Actually, what about all the writers doing Jane Austin knock-offs these days? (Well, pastiches or whatever) It's getting to be a pretty crowded bandwagon out there; I don't know if all the Darcy clones are gonna fit...

I'm finding surprising delight in what appears to be a self-published series called the "Pride & Prejudice Variations" by Abigail Reynolds. They explore a variety of "what ifs" in the classic plot--and have some fun with many minor characters. Also delightful are Amanda Grange's "Diary" titles, in which she relates the masculine side of the classic novels, from the perspective of Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Knightley. (I just read the latter alongside JA's "Emma" and the contrast was amusing...)

Well, I loved "Confessions of a Jane Austen" addict and also "Austenland" by Shannon Hale, especially since it's a quick read! Did you see the new PBS production of "Persuasion"? It was great!

Just when I think the Austen market is glutted, along comes another update, pastiche, retelling--how long will it be before we get Emma's story through the eyes of Miss Bates? (Wait a minute, maybe Joan Aiken has done that one. . .) As much fun as it is taking a ride on the current Austen bandwagon, give me the original curricle any day. On my bedstand is my battered old leather-bound copy of JA's novels. Under that is Claire Tomalin's astonishing Austen biography, and under that is a paperback volume of Austen's letters. Any Austen fix I ever need--whether for comfort, solace, or just a good hearty laugh--can be found in any one of those three books.

There are so many delightful Jane Austen knock-offs lately! I have several on my nightstand, too. And now I'm going to have to add your choices to my list. Some I've already read and loved were "Austenland," by Shannon Hale, and "Jane Austen in Scarsdale," by Paula Marantz Cohen. I especially loved the trilogy by Pamela Aiden where she retells Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's perspective! The first book is called "An Assembly Such as This." I've written reviews of several Jane Austen knockoffs on my website, sonderbooks.com. From the main page, just search in the website for "Jane Austen" and you'll find the reviews.