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sophiarose1816's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Sixteen of Jane Austen's creations are brought to vivid life once more to tell their own stories of uncertainty, awkwardness, hope, triumph, love, but also of rational thinking in the face of the need and conflict in their various lives. Some are young and on the cusp of womanhood while others are in their maturity and prime, and still a few in their golden years look back on a life well lived. Whether witty and sparkling or sensible and staid, these ladies engaged the emotions, provoked thought, and drew this reader's admiration.
As before when reading an anthology boasting so many separate tales, I took my time and savored a few at a time. It was an easy format with the stories grouped by the Austen novel they originated from and the novels sorted in order of their original publication date. The ladies were both the original protagonists and secondary characters. Some were heroines and others possessed a smidgen of larceny Their voices were third person or first person perspective and one was epistolary in nature.
I am long familiar and love the writing of the lady authoresses who share this anthology so it was not a surprise that I would delight in every short story arrayed here. I found the gently-paced, historically detailed, genteel elegance of Austen's world was portrayed well as well as a devotion to recreating characterizations who bore closer resemblance to their originals. The authors carefully told prequels, sequels, and some parallel time period stories that would easily fit around the original story like a custom ladies' evening glove. Some stories assume the reader has a little familiarity with the original story and lady that is portrayed while others can be read without a prerequisite reading or viewing of an adaption of the original novel (or novella in the case of Lady Susan).
In the end, I can say that I was satisfied and left with a craving for more of this nature. I teared up a few times, smiled with amusement, clutched my heart at touching moments, and altogether adored encountering each of these Rational Creatures.
One thing more, I had the privilege of writing the story of one of these Rational Creatures so it is with a certainty that I just might not be unbiased toward this collection. I have no trouble encouraging lovers of Austen and her stories to choose our Rational Creatures to cozy up in your favorite reading space with a cup of your favorite while wiling away an afternoon or two.
As before when reading an anthology boasting so many separate tales, I took my time and savored a few at a time. It was an easy format with the stories grouped by the Austen novel they originated from and the novels sorted in order of their original publication date. The ladies were both the original protagonists and secondary characters. Some were heroines and others possessed a smidgen of larceny Their voices were third person or first person perspective and one was epistolary in nature.
I am long familiar and love the writing of the lady authoresses who share this anthology so it was not a surprise that I would delight in every short story arrayed here. I found the gently-paced, historically detailed, genteel elegance of Austen's world was portrayed well as well as a devotion to recreating characterizations who bore closer resemblance to their originals. The authors carefully told prequels, sequels, and some parallel time period stories that would easily fit around the original story like a custom ladies' evening glove. Some stories assume the reader has a little familiarity with the original story and lady that is portrayed while others can be read without a prerequisite reading or viewing of an adaption of the original novel (or novella in the case of Lady Susan).
In the end, I can say that I was satisfied and left with a craving for more of this nature. I teared up a few times, smiled with amusement, clutched my heart at touching moments, and altogether adored encountering each of these Rational Creatures.
One thing more, I had the privilege of writing the story of one of these Rational Creatures so it is with a certainty that I just might not be unbiased toward this collection. I have no trouble encouraging lovers of Austen and her stories to choose our Rational Creatures to cozy up in your favorite reading space with a cup of your favorite while wiling away an afternoon or two.
linnaemanne's review
o que eu disse em 42% "DNF, pelo menos por hora, não aguento mais" ainda se mantem, então... tipo as primeiras foram boas mas nossa a da emma foi totalmente contra como eu vejo a personagem, e ainda mais se for ler fanfic não vai ser het, entao...
vesper1931's review
4.0
1 - Self-composed
Elinor Dashwood tries to impose control over her feelings for Edward Ferrars
2 - Every Past Affliction
Marianne Dashwood, after her illness at the Palmer's comes to know herself, therefore is a happy ending possible.
3 - Happiness in Marriage
Elizabeth Bennet ponders on various marriages. Would it be prudent to marry Collins.
4 - Charlotte's Comfort
Charlotte Collins' life from her point of view.
5 - Knightley Discourses
It would seem that after ten years of marriage Emma Knightley still wants to be a matchmaker. But what of the threat to her marriage.
6 - The Simple Things
Miss Hetty Bates, after rejecting a marriage proposal at the age of 35 looks back at her life.
7 - In Good Hands
Harriet Smith goes to stay with the Knightleys in London.
8 - The Meaning of Wife
A discussion at the Bertram's breakfast leaves Fanny Price indignant and determined to read A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. But how will this affect her future.
9 - What Strange Creatures
Mary Crawford of pre Mansfield finds proof that she can't stay with the Admiral.
10 - An Unnatural Beginning
Three years on from her broken engagement, Anne Elliott reflects.
11 - Where the Sky Touches the Sea
Sophia Croft reflects on her marriage.
12 - The Art of Pleasing
Persuasion from Mrs Penelope Clay point of view.
13 - Louisa by the Sea
The thoughts of Louisa Musgrove as she tries to awaken after the accident at Lyme, and her continuing story.
14 - The Strength of their Attachment
Catherine Morland feels she must go to Oxford to help her brother James in his troubles.
15 - A Nominal Mistress
Eleanor Tilney's courtship.
16 - The Edification of Lady Susan
The steps towards marriage of Lady Susan.
A bunch of enjoyable and well-written short stories.
Elinor Dashwood tries to impose control over her feelings for Edward Ferrars
2 - Every Past Affliction
Marianne Dashwood, after her illness at the Palmer's comes to know herself, therefore is a happy ending possible.
3 - Happiness in Marriage
Elizabeth Bennet ponders on various marriages. Would it be prudent to marry Collins.
4 - Charlotte's Comfort
Charlotte Collins' life from her point of view.
5 - Knightley Discourses
It would seem that after ten years of marriage Emma Knightley still wants to be a matchmaker. But what of the threat to her marriage.
6 - The Simple Things
Miss Hetty Bates, after rejecting a marriage proposal at the age of 35 looks back at her life.
7 - In Good Hands
Harriet Smith goes to stay with the Knightleys in London.
8 - The Meaning of Wife
A discussion at the Bertram's breakfast leaves Fanny Price indignant and determined to read A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. But how will this affect her future.
9 - What Strange Creatures
Mary Crawford of pre Mansfield finds proof that she can't stay with the Admiral.
10 - An Unnatural Beginning
Three years on from her broken engagement, Anne Elliott reflects.
11 - Where the Sky Touches the Sea
Sophia Croft reflects on her marriage.
12 - The Art of Pleasing
Persuasion from Mrs Penelope Clay point of view.
13 - Louisa by the Sea
The thoughts of Louisa Musgrove as she tries to awaken after the accident at Lyme, and her continuing story.
14 - The Strength of their Attachment
Catherine Morland feels she must go to Oxford to help her brother James in his troubles.
15 - A Nominal Mistress
Eleanor Tilney's courtship.
16 - The Edification of Lady Susan
The steps towards marriage of Lady Susan.
A bunch of enjoyable and well-written short stories.
ravenmoon's review
3.0
While I enjoyed some of these stories I didn't enjoy the majority of them. I struggled to finish this book. I don't know maybe my head just wasn't in the right place to read this book right now.
kristin's review
4.0
Self-composed - 4 stars
Every last affliction - 4 stars
Happiness in marriage - 2.5 stars
Charlotte's comfort - 3 stars
Knightly discourses - 3 stars
The simple things - 3 stars
In good hands - 3 stars
Meaning of a wife - 3 stars
What strange creatures - 3.5 stars
An unnatural beginning - 4 stars
When the sky touches the sea - 4 stars
The art of pleasing - 4 stars
Louisa by the sea - 4 stars
The strength of their attachment - 4 stars
A nominal mistress - 3.5 stars
The edification of Lady Susan - 4 stars
Every last affliction - 4 stars
Happiness in marriage - 2.5 stars
Charlotte's comfort - 3 stars
Knightly discourses - 3 stars
The simple things - 3 stars
In good hands - 3 stars
Meaning of a wife - 3 stars
What strange creatures - 3.5 stars
An unnatural beginning - 4 stars
When the sky touches the sea - 4 stars
The art of pleasing - 4 stars
Louisa by the sea - 4 stars
The strength of their attachment - 4 stars
A nominal mistress - 3.5 stars
The edification of Lady Susan - 4 stars
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