Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress: A Review

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Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress: A Review

October 22, 2011 by Vic

One regret I have in my busy life is the lack of leisure time I have for reading. Right now there are four stacks of books on the floor of my office, all waiting to be read. So many books! So little time. Given my schedule, I am glad I set aside the required hours to read Jane Austen Made Me Do It, an anthology of Jane Austen-inspired stories by published Jane Austen sequel authors and edited by Laurel Ann Nattress.

I rarely read anthologies front to back, but flit here and there, landing instead on a story with an intriguing title or by a favorite author. In this instance I began with Stephanie Barron’s tale of Jane And the Gentleman Rogue: Being a fragment of a Jane Austen mystery. I am so glad I did, for it prompted me to linger longer over dinner and read another short story. Beth Pattillo’s When Only a Darcy Will Do was a delight, as was Margaret C. Sullivan’s Heard of You, which I read just before going to bed. The list of authors in this anthology is impressive: Pamela Aidan • Elizabeth Aston • Brenna Aubrey • Stephanie Barron • Carrie Bebris • Jo Beverley • Diana Birchall • Frank Delaney & Diane Meier • Monica Fairview • Amanda Grange • Syrie James • Janet Mullany • Jane Odiwe • Beth Pattillo • Alexandra Potter • Myretta Robens • Jane Rubino & Caitlen Rubino Bradway • Maya Slater • Margaret Sullivan • Adriana Trigiani • Laurie Viera Rigler • Lauren Willig.

I’ve always enjoyed reading anthologies. They allow one to pick and choose on a whim, and finish a story in a short space of time. Anthology stories serve as literary versions of amuse bouches, those tasty bites served at the start of dinner. Even the most the discerning reader is bound to find selections and authors they will love. (Or discover a new author!) Click here to read a short synopsis of each story.

I favored some stories over others, but won’t share them with you for the simple reason that some of the stories I disliked received rave reviews on other blogs. Anthologies appeal to a variety of tastes, and I found it remarkable how many in Jane Austen Made Me Do It captivated me. If you decide to purchase this book, I can guarantee that you will discover new authors and stories that you will want to reread.

This is due, no doubt, to the hard work that editor Laurel Ann Nattress put into the project. As a blogger, I can’t imagine how much of her time was spent in contacting the authors and working with them, overseeing a contest for an unpublished author (the honor went to Brenna Aubrey), working with her publishing house in editing the stories, and now publicizing the book. I tip my hat to Laurel Ann for overseeing this ambitious and very worthwhile project, for this is her first book. I give Jane Austen Made Me Do It five out of five Regency tea cups!

Ballantine Books
Trade paperback (464) pages
ISBN: 978-0345524966

Order the Book

• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• IndieBound
• Book Depository
• Random House

Posted in Austenesque novels, Book review, jane austen, Jane Austen Novels, Jane Austen's World | Tagged Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Laurel Ann Nattress | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on October 22, 2011 at 16:41 Dentelline

Hi Vic,
cette anthologie semble très intéressante!
A lire sans aucun doute!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a good evening!
- on October 22, 2011 at 16:46 Vic
  
  Bonjour, Dentelline. Thank you for stopping by!
on October 22, 2011 at 17:57 Sherry

Hi Vic, I know what you mean about so many books, so little time. I have stacks in my bookcase and too many to count on my kindle to read. This book is one of the books I have on my kindle I haven’t gotten to yet. I’m currently trying to finish up Frizwilliam Darcy, Rock Star and then this one is next on my list.

I’d like to thank you and the other ladies for all your reviews and posts. There are so many books I would have missed if I hadn’t been reading the blog. Plus all the information I’ve read about here has been very entertaining. Keep up the good work!
on October 22, 2011 at 19:34 Sally Michele Shaw

Like Sherry in the post above, I appreciated the comment about your book stack and even peered over at my own overflowing basket.
I love reading the reviews that are posted because it does help me decide what to buy or pick up off my pile next.
Thank you for this latest review. I have heard great things about this anthology and have it on my wishlist. So many new authors to ‘meet’ and so many to reacquaint myself with in this one book. (-;
on October 22, 2011 at 20:04 Reina

Thank you…I too have a long to-read list, but this will move closer to the top based on your comments. And I agree about anthologies. They are a great way to find new authors or not have to read a lot of ones who are tolerable but not favorites. :)
on October 22, 2011 at 22:19 suzan

I just got my book today at a book launch in the Seattle area. It was so exciting. I got to meet Laurel Ann and it was such a delight. I’m so glad to have this anthology. Something to read in bits and pieces and not all at once if I don’t want to. I have overflowing books in each room of the house. it seems to have expanded from my bookshelf unfortunately. But then again what are end tables, entry tables, bedside tables, etc. for? I was also able to meet Shannon Winslow today and get her book. What a great experience.
on October 22, 2011 at 23:57 Karen Field

This is the next book for me after I finish the one I’m on. Yippie!
on October 23, 2011 at 06:23 Terri S.

I got this the minute it came out and found the stories I expected to like most were the ones that I was just okay with and some I thought I would not like were my favorites. I was just tickled by the one called What Would Austen Do about a high school freshman boys introduction to Austen. Could not stop laughing. I also liked The Chase which was the most unconventional offering, a historically based naval adventure featuring Jane Austens brother, and Stephanie Barrons Jane and the Gentleman Rogue. In the case of What Would Austen Do there was a note that said it was being developed into a novel – I think these three were the ones I would like to see made into full length books.
on October 23, 2011 at 21:45 Laurel Ann (Austenprose)

Thanks for your kind words Vic and for your wonderful support of JAMMDI – and me over the years that we have been blogging about Jane Austen.

I won’t feign false modesty and will reveal that Jane Austen Made Me Do It was a lot of work – but a total joy! I hope everyone finds two or three stories in the collection that makes them laugh, cry and escape to that wonderful place that Jane Austen sends us all.

Many thanks, LA
on October 23, 2011 at 22:01 Tea in a Teacup

I have read so many books this year that were on my “one-day-i-need-to-read-this” list! (When I say “So Many”, I mean 6 or so!) This is largely due to the blogosphere I think. It is a good feeling!
This is not a book I would have normally been drawn to, but after your review I am curious! Thanks for posting!
on November 3, 2011 at 05:58 JAMMDI (Jane Austen Made Me Do It) « C r a f t y P e o p l e —- confessions of a lapsed reader

[…] Just spotted over on janeaustensworld.wordpress.com a review of Jane Austen Made Me Do It […]
on February 19, 2012 at 13:52 Downton Abbey Season 2 Finale: Tonight You’re Mine Completely « Jane Austen's World

[…] with moi and one of your favorite Janeite friends, Laurel Ann Natress, editor of the anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It. Paperdolls courtesy of Kyle […]
on October 20, 2012 at 11:38 joannewater1

Thank you! Really enjoyed the mental trip with your post! Will love to read more…
on November 1, 2012 at 11:21 Dear Mrs. Elton « Jane Austen's World

[…] of Mrs. Elton. A number of years ago Laurel Ann Nattress, blogger of Austenprose and editor of Jane Austen Made Me Do It, co-posted on my other blog, Jane Austen Today. We both sent letters to Mrs. Elton/Diana, who […]