Now and then, fate raises her delicate hand and gently ushers you somewhere you didn't expect to be. And so it was a few weeks ago when holidaying in the UK. It was meant to be a couple of days walking the North Downs Way in Surrey with old … [Read more...] about Accidental Austen journeys
Meeting Jane (almost)
Writing Austenesque fiction means the ghost of Jane Austen always feels near. (Hopefully not preparing some deliciously cutting remark on the impropriety of this young* man who dares play with her characters.) Ms Austen never reveals herself, … [Read more...] about Meeting Jane (almost)
Why do you like Jane Austen?
It's a question I get asked a lot. Which is odd, because it's not as if Ms Austen is undiscovered or underrated. Nobody ever thinks to ask why I like novels by Terry Pratchett or Mark Lawrence. Or football. Or twiglets. Or even Poldark. … [Read more...] about Why do you like Jane Austen?
Oh Jane…
Curiosity drove me to read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice a few years ago. I wanted to know how much charm and humour in the screen adaptations was the work of the adaptors and how much the work of Miss Austen. I was astonished, as perhaps only … [Read more...] about Oh Jane…