November's Autumn

My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation

A few years ago I exchanged an email with Laurel Ann Nattress of the esteemed blog: Austenprose. I don't remember the particulars but we moved onto the subject of both living in the Seattle area and found our workplaces were within blocks of each other!

Cassandra's portrait of Jane

It's such a pleasure to converse with a fellow Janeite and fan of British television. Laurel Ann is gracious and friendly; I'm so happy to call her a friend. We've had great fun, sharing opinions on Austen, the adaptations, 19th century literature, and more recently, the suspense of waiting for season two of Downton Abbey.

I also had glimpses as Jane Austen Made Me Do It unfolded. Recently published, it's an anthology of short stories edited by her. I listened intently as she told me about the book deal, whispered who might write for it, the whirl of the short story contest, a peek at the cover design, down to getting one of the first signed copies, and attending the book launch.

Filled with a variety of 28 stories and styles, the anthology has something to suit the taste of most everyone. I'll be reviewing my three favorites.


Having read all of Fairview's work and enjoyed her talent for creating interesting and entertaining dialogue, I was very eager to read her contribution. A delightful story, she keeps the portrayal of the characters true to the original novel. It was fun to see a spark of wit from Miss Bates and a glimpse of life at Hartfield after the wedding. And my dear Mr. Knightley, are you quite sure you know Emma as well as you thought? For once he is wrong about what Emma is scheming.

We are so happy that Jane's future has been settled," said Miss Bates, "it was a source of anxiety to us, you can be sure-- never expected such good fortune-- though Jane of course deserves the best-- does not Jane deserve the best, Mother?"

Miss Bates continued to discourse in this manner, but her words were halting. Emma looked at Miss Bates, truly seeing her for the first time. She saw darkness under her eyes, line of worry around her mouth. She wondered who would listen to Miss Bates when her mother was taken from her. She questioned who would supply Miss Bates' conversation, once Jane ceased to send her letters."

Now that Mr. Darcy is settled with Elizabeth, it's Georgiana who becomes the object of matrimony. People don't like to see someone with a fortune single. Under the influence of Lizzy, her 'natural shyness was giving way to a self-confidence that was delightful to behold.'
But Elizabeth suddenly comes face to face with perhaps the one thing that does rather intimidate her: a horse. And the words of Lady Catherine have more meaning as she's about London society.

The whims and inconsistencies, the ridiculous poses and airs which had amused her from afar were not so diverting when once she was plunged into their midst... her ever word and action would reflect immediately upon her husband's standing among her peers.

Persuasion is generally my favorite Austen novel (although Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park sometimes take the lead), it was so lovely to see some of my favorite characters again. As we sit amidst Admiral Croft, Sophy, Anne, and Frederick over a comfortable cup of tea at Kellynch we get to hear of the adventures of Wentworth and Harville as young midshipmen, and of the Admiral when he was still Captain Croft. We also learn a little secret... Wentworth unwittingly has something in common with Emma.

You have asked about the captain. I like him very much... He is a good officer, kind and fair. His manners are old-fashioned; I suspect not the kind of manners that would be admired in high society, the kind of manners I have often noticed hid an unpleasant nature; but he is a true gentleman, and I think, if he were a post-captain and had a frigate or a ship-of-the-line, would distinguish himself in cattle; and I don not think he would behave differently if he became as famous as Nelson.