Review of Miss Austen Investigates by Jessica Bull

 

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a Janeite fan in possession of a good novel, must be in want of a mystery.

Every Janeite knows that each new release in the world of Jane prompts a fear that something might not fit with their own private vision of Austen's work. Jessica Bull’s debut novel sidesteps her novels and instead invites us to join her as we ourselves enter into Austen’s world. Miss Austen Investigates is the first in a series for debut author Jessica Bull. In it, we follow Austen as, while attending a ball, the body of lace-maker Madame Renard is discovered. When Jane’s brother George is accused of the crime, Austen becomes embroiled in the case as she tries to clear George’s name. 

From the very first page, when we are introduced to Austen’s family, Jessica perfectly captures Jane’s humour and her relationship with each of her relatives, as Jane describes her favourite brother, Henry as: ‘The most horrid brother who ever lived’.

It is this knowledge of Austen that allows Jessica to perfectly capture the humour, the strength, and the vulnerability of Austen, that in turn allows us to relax and allow Jane to take us by the hand and lead us into her world. The setting for Miss Austen to investigate her cosy crime is enhanced by the inclusion of so many real people from Jane’s life. These include Mary Lloyd (the Lloyd sisters were later to marry two of Jane’s brothers) and the Austen family friends at Manydown, which would later become the scene of Harris Bigg-Wither’s thwarted proposal to Jane. Jessica Bull’s research and knowledge enable her to create these wonderful references to Austen’s world.

One such nod is present in the novel as at the end of each of Jane’s letters to Cassandra she instructs her sister to destroy each of her letters in increasingly inventive and hilarious ways: ‘Please screw this letter into a ball and use it to knock the cobwebs from the rafters of Mr Fowle’s barn’. This provides a humorous nod to the missing letters of the sisters' correspondence at the hands of the protective Cassandra. It is the inclusion of these nods to the author's history and the incorporating of family, friends and neighbours, that provides as much fun for a Janeite in seeking out the clues to Jane’s life, as trying to discover the culprit in the intriguing mystery that Jessica Bull has creatively weaved around it.

Every Janeite has harboured a desire to know what it would be like to meet Jane, to take tea and share gossip and to watch events unfold at a ballroom. Now, with Jessica Bull’s insightful capture of Austen's character, we can all achieve this dream, as long as the dream includes a corpse and a mystery to solve, that is.

I look forward to the next adventure with Jane, and Jessica Bull's informed knowledge of  Austen’s world has proved that, once again, the great Jane was correct, when she said: 

‘A fondness for reading, […] properly directed, must be an education in itself’.

 Miss Austen Investigates is available from January 25th.

Book Nook - The Paula Byrne Book Club

 

Book nook -The Paula Byrne Book Club 🕮

Jane Austen championed many causes within her work, a woman’s fight for control of her life, her love, and stability, to name only a few. However, while tackling these issues within her work, she also took on a defence of the novel itself. The theme runs throughout Northanger Abbey, and the author intervenes in the story to express the importance of the medium. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are so many quotes from Jane on the importance of reading. None seems more apt in the subject of this post than this particular gem:

‘A fondness for reading, properly directed, must be an education in itself’.

If there was one thing we might like to keep from lock-down, it was the ability to use to technology to reach across the miles. While scrolling through my Austen based social media, I discovered all my loves combined, a Jane Austen themed book group! However, this group was run from the U.S, but social media reaches across the miles, and so I was able to join my fellow Janeites from across the pond! The Paula Byrne Book Club is run by Felicia, via a D.M group on twitter, for like-minded Janeites (and fans of Sanditon!).

As a fellow Janeite, I will not leave you behind, so grab a cup of something warm and a slice of cake, and join me on the window-seat to catch up with...🍵🥮

The Paula Byrne Book Club…   

Felicia (Founder of the Paula Byrne book club)

Can you remember the moment you decided to start The Paula Byrne Book Club & what was the inspiration behind it?

 

A couple members of the book club, before it was started, came up with the idea of reading Paula’s books while we were waiting for season 3 of Sanditon to come out. I offered to organize and run it. The first book we read was The Real Jane Austen and the book club was started in January of 2023.

 

When did you first encounter Jane Austen?

 

I am pretty sure I read Pride and Prejudice as a teenager in school, but I don’t think it made much of an impression on me at the time (ironic, isn’t it?)

 

I then watched the Ang Lee directed adaptation of Sense and Sensibility in 1995 and loved it.  I watched the 1995 Persuasion not long after that and was officially in love with Jane Austen.  I have read all of her completed works at least several times, maybe even five times each.

 

What is the most surprising thing you've learnt from the books you've read & discussed so far?

 

It is amazing how well Austen knew people. Her characters are so well drawn that they can be recognized now, around 200 years later! Her humor is also timeless. She was the master at writing parody that it is hardly noticeable when you read her work, but then you realize that’s why you enjoy reading her so much. 

 

If Jane were alive today, what do you think she would be writing.

 

She would be writing shows like The Office and Arrested Development. She would be just like Phoebe Waller-Bridge and write biting, hilarious stuff. 

 

If you were an Austen character, who would you be?

 

This is tough. I see myself in lots of Austen characters.  Honestly, out of all Austen characters, not just the heroines, I would say I would be Mrs. Jennings. I love getting the scoop (gossip) on everyone!

 

Quick fire questions,

My favourite Austen…

Book: Persuasion

Hero: Mr. Knightley 

Heroine: Anne Elliot and Elizabeth Bennet

Adaptation:1995 Pride and Prejudice

Quote: “A little sea-bathing would set me up forever.”

    Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.

 

Sarah (member of The Paula Byrne Book Club)

How did you hear about The Paula Byrne Book Club?

I follow Felicia and she put a message on the TL.

When did you first encounter Jane Austen?

I knew of Austen before I saw/read her work. I grew up in Hampshire and when I was little, we learnt notable things about where we lived and one of the things, I remember is a writer call Jane Austen.  Never studied/read Austen at school so it wasn’t until 1995 TV adaptation of Pride & Prejudice that I first saw a work.  I then bought a boxset of her finished novels and worked my way through reading them.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learnt from the books you’ve read & discussed so far?

Not surprising but interesting to me was how creative and supportive the Austen family were.  They would put on theatricals and wrote and most important they encouraged Jane rather than putting society restraints on her.  They supported and protected her from society even after her death (destroying some letters and words from the epitaph ‘and the extraordinary endowments of her mind’).

If Jane were alive today, what do you think she would be writing?

I think Jane would be writing from what she saw and experienced still.  I don’t think she would be afraid to write about anything especially things she had an opinion on and wanted to share.  I love how clever she was of subtly putting things in her novels.

If you were an Austen character, who would you be?

Anne Elliot with a little bit of Miss Bates from time to time.

 

Quick Fire

My favourite Austen…

Book: Persuasion.

Hero: I‘d say Mr Colbourne but he’s not a Jane Austen written character, so I’ll go Colonel Brandon or Mr Darcy.

Heroine: Lizzie Bennet.

 Adaptation: Complete novels = 1995 Pride & Prejudice. Love what was done with Sanditon too.

Quote: It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.

Elanor (Member of The Paula Byrne Book Club)

How did you hear about The Paula Byrne Book Club? 

From talking to Felicia on the TL and DMs.

When did you first encounter Jane Austen? 

I think it was around 1996 watching TV adaptations. I read the books a
couple of years later.

If you were an Austen character, who would you be? 

Elizabeth Bennet. 

Quick fire questions, My favourite Austen...

Book. Probably Pride and Prejudice, it's a comfort read and the one I have returned to
the most.

Hero. This one is hard! I love different aspects of Wentworth, Darcy and Knightley but if I had to pick just one then Darcy.

Heroine. It's always been Elizabeth Bennet but I do also hold Anne Elliot dear too.

Adaptation. 1995 Pride and Prejudice (and now also Sanditon if that counts being an

interpretation of her unfinished work?!)

Quote. So many, but these two are good:
"Angry people are not always wise"

and

"Do not let the behaviour of others destroy your inner peace"

Cindy - Member of The Paula Byrne Book Club 

How did you hear about The Paula Byrne Book Club? 

I posted on X that I was starting to read #TheRealJaneAusten and Felicia and some others responded that they would like to read it too.

So, Felicia created the Book Club.

And does a wonderful job.

When did you first encounter Jane Austen?

I’ve been an Austen fan for 50+ years ever since I watched the 

1940 version of P&P with Laurence Olivier.

What is the most surprising thing you've learnt from the books you've read & discussed so far?

 

I think Jane’s message is that women can shape their own destiny 

If Jane were alive today, what do you think she would be writing.

 

I think Jane would still be writing about women and their attitudes and accomplishments….highlighting the progress that has been made.

 

If you were an Austen character, who would you be?

I see myself as either a Lizzy Bennet or Anne Elliott.

    Quick Fire My Favorite Austen...

        

Book-Pride And Prejudice

Hero-Wentworth….or Colbourne since he is a combo of Austen heroes

        

Heroine—-Anne Elliott or Elizabeth B…it’s a tie.

        

Adaptation— P&P 1996 and Persuasion 1996

       

Quote——“you pierce my soul “

              (Although Edward spoiled it)

Thank you to Felicia, Sarah, Elanor and Cindy for letting us take a peek inside The Paula Byrne Book Club. Jane Austen once wrote:

‘If a book is well written, I always find it too short.’

This seems apt for the books chosen by the club, so luckily for us, there is always another excellent selection just around the corner. I know I speak for the group when I say that, I am already looking forward to the next chapter! Yours, the Literary Lass. X 

Virtual JaneCon 2023: Interview with Lacy Phillips.

Virtual JaneCon 2023: Interview with Lacy Phillips. 

If the lockdowns brought any positives, it was the rise of virtual meetings. The ability to reach across towns, cities and countries, share conversations and our passions, has been something we have clung onto. One such virtual, and actual joy, is Virtual JaneCon. Started in 2020, JaneCon continues to delight and unite Austen fans across the globe. Entering its fourth year this July, Virtual JaneCon is coming to a a screen near you, in fact to your sofa! So, don those bonnets and get ready to learn everything you wanted, and perhaps some things you did not even know you wanted, to know, about Jane Austen.

❖   How would you describe Virtual JaneCon?                                                                          

Virtual JaneCon is a free, online convention by and for fans that takes place over a week-end in July to celebrate the life, works, and world of Jane Austen through a wide range of self-produced video programming. Virtual JaneCon supports the unironic enthusiasm and collective passion of fans of Austen’s works by giving them a place to gather online and let loose their wildest fan theories to an equally interested audience. Presentations can include academic discussions of Austen’s works, guest author talks, presentations on historical contexts, costuming, film adaptations, fan panels, and more!

❖   Why Jane Austen?

Because her writing is a masterful combination of comedy and commentary that never goes out of style. Her focus on deeply human themes gives her work a timeless feeling. It’s also worth noting that Austen’s fiction, compared with her contemporaries, is lightning-paced which continues to be more accessible to modern readers than much of the 19th century canon.

And why now? While Jane Austen's works themselves haven't changed, the way they are perceived and the conversations and creative projects they spark in the fandom are constantly evolving so there are always new perspectives to discover. We're getting important conversations about racism in the fandom, retellings and adaptations with BIPOC and queer characters, creative new ways of adapting the novels, new academic conversations about Austen and slavery, etc.  There is always something new to talk about, and this con especially has the mission to give room to all these perspectives, including giving room to voices that are systemically ignored or oppressed in other spaces.

(I got help from my fellow volunteers Liz McCord and Charlie Ha in answering this one!)

 

❖   What is your proudest JaneCon moment?

As an organiser, my proudest moments have been when I can step up and take on a task that needs doing. There’s an amazing team behind the scenes here at JaneCon with a variety of top talents, so it’s a really good feeling to be able to contribute.

As a presenter, I’m always proud of being able to take on the click-bait-iest sounding topics and turn them into serious discussions with a minimum of “drama” or controversy. Past topics have included an exploration of the question “Did Mr. Knightley Groom Emma?” and a look at fat characters in Austen’s works and filmed adaptations and what challenges fat cosplayers face when getting involved in Regency-era costuming. Both of those topics could be triggering and devolve to a point where not much is gained from having a conversation about them, but I think my presentations gave people a lot to think about.

❖   What is in store at Jane Con 2023?

JaneCon 2023 will have almost the same number of presentations as last year’s schedule, and the topics include some areas of relevant interest that have never been covered in the three previous Cons including a primer on English Country Dancing, a discussion of what future filmed Austen adaptations could look like, a look into Austen contemporary Mary Wollstonecraft’s life and works, and a discussion of the relationship between Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy through the lens of Taylor Swift’s music! The organisers are really excited for attendees to start getting a look at the excellent sessions in store for them in July.

❖    What was your first encounter with Jane?

I believe my first encounter with Jane was the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma film adaptation from the mid-90’s. I didn’t fall instantly in love with it, because of course Emma is a hard character to love. My first reading of Pride and Prejudice was in 2006, inspired by the movie adaptation that came out in 2005, and in 2007 I did a deeper dive into her works though I didn’t become active in Austen fan spaces until the mid 2010s. It’s fortunate that her works are so infinitely re-readable, that there is always more to discover in the pages themselves, and that there is always a churn of updated film and television adaptations and spin-off fiction being published for news fans to have first encounters of their own!

❖   What Austen character do you most identify with?

I am always drawn into Austen’s more serious and reserved characters. A lot of my personality aligns with Eleanor Dashwood. She’s very practical and self-contained, and I’m a lot like that. And I know Mary Bennet has a bad reputation in the fandom because of how her character has been interpreted in some of the filmed adaptations, but I think her studiousness is actually something to aspire to. She reminds me a lot of my younger self.

❖   What was the most surprising fact you have learnt from Jane Con?

One of the things that I’ve been able to apply most in my professional and personal life from both being an organiser of JaneCon and from founder Bianca Hernandez’s 2021 program entitled “Levelling Up Your Jane Austen Book Club” has been how to do diversity and inclusion initiatives the right way. There are a lot of great tips in that session on how to improve accessibility and become truly anti-racist. As the JaneCon organisation works toward continually improving on providing equitable access and creating a space that’s welcoming to all fans of Jane’s work, I learn from the work we’re doing and can take those lessons into my day job in publishing.

❖   What do you think Jane would be writing now?

I feel like the easy answer that many would reach for is that Jane would be involved in the Romance community and have multiple best-selling titles, but I think she’d be a freelance humor columnist writing political satire. Maybe she’d be a show writer on a late night talk show and would be out on strike with the Writers Guild of America right now.

❖   Where do you see Virtual Jane Con in 5 years?

Virtual JaneCon is working to expand in a sustainable and smart way to grow the community beyond just one weekend in July. There have been discussions about having some ongoing programming in December to celebrate Jane’s birthday, and of course we’re going to be working towards becoming a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit over the coming years. In person events aren’t outside the realm of possibility, either.

❖   Finally, what do you think Jane would have chosen as her presentation subject at Virtual Jane Con?

“Why You Should Stay a Spinster”

I say this partially in jest, but it’s true that a lot of readers assume that because Jane ended her novels by romantically pairing up her characters that she must have naturally been dissatisfied with her own status as a single woman. But I think her decision to remain unmarried must have been an intentional one, and her surviving letters are filled with so much evidence of her domestic contentment. I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility to imagine Jane as an advocate for the single life.

Excellent points, Lacy! I can only agree with all of the above, I too, think Jane would be spinning out political puns and social satire whilst being happily single and out on the picket line! 

If you want to catch more interesting insights and learn about all things Jane, then tune into Virtual JaneCon on the 15-16th July. 

You can catch up on previous JaneCon's on YouTube at: #VirtualJaneCon 

You can find them on: 

Twitter: @virtualjanecon

Facebook: Virtual Jane Con 

linktr.ee/virtualjanecon

Or sign up to their newsletter via: virtualjanecon.com 

 I look forward to seeing you there! 

Interview with Rio from Literary Emporium

INTERVIEW WITH RIO FROM LITERARY EMPORIUM 📚

 In my last post i attempted to solve your Santa struggles by seeking out lovely gifts for the literary lover in your life. We paid a virtual visit to the family owned Somerset business, Literary Emporium. Today, i speak to the brains behind the business, Rio.  

v  I see from your profile that you are an English graduate, what is the book that first ignited your love of literature?

It would be almost impossible to pick a single book – but from a young age I absolutely loved to devour any book I could get my hands on. I would often stay up late into the night reading by light under my duvet, which partly inspired our ‘Midnight Readers Club’ gift range. Books by Roald Dahl was always a particular early favourite, developing and growing into a love of anything gothic as I grew older.                      

                            The 'Midnight Readers Club' gift set

v  Do you remember the moment you decided to start Literary Emporium?

After finishing my English degree and beginning to work in the charity sector I started to play around with combining jewellery pieces and some of my favourite literary quotes, and Literary Emporium was born from the front room of our flat!

v  How have you weathered the pandemic?

Like lots of small businesses and families across the country, we have noticed an impact of price increases and difficulties in supply chains. Definitely not helped at all by Brexit. We hope that perhaps people may choose a small, family run business for their gifting ideas over Christmas and for special occasions as we hugely appreciate every sale we make.

v  What advice would you give to anyone starting a business?

Plan and map things out, discuss with friends or family where possible and give things a try – if you have your own, unique idea – see if you are able to jump in and go for it!

v  What is your proudest achievement?

We were really pleased this year to celebrate 10 years of Literary Emporium as a business – we are really thankful that people have chosen to support us and return to us for their gifting items over the years and celebrating that felt really special.

v  If you could be any literary character, who would you be and where would you take their story?

What a question! It would have to be a strong female character, perhaps a Shakespearean heroine such as Beatrice or a character from Greek Mythology such as Circe!

        The Circe gift set -

        Greek Mythology

            Collection

                   &

            Beatrice 

Much Ado About Nothing Enamel Pin

Shakespeare's Heroines Collection

Where do you see Literary Emporium in five years?

We very much hope to be continuing to provide customers, gift shops, libraries, art galleries and museums with a range of Literary Gifts – maybe with some new items that are currently in development – watch this space!

What is your favourite item on the site?

Some of our favourite items to package and send out would be our range of gift sets. They contain a beautifully designed cloth-bound classic or special edition book, a Literary Emporium t shirt and a Literary Emporium pin badge. All packaged beautifully in our own Literary Emporium gift box and finished with a burgundy and gold bow. They make a perfect birthday, anniversary or a special gift for a friend or a loved one and are very popular at Christmas time!

 Put your feet up with the Christmas movie and let Literary Emporium get Christmas all wrapped up with their beautifully presented gift sets.

Pride and Prejudice gift set.

Thank you Rio for letting us take a peak inside Literary Emporium in these last two posts! 

I can attest to the quality of the Pride and Prejudice sweatshirt as it was on my Christmas list in a Christmas Past! I think i may be throwing out some not so subtle hints to family and friends for 'The Midnight Readers Club' gift set as, like Rio, i was also a childhood member of the same club... and shhh, don't tell anyone, but i might still be a member now! 

Reader, until next time,  

Literary Lass 

x

GIFTS FOR THE LITERARY LOVE IN YOUR LIFE

GIFTS FOR THE LITERARY LOVE IN YOUR LIFE💕🕮 

While scrolling through social media recently, a writer described how her family always cried down her request for a book as an ideal gift. She called out to the social sphere, asking if anyone could think of a book related gift, that was not actually a book. 

    This post is for her, and for all the literary lovers, whose loved ones have put a ban on books under the Christmas tree.🎄🕮 Consider me your Mrs Clause! 🤶

    You could, perhaps, leave this page open beside your loved one, you might just find something worthy of someone who has been as exceptionally good, as i know you have been, all year! 

    Let me take you on a whistle stop tour of the loveliest literary gifts this Christmas! (Yes, i said it!) Grab a cuppa, plump up those cushions on the sofa, and let me take you through 12 Days of Christmas Gifts courtesy of family owned company, Literary Emporium 

1. A Partridge in a Pear-tree-     This Jane Eyre inspired gift box is a must for those that crave Charlotte's cry for freedom.                                                                                            2. Turtle Doves: Are, according to the dictionary, 'Noted for the apparent affection shown for its mate'.'

These Wuthering Heights earrings are also a perfect pair,

 just like Heathcliff & Cathy'

3. French Hens: Dream of summer holidays with 'Wish you were here' stocking filler postcards. 

4. Calling Birds: Were thought to originally refer to the blackbird. These vinyl stickers are a reminder that you need 'Nevermore' worry re those spooky stocking fillers! 

5. Gold (& silver) Earrings, (& necklaces, & bracelets): These beautiful book earrings are one way to ensure that a book makes it under your tree this Christmas.

6. Geese a-laying:

 Beware what plans you hatch & what you create.

Wear your creative heart on your sleeve with this Frankenstein sweatshirt.   

7.  Swans a-Swimming: Okay, so the Alice fans among you may remember this is not actually a swan but a flamingo! While swans do not feature in the croquet scene, they do look rather similar! Plus the Queen certainly features and she owned the swans! (I think i got away with that!) Anyway, the queen certainly did sock it to Alice, so now Alice can return the favour with this fancy footwear! 

8. Maids-a-milking: Don't let them grind you down, show your solidarity with Handmaids by buying this dystopian gift set.

 

9 Ladies Dancing: Celebrate the emancipation of woman with Suffragette clothing, stationary &, pins. For a special treat this gift set includes Emmeline Pankhurst's memoir.

10. Lords a leaping: You can always keep track of Santa with a compass necklace, earrings, stationery & rings! 

 11. Pipers Piping: 

Give in to the music with the dastardly Dracula gift set & stationary. 

12. Drummers Drumming:

'A drum., a drum! Macbeth doth come!'

Be ready with Lady Macbeth Pins & gift sets.  

You can find everything from Santa's stocking fillers to treasure troves to pop under the tree at 

https://www.literaryemporium.co.uk/.

Coming next; We meet the brains behind the business!