SAME BOOK: DIFFERENT TITLE

For the past couple of years I have been buying a lot of used paperbacks and have also continued my search for Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice sequels.  I've noticed some interesting new (at least to me) publishing ploys.

The same book is being reprinted under a new title.  Pemberley's Promise and Darcy's Voyage is identical and by the same author though as few more pages have been added to introduce the story.  It is very easy to be misled if one doesn't read the inside pages and other details of a book before purchasing it.  As I tend to buy all P&P sequels, I've been stung but don't like repeating the experience.  I follow the rule,' those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it'.

Another set of the same book under a new title and cover but with the same story and cast of characters seems to be Pemberley by the Seas and The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice.

Another trick being used by publishers who reprint paperbacks is to rename a book and in small print put two titles of old books in it.  It seems that many of the writers of romance novels, writing for years, seem to be being sold in this fashion.  In fact, at times it is difficult to buy one title so one is forced to buy the double books to get a single title for which one has searched.

Ah well, I guess everyone is out to fleece the innocent.  Just remember, "Buyer Beware"

A MASTER UNDER GOOD REGULATION

"This is the story of Pride and Prejudice as seen through the eyes of Reggie, Mr. Darcy's dog. Reggie has a keen perception of things going on around him and the story begins with Darcy as a young boy of 15, picking Reggie out from a litter. We see the two of them become close companions as Darcy grows up and enters the story of Pride and Prejudice that Jane Austen penned. But the story also takes you to those silent months and behind the scenes where Reggie has much on which to reflect, comment, and intervene. Visit "KaraLou's" website, Jane Austen's Land of Ahhhs;, www.ahhhs.net, to read additional stories by her."...description of the book by the author or publisher.

I have tried to read all the Pride and Prejudice spin-offs, but struggle with whether this one has just gone too far afield for even my obsession with Austen (or the cottage industry that has sprung up from the ability to plagiarize her original work). I admit that Pemberley's Promise, also by Kara Louise, was one of the best of the 26 that I have so-far read. She has also written a couple of others, one an altered Version of Pride and Prejudice (Assumed Engagement) and the second, (Assumed Obligation) a sequel to Assumed Engagement, as well as to Pride and Prejudice. These are now ordered and I will offer my unsolicited opinions on those, too, when I receive and have read them.




I would be interested in reading some feedback from others who are Austen fans. To leave a comment you need a gmail account. You can get a free gmail account by signing up at: http://www.google.com/, whether you ever use it for anything else or not. Otherwise, I'm not sure whether you can even leave an anonymous comment...a peculiarity of blogspot.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE REWRITTEN

Having now read twenty four Jane Austen rewrites, epilogues and sequels, I have finally found one that I can whole heartedly recommend as a wonderful read through a totally new experience of the meeting, courtship and marriage of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy.



The entire setting is different though the author uses the same characters, places, and quotes from the original. However, many story facts and events are changed. Despite my derision of people capitalizing from the creative efforts of others, this book kept me entranced with the right amount of emotional capture. The highs were not too high and the lows were not frightening, nor chapters full of anxiety provocation. The book reads and moves quickly. Since my preference is for 'feel-good' books, Pemberley Promises made good on that promise. There is a decided attempt to hold the reader's attention with threatened, not realized disasters. Austen fans everywhere might find this acceptable after they, (as is usual with Austen fans), have memorized the entire original book, in which case they might be confused by this version.

I think I've discovered that a higher price and a thicker book, for the most part, is consistent with a higher quality of writing. Try it; you might like it!