Austenites, Please Step Forward: The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen
It is a truth universally acknowledged that there are only a handful of things in this world that are truly irresistible: Colin Firth in a cravat; a love story gone awry but with the promising outcome of a happily ever after; and a deliciously witty comedic scene a la Jane Austen.
Over the summer, a number of Austen-themed novels hit the store shelves: ever delightful and easily devoured in an afternoon or two by any real Pride & Prejudice fan who decided to harm her complexion by a day at the beach.
Undoubtedly, Mr. Darcy has captured the heart of every red-blooded wanna-be Elizabeth who dares calls herself a romantic (see: Colin Firth in a cravat), but where are those books for those fans of Mr. Knightley or Colonel Branden? Where are they to find their passionate read?
Look no further. Syrie James has satisfied us on every score…except that perhaps of a happily ever after. After all, anything titled: The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, comes with the ready knowledge that this romp does not end with a wedding. At least not Jane’s wedding.
But whereas we know Romeo & Juliet doesn’t end happily, it isn’t any less a great love story—and Syrie weaves for us a very credible tale about a witty, budding authoress who upon touring with her brother, Henry, in Lyme, finds herself in a similar predicament as one of the heroines of her stories: that of being in danger of falling love with a captivating young man.
Mr. Ashford has all the dash of Colin Firth in a cravat with none of the awkward, introverted behavior. He is charming, friendly, trustworthy, and kind. Not only that, he is a mentor. He encourages Jane to pursue her dreams of becoming a published novelist—but he doesn’t mince words about what it truly takes to do so. During their discussion about it, his questions if she’s written anything lately makes Jane feel defensive. She turns all prickly:
“Writing is not an occupation which is easily picked up and accomplished on a whim.”
He went quiet for a moment, and then said, “I am not a writer, I admit. But in my experience, I have found that there is never a perfect time or place for anything. We can always find a reason to put off that which we aspire to do, or fear to do, until tomorrow, next week, next month, next year—until, in the end, we never accomplish any thing at all.” (127.)
Instantly shamed, she realizes he is right; that she has been allowing her fear to keep her from writing. She then confides her next fear to him: what if she can’t find a publisher? He has an answer for that as well.
“What does that matter? In the end, talent will win out. Do you want to be a published novelist?”
“It is all I have ever wanted.”
His eyes locked with mine, as a sudden breeze stirred the branches of the trees above us.
“Then a published novelist is what you shall be, Miss Jane Austen.” (128.)
Yes, that’s where I swooned as well.
But the hallmark of a wonderful novel isn’t just all the passages with the cravat-wearing, dishy-accented hero. Oh, no. There are moments of pure comic timing and hilarity that unravel before our eyes like scenes in a movie. And granted, much of these scenes are endearingly familiar. Clearly Syrie offers us the suggestion that perhaps Jane did indeed pull moments of her real life and put them into the stories we know and love.
It was delightful to find the similarities between Jane’s story and that funny and wryly true novel, Sense & Sensibility, but maybe that’s a prejudice of my own, being I find bits and pieces of my own novel uncomfortably familiar. I’m sure if any of my Mr. Ashfords ever read my novel (of which I have no fear: I’m pretty sure they can’t read), they too would be able to pick themselves out of the pages—and question me, wondering if the anger and passion displayed in print had any truth. It does. Why let all the melancholy and angst go to waste? Apparently Jane is as much a recycler like me.
In the end, I think this novel is about writing…and writers. The nature of how our secret selves are transformed into printed word; how all our experiences brought together are truly what makes great books. We should not live our lives in a turret, weaving from a mirror of life we’ve never tasted. Our voice and interpretation of these experiences everyone has had—these are what give something as universal, as repeatedly done as a love story a fresh and new understanding. It is a book of hope for writers–the last line says it all–but I can’t tell you because you really should read the book for yourself.
Syrie James captures all that is best and true about Jane Austen. You will find yourself caught and enchanted and praying for an ending that will not come. For die-hard Austenites, this is the book you’ve been waiting for; for those of you who do not mind a bittersweet ending, this one is sure to entrance; and for those of you wishing for knowledge of how to be a writer like Austen, well, you can find that, too.
Speak up, fair Austenites: have you had a chance to read Syrie’s lost tome of Jane’s most intimate thoughts? Have you been swept up in the hubbub of this season’s crop of Austen-like fare? Any favorites (or any that should be left behind)? Colin or Matthew–which one is the definitive Mr. Darcy? (I think we can tell who my vote will be for.)
Be sure to stop by Syrie’s website (www.SyrieJames.com) and say hello. I know she’d appreciate it!
Oh, Hellion. What a sight for sore eyes. Thank you.
Although I do love MM as Darcy in many ways, I must admit that Colin will always be the Darcy of my
fantasiesheart.I have a copy of this book (an ARC, actually!), but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet… *smacks wrist* bad janeite! After your glowing review, I will bump it to the top of the pile.
I have to agree with Tessa, Firth is the man for me… sigh.
Interesting book, but I don’t know if I could read a bittersweet ending. And thanks for the swoon worthy comment!
sigh…
Am I the only one who feels dismay that Jane Austen is now a sleuth, Darcy has daughters, Austenland creates a theme-park? I sometimes think Jane must be revolving in her grave, mumbling, “Where are my royalty rights?” I try to avoid the Austenized rip-offs, although I confess this Syrie James book has my name all over it. And I loved Clueless. So I’m conflicted. But Colin Firth is fine. Just watched him in Valmont yesterday. Sigh.
Just a little holiday eye-candy to get the season off right, Tessa!
Definitely put it to the top of your list. It was a very good, rather quick read–and the “Lucy Steele” character in the book is hysterical. Plus there was this scene with a new mother and babe–with everyone offering advice how to make it stop crying–and the mother ready to tear into them all. *LOL* It seemed so…real to the time, yet so relevant now. *LOL* Good comedy, yet very bittersweet emotion too.
Tiff, I would have quoted more…it was really good. I don’t like books without the HEA–believe me, I don’t–but this worked for me.
*LOL* Poor Maggie. I actually adored Austenland. Loved-loved-loved it. But then, I’m extremely excited about Hogwarts coming to Orlando in 2009. P.S. I adored Valmont. *swoons* Colin Firth as a rake of the worst order is so delicious!
Wow, Hellion, you know how to start a week off right! I’ve gotta say that after being swayed substantially by MM right after the release of Pride & Prejudice (note the ampersand!) I have fallen back into the CF camp. MM was neither proud nor prejudiced. He was delicious, but not as Jane writ him…
Maggie, I’ve gotta agree about the Jane sleuthing. Though some of the merchandizing I’ve gotta love. Like the “It is a truth universally acknowledged” beach towel. I mean what spells fun in the sun more than a little Austen?
Back in the spring I was naughty and watched all the new Austen adaptations that are coming up on PBS on U-Tube. I LOVED Northanger Abbey and I desperately wanted to love Persuasion, but there was a scene that had Anne Elliot running–yes, running! holding up her skirts and Run Lola Run-ing it–through the streets of Bath. They were so close, and yet so far. But I still can’t wait see them in one sitting, rather than the seven minute U-Tube increments.
You know, I left a great comment on here about an hour ago but I guess it got eaten. Dang it.
I love Valmont but I found that movie years before I knew who Colin Firth was. That scene where he’s telling Cecelia how to write that letter….and showing her other things. Oh my…
But Matthew is my Darcy. *ducks staplers and library cards* I can’t help it, he’s just so yummy and brooding and that scene in the rain? Steam pours out of my tv everytime I watch it. I haven’t read Jane *ducks again* but I do own some of her work. I’ve never read the books others have written about her characters but this one sounds fun. I think I’ll add it to my Xmas wish list. *g*
Colin for me! But I wouldn’t kick MM out of bed for ardently admiring and loving me.
I used to be really into all the Jane Austen metafiction, but lately there’s just so much of it I can’t keep up. Hellion, did you see Becoming Jane? I’m interested in how this compares.
Also, I’m pretty sure Syrie James was at Risky Regencies yesterday – and maybe today. There may still be a chance to ask her some questions and win a signed copy!
In Becoming Jane, the love interest is Tom LeFroy–and the story revolves around Pride & Prejudice sort of scene similarities. In Lost Memoirs, the love interest is Mr. Ashford, who, I believe, is based off an “unnamed” young man that Jane was reputed to have had a sort of flirtation with, around in Bath. It’s a later love interest.
In Becoming Jane, Tom and Jane have a sort of “Darcy/Elizabeth” conflict–and go forward. In LM, Syrie takes more from Sense & Sensibility. Everyone is head over heels for each other, but they’re unable to act on it from societal and family obligations, et al. I think it’s far more convincing.
I’m a Colin Firth gal myself! I just love his Mr. Darcy (sorry Terri!), but for me he IS Mr. Darcy. I liked the P&P movie but the BBC mini-series will always be it for me.
I haven’t really read any of the Austenized rip-offs, as Maggie calls them, but may have to give this one a try. I did see Becoming Jane and the non HEA didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would, probably because I knew what to expect. It’s all in the expectations – when I’m prepared ahead of time I do much better about not getting what I want (kind of like The Notebook, Hellion.)
I can see that my weekly stalking of Hellion will have to be extra good this week! What a great review for what sounds like a fabulous book!
And of course, I loved Becoming Jane as well, so if you loved the book, I’m sure to love it too. I will have to read it after the holidays because with everything going on, I won’t have time to savor it like it should be.
And I love Colin in a cravet. He’s so dreamy in P&P BBC version. But I’ll take MM as well. He’s got that look I love, just the way his eyes twinkle…
Irish, I’m with you on expectations. I think that helps–where you don’t feel so betrayed. I mean, with Shakespeare in Love you knew that there was no way they would end up together. I still cried, obviously, but I could adjust. I had a feeling Titanic would be devastating…as well as Braveheart (after all, I did read up on the fact that he was executed as a traitor–no big surprises there.)
I think the one where I didn’t see it coming and I didn’t do well with it: Sommersby. Anyone see that movie? Not good. Okay, the movie was good; the ending stank.
Christine, don’t be shy…we know you’ll take them all. You’d adopt anybody. *winks* It’s why you adopted me!
P.S. Terrio–I know EXACTLY the scene you’re talking about. You’d think I’d be skeeved out by the fact he’s playing with someone who might be 17 if she’s a day (which I know for the time period was common)–and it’s sexy as hell. I want to write a letter.
Did you just call Sin Christine? Weird.
I was broadsided by Message in a Bottle. Didn’t see that coming at all. I don’t have to have everything end happily but if that’s what I expected going in, then it sucks when I don’t get it. LOL!
Sorry, sorry, I read Unmasqued over the weekend…which had the heroine Christine…and not unlike Sin, come to think of it…
Ah! Message in a Bottle! That’s another one. THOUGH, consider the source. Nicholas Sparks doesn’t think it’s a love story unless someone dies.
Hello, and thank you for your wonderful review of my book. I’m particularly delighted that you loved the overall point of the story… that in between the comedy, drama and romance, it is a story about Jane Austen’s emergence as a writer… that Mr. Ashford was not only the true love of Jane Austen’s life, but the inspiration behind her return to writing, because he rekindled her faith in her talent.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and comments. I am also a huge Colin Firth fan (I love that photo!) I hope you enjoy “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen.” Researching and writing the book was the most fun I’ve ever had as a writer. Please do stop by my website at SyrieJames.com. It’s full of fun stuff about Jane and about my book. Check out the two free give-aways on my Home Page, and do leave a message in my Guest Book!
Regarding the HEA ending: I always prefer that kind of story, too. However, we all know that Jane never married; by necessity, the ending had to be poignant. I knew I had to come up with a good reason why Jane and Mr. Ashford, although deeply in love with each other, couldn’t be together at the end… but think “Shakespeare in Love”… not “Message in a Bottle”!! I promise you, nobody dies!
Sommersby blindsided me, but I got the inside scoop on Message in a Bottle and didn’t waste my time! The only reason I wanted to see that movie anyway was because all the trailers had Torn from Natalie Imbruglia in it and my sister said they didn’t even play the song in the movie! Sheesh! I always feel very superior when I avoid movies like that and such a dupe when I fall for the advertising, pay the money and get shafted!
My brother is a movie purist. In fact, most of family are also. He won’t even tell me the ending of a movie if I offer to pay him! I have to go and experience what the producer and director are trying to create! I’ve turned into a closet “ending watcher”. I read all the reviews, watch all the trailers and ask anyone that will tell me how it ends. If it’s not to my satisfaction I don’t waste my time anymore! I’m very close to being voted out of the family! LOL
*LOL* Knowing the scoop now, for you, Irish, I’ll be your insider on any movie I see that you’re not sure about.
Syrie, thanks for coming by and commenting!! (And as she says, it’s not Message in a Bottle. *LOL* Shakespeare in Love is much more like it. Bittersweet rather than “WTH!”)
How sweet of Syrie to stop by! And I love that name, btw.
Irish – I went to see MIAB the weekend it opened – Valentines and pregnant. I cried like a baby. But I love Kevin Costner so that’s why I went. And I still watch it when I catch it on tv. And still cry like a baby. I’m such an idiot.
Great blog, Hellion! Colin Firth all the way. He’s so dreamy. (I still recall watching Valmont for the first time. That letter scene made me long to be Fairuza Balk!) And then they had to go make Cruel Intentions. Ugh.
I’ve never seen Message in a Bottle. Had “depressing” written all over it and I avoid depressing at all costs. Bittersweet I can handle, though. Becoming Jane, for instance. Definitely bittersweet, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
And the rave reviews of “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen” have peaked my interest. I’ll definitely have to check it out!
COLIN FIRTH–SIGH!
He is Darcy. Period.
Hellion, stop recommending books, my TBR is now the leaning tower of Pisa. I’m a fan of Jane Austen, no matter how I get her–except I didn’t really care for The Jane Austen Book Club (the book, I haven’t seen the movie version).
*snort* Hellion can never get my name right. Makes me verra verra sad Terrio. At first I didn’t even know she was talking to me!
And as always I’m late back to the party. I missed all the fuss and even a stop over by the wonderful author herself! I have to go get a hold of this book. I can’t wait to read it. Too many great things said, and my love for Austen is killing my inner kitten of curiosity.
All these Colin Firth fans! Huzzah!
Noelle, I actually liked Cruel Intentions. Tacky as it is…but Ryan Phillipe is so *hot*, and it was my first Reese Witherspoon that I remember really liking her in. (I think she was in one other big flick before this one, but this is the movie that got her noticed.)
One of the Amazon reviews pointed out that there is a lot of dialogue in the book (which I loved the dialogue, so no probs for me)–but since it’s a memoir, how could Jane have “remembered” the dialogue so exactly. I never noticed it; I was too swept into the novel to pay that much attention to that leap of faith. *LOL*
Ely, read faster. Duh. And I owe you. You’ve sucked me into more series, novels, et al in the last year…I. Owe. You. *LOL* Read up. Mr. Ashford is incredibly yummy–or at least I thought so.
Sin, I’m so sorry. I should just call you “Sin” and stop trying to call you by your real name. *LOL* I can’t wait for you to read it so we can talk about it during one of our critique meetings!
Hellion, I was so amused by the reviewer who thought “memoirs” by definition shouldn’t include dialogue. Have you read “The Lost Memoirs of Cleopatra” or any of the other novels in this genre? They always read like… novels. As they should. Would you even want to read a love story told in plodding, diary-like format? It occasionally works, but most often in the humor category… and it is never, in my opinion, very romantic. It never occurred to me to give my novel any title other than “The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen”! If anyone would write their memoirs in the style of a novel, it would be Jane Austen, don’t you think?
I think the reviewer was stretching for something to be critical about, quite honestly. You know, the sort of person who would never get a student an A–otherwise, what would the student aim for thereafter. *LOL*
A diary-diary would never work. How many diaries have no transitions or talk about the complete inane? “Aug 4. Did laundry, experimented with a gumbo recipe”–but this is the best parts of memoirs without having to hear about laundry.
One of my other favorite scenes is when Jane is telling stories to her nephew–and he makes that insightful comment about, if you tell the story, does that mean its true. (I forget the exact quote–I assure you guys, it’s a great line!)–and I think that line sums up this book, this story perfectly.
OMG! The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen really DOES have my name all over it! I won it on Risky Regencies! Thank you Riskies and Syrie James! I can’t wait to read it. And Hellion, I liked Austenland, too, although it was more of an appetizer than a main course. Like Lindsey, I used to try to keep up with all the Jane stuff, but it has become impossible. But when you think what an inspiration she’s been to so many writers/movie people, it’s astounding.
BTW in that Valmont scene, Cecile is supposed to be 15.. I’ve never been able to decide which version I prefer…Valmont or Dangerous Liaisons.
And Sommersby. Sniff.
“Do you mean to say, that if I believe in your story as you have told it, then it as good as if it were true?”
Late to another discussion!
Count me among the Colin Firth fans, Hellion. I even liked him in Nanny McPhee, and I think he will be the definitive Darcy.
I am another Austen fan who has ODed on all the fanfic versions of her work, but I read tons of biographical/critical stuff. I did not care at all for the movie Becoming Jane, but I loved Jon Spence’s biography Becoming Jane Austen: A Life. And I thought Lauren Henderson’s Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating was delightful fun–and a terrific resource for writers of contemporary romance.
I received The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen in a gift package, and I confess I approached reading it with trepidation. But my fears were groundless. I loved the book. I found it both intellectually and emotionally satisfying, and the voice of Jane Austen was created with such vividness and vitality that TLMOJA went straight to my keeper shelves with no wavering on my part. I know I will reread it. The cover is a wonderful bonus!
Even later than Janga -it’s been a long day!
I ADORE Colin Firth! I watched the new P & P and although it has some delish moments I couldn’t quite buy it all. I also want to really get into the latest Persusian but the only scene I caught (and I don’t remember where) was Anne Elliot sprinting through the streets of Bath with her ankles showing! A bit beyond the pale, I would think. Now I don’t know if I’ll DVR that one.
Having said all that, I’ve never been interested in reading books written about Austen or what happened to her characters. I’ve always wondered what happened to Darcy’s cousin and Lady Catherine’s daughter. I’ve often thought that he’d be the one to drag her out into the sunlight. I did read ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ and loved it. From what I’ve heard about ‘The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen’, I’m going to grab it while I can and put it on the TBR.
Congratulations to Syrie on this, her first book!
And congrats to Maggie for scoring the book!
Congrats, Maggie! I know you’ll love it! (Janga even gave it her full-blessings!)
And yes, Syrie, that’s the line I loved–*sighs*–that’s what I loved about this book. It was a romance, yes; it had all my favorite parts of Sense & Sensibility, yes; but it was like an inspirational book for writers. For all you writers out there–READ IT!
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