book: a private performance, by helen halstead

'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."