Hi Readers! I am so glad I decided to do a group read this year! It has been such a blast to reread an Austenesque book I read before I started my blog and to share thoughts with so many of you! Thank you so much for participating!! If it is desired, I’ll definitely do another in the future!
Today is a discussion of CHAPTERS 21-27! (And any extras in the back of the book you read)
*Participating in today’s discussion earns you an entry towards our Group Read Giveaway (you can earn 5 entries in all!)
Without further ado, here are some questions I thought of to get the discussion going, feel free to add your own!
1. So many things happened in these last chapters! Wow! What left the biggest impression with you? What did you think of the story overall?
2. We see Jane act very sensibly and selflessly in the conclusion of this story. Would you have done the same? Do you think Mr. Ashford would have been happy to give up his family legacy and home and marry for love?
3. Let’s talk more about Mr. Ashford. Now that all is revealed, what do you think of him? What do you think of the situation he finds himself in? Is he the type of man you envisioned for Jane Austen? Explain.
4. Have you read other stories that fictionalized parts of Jane Austen’s life? How does this one compare?
5. Have you read other books by Syrie James? If yes, which is your favorite? If no, do you want to?
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I look forward to continuing this discussion with you AND Author Syrie James this Sunday @ 4:00 p.m. EST
LIVE CHAT DETAILS
WHEN: Sunday September, 25th @ 4:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: The chat will take place HERE on Austenesque Reviews. (look for a new post on Sunday)
*If you can’t join in the chat, you could visit after it takes place and read our chat transcript and add your own thoughts.
Today’s post is sponsored by one of our lovely donors – Masha Laurence. Check out their fabulous etsy shop!
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I’m so glad that life seemed to improve for her once they moved to Chawton. It was certainly a quieter life but at least they had more stability.
Mr Ashford probably would have given up his home for her but that’s not to say that the marriage would have survived or even been happy in later years. He had never known want or the uncertainty that Jane had and the first flush of romance doesn’t last. Even for the extremely happy.
I think he would have been a good man for her. He seemed reliable and caring and he really did love her. He would have encouraged her to write and have been proud of her achievements not felt threatened by them as many men of that time were by ‘bluestockings’!!
I’ve read two other fictional accounts of Jane’s life and I have to say I enjoyed this one best even though it’s not something I’m over keen on. I find it hard to equate a life with her other than the one we know.
This is the first Syrie James book I’ve read even though I’ve had ‘The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen’ on my TBR for ages.
I often feel sorry for Cassandra. She must have been heartbroken all over again when Jane died. Having already lost her fiance how did she bear it!!! She must have been a strong woman. I would love to know more about her.
Having just recently stood at Jane’s graveside, I felt it deeply, that she had not been acknowledged on her epitaph for what has given pleasure to millions of people since.
I’ve enjoyed this group read very much Meredith and look forward to the next one.
Hi Teresa! I’m so glad you enjoyed the group read! It has been so great to have your participation and I loved reading your thoughts and comments about this story! I hope you do get the chance to read some of Syrie’s other books. I <3 them! :) I love your idea about a story for Cassandra. I read one years ago called Cassandra and Jane by Jill Pitkeathley. https://austenesquereviews.com/2010/06/cassandra-and-jane-jill-pitkeathley-review-giveaway.html
I think more stories about her would be great!
I too read that one Meredith. I found it to be a very good read.
I enjoyed my reread of the book, thank you!!!! Easy yet enjoyable. Moved the book from 3 to 3.5 stars. I suppose the biggest impression is the goodbye, after the time spent together in joy in London. Some nitpickers might say too open…bah humbug to them!
Had to say that I would have been practical. Would my Marianne side overrule practical considerations?? Heart vs Head as Jefferson wrote to Maria Cosway. Mr Ashford would have to find an independent life from Isabella….perhaps he wouldn’t turn into Mr. Bennet….especially having experiences real love…and then (darker) maybe worse than Mr Bennet. Keep Mr Ashford away from strong drink!
I view him favorability. What a terrible situation. Not what I pictured for Jane Austen….Navy Officer or Clergyman or Irish lawyer 🙂
Yes! This one is good but not an overall favorite. I think it was Shannon Winslow who slipped Jane Austen past the 1817 “gate” into a happy and long life. Jane Odiwe’s time passage(I know another term is used…I don’t like it!) novels move Jane Austen here and there(1920’s).
I loved Jane Austen’s First Love!!!!!
Alas, I will be out and about Sunday afternoon. 🙁 What is she currently working on? Is she planning any future Austen books? What were the hardest choices to make in writing the book?
Hi Kirk! So happy you were rereading this book with us and that you liked it a little bit more the second time around. 🙂
It probably would be wise to be practical in such a situation. It would be a hard transition for Mr. Ashford, one he doesn’t know if he would be happy or successful in. And if he wasn’t happy then he might in turn one day resent his decisions.
I’ve read several of the same books as you and am so glad to hear you loved Jane Austen’s First Love. I’ll be sure to work in your questions today with Syrie if I can! 🙂 Feel free to visit back and read the transcript. 🙂
Great observation about Cassandra, Teresa! I would love to see a “life in small things” novel written about her.
The last chapters of the book certainly whipsaw you around! It’s off, it’s on, it’s off again. I felt Jane did the only thing she could do and maintain the self-respect that was so important to her. It’s hard to give up a companion of the mind, but I’m not sure they couldn’t have corresponded privately, since Isabella didn’t care about him. (Speaking of Isabella, it seems odd to me that she didn’t have more of a say in the outcome–what would motivate her to marry Mr. Ashford, after she had already successfully attained the right to independent choice?) The fact that Jane had to be the one to break it off diminished Mr. Ashford a bit in my esteem; he came off as rather self-indulgent at the end, even in his would-be sacrifice. Mr. Darcy wouldn’t have been so ready to jeopardize his sister’s future for his personal happiness.
Maybe I’m reading too much of myself into the Jane Austen character, but I would have felt a small twinge of relief in a corner of my mind at the end of the affair. I’m now living peaceably at Chawton, with time to focus on my life’s work; do I really want to exchange that for the busy drudgery of a married woman, no matter how much the man is my soul mate? I would never have said that, of course; I would have said just what she did, and been all noble about protecting Mr. Ashford from the consequences of impetuous choice. But I might have written it in my journal. . . .
Like Rearadmiral, I’m fond of the other Syrie James book I’ve read, Jane Austen’s First Love. I am also a huge fan of Stephanie Barron’s Jane-Austen-as-sleuth series; to me she’s deeply rooted in the Jane Austen whose personality comes out in the letters. Recently I’ve read First Impressions by Charlie Lovett as well. On the whole, for me books with Austen as a character sometimes suffer from focusing on her love life, and I feel they miss a thread of ambivalence (or distance) in her writings, both published and unpublished, when it comes to love and especially to marriage. My suspicion is that she believed only true love could excuse marriage for a woman who had other goals in life (or independent means), but that true love was not as common as it appears to be. I feel in her work a tension between healthy skepticism about the benefits of the institution for women, set in opposition to the recognition that as society then stood, marriage was the only option for many.
I enjoyed this group read a lot! Thanks for organizing it!
That’s a great idea Abigail for the Cassandra novel. Maybe someone will pick up on it. Fingers crossed!!!
Hi Abigail! I so enjoyed hearing your thoughts throughout this group read. Especially since you are an author yourself, you brought up a lot of different points and perspectives!
It does seem like Isabella was very compliant with her fate, but perhaps it was not something she could object to since she almost married a worthless rake. Like you said, there aren’t a lot of options for women at this time. Maybe after having her heart broken she is content to be married to the man she has known since childhood. By the way, I love your idea of Ashford and Jane possibly continuing their friendship through correspondence. That would have been lovely. It does seem like Jane does have the better half of the deal at the end. She isn’t trapped in a loveless marriage and has the true joy and contentment of working on her novels.
The biggest impression was how the author brought the reader’s emotions into play as first the affair was hopeless, then hopeful and certain, and then off again. As I assumed that in the end they would not be together, the only surprise was how it got there. I was relieved that the author chose that particular twist to part them. I wasn’t not keen on the reason being because of that earlier prearranged engagement and his silence that really hurt Jane. With it being caused by the father’s mistakes, I didn’t have to blame the hero or heroine for their lost love.
I thought Jane acted well through it all. She was strong in conviction and yet allowed herself to feel and to love. This pair was well suited and it pained me that their financial circumstances got in the way of their happiness. Jane was smart enough to realize that this was a true issue. We like to think that true love will hold a relationship together, but the poverty and change of circumstances this pair were looking at would have altered everything.
Mr. Ashford turned out to be a man I could respect though I doubted him during the middle of the story. He was sensible and intellectually Jane’s equal. He was a gentleman in manner. Knowing he was in that peculiar engagement made me pity him. He should have made it clear, but yet I get why he didn’t. He didn’t want to lose that close friendship with Jane. In the end, I was glad he was the one who had to be persuaded that it must end. Jane could at least have no doubt that he loved her as a result.
I’ve read other books with Jane as the character and this one rivals those for sure. I like Stephanie Barron’s mystery series best. Sally Smith O’Rourke’s The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, Carolyn Murray’s Jane by the Sea, Lisa Pliscou’s Young Jane Austen, and Syrie’s Jane Austen’s First Love were nice. The Michael Thomas Ford paranormal trio were a hoot.
I’ve read four of Syrie’s books. This one and Jane Austen’s First love were the two Austenesque ones. I enjoy her writing and look forward to the Bronte book and the Missing Manuscript. So far my favorite was her non-Austenesque, Forbidden. It was atmospheric and poignant though First Love is probably my next favorite.
Hi Sophia! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! It was a bit more satisfying to have the reasons they are remained apart not be anyone’s fault.
Wasn’t Jane so admirable? I thought she had a very strong moral compass and was very sensible. Her life had a lot of disappointments and difficult times, and I really appreciated how that didn’t effect her disposition too much.
Ooh! Good point about Mr. Ashford. I think it is true that Jane could take comfort in the fact that he ardently loved her, even if they can’t be together.
Wow, you have read a good number of books where Jane Austen was a main character. I’ve not read the ones by Ms. O’Rourke or Ms. Murray yet. I liked the 2 I read by Mr. Ford – super snarky Jane, love it!
Interesting that Forbidden was your favorite, Sophia! I’m afraid it is the one I liked least! LOL! However, I did love Nocturne and Dracula My Love, which is interesting since I’m not really a big paranormal fan. 🙂
I guess the thing that left the biggest impression with me was Jane’s selflessness. If I were put in the same position as she was, I hope I would do the same. It certainly showed her bravery and sense of doing the correct thing. I liked the story overall. The way some parts of Jane’s diary were almost identical to her things that happened in her novels sort of bothered me. I would have like for the author to make up some of her own stories about Jane’s life.
I think if Jane had agreed, Mr. Ashford would have walked away from his family and fortune. When Jane pointed out that he needed to support his sister and family and his estate would be taken, he saw that she was making the correct decision.
I liked Mr. Ashford. I thought he would have been a good match for Jane. He was intelligent and they were happy spending time together. It was sad that Ashford’s father and Isabelle’s father had so much power over their children and decided their lives for them.
I have not read any books that fictionalize Jane’s life. I will have to read others as I enjoyed reading this book. I have not read any of Syrie’s other books. I am going to try another at some time in the future. Could someone recommend their favorite?
Hi Amanda! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! Very well said about Jane Austen’s selflessness and bravery.
It would have been a very shocking thing if Mr. Ashford to walk away from his family and duty. I’m sure it would have hurt everyone’s reputation and may have effected his chances of launching a successful career for himself.
How hard it must have been for Mr. Ashford to know since the age of 17 that his future was decided for him… It is such a difference from our world isn’t it? Parents really don’t do that sort of thing or have that kind of control anymore.
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading your first book that fictionalized Jane’s life! It is hard for me to pick a favorite book, but I do think I loved The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte just as much as this one. Maybe if you are a Charlotte Bronte fan you might like that one. If not, Jane Austen’s First Love is also wonderful!
Thank you for this group read Meredith, I really hope that you will do another one in the future! I’m always in search of well done group reads!
Jane’s courage left me the strongest impression. I think it is difficult to let go the person you love, it is the extreme sacrifice. Maybe I would have done the same but this thing would have put me in a really sad mood for the rest of my life. The story in the complex is good even if I would prefer Mr Ashford’s death to his marriage to Isabella. Moreover he will be never happy with her…even if he wasn’t raised to be other than a landlord so he would be unhappy in any case…
Mr Ashford is the perfect gentleman and he’s the right choice for Jane but he was born and raised to be a gentleman and a landowner surrounded by poetry and art. If he didn’t have money problems Jane would have been his perfect match but in his situation I don’t believe him capable of solving the problem in a different way than the marriage.
This is my first story with Jane Austen as a character so I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe if I would have read this book among my first austenesque reads I would have liked it more.
I would like to read Dracula, my love from this author since I’m a fan of vampires and I especially love Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Thank you for taking part, Loren! I really enjoyed hosting the group read and I hope everyone else found it fun!
I agree with you about Jane’s courage! I honestly don’t think I would have been able to do the same, I’m too selfish! LOL!
It is a very bleak future for Mr. Ashford, I don’t think he would have had a happy life. Especially knowing that his hands were tied and that he doesn’t have the love that he experienced with Jane.
I actually never read Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but I did love Syrie’s Dracula, My Love. I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on it should you read it. 🙂
Thank you Meredith, for this group read! It was really interesting, to stay focused in my comments on only one section at a time, and read (and learn from!!) the comments of others as they read the same thing. That sometimes happens with your reviews, comments from people who have read the book already, but it is usually about the book as a whole.
I loved the characterizations in this book by Syrie James, she made the ‘story’ seem real for the most part. But in reality, I feel rather uncomfortable reading fictionalized versions of Jane Austen’s life. Maybe that makes me a hypocrite, because I love a good JAFF variation or continuation. I know there are purists out there who still think it’s sacrilege, but hey, WE here obviously don’t agree.
I loved Mr Ashford’s character. And we knew it had to end sadly. I enjoyed so much, and yet with such a sense of doom, the joyous interlude of their time in London when she was visiting her brother and sister-in-law/cousin.
But overall I think it was just TOO much of a roller coaster ride for me. When reading a new JAFF, or even rereading a fave, when the angst is high I just have to believe it will have a happy ending. You can argue that Jane per this story will have some poignant and lovely memories to hold onto in her later years. How could she ever forget? I don’t think I can bring myself to read this one again.
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking part in this group read! It was interesting to see everyone else’s thoughts and compare our reactions to different aspects of the book!
I’m glad you enjoyed the characterization of Jane and Mr. Ashford. But I understand how fictionalized versions may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I felt this story aligned pretty closely to my precepts of Jane Austen’s character and life. But I know of some others that stray too far or make Jane act in a way I don’t agree with. I usually choose to stay away from those stories.
A happier ending is the one things I would have definitely wished we could have had in this story and it is the one thing Syrie couldn’t give us (unless she made her story more fiction and less fact). It was definitely a poignant ending.
Thank you all so much for your comments. It was fun and edifying to read your remarks! I look forward to the chat on Sunday!
I think Jane was right in refusing Mr. Ashford as hard as it was to. I do not think he knew about the hardships the lower classes go through and Jane realized that. He seemed to be her equal in every way and was encouraging when it came to her writings. You can not ask a better man than that!
I have read a couple other books that fictionalized her early life. My favorite from that so far is The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen , probably because I have always been partial to the book Persuasion it is my favorite. 🙂
I have not read other books by Syrie but I do have them on my tbr pile. Now what book do I choose? the missing Manuscript of Jane Austen or the Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte?!
I have really enjoyed the group read. It was fun a couple years ago when we Did Mr Darcy’s Noble Connections. Looking forward to next time!
Very true, Patricia. 🙂 I love how encouraging Mr. Ashford was. He did seem to be perfect for Jane.
Yes, I love how The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen tied in so beautifully with Persuasion. Great choice!
If you liked this one a lot you may want to trie Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte! They are both great though, so you really can’t go wrong!
So happy to have you take part in both of my group reads!!! Thank you so much, Patricia! That means a lot!