Austen’s Power – Zombies “et al”

I know, I know. I am writing about Austen monster mash-up’s again. Sick of it as much as me yet? Here’s an article in Hemispheres, United Airlines online magazine about one Janeite writer’s experience with a sales clerk while buying P&P (the original) at Borders Bookstore that inspired her to write about the swath of Austen inspired derivatives and her enduring popularity.

While I must gently reprove her (since I work for Barnes and Noble) for trusting that she would receive exemplary customer service without snark at a Borders, I will commend her for doing her homework and asking a great source for her opinion on the recent rage of Austen monster mayhem and what Jane Austen would think of it. ;-)

Just love the clever illustration by Thomas Allen

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre: Our Reviews

Dear readers, This weekend marks a time when both Laurel Ann and I will be reviewing Amanda Grange's new book, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre. Sourcebooks was kind enough to provide us with advance review copies, for which we are grateful.

Lately much controversy has been brewing regarding the direction of these sequels. While some people are fully on board and enjoy the Jane into Monster sequels, others have deep reservations. You can count me (Vic) among the reserved. While I anticipated reading Ms. Grange's latest offering with some excitement, it took me fully one month to slog my way through her Regency vampyre world. Thankfully, Lizzy Bennet came to my rescue as I sat down to review the novel, for she has written three letters that explain the book better than I ever could. Here then are some links for your edification. As always, please don't hesitate to let us know what you think.

Reviews of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre:

• Vic: Lizzie letter, Review One
• Vic: Lizzie letter, Review Two
• Vic: Lizzie letter, Review Three
• Laurel Ann: Mr. Darcy Vampyre, A Review

Vic's and Laurel Ann's thoughts about monster sequels:

• Laurel Ann: Reflections upon the deaths of Jane Austen and civility
• Vic: Precious Bits of ivory turned into monsters

Controversy in Jane Austen land:

• Kathleen of Meet Me in the Drawing Room: Leave Auntie Jane Alone
• Jane Odiwe and Diana Birchall: In defense of writing Jane Austen sequels

More links

• More Monster-ization of Jane Austen
• Austenblog's favorable review of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre