I have a bit of a history with Jane Austen - I seem to have read loads of her novels (S&S, P&P, Persuasion, I'm currently reading Emma and I've even read Sanditon), but basically I find her books a bit samey if read too close together. Yeah, sure, on their own, and in small doses, I think they are fine... but I can't help but feel that they have been overrated ever since they assumed the mantle of "classic". They just seem to be uncritically accepted. The BBC adaptations probably haven't helped.... Austen's books have somehow become the accessible, amiable classic and woe betide anybody who dares to think otherwise.

Not sure about the plot for this one? Well, it's probably something along the lines of:

Sensitive daughter from a averagely well-off family is invited with her parents and sisters to various dinners and dances, often with people from a better social standing. Songs are sung, dances are danced, pianos are played. Somebody makes an unsuitable match and is "disappointed". One of the men is revealed to be either pompous or a cad. After some ups, downs and misunderstandings, our heroine finds true love and is married.

Does that cover it?

(NB this one is a parody of the gothic fiction of the time... she's a card, that Jane!)

Release planned for Saturday, July 17, 2004 at BCUK 2004 Unconvention @ Apres Bar, Summerrow in Birmingham, England Controlled Releases.

Released for another BCUK-er to enjoy one of Britain's most famous classics!

I am determined to enjoy Jane Austen! I've never been able to get into Pride and Prejudice, but I've heard Northanger Abbey is different from Jane Austen's other books, so I'm curious to read it and hoping I might enjoy it.

Picked up at the book table at the National Meet in Birmingham. It was nice to meet you, SwissToni.