Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2023 discussion

Marianne says, “The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”

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Team Marianne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kirk wrote: "Team Marianne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Can't wait to see you off on the challenge.

*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford *sobs*

6)The History of England

7)Frederic&Elfrida

8) Edgar and Emma

9)Lesley Castle

10)When Darcy met Bingley lovely reread
When Darcy Met Bingley

Busy, busy Kirk! I still haven't read all of the shorter works. Something else to do this year perhaps.

Edgar and Emma always makes me smile as my Great Uncle was called Edgar - not a name which appears very often anymore.

Kirk wrote: "*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford *sobs*

6)The History of En..."

heheheh
Well done!

Craftyhj wrote: "Busy, busy Kirk! I still haven't read all of the shorter works. Something else to do this year perhaps.

Edgar and Emma always makes me smile as my Great Uncle was called Edgar - not a name which a..."

Thanks!! Team....Edgar!!

Sam wrote: "Kirk wrote: "*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford *sobs*

6)The ..."

Thank you!!!

Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (KU) 3.5
8- Honour and Expedience (AHA) 4 - I had a really hard time getting into this one -not a Lydia fan and the topic isn't easy either. Also, I could not grasp what on earth possessed Col. F to make his decision. Until much later, when he reveals his demons and I saw that he and Lydia were so similar via their experiences. And when the story opened to add the other sisters it moved along faster. I don't think I could ever reread it though.
9- Love Unsought (reread, AB) 5
10- Interwoven (reread, WIP) 5


ONE-SHOTS:

The Power of a Sword: prhood: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12197466
The Propriety Advisor: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13439561/1/

Sam wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (KU) 3.5..."

Great!!!

Onwards to Anne Elliot - well done Sam

Kirk wrote: "*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford *sobs*

6)The History of En..."

I haven't read these, either.

Sam wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (KU) 3.5..."

Way to go, Sam.

Kirk wrote: "*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford *sobs*

6)The History of En..."

Definitely a quick visit with Miss Marianne. One of these days I'll read all the Juvenilia. I've read a few here and there. Off you go to Kellynch.

Sam wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (KU) 3.5..."

Miss Marianne waves her hanky in farewell sending you off to Miss Anne, Sam. :)

You have me curious about the Lydia story.

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford *sobs*

6)The ..."

Thanks! No no no Kellynch(I'd brake some mirrors....hehehe).....yes yes yes to Lyme Regis! After all, I'm a fossil and as grumpy as a T Rex w/o dinner:)

Marianne Dashwood 6 to 10 Books

6. The Vignettes 4 Stars
7. Frederic & Elfrida 4 Stars
8. Elizabeth Bennet And A Serious Proposal: a Pride and Prejudice variation 4 Stars
9. Any Number of Regrets 3 Stars
10. Love, Letters and Lies: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4 Stars

wosedwew wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6 to 10 Books

6. The Vignettes 4 Stars
7. Frederic & Elfrida 4 Stars
8. [book:Elizabeth Bennet And A Serious Proposal: a Pride and Prejudice varia..."
Yeah!!

Kirk wrote: "Sam wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- [book:Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation|585811..."

Thank you!

Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- [book:Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation|585811..."

Thanks Sophia, The Lydia story did get good. She is pulling it soon to clean up for publishing and was very clear about not posting it or reviews, anywhere. So it will be available at some point.

Linda wrote: "Sam wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6-10 Books

6- Her Sisterly Love: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (reread, AB) 5
7- [book:Hearts and Consequences: A Pride and Prejudice Variation|585811..."

Thanks!

Craftyhj wrote: "Onwards to Anne Elliot - well done Sam"

Thank you, it was a good bunch.

Here are my next 5. I usually don't read this many JAFF in a row!

6. As Good as a Lord https://meryton.com/aha/index.php?/to... re-read 4*
7. Elegant Extracts https://archiveofourown.org/works/429... 3.5*
8. Compromise & Consequence: a Pride & Prejudice Variation re-read 4.5*
9. Admiral Thomas Bennet: A Pride & Prejudice Adjacent Story 2*
10. A Wicked White Cravat https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11931594... 3.5*

Well done!

A busy start to the year Linda

Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "*sobs* I had hoped *sobs* to stay a bit *sobs* longer this yr but I had to read JA's short works *sobs* so bye for now dear dear Marianne...hopefully see you at Delaford..."

Haha! We can't have that. A Lyme holiday visit, it is!

wosedwew wrote: "Marianne Dashwood 6 to 10 Books

6. The Vignettes 4 Stars
7. Frederic & Elfrida 4 Stars
8. [book:Elizabeth Bennet And A Serious Proposal: a Pride and Prejudice varia..."

Here's to the minor works! Way to go, Rose!

Linda wrote: "Here are my next 5. I usually don't read this many JAFF in a row!

6. As Good as a Lord https://meryton.com/aha/index.php?/to... re-read 4*
7. Elegant Extracts https://arch..."

On a roll, Linda! Sometimes the mood strikes and what can you do. :)

Linda wrote: "Here are my next 5. I usually don't read this many JAFF in a row!

6. As Good as a Lord https://meryton.com/aha/index.php?/to... re-read 4*
7. Elegant Extracts https://arch..."
Yeah!!!

Miss Marianne - I do hope you find my choices sufficiently exciting and romantic for you. There is some bereavement, some unrequited love and some very misunderstood young ladies. I trust these will be to your liking,

6) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - 5*

The maestro at work. What else is there to say other than Thank You Jane Austen. My January Challenge book.

7) The Truth About Family: A friends to lovers variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Lucy Marin - 5*.

A beautifully written and deeply poignant story, this is another triumph from Lucy Marin - a subtle plot, beautifully executed although in this book the plot is secondary to the emotions and long term impact of the poor treatment of a young girl.

Elizabeth has never felt at home anywhere and as a result she is unsure of who she is and where she fits in with those around her.

This is a story of a battle - a battle between the fears and doubts of a young woman and the determination of a young man to prove himself to her and more importantly to prove to her just how valuable she is in her own right.

8) Henry's Legacy by jfb - 4*.

A very enjoyable un-published book. I love the little historical asides the author includes at the beginning of each chapter. The reader really gets a sense of how much the author was invited in the history of it all. Definitely a recommended read to fans of the genre. There are a few typos but they are not excessive or distracting.

9) Son of a Preacher Man by Karen M Cox. 5*+

Absolutely excellent. Another fabulous modern-but-not-contemporary variation by Karen M Cox. This is the story of an optimistic idealistic young man and a damaged and vulnerable young woman. The story is told thought the eyes of Billy Ray Davenport (Darcy) who despite the sadness of losing his mother has known security and stability and hs great hope for his future. He meets Elizabeth Quinlan in the summer before starting medical school and encounters someone unlike anyone he has met before. Their worlds, and more importantly their worldviews, are so different it seems impossible that they could have a future together.

There is a second key relationship in this book, namely that between Billy Ray and his preacher father. There is great love and resect between father and son but they have differences of opinion, the bigger one being how they view Elizabeth.

10) Mrs Bates of Highbury by Allie Cresswell - 5*

A beautifully written "Emma" prequel.

The language, plot and style in this story are delightful and very polished. Mrs Bates is an essentially silent and almost invisible character in Austen's work and Allie Cresswell has done an excellent job of bringing her to life.

I do hope you approve of my choices. I have also read some murder mysteries but we should make sure young Margaret is not eavesdropping before I tell you about them.

Congratulations Craftyhj on already moving on from Miss Marianne Dashwood's Library, I am still working on my first book here. I hope you enjoy your time browsing the shelves of Anne Elliot's Library as much as here.

Craftyhj wrote: "Miss Marianne - I do hope you find my choices sufficiently exciting and romantic for you. There is some bereavement, some unrequited love and some very misunderstood young ladies. I trust these wil..."

Well done!

6 A Curious Christmas Circumstance: A Holiday Pride and Prejudice Variation 4
7 A Miracle in Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Variation 4
8 A Holiday in Brighton: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4
9 Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America 4 non austen
10 A Timely Elopement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 5

Sending cheers to everyone on this level making progress!

Craftyhj, in response to your comment...

Craftyhj wrote: 6) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - 5* The maestro at work. What else is there to say other than Thank You Jane Austen...
7) The Truth About Family: A friends to lovers variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Lucy Marin - 5*.
A beautifully written and deeply poignant story, this is another triumph from Lucy Marin - a subtle plot, beautifully executed although in this book the plot is secondary to the emotions and long term impact of the poor treatment of a young girl."

It must have been fascinating to read Lucy Marin's book after reading (or while reading?) MP. I haven't read The Truth About Family yet, but I had the chance to interview Lucy for an Austen Variations post, and we discussed the similarities and differences between her version of Elizabeth in TTAF and Fanny in MP. If you're interested in that interview, it will be up on Austen Variations tomorrow (Monday) morning. Lucy has a lot of fun and thoughtful ideas to share about writing and Austen!

So glad you enjoyed the books in this level. I'll bet Marianne (or at least an older Marianne, say the Marianne at the end of S&S, would approve!) I certainly love MP, and I agree that Mrs. Bates was beautifully written. I haven't read Son of a Preacher Man yet, but I've really enjoyed other books by Cox!

I'm glad you said that Christina - all the time I was reading TTAF I had MP undertones running through my mind. I shall definitely read your interview with Lucy Marin.

Yay for Craftyhj and Lenora for enjoying a good stack of books and bidding Miss Marianne farewell. Hello, Miss Anne! :)

Congratulations Lenora on moving on from Miss Marianne Dashwood's Library and I am glad you enjoyed your time browsing the shelves here ad hope you continue to enjoy your reading in Anne Elliot's Library as much as here.

Lenora wrote: "6 A Curious Christmas Circumstance: A Holiday Pride and Prejudice Variation 4
7 A Miracle in Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Variation 4
8 [book:A Holiday in ..."

Well done- I don't think I have heard of any of these

Lenora wrote: "6 A Curious Christmas Circumstance: A Holiday Pride and Prejudice Variation 4
7 A Miracle in Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Holiday Variation 4
8 [book:A Holiday in ..."
Great!

Craftyhj wrote: "Miss Marianne - I do hope you find my choices sufficiently exciting and romantic for you. There is some bereavement, some unrequited love and some very misunderstood young ladies. I trust these wil..."
Wow!!!

Hello Marianne, sorry not to spend too much time with you. Say hello to Eleanor for me.

6. Dreams that make us https://archiveofourown.org/works/435... 4 stars. A sweet soulmate story. Darcy and Elizabeth are rare humans who are able to meet, interact and befriend their soulmate through their dreams. So Darcy knows Elizabeth since his mother's death when she walks into his dream. They grow up together both thinking the other to he a figment of their imagination. This makes for a very interesting assembly meeting.
7. An Untoward circumstance https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9675302/0/ 4 stars. Lydia gets attacked and murdered on the morning after the Netherfield ball by an unknown assailant. So, Collins's proposal gets disrupted, the news reaches Bingley and Darcy through the footman who brought Caroline's message which prompts Bingley's return. Though the attack is not described directly, the impact on the family is quite angsty. How the Bennets recover and how the community with the help of Bingley, Darcy and the Colonel discover the murderer forms this really long story. The story does slow down a bit in the middle but catches up to speed in the end. The author promises a few more one shots to fill in missing parts separately. As an aside, why in most stories the elder brother of the Colonel, the Viscount, a reprobate (a few exceptions like Lord Saye exist)? Is it because secretly most of the fans want the Colonel to succeed his father? Food for thought!
8. An Untoward circumstance - chapter 32 https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10245630/0/ 5 stars. This is an April fool prank version of the 32nd chapter of the previous story. Quite funny and enjoyable!
9. Like a sister https://archiveofourown.org/works/113... 4 stars. This is a sweet variation. Georgiana and Elizabeth become friends in London before Bingley comes to Hertfordshire. ODC's path is not the only different one but there are a few surprising twists.
10. Pride and Prejudice at the Bennet Bakery: A sweet contemporary gender swapped retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... 4 stars. A modern gender reversal variation. Gender reversal is quite tricky, a marriage minded mama, entailed estate, couple of elopements, a knight in shining armour rescue are not so easy to fit in a reversed scenario which this author actually manages pretty well. A quick and interesting read.

Well done! Your number 6 was very special, I enjoyed it also.

lots of unpublished there - an interesting mix. well done. I think Marianne would appreciate a Soul Mark story

abmom wrote: "Hello Marianne, sorry not to spend too much time with you. Say hello to Eleanor for me.

6. Dreams that make us https://archiveofourown.org/works/435... 4 stars. A sweet soulma..."
Great!!

Sounds interesting with your #6 having Lydia die and, yes, I've noticed just how many variations paint the older Fitzwilliam brother as an irredeemable awful person.

Way to go breezing through Miss Marianne level, abmom! Miss Anne awaits you. :)

Congratulations abmom on moving on to the next library! A lot of variations do paint Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother in a bad light and I think that applies to most books I have read that mention him although I remember liking him in Fitzwilliam Darcy Elopes: A Pride and Prejudice Variation and him being a really fun addition to the story.

Have fun in Anne Elliot's Library next.

I just finished my first book here in Marianne Dashwood's Library.
06.) The Pink Daffodil: Variations on a Jane Austen Christmas 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

well done abmom (auto correct keeps changing that to "abloom" - I am sure Mrs Bennet would be glad to know that you are all abloom!😀).

Thank you all! Crafty, I feel like thanking your autocorrect specifically for bestowing me with such compliments ;-)

Chelsea wrote: "Congratulations abmom on moving on to the next library! A lot of variations do paint Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother in a bad light and I think that applies to most books I have read that mention him..."

Excellent!!!

Chelsea wrote: "Congratulations abmom on moving on to the next library! A lot of variations do paint Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother in a bad light and I think that applies to most books I have read that mention him..."

Looks like a festive one, Chelsea!