Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress

Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart

Editor:  Laurel Ann Nattress

Authors: An Assortment of Outstanding Women
ISBN-13: 978-0345524966
Publication Date: October, 2011
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Length:  448 pages
Acquired by Me:  NetGalley
 

Description Courtesy of Goodreads:

“’My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” If you just heaved a contented sigh at Mr. Darcy’s heartfelt words, then you, dear reader, are in good company. Here is a delightful collection of never-before-published stories inspired by Jane Austen—her novels, her life, her wit, her world.

In Lauren Willig’s “A Night at Northanger,” a young woman who doesn’t believe in ghosts meets a familiar specter at the infamous abbey; Jane Odiwe’s “Waiting” captures the exquisite uncertainty of Persuasion’s Wentworth and Anne as they await her family’s approval of their betrothal; Adriana Trigiani’s “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane” imagines a modern-day Austen giving her niece advice upon her engagement; in Diana Birchall’s “Jane Austen’s Cat,” our beloved Jane tells her nieces “cat tales” based on her novels; Laurie Viera Rigler’s “Intolerable Stupidity” finds Mr. Darcy bringing charges against all the writers of Pride and Prejudice sequels, spin-offs, and retellings; in Janet Mullany’s “Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” a teacher at an all-girls school invokes the Beatles to help her students understand Sense and Sensibility; and in Jo Beverley’s “Jane and the Mistletoe Kiss,” a widow doesn’t believe she’ll have a second chance at love . . . until a Miss Austen suggests otherwise.

Regency or contemporary, romantic or fantastical, each of these marvelous stories reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors.”

My Thoughts:

A WARNING to all fans of Jane Austen: This book is a must to add to your collection! Where else are you going to find so many incredible authors contributing to a single piece of literature? There is a short story for everyone to fall in love with. Are you traditional? It’s there. Are you a fan of contemporary? You can find that too. Scary, whimsical, funny – yeah, it’s all in there.

Laurel Ann Nattress is to be commended for her editing on this read. She did an outstanding job and gathered together some seriously strong talent. I believe her love for Austen really shines through her work. I have followed Nattress’ blog for several years now (www.austenprose.com). When I first learned that Jane Austen Made Me Do It was in the works, I instinctively knew that Laurel Ann’s book would reflect the level of quality that she has earned a reputation for on Austenprose. She understands Jane Austen on a level that few others can achieve. It is more than merely enjoying her writings; it is her intelligence that allows her to comprehend even the subtlest of suggestions and opinions.

Let Jane Austen Made Me Do It be your guilty pleasure purchase or pick it up for a friend as inspiration for a cozy day spent reading at home. It feels just right with a cup of tea and a blanket thrown across your legs. And for those who live a busier lifestyle – savor smaller moments when you can delve into a single short story for a quick escape, set the book down and come back later when you have the time to jump into the next one. However, I really do prefer the cozy method much more.

The thoughts expressed in this post are solely based on my personal opinion and have not been influenced by any other entity or being. Use of my statements may not be reproduced without permission from me, the author of Fall In Love With Books.

-