This collection of nine short stories includes backstories, sequels and what-ifs to Jane Austen's beloved novels. Greensmith provides sympathetic insights into characters you love to hate. Her what-if stories are realistic, true to Austen’s characters, and delightful to sink your teeth into. And always, Greensmith, Romantic that she is, calls forth the power and beauty of the natural world to heal, bless, and nurture the wounded, the misunderstood, the lonely, and the confused on their journeys through life.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Jane Greensmith has compiled some short stories, what-if scenarios, prequels, etc. of Jane Austen's works. The reason I give this book four instead of five stars is because I wished her stories were longer and not so short! The book is a little over 100 pages long and these tasty little morsels leave you hungry for more!!!! The last story was the longest at about 40 pages long and I would have liked to seen others be around that length. Here is what you will find:
1. Rainbow Around The Moon: (sequel to Persuasion) a short and solemn tale about Captain Wentworth and his daughter. (3 out 5 stars, not one of my favorites).
2. Three Sisters: (prequel to Mansfield Park) an insightful story that shows you how some Austen characters are more closely related then we first thought. (4 out 5 stars).
3. The Last Baby: (sequel to Pride and Prejudice) hear Mrs. Bennet's reflections of her life after her last daughter is married and she and Mr. Bennet are left with an empty nest. (5 out of 5 stars, wonderfully done!!)
4. Bird of Paradise: (sequel to Mansfield Park) Fanny struggles with confidence and assertiveness as the new Mrs. Edmund Bertram. (4 out 5 stars).
5. The Color of Love: (summary of Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's point of view) Mr. Darcy sees different colors in each persons handwriting, the colors have a special meaning. (4 out of 5 stars).
6. Remember That We Are English: (part of Northanger Abbey from Mr. Tilney's perspective). Imagine what was going through Henry's head when he know his father would soon find out Catherine doesn't have a large dowry or inheritance and most likely throw her out of Northanger Abbey. (4 out of 5 stars).
7.... Read more ›
1. Rainbow Around The Moon: (sequel to Persuasion) a short and solemn tale about Captain Wentworth and his daughter. (3 out 5 stars, not one of my favorites).
2. Three Sisters: (prequel to Mansfield Park) an insightful story that shows you how some Austen characters are more closely related then we first thought. (4 out 5 stars).
3. The Last Baby: (sequel to Pride and Prejudice) hear Mrs. Bennet's reflections of her life after her last daughter is married and she and Mr. Bennet are left with an empty nest. (5 out of 5 stars, wonderfully done!!)
4. Bird of Paradise: (sequel to Mansfield Park) Fanny struggles with confidence and assertiveness as the new Mrs. Edmund Bertram. (4 out 5 stars).
5. The Color of Love: (summary of Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's point of view) Mr. Darcy sees different colors in each persons handwriting, the colors have a special meaning. (4 out of 5 stars).
6. Remember That We Are English: (part of Northanger Abbey from Mr. Tilney's perspective). Imagine what was going through Henry's head when he know his father would soon find out Catherine doesn't have a large dowry or inheritance and most likely throw her out of Northanger Abbey. (4 out of 5 stars).
7.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Gentle Readers, please do not be fooled! Neatly tucked into this slim volume are nine short stories entitled "Intimations of Austen", and not "Imitations of Austen", which on first glance of the thin and fluid type face on the cover stopped me cold! To imitate Jane Austen would be only a forgery! I am happy to report that the stories are in no way attempt imitation and set off no decorum alarms from this sector.
Instead, debut author Jane Greensmith has given us nine little jewels "inspired" by Jane Austen that if given a chance will surprise and delight the reader with new ways to look at bits of plot or characters from the original novels. This is not imitation. It is pure creativity offered with a light and satirical touch sweeping this reader from laughter to tears within a few short paragraphs. Who could not be moved to read of the last days of elderly Admiral Wentworth in the story Rainbow around the Moon, intrigued into sleuthing out the identities of the Elliot sisters from Persuasion or are they the Ward sisters from Mansfield Park in Three Sisters, or in Heaven Can Wait learn the identity of the young gentleman who wrote pretty little verses to Jane Bennet when she was but fifteen in Pride and Prejudice? Each story is a short glimpse into to a "side bar" or "what if" story that can be easily read within a short time. The exception, and rightly so, is All I Do, which is by far my favorite deserving expansion into a full novel. Here we are offered a "what if" story that changes the ending of Pride and Prejudice separating Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. It is impossible to divulge much more of her stories than my brief descriptions reveal.... Read more ›
Instead, debut author Jane Greensmith has given us nine little jewels "inspired" by Jane Austen that if given a chance will surprise and delight the reader with new ways to look at bits of plot or characters from the original novels. This is not imitation. It is pure creativity offered with a light and satirical touch sweeping this reader from laughter to tears within a few short paragraphs. Who could not be moved to read of the last days of elderly Admiral Wentworth in the story Rainbow around the Moon, intrigued into sleuthing out the identities of the Elliot sisters from Persuasion or are they the Ward sisters from Mansfield Park in Three Sisters, or in Heaven Can Wait learn the identity of the young gentleman who wrote pretty little verses to Jane Bennet when she was but fifteen in Pride and Prejudice? Each story is a short glimpse into to a "side bar" or "what if" story that can be easily read within a short time. The exception, and rightly so, is All I Do, which is by far my favorite deserving expansion into a full novel. Here we are offered a "what if" story that changes the ending of Pride and Prejudice separating Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. It is impossible to divulge much more of her stories than my brief descriptions reveal.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By C. E. Davis
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a very short book of stories. The stories are taken from a range of Jane Austen's books. For me they start out very luke warm. The're okay nothing exciting, but the last short story is wonderful. It's the longest story and the author really redeems herself as far as I'm concerned. It's a P&P story was full of love and angst. Of course love always wins. Anyway it was definitly worth the reading. Though next time I probably would go right to the last story!! :)
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
These are tolerable and pleasant short stories but I have read much better Austen prequels and sequels. The two mentions of the Northern Lights in the story, Heaven Can Wait, irritated me as the Northern Lights are EXTREMELY rare in England. They can be seen in the far north of Scotland and very, very rarely in England but Jane Greensmith makes it sound as if they are a frequent occurrence in England, with Jane Bennet having seen them before and Mr. Darcy remarking at the end of the story that it was late in the year to see them. I do wish authors would get their facts right!
Also, I found some of the writing repetitive; the author could do with varying her technique. Tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me to read them more than once.
Also, I found some of the writing repetitive; the author could do with varying her technique. Tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me to read them more than once.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I think Jane Austen herself would be happy with these imitations
January 13, 2009
By Alyson
Format:Paperback
I have long admired Jane Greensmith's writing ability; her stories are always a joy to read, and the characters are so real. This particular collection contains a few of my very favorite stories based on Jane Austen's work, so lovely and interesting that I imagine Miss Austen herself would have been pleased by them. "The Color of Love" on its own is worth the purchase price of the book with its presentation from Mr. Darcy's point of view and the absolutely unique way he views Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It is a lovely alternate view of my favorite couple's rocky courtship.
The other stories are well-written and enjoyable variations on the treasured novels of Jane Austen, and altogether this is a fine volume Austen lovers will enjoy.
The other stories are well-written and enjoyable variations on the treasured novels of Jane Austen, and altogether this is a fine volume Austen lovers will enjoy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
well written short stories
I enjoyed the collection. I was sad that it was so short however, I could have used more. Ms. Greensmith's known for her love of history, classics, travel, Austen etc. Read more
Published 9 months ago by S. Schaffer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nine delightful hints of Austen
Dictionary.com defines intimation as a hint or a suggestion of something, and thus it is the perfect word for this title. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Nancy Kelley
5.0 out of 5 stars
John Prine meet Jane Austen
Look closely at the title of Intimations of Austen by Jane Greensmith and let that be your guide as to the nine mostly short stories inspired by the novels of Jane Austen. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Jennifer Petkus
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Jane is Inspired by Another
The most successful fictional characters have a way of persuading new writers to tell, retell, and reshape their stories. Read more
Published on May 5, 2011 by L. Gott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Austen-inspired Short Stories
These short stories were amazing!
1. Rainbow Around the Moon-
The snow has stopped and the cold has set in. It's growing dark. Read more
1. Rainbow Around the Moon-
The snow has stopped and the cold has set in. It's growing dark. Read more
Published on February 21, 2010 by Heather Crozier
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great collection
Jane Greensmith is a very good writer. Jane Greensmith knows her Jane Austen. These two qualifications alone are enough to make me recommend her work, but there is more. Read more
Published on November 17, 2009 by badlydone
2.0 out of 5 stars
Okay, nothing special
This was simply several short stories, "what if's" that were mediocre at best. I have read short stories by amateurs on fan fiction sites on the internet much better and those were... Read more
Published on May 9, 2009 by 19th century brit lit fan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good quick read, interesting stories
INTIMATIONS of Austen (not Imitations) is a fun little book of short stories.
I found each one interesting in its own way. Read more
I found each one interesting in its own way. Read more
Published on January 12, 2009 by Debbie Beckwith
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