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37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Austenites, Please Step Forward, November 26, 2007
It is a truth universally acknowledged that there are only a handful of things in this world that are truly irresistible: Colin Firth in a cravat; a love story gone awry but with the promising outcome of a happily ever after; and a deliciously witty comedic scene a la Jane Austen.
Over the summer, a number of Austen-themed novels hit the store shelves: ever delightful and easily devoured in an afternoon or two by any real Pride & Prejudice fan who decided to harm her complexion by a day at the beach.
Undoubtedly, Mr. Darcy has captured the heart of every red-blooded wanna-be Elizabeth who dares calls herself a romantic (see: Colin Firth in a cravat), but where are those books for those fans of Mr. Knightley or Colonel Branden? Where are they to find their passionate read?
Look no further. Syrie James has satisfied us on every score...except that perhaps of a happily ever after. After all, anything titled: The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, comes with the ready knowledge that this romp does not end with a wedding. At least not Jane's wedding.
But whereas we know Romeo & Juliet doesn't end happily, it isn't any less a great love story--and Syrie weaves for us a very credible tale about a witty, budding authoress who upon touring with her brother, Henry, in Lyme, finds herself in a similar predicament as one of the heroines of her stories: that of being in danger of falling love with a captivating young man.
Mr. Ashford has all the dash of Colin Firth in a cravat with none of the awkward, introverted behavior. He is charming, friendly, trustworthy, and kind. Not only that, he is a mentor. He encourages Jane to pursue her dreams of becoming a published novelist--but he doesn't mince words about what it truly takes to do so. During their discussion about it, his questions if she's written anything lately makes Jane feel defensive. She turns all prickly:
"Writing is not an occupation which is easily picked up and accomplished on a whim."
He went quiet for a moment, and then said, "I am not a writer, I admit. But in my experience, I have found that there is never a perfect time or place for anything. We can always find a reason to put off that which we aspire to do, or fear to do, until tomorrow, next week, next month, next year--until, in the end, we never accomplish any thing at all." (127.)
Instantly shamed, she realizes he is right; that she has been allowing her fear to keep her from writing. She then confides her next fear to him: what if she can't find a publisher? He has an answer for that as well.
"What does that matter? In the end, talent will win out. Do you want to be a published novelist?"
"It is all I have ever wanted."
His eyes locked with mine, as a sudden breeze stirred the branches of the trees above us.
"Then a published novelist is what you shall be, Miss Jane Austen." (128.)
Yes, that's where I swooned as well.
But the hallmark of a wonderful novel isn't just all the passages with the cravat-wearing, dishy-accented hero. Oh, no. There are moments of pure comic timing and hilarity that unravel before our eyes like scenes in a movie. And granted, much of these scenes are endearingly familiar. Clearly Syrie offers us the suggestion that perhaps Jane did indeed pull moments of her real life and put them into the stories we know and love.
It was delightful to find the similarities between Jane's story and that funny and wryly true novel, Sense & Sensibility, but maybe that's a prejudice of my own, being I find bits and pieces of my own novel uncomfortably familiar. I'm sure if any of my Mr. Ashfords ever read my novel (of which I have no fear: I'm pretty sure they can't read), they too would be able to pick themselves out of the pages--and question me, wondering if the anger and passion displayed in print had any truth. It does. Why let all the melancholy and angst go to waste? Apparently Jane is as much a recycler like me.
In the end, I think this novel is about writing...and writers. The nature of how our secret selves are transformed into printed word; how all our experiences brought together are truly what makes great books. We should not live our lives in a turret, weaving from a mirror of life we've never tasted. Our voice and interpretation of these experiences everyone has had--these are what give something as universal, as repeatedly done as a love story a fresh and new understanding. It is a book of hope for writers-the last line says it all-but I can't tell you because you really should read the book for yourself.
Syrie James captures all that is best and true about Jane Austen. You will find yourself caught and enchanted and praying for an ending that will not come. For die-hard Austenites, this is the book you've been waiting for; for those of you who do not mind a bittersweet ending, this one is sure to entrance; and for those of you wishing for knowledge of how to be a writer like Austen, well, you can find that, too.
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exquisitely and Lovingly Told Story, November 7, 2007
Our own dear Jane Austen died far, far too young, at the age of 41, leaving behind only 6 completed novels, a handful of other partial novels, juvenilia, and letters. Shortly before she herself died, Jane's beloved sister Cassandra burned an undetermined number of Jane's letters and cut portions out of many others. We will never find out what was in those letters.
But what if we could find out more about Jane's life? What if we could read about the great love of her life? That is what Syrie James has done in her novel The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen.
According to the "Editor's Forward," written by Mary I. Jesse, of Oxford University, President of the Jane Austen Literary Foundation, an old chest was recently found, walled up at Chawton Manor House. Inside the chest were manuscripts, written in a lady's hand. These manuscripts are the memoirs of Jane Austen.
The memoirs contained in this volume cover a period of years from about 1800-1817. Jane wrote her story because (pgs. 7-8 in the ARC & as experted on the website):
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there may, I think, be speculation when I am gone. People may read what I have written, and wonder: how could this spinster, this woman who, to all appearances, never even courted--who never felt that wondrous connection of mind and spirit between a man and woman, which, inspired by friendship and affection, blooms into something deeper--how could she have had the temerity to write about the revered institutions of love and courtship, having never experienced them herself?
To those few friends and relations who, upon learning of my authorship, have dared to pose a similar question (although, I must admit, in a rather more genteel turn of phrase), I have given the self-same reply: "Is it not conceivable that an active mind and an observant eye and ear, combined with a vivid imagination, might produce a literary work of some merit and amusement, which may, in turn, evoke sentiments and feelings which resemble life itself?"
There is much truth in this observation.
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Indeed. And fortunately for the readers, Syrie James is very good at observation. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen begins with Jane's life after she had to leave her beloved home at Steventon and move, with her father, mother, and sister Cassandra to Bath. Five years later Jane's father dies and the women are left without much income. They make extended stays with Jane's brothers and with family friends, but Jane is never settled enough to continue her writing.
On one occasion, while visiting Lyme with her brother Henry, she meets a gentleman who is everything one could ever hope for in a man. His name is Mr. Frederick Ashford. He's handsome, intelligent, charming, friendly, and, really, Jane's soulmate. They plan a picnic with Henry and another couple, but Mr. Ashford is, most unfortunately, called away. Over a year passes before she sees him again. The connection is still there. Jane and Mr. Ashford eventually embark on a lovely relationship, but their will their happiness be complete?
We all know that Jane Austen never married, but she did leave us with six fabulous novels. Apart from the love story, most of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen concerns Jane's attempts to reform her earlier stories into the novels that we all know and love today. It couldn't have been easy to maintain one's writing while moving from place to place. Fortunately, Jane's brother Edward gave his mother and sisters a cottage he owned, Chawton Cottage and eventually Jane was able to publish a novel, Sense and Sensibility.
Syrie James made an extensive study of Jane's life & times, novels & letters, and her research shows. It must have been a challenge to stay within the framework of what we know of Jane's life and create the love story, but she did it.
James also made use of Jane's ideas and quotes by creating situations, conversations, characters, and experiences that could feasibly have been Jane's inspiration. It was fun to notice lines similar to beloved ones from any of the novels or to recognize certain people in the people she met in this story. Very clever!
I honestly adored this book and even, for a time, forgot that Jane does not marry Mr. Ashford. He is almost even better than Mr. Darcy (shocking, I know!) because he and Jane have that true, deep connection from the start, without the pride or prejudice. I was very sad to reach the end and know they were never together. I truly wish Jane could married happily, though, as they all say, if she had married, perhaps she never would have written her novels. That would have been a crime against humanity.
I highly recommend The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen. It was absolutely fabulous. There were lots of little touches that made it special, including "Editor" Mary I. Jesse's footnotes every so often. I already knew much of the information, but readers unfamiliar with the time period would have been very glad to have them. James also included a map of England, with places Jane Austen spent time in highlighted, and an Austen Family Tree, which I referred to throughout the story with great interest. After Jane's "text" ends, there is an "Editor's Afterward" which continues the magic a little longer. Following that, the publisher included an "A+ Author Insights, Extras, & More . . ." This includes a note from the author, Syrie James; a comprehensive list of Jane Austen's works; a chronology of Jane's life; a Q&A with Syrie James (You can read a longer one at her website); Quotations from Jane's works (including some that were used in this novel); and Book Club/Study Guide Questions.
A great read!
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reverent & Moving, November 15, 2007
Author Syrie James's personal & professional accomplishments serve her well in her reverent presentation of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen. Her website brims with such a diversity of talents that one does not question why she is qualified to write about such a sensitive subject, but rather why she waited so long! Even Jane Austen's discerning character Mr. Darcy might consider her one of the 12 most accomplished women of his acquaintance.
Breaching the hollowed halls of Jane Austen para-literature is a daunting task for none but the stout-of-heart and thick-of-skin writer. Mrs. James wears her Austen-armor well and delivers a sincere and honest love story that will engage and delight most Jane Austen devotees, and raise an inquisitive eyebrow of the Austen purists. Her Jane is real and approachable, flesh and bone, human and fallible; -- not the stour judgemental old maid envisioned in the 19th-century portraits. We feel her troubles, her joy, her pain, understand her life decisions, and appreciate her all the more for it.
It is not often that this discerning reader can offer unqualified praise, so I will not break my streak. Five Austen stars!
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
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