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Jan. 21, 2011 From the time Jane Austen published her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, there hasn’t been a moment people weren’t devouring her words. Jane Austen is the quintessential romantic author. But what happens when you’ve finished the deliciously romantic series of Austen novels, and you’re left heartbroken and nostalgic on your parlor floor? With a single tear streaming down your face and one hand wrapped firmly around your copy of Pride and Prejudice, you wonder whether you’ll ever find another book you’ll love as much as Austen’s treasures. Over the past few decades there has been a particular surge in Jane Austen’s popularity worldwide. The BBC’s miniseries Pride and Prejudice, along with the Academy Award winning movie of the same title re-launched her into the forefront of our minds. If Jane Austen was a virus, we would all have the fever. Here’s the downside. No matter how much you love her works, her stories, her characters, there is only so much to read. Austen completed six novels and only one short story.
Novels Once you’ve burned through these, you will inevitably be left wanting more. You’ll want to recapture the romantic suspense that nobody does like Austen. You’ll be left salivating for another Mr. Darcy or Captain Wentworth. You may go through withdrawals. I did. The internet is littered with searches for “Austen-like novels.” “What to read when I finish Jane Austen.” “Help! I need more Austen!” Her niche in our literary history is very specific, and it occurred at a time when women were not encouraged to be writers. So it’s no wonder we have trouble finding a suitable alternative for Austen material. While nobody can exactly capture the artful writing and romantic plotlines Jane Austen effortlessly weaves, there are several authors who come very close. You might even enjoy some of the following suggestions more than Austen’s less popular novels. Sanditon by Jane Austen and Another Lady Premise: The daughter of a simple, secluded family is invited to vacation at a blossoming seaside resort town. She notices the charmingly ridiculous antics of the town’s residents and can’t help laughing about them with her host’s witty, younger brother. Sanditon was Jane Austen’s last (unfinished) novel. She only wrote a few chapters before dying in Bath, England. Sanditon has been completed several times over the years (I’ve read three completed versions myself.) And in my opinion, there is only one version worth reading. Published in 1975, this author does an amazing job of capturing the romantic intrigue, as well as the heart and soul of the story. While the writing is not quite Austen, the plotline is delightful. “Another Lady” is a take on Jane Austen’s original pen-name: “A Lady.” To round out your Austen collection, I’d definitely suggest picking this up. Cecilia (or Memoirs of an Heiress) by Frances Burney Premise: Torn between three guardians following her family’s death, Cecilia can’t help falling in love with the one man she shouldn’t. What better recommendation can you receive than one from Jane Austen herself? Cecilia was adored by Jane Austen- even mentioning it in her second to last novel, Northanger Abbey. And here’s the juicy part: it’s understood that Austen got the title to Pride and Prejudice from this very novel. The phrase “pride and prejudice” appears three times in one paragraph in the last few pages of Cecilia. It’s no wonder Jane Austen adored this work by Frances Burney (otherwise known as Fanny Burney). It’s romantic, detailed, and humorous. It’s everything you could hope for. The first third reads a little slow in the love interest arena, but please stick with it. Once the sparks start flying with Young Delville, you won’t be able to put it down. Camilla (or A Picture of Youth) by Frances Burney Premise: A loving sister watches her sisters stumble over their paths to romantic bliss, as she battles a series of jealous misunderstandings and confusing mishaps with her own Edgar. Another favorite by Jane Austen. She throws a very flattering light on Cecilia, Camilla, and Belinda (which we’ll get to later), but she discusses Camilla the most. There’s a very funny dialogue about this novel between two characters in Northanger Abbey. We can only reason she was extremely fond of it, and that’s no surprise. Camilla is in the same genre and vein as her own books, and it can be easily surmised that Burney was a significant influence on Austen and her writing. The love story between these two is so sweet and enduring, you’ll be dying for them to work things out by the end. Also, Burney’s flair for the dramatic keeps things spicy and interesting until the very last page. Evelina or (The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World) by Frances Burney Premise: A young girl leaves the comfort and security of her secluded country home and enters the extravagant world of society, dances, and lovers. Evelina is written completely in letter form. It was Burney’s first and best received novel. It’s the lightest and sweetest of all the novels on this list. The heroine seems extremely young and naïve, and her love interest Lord Orville holds his own against Mr. Darcy on the unbendable virtue front. The Wanderer by Frances Burney A disguised woman flees revolutionary France and continues to keep her identity and disturbing past a secret, despite falling in love with a British gentleman whose only goal is to help her. The last book by Burney on this list, The Wanderer is definitely worth the read. While it wasn’t accepted as well as her other books during Burney’s life, we can appreciate the depth of this novel today. If you enjoy mystery, this would be a great fit for you. It’s heavier on the mystery and intrigue than any other book by Burney (or Austen), but don’t worry. The love story is firmly in place and every bit as delicious as Burney’s other works. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte Premise: An orphan becomes a governess in the home of an intensely mysterious man. They’re drawn to each other in the face of repeated obstacles. If you’ve read Jane Austen, there’s a good chance you’ve already read Jane Eyre. But on the off chance you haven’t, there is no better alternative than this tremendously passionate work of love and devotion. Considered a gothic novel, it’s a little darker than Austen’s typically bright and uplifting style. But you won’t be disappointed by the dashing Mr. Rochester or his hidden secret in the attic. Again, this novel starts slowly. But once Jane reaches Thornfield Hall, you’ll have your nose buried so far into the spine of this book, your family won’t see you for days. Belinda by Maria Edgeworth Premise: A practical young woman takes up residence with an incredibly dramatic social paramour in the heart of London society. “Cecilia, Camilla, and Belinda” are the three works cited in Chapter 5 of Northanger Abbey, and we’ve finally reached the third. Belinda is definitely an enjoyable read. It’s heavy on the humor and heavy on the theatrics, being arguably the most dramatic literary work on this list. Belinda is necessary to round out your collection, especially if you like a lot of action in your reading – Edgeworth dwarfs Austen when it comes to action-driven scenes. Helen by Maria Edgeworth Premise: An orphan is accepted into the prestigious home of her friend, where she falls in love with a worthy gentleman. But before she can be married, mistaken identity plays a role in keeping the lovers apart. Helen is, in my opinion, the only other work by Edgeworth to warrant a listing in this section, since the rest of Edgeworth’s writings are less focused on love stories. Helen is similar to Belinda in style and structure. The way you feel about one is probably the way you’ll feel about the other. But if she’s good enough for Jane Austen, she’s good enough for me. The one word of caution I have to potential readers, is that the second half of this book can be frustrating. If you’re the type of person who is annoyed by characters’ bad decision making, this may not be a good choice of reading material. This plot is forwarded by repeated unfortunate decisions. I have read every book on this list, and I’ve enjoyed them all thoroughly. It’s impossible to replace Austen. Her works are uniquely wonderful. But it is possible to read books reminiscent of Austen, but with a style and flair all their own.
If you’re suffering from an Austen-sized hole in your heart, try patching it up with one of these eight books!
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