Of all the vagaries of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that I have read, most tend to remind me of a Choose Your Own Adventure story in that they pick a point in the original story from which to deviate. After that point the action and plot alter, but for the most part the characters continue to […]
Author Archive | Veronica Monique
Because History is Bloody
Greetings Dark Readers, While Regency literature with and without mayhem may be our primary focus it is not our only interest. In fact, as I’m sure you have noticed, we take a particular delight in that dark mayhem that comes with the introduction of creatures of nightmares into a world typically well ordered. Keeping up […]
Sea Monster Tea Party Ideas
Dear Marianne Brandon, I have it upon great authority, or at least the recommendation of one Mr. John Willoughby, that you are the standard for all that a lady should be. As such I was wondering what you would advise for a Sea Monster Tea Party? My proposed menu would be the following: Clam chowder […]
A Potentially Rewarding Read
Greetings Readers, This month we’ve been diving into Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters. We hope you’ve been reading with us, but if for some reason you have not we’d like to offer you an opportunity to win your very own copy with all the practical romance of Jane Austen […]
The Alteration Hypothesis
Dear Mrs. Dashwood, My condolences on the recent loss of your husband, Mr. Henry Dashwood. I understand he was a loving husband and devoted father before being so horrendously devoured by a hammerhead shark. I apologize if this is indelicate, but I was wondering if you might be willing to meet with me to discuss […]
September Sea Monsters
Greetings Readers, We do hope you all have been reading enjoyable novels. This month we shall be revisiting one of our favorites Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters. For those of you who have not previously read it be aware that any post in which we discuss the book most […]
Austen Novels: Veronica’s Lists II
Ladies up for redemption: Mary Crawford – She has learned the true worth of a man with integrity. It even says she was: …long in finding among the dashing representatives, or idle heir-apparents, who were at the command of her beauty and her twenty thousand pounds, any one who could satisfy the better taste she […]
Austen Novels: Veronica’s Lists I
Veronica’s List in order of preference: Sense and Sensibility – Two sisters, two different paths to romance. Persuasion – A love that stands the test of time. Pride and Prejudice – Overcoming differences. Emma – Maturing and finding one’s true feelings. Mansfield Park – Being genuine no matter what. Northanger Abbey – Gaining perspective on […]
Did Catherine Morland Pay Attention?
In reading The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe and thinking about how it may have influenced Catherine Morland’s imagination in Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen I find myself wondering how much of the novel Catherine actually paid attention to. Granted, The Mysteries of Udolpho is a gargantuan read compared to most books I typically read in my modern 21st century […]
Jane Austen Post-Apocalypse
Today we welcome Daniel McInerny author of “The Bureau of Myths” a short story bring together Jane Austen and a bit of post-Apocalyptic distopian proper mayhem. Jane Austen is in a crucial way…the last great representative of the classical tradition of the virtues. This observation is from Alasdair MacIntyre in his book, After Virtue. In the […]
Marrying Mr. Darcy and the Undead
For many Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is an enduring tale of true love. Whether it was Austen’s intention for us to view it as a love story versus a tale of how things like pride and prejudice blind us to the true character of a person does not stop us. How often have we dreamed of […]