Synopsis: The first Jane Austen sequel ever written!
Originally published in 1914, this charming and original sequel to the novels of Jane Austen intertwines the lives of the most beloved characters from all six Austen novels with new characters of the author’s devising. Inventive matchmaking leads numerous pairs of lovers through the inevitable (and entertaining) difficulties they must encounter before they are united in the end.
Old Friends and New Fancies is a gratifying read for any Jane Austen enthusiast.
Review: When I saw the release of this book, I admit that I was very curious. I’m a fan of everything related to Pride and Prejudice and now that I’ve read Emma, ​​I was intrigued by the fact that we find some of the characters from this story as well as others. However, I think that the fact of not having read more novels by Jane Austen removed a little appeal to the history as I could not really locate anyone in the story.
Even if we meet many people, it is true that in the end we mainly follow the heroes of Pride and Prejudice. So we meet Elizabeth at the beginning of the story who is trying to manage the future marriage of Georgiana who does not seem very happy about it in fact. All this happens several years after the end of the book, where our heroes already have children and are happy in marriage. Thus we follow the trials and tribulations of each, their meetings and their love. It’s pretty funny because the characters really keep the same spirit as those we know about, especially Emma who is always trying to assemble couples and is always mistaking about that.
As I said I had a good time with the story and it was interesting to find all these characters but it’s true that some passages may be a bit long for me. I think I would have had more fun if I had a little more understood who all the characters were exactly too. In any case it was nice to be immersed in the world and to find the first sequel of the famous novel.
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blodeuedd
1914! Cool 😀
Melliane
yes right?
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I love it when authors do this! It’s so much fun to imagine what beloved characters’ lives were like after the turn of the last page. Lovely review Melliane!
Melliane
yes I always love sequels like that
Keionda@Keionda Hearts Books
Gosh. So it sounds like you couldn’t connect with these characters as much? It’s a shame you couldn’t enjoy this book as much as you thought. That’s the whole point of reading, right ? When I first saw the cover it didn’t strike me as “interesting.”
Melliane
not really but because I dodn’t know about them? I don’t know.
kindlemom1
I’m a huge P&P fan too and I like when authors do this, so much fun. I think I would like this one!
Melliane
I hope you will if you try
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Trying to write a “sequel” to a classic is always going to be tricky, and I don’t envy anyone trying to do so with the novels of Jane Austen. So much can be lost in the characters because they’re not technically “theirs” and I think I would have trouble connecting, even if I had read a lot of Austen books.
Melliane
yes that’s true too
Heidi
I am not the biggest fan of authors making sequels for famous works, they just don’t ring true to the original for me. Still it sounds like this one was satisfactory enough for you. Glad you enjoyed.
Ramona
I love that cover! I have to admit that I don’t read many variations and add-ons to classics, though I can certainly understand the allure. This one sounds really exciting 🙂 Great review <3
Braine Talk Supe
Have you seen Death Came to Pemberley? It’s in Netflix. It’s an Austen-like mini series (3 ep) and it’s the post-HEA of Darcy and whats-her-face. I enjoyed it, I thought you might like it as well.
Melliane
I don’t think so, no. Thanks, I’ll have to try it.
Kirsty-Marie
Hmm, yeah, I guess you could have appreciated it more if you had read more of hers, but sounds like you enjoyed it anyone, even if it was a little confusing and times. 🙂
Melliane
it was ok
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Glad it was a good read. I’ve not read any of the Pride book remakes or the original. Shame on me. Oh well.
Melliane
I haven’t read the original either
kimbacaffeinate
Oh wow 1914 release date..that is pretty cool. I think perhaps you are right, if you had read more of Austen you might have seen more connections.
Melliane
I think so too
Joy (Joyousreads)
I used to be such a huge fan of any P & P published fan fiction. But I stopped a long time ago. I really should pick it up again. I’m curious as why Georgiana is not happy with her pending marriage!
ara
It was to her cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam. They just didn’t suit. The author gives them other (better for them) partners in the book.
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
Well, the concept sounds good. But doesn’t seem like the execution was that good.
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Woah, I had no idea there was a sequel to P&P either! Lovely review Melliane!
Paula M. @ Her Book Thoughts!
I honestly didn’t know that this book exist! Thank you so much for reviewing this. I’ll surely check it out because I’m obsessed with anything Pride and Prejudice. Glad you enjoyed it! <3
Carole Rae
Awwwwe! The beginning of a beautiful genre. :3
ara
It was to her cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam. They just didn’t suit. The author gives them other (better for them) partners in the book.
BTW, I don’t recommend this book unless you’ve read all of Austen’s 6 novels. You won’t know some characters and will surely not enjoy it as much.