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thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
Ok... this didn't end quite the way I expected. The "hero" was left very vaguely defined and neither the reader nor the heroine get to spend enough time with him. Unfortunate.
The rival suitor gets a fine ending, but you spend so much time with him that you really want him to be the main deal, not shoved aside at the last minute as a peripheral character.
HOWEVER, this gets 4 stars from me because it is so exceptionally rare to find a decent Austen continuation or sequel.
The Watsons is a fragment, and this author does a very passable job of matching the language. I mean, you occasionally remember this isn't actually Austen, but it's definitely in the ballpark.
There's something about the fact that this continuation was written in the 1950s... and another decent Austen sequel was written in the 1910s... there's still a gap between them and Austen's world, but it's measurably narrower than anybody writing in the year 2016. From my perspective it makes their writing just a bit more believable when they aspire to Austen.
The rival suitor gets a fine ending, but you spend so much time with him that you really want him to be the main deal, not shoved aside at the last minute as a peripheral character.
HOWEVER, this gets 4 stars from me because it is so exceptionally rare to find a decent Austen continuation or sequel.
The Watsons is a fragment, and this author does a very passable job of matching the language. I mean, you occasionally remember this isn't actually Austen, but it's definitely in the ballpark.
There's something about the fact that this continuation was written in the 1950s... and another decent Austen sequel was written in the 1910s... there's still a gap between them and Austen's world, but it's measurably narrower than anybody writing in the year 2016. From my perspective it makes their writing just a bit more believable when they aspire to Austen.
larra's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
ailli1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
faithharmony's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
natashareads_'s review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
The whole time reading this I kept thinking it was a precursor to Emma because why else would she reuse a character name in this book? This book is much shorter and very different in tone to her later books that I preferred more. Absolutely worth reading as a jane austin fan but not my favourite by any stretch.
urmum6333's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kcrawfish's review against another edition
4.0
Grr.... I wanted an end to this.
I totally see why she stopped, the pain of a loved one passing is hard enough without writing a character's death who was based on that person in addition. I hear her niece finished it, and maybe I'll pick that up one day....
I totally see why she stopped, the pain of a loved one passing is hard enough without writing a character's death who was based on that person in addition. I hear her niece finished it, and maybe I'll pick that up one day....
ilegnealle's review against another edition
3.0
A promising start to a novel, it's a pity Austen never finished it!
All of the usual characters are present and Emma herself seems more likeable than some other heroines of her novels.
All of the usual characters are present and Emma herself seems more likeable than some other heroines of her novels.
lissy3141's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0