book: a private performance, by helen halstead

[dear_prudence]

'a private performance: a sequel to jane austens pride and prejudice', by helen halstead

after the unmitigated craptacularity of the last austen-related novel i read, theis book was recommended and leant to me by a friend. i must say that it was a vast improvement on the tripe the preceded it.
while this novel is clearly another work of elevated (by publication) fanfiction, it was at least written by someone who had, at some point, actually read 'pride and prejudice'. halstead's interpretation of the characters was interesting and while the narrative did at times become fragmented by the introduction of a few too many new characters and storylines, it had direction, and held my interest. especially when lydia got syphilis - HA!
in the end, i agree with michael mcgirr when he writes of this attempt: "austen would not be austen if it were possible to emulate her prose [and] helen halstead has set herself an impossible challenge."

Comments

[tracer123.livejournal.com]

I really don't see the point in these, it just seems so absurd.

[nixwilliams.livejournal.com]

fanfic! it's awesome!

[deasilvae.livejournal.com]

I have read this too. I dragged Nett along to a book talk the author was doing at my library.

Anyway, what I wanted to do is recommend you a book (if you haven't read it already) called "Being Elizabeth Bennet".
http://www.amazon.com/Being-Elizabeth-Bennet-Campbell-Webster/dp/184354606X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204773653&sr=8-1

It's a kind-of-sort-of reworking of Jane Austen novels but you can choose what you want to happen in the ending.
It's lots of fun!

[dear-prudence.livejournal.com]

it is literally sitting on my bedside table, waiting to be read :)
i'm looking forward to it (especially now that you've recommended it), but i have to finish 'romulus my father' first (an amazing book, so i no complain!)