What to Read When You're Not Reading Jane Austen

INTRODUCTION

(or Go right to the reviews)

Happy it is for devoted Janeites everywhere that Jane Austen’s six novels may be read and re-read countless times over with undiminished enjoyment. Yet even the most devoted Janeite (though 'not a great reader,' and having 'pleasure in many things') will occasionally wish for the agreeable diversion to be found in some less familiar work of fiction. Nothing, of course, can equal the delight of reading one of the sublime six; but in the following list I hope to bring to the attention of my fellow Janeites a few other novels worthy to enliven a quiet hour.

A Caveat

Those who have read little or no nineteenth century British literature should be aware, before they begin reading, that British culture of the period was rife with attitudes offensive to the modern reader; and writers of the era, unfortunately, were not immune to the prevailing sexism, racism, anti-semitism, and imperialism of the culture in which they lived, though the degree to which these prejudices appear in the novels varies considerably from one author to the next, and even, at times, in different works by the same author. With this caution in mind, I hope readers will still be able to enjoy the novels listed below. After all, we can still appreciate what is good in The Taming of the Shrew, or The Merchant of Venice, even while we abhor some of the views they embrace. The prejudices shown in nineteenth century British literature reflect attitudes which are historic fact, and they should be read as such - perhaps with the gratifying recognition that, if our own culture has not progressed quite so far in this area as we might wish, it is at least in some ways more enlightened than it was then.

Another Caveat

In general, I dislike novels which don't end happily, or at least hopefully; however, I have included among my recommendations a few books with tragic outcomes because I found them enjoyable reading, apart from the endings. If you wish to avoid the really sad finales, you will have to read the "Full of Spoilers" versions of the reviews. With the books recommended but not yet reviewed - well, you'll just have to take your chances!   

All material ©2004 - 2006, Joan Ellen Delman