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Recommend me a Jane Austen style book?

15 replies

paintedfences · 05/09/2019 14:17

I’ve read all of Austen’s novels, and am looking for something similarly clever and well written with well drawn characters - I love the marriage element too, I don’t especially want any swashbuckling, more sippy comments in drawing rooms. Any recommendations?

OP posts:
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EBearhug · 05/09/2019 14:18

Have you read Georgette Heyer? Loads of books there.

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LIZS · 05/09/2019 14:21

Mrs Gaskell - Cranford is a good start.

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AliceLutherNeeMorgan · 05/09/2019 20:41

I would also recommend Mrs Gaskell, but Wives and Daughters is my favourite

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TheFaerieQueene · 05/09/2019 20:43

Death Comes to Pemberley. PD James

Not everyone likes it, but I think it is pretty good.

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whenweallfallasleep · 05/09/2019 20:48

Have you read Tess of the Durbervilles?

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TheBigBallOfOil · 05/09/2019 20:50

You might like Nancy Mitford. Love in a cold climate especially

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TheBigBallOfOil · 05/09/2019 20:51

Very different but EM Forster might also float your boat. Howard’s End is my favourite

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pumkinspicetime · 05/09/2019 21:31

Georgette Heyer is my recommendation.

EF Benson's Mapp and Lucia is a different period but absolutely stuffed full of snippy comments and gossip.

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MorbidMuch · 05/09/2019 21:56

Evelina by Fanny Burney is my favourite. She inspired Austen. It even contains a Mr Willoughby and Lord Orville who is clearly a forerunner for Mr Darcy.

It's hilarious and touching.

I also recommend Belinda by Edgeworth.

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pallisers · 05/09/2019 22:01

Another vote for Mrs Gaskell and Mapp and Lucia.

Anthony Trollope's novels are very funny, lots of drawing room intrigue and human relationships but also with church politics/politics/financial issues of the day. Start with Barchester Towers - it is great.

Miss Marjoribanks by Mrs Oliphant is wonderful.

There is also a book I read years ago The semi-attached couple and the semi-detached house which was great. Virago Modern Press' catalogue is a good place to start too.

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palahvah · 05/09/2019 22:09

20th century but still buttoned-up, dry, humour drawn on social niceties - Barbara Pym. 'Excellent Women' is a good start.

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wizzler · 05/09/2019 22:12

Precious Bane by Mary Webb

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Chickoletta · 06/09/2019 23:08

Georgette Heyer, Fanny Burney, Winston Graham’s ‘Poldark’ books.

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Deadringer · 06/09/2019 23:13

Have you read The tenant of Wildfell hall by Anne Bronte? It's amazing. Also the Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Austen is my absolute favorite author but I loved those books almost as much.

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CherrySocks · 06/09/2019 23:13

Elizabeth Gaskell - North and South

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