G1092 Book Review of The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen Volume II by Collins Hemingway
Author: Collins Hemingway
ISBN: 9781535444958
Publisher: Self published
Part of a Series: The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen Trilogy
Type of book: Jane Austen, marriage, relationship, Napoleonic wars, slavery, pregnancy, motherhood, 1805-1807, scientific discoveries, steam engines, travel
Year it was published: 2016
Summary:
Jane Austen Lived a Quiet, Single Life-Or Did She?
Tradition holds that Jane Austen lived a proper, contemplative, unmarried life. But what if she wed a man as passionate and intelligent as she-and the marriage remained secret for 200 years?
The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen resolves the biggest mystery of Austen's life-the "lost years" of her twenties-of which historians know virtually nothing.
- Why the enduring rumors of a lost love or tragic affair?
- Why, afterward, did the vivacious Austen prematurely put on "the cap of middle age" and close off any thoughts of finding love?
- Why, after her death, did her beloved sister destroy her letters and journals?
The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen trilogy answers these questions through a riveting love affair based on the history of the times and the details of Austen's own life.
Characters:
I think the two main characters would be Jane Austen Dennis and Ashton Dennis. Jane Austen is a woman who comes alive in marriage and impending motherhood. She is also a woman trying to reconcile the two roles of being a writer as well as a wife/mother. She takes full charge of running Ashton's estate and is supportive of her husband's dreams and ventures, although it seems as if she doesn't seem to get the same support from Ashton. Ashton Dennis is best described as a dreamer who wants to make the world a better place and at times tends to put himself first. There are some other characters, namely the Lovelace family (umm any coincidence that the name is a villain from Clarissa by Samuel Richardson? Hadn't read the book but want to.) the husband and wife from a colony that approve slavery and that at first are best friends, but then become distant as time goes on and their opinions diverge.
Theme:
There is beauty in relationships
Plot:
The story is in third person narrative from Jane's point of view, and just like her novels, this is a tale of psychology, of wonderment and a great deal of talent went behind the tale and the research, for the author dares to leave no stone un-turned. I also loved the letters between Ashton and Jane. This is seriously a novel that I wish would be more well known and better read. What also impressed me is the reality of the times and of vivid details that the author used to bring out Regency Era beyond the ball gowns and fashions. He gave a lot of substance of love to Jane Austen and one does wonder how her novels will be read after finishing this trilogy.
(From HFVBT)
About the Author
Whether his subject is literature, history, or science, Collins Hemingway has a passion for the art of creative investigation. For him, the most compelling fiction deeply explores the heart and soul of its characters, while also engaging them in the complex and often dangerous world in which they have a stake. He wants to explore all that goes into people’s lives and everything that makes tThe hem complete though fallible human beings. His fiction is shaped by the language of the heart and an abiding regard for courage in the face of adversity.
As a nonfiction book author, Hemingway has worked alongside some of the world’s thought leaders on topics as diverse as corporate culture and ethics; the Internet and mobile technology; the ins and outs of the retail trade; and the cognitive potential of the brain. Best known for the #1 best-selling book on business and technology, Business @ the Speed of Thought, which he coauthored with Bill Gates, he has earned a reputation for tackling challenging subjects with clarity and insight, writing for the nontechnical but intelligent reader.
Hemingway has published shorter nonfiction on topics including computer technology, medicine, and aviation, and he has written award-winning journalism.
Published books include The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen trilogy, Business @ the Speed of Thought, with Bill Gates, Built for Growth, with Arthur Rubinfeld, What Happy Companies Know, with Dan Baker and Cathy Greenberg, Maximum Brainpower, with Shlomo Breznitz, and The Fifth Wave, with Robert Marcus.
Hemingway lives in Bend, Oregon, with his wife, Wendy. Together they have three adult sons and three granddaughters. He supports the Oregon Community Foundation and other civic organizations engaged in conservation and social services in Central Oregon.
For more information please visit Collins Hemingway’s website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Opinion:
I've read the author's previous Jane Austen novel, The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen Volume I, which I've found well-written and unforgettable. However, the second volume really blows the first one out of the water, and I was amazed at how it felt as if I was reading Jane Austen's later novels. (Yes, I have read all of her published novels and wrote reviews,) but the author literally brings the Regency Era to life as the reader becomes exposed to social issues of the day, along with progress. I loved watching Jane Austen's marriage flourish and loved watching her with her husband. So far the two novels are like a long lost love letter to Jane Austen who dared to shape women's thoughts and emotions and to tell women that they have power over themselves. At the same time, I look forward yet dread the third volume because I doubt that happiness will last long...but the curious side of me will read to find out what happens next, if given the opportunity.
This is for HFVBT
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, January 14
Review at Coffee and Ink
Wednesday, January 16
Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads
Thursday, January 17
Feature at What Is That Book About
Friday, January 18
Review at Rainy Day Reviews
Monday, January 21
Feature at Donna’s Book Blog
Tuesday, January 22
Excerpt at T’s Stuff
Interview at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, January 23
Review & Guest Post at To Read, Or Not to Read
Friday, January 25
Review at View from the Birdhouse
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Monday, January 28
Review at For the Sake of Good Taste
Tuesday, January 29
Guest Post at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen
Wednesday, January 30
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Friday, February 1
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Saturday, February 2
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Sunday, February 3
Review at Bri’s Book Nook
Monday, February 4
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Tuesday, February 5
Review at Maiden of the Pages
Wednesday, February 6
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Interview at Bookish Rantings
Thursday, February 7
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, February 8
Review at Book Reviews from Canada
Saturday, February 9
Interview at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
Comments
Post a Comment