Like finding a new Jane Austen book - almost

Emma Watson: The Watsons Completed by Joan Aiken

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I woke up happy that I had three Joan Aiken novels to read. But with driving from the Hudson River up to Andes then over to West Kortright Center and back, only read one. Emma Watson: Jane Austen's Unfinished Novel Completed. I am trying to restrain myself in this review but such joy bubbles over. There's many an Austen knock-off I've read, hoping for some of the irony, discipline, reason and delight of the originals. Only one, Jane Fairfax by Aiken, actually completely satisfies, although some few of the other 'sequels' were interesting attempts, some even based on authorial respect, and a few written with some skill.

BUT, aha, there were long passages in Emma Watson that did meet all the criteria Jane Austen established. There's the lilting sense of being in on the joke that permeates her classics. The detail of setting which clarifies the story. When I read Austen, I can see the house, the gardens, the pelisses. I think that's one of her many gifts, she knows what the reader needs, and what it is not necessary to detail. Like Nabokov's exam question on the contents of Anna Karenina's purse, she paints the picture, we are there through the character's eyes, not outside observing the story. (And, I think VN was just cranky that day when he delivered that ill-fated diss -- or else wickedly joking as he tended to do so much. Or perhaps, he felt too many silly readers into Austen for silly reasons (gushing) -- sorry for the Defense). She does not mind.

The thing about Joan Aiken writing more Austen is Aiken's respect for the original text, being true to Austen's characters, her poetic and imaginative skills in writing, also playing with Austen's inside jokes. I'll not give those away, it's too delightful finding them. Aiken extends the strong, independent, self-actualizing woman most satisfactorily.

I couldn't stop reading it, always a good sign, even as I had planned to submit my own novel to the e-publishing system today. Always better to be buoyed by Austin and Aiken for the real courage to go ahead and publish.

Did I mention I loved the book and recommend it for those who can read between the lines?



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Come to the Mountains and Write!

Garnette Arledge Summer Writing Opportunities


Memoir Writing
Six Tuesdays, June 7 – 28 & July 5 & 12 , 6:30 – 8:30 PM at West Kortright Center

Gather the dreams of your life

Write your memoirs with writing guide Garnette Arledge who provides group support, prompts and feedback. Leave a legacy from your point of view of the 20th century plus as your life unfolded around challenging events of daily life. Telling the story of your life on paper sparks the brain cells and leaves an anchor for your thinking and actions. Course will include information on all methods of publishing; e-books, self-publishing, publishing houses.
For ages 13 to no maximum. $150/$120 WKC Member

Six Thursdays, June 2 - July 7 - Writers in the Mountains (WIM)
6-8 pm at Andes Books, 295 Main Street, Andes, NY - For ages 16 to no max. $75

WRITING ON A FOOTPRINT with GARNETTE ARLEDGE

If Jane Austens' six novels have reaped 145 sequels, prequels and spin-offs, why not try one yourself? Or maybe you have another favorite author ready for your fresh take. I certainly do, since childhood I have rewritten many books in my mind, especially their endiings, to suit my tastes. In this workshop you bring an old favorite in the public domain, and play with your own version. Plot characterization and settings are already in place and believeable. You bring the new twist, different endiing, extra characters and your wild free imagination. Instruction, feed-back and laughter provided by published author Garnette Arledge, journalist, novelist and owner of Andes Books.

Biography

Published and award-winning author Garnette Arledge teaches memoir writing to both groups and individuals. She recently moved to Andes and opened Andes Books on Main Street. She is a sponsor of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, (when writers pour out 50,000 word first drafts in 30 days). She is currently editing and preparing three of her novels as e-books.
Arledge specializes in interviewing and writing memoirs for families, elders, businesses, communities and organizations with guidance through the publishing process. Three of her non-fiction books were published recently, including, On Angels Eve: on dying well based on her experience as a Hospice Chaplain. Wise Secrets of Aloha : growing up native Hawaiian and Blessings, Hilda. She is currently working on several clients' memoirs. Recent completed works include; growing up on the lower east side; growing up in a German farming village; letters for young children from a dying father, and her own grandmother's stories of the Great Smokey Mountains. Garnette was host and co-producer of “Get Fresh” TV series and has been a frequent guest on radio. Her blog is Garnette-AndesBooks@Blogspot.com and you can find her also on Facebook or Linked-in.

Personal, private sessions by appointment, contact me on Facebook messages for details.



By summer Garnette will be working on a 'footprint' spinoff novel based
on a favorite author, now forgotten, whose works need not be.