Recommend me a Jane Austen style book?

[paintedfences]

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?

Have you read Georgette Heyer? Loads of books there.

Mrs Gaskell - Cranford is a good start.

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

Death Comes to Pemberley. PD James

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

Have you read Tess of the Durbervilles?

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

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

Georgette Heyer is my recommendation.

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

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.

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.

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

Precious Bane by Mary Webb

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

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.

Elizabeth Gaskell - North and South