Amanda Grange, and Wentworth's is on my WL.

There are also quite a few websites out there with Jane Austen fanfiction, some of which are quite good.

You may also want to check out Thomas Hardy and Henry James.  They both write in a less romantic style than Austen, but in the same sort of fashion with the same feeling behind it.   There is that strong undercurrent of female empowerment or the lament at the lack there of.

Here are some more Jane Austen Sequel Novelists that have done pretty well.  I've not read them all yet but sound pretty decent:

Julia Barrett

Elizabeth Aston

Pamela Aiden

Skylar Hamilton Burris

Amanda Grange

Helen Halstead

Kara Louise

I really liked Mr. Darcy's Diary & Mr. Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange.  Very enjoyable and it is fun to read about what Darcy's & Knightley's thoughts may have been.

i have already read Mr. Darcy's Diary and Capt. Wentworth's Diary...both were quick enjoyable reads.  I have Mr. Knightly's in my posession and plan to read it on the beach in two weeks.  Thanks for the input and stop back if you have anymore Austen spin off suggestions.

A new author, and beautifully written:

And This Our Life by C. Allyn Pierson

It starts up just before the double wedding of Elizabeth/Darcy and Jane/Bingley and tells about the start of the new life for Elizabeth and Darcy.

Not that I am biased, but it was written by my best friend since high school........she is a wonderful writer.  I hope some of the true darcy fans will check it out!

ISBN 978-0-595-44844-9

i would like to post books one and two from this series (1)An Assembly Such as This and 2) Duty & Desire) but before opening them up to the general public...wanted to see if any austen fans from here wanted them?

thanks,

marissa

This one isn't really a sequel, rather an unfinished novel that was finished by someone else: The Watsons (by Jane Austen and John Coates). I thought it was outstanding! Anyone else read this one? What did you think?

It's really hard to find, though! I happened to run across it at a thrift store.

Hi Jeannie,

I read the Watsons. I'm not sure if I read the John Coates completion though....I think there have been several authors that have attempted to complete the book.  the one I read was written in the 60's or 70's. I kinda liked it but I was able to tell that it had been finished by another author and I didn't really buy the ending they chose. :) But I did enjoy it in general. :)

I also read Lady Susan that was incomplete and then completed by another person (I think it was Lady Susan anyways...my memory escapes me right now).  but I remember liking that one as well

they are hard to find! I will say though that Barnes and Nobles usually seems to have them more often than Borders does. and then there's always Amazon!

I've only read Pride and Prejudice, so I'm not sure I'd consider myself an Austen fanatic, but I liked this mystery - Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the first Jane Austen Mystery by Stephanie Barron. It's a series, but I've only read the first one.