Margaret C. Sullivan

This delightful book collects images of the covers of Austen's works, from the first editions of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice to the movie-inspired covers, foreign translations, and everything in between. The descriptions of covers are equally entertaining, and I laughed out loud at some of the snarkier comments and the more, erm, overwrought romance covers. Along the way, you'll learn a bit about publishing, cover art, and quotes from Jane Austen's books and letters to and show more from family members for a well-rounded and truly enjoyable read. show less

I've been lusting after this book for a few months now and it finally arrived today. Nothing else got done as I promptly flopped onto the couch and dove it.

There's more to this book than I originally expected, with thoughtful and sometimes downright snarky commentary about each cover. The quality of the covers in each time period range from tasteful to tasteless to downright tacky and all a lot of fun to look at.

If you are a Jane Austen fan, this one is a keeper, although now I want to go show more out and search for some of these old editions (the original Peacock edition: yes please!). show less

3.75
I've said a number of times that I think Northanger Abbey is vastly underrated, both by the general public and by Janeites themselves. I've also said many times that I think it gives the best idea of Austen's personality and playfulness, and I think it feels the most like what it would have been like to know Austen and be friends with her. So needless to say, there are not enough Northanger  etellings out there for my liking. On the one hand, this makes sense, and not just because show more it's underappreciated; Northanger Abbey is a book that hinges on a silly moment of a very young character, and in the end, feels complete. There's not as much wiggle room there to play with in adaptations, or at least, not in the way that many adaptations tend to go. Nevertheless, when I see a Northanger adaptation pop up, I am all over it, so of course I was super excited when Maggie Sullivan (author of last year's "Heroic Ranking Index" post) sent me her latest, the intriguingly-titled, There Must Be Murder.

And what I found was a really solid, quick read for fans of Henry and Catherine. One playful enough and with that same sense of humor and observation that made me love its original,  while poking fun enough that I think even those who found Northanger too silly will still appreciate this one. Sullivan does a good job when it comes to recreating the characters and their experience of Bath, but also of progressing the stories and lives of those same characters. Those that found Catherine to be unbearably silly and frivolous will see that she's shown growth, though her spirit and penchant for ridiculous drama is still there. But as I always liked Catherine, the thing the story hinged on for me was the relationship, and it was strong on that score as well. The way Catherine and Henry interacted was charming and a believable progression from the end of Northanger. I've seen many discussions where people doubt their relationship and its potential for happiness, questioning whether Henry would remain interested in someone as flighty as Catherine. I've always thought they were very well-suited, and could see Henry happily teasing Catherine well into old age; this embraces that dynamic and showcases how well they work together. It's really nice, and with some of that characteristic sly style Austen has, but also with a more modern flirtiness to it.

Things have also changed and progressed nicely, or at least, interestingly, for other characters, too. And frankly, it's amusing to see General Tilney in a somewhat debased form. Reading this, I couldn't help but feel that he and Sir Elliot would get on capitally, were they to cross paths in Bath. You know what, nope. Scratch that. They'd fight like to primadonnas out for the same man - cuttingly one-upping each other, and maybe having a touch of grudging respect.*

Um. That was a tangent... ANYWAY, I really think that Catherine and Henry could have a whole host of interesting adventures in Margaret C. Sullivan's hands, and I definitely hope to see more. The only real drawback for me was that it wraps up a little too swiftly and neatly. I would have liked a little more dwelling on the "mystery" that Catherine finds herself embroiled in, and the darker, gothic aspects that are such a hallmark of Catherine's sensibility. There was potential to lengthen and make the most of the drama, but instead, it felt like Sullivan pulled back a touch, maybe trying to avoid those same pitfalls that make so many readers speak a little disparagingly of Northanger. Whatever the reason, I could have done with a little more on that score, but it doesn't change the fact that this was a thoroughly enjoyable, very quick, fun read.

*Now, they'd be an interesting pairing. Someone needs to take advantage of that. ;) show less

I loved browsing through this illustrated coffee table book that shows highlights of publications of Jane Austen's work from when they first were printed until the modern day. I say browsing, because you could certainly read it that way, but I actually read it cover to cover. The author gives information on publishing techniques, some light literary criticism, and history of how Jane Austen's works have been received in different eras. Interspersed are quotes from all the novels.

The main show more show, of course, is the pictures of the covers of 100s of different publications with commentary on how the cover was chosen and how it reflects the times it was published in. Some of the commentary gets delightfully snarky - oh those 1960s and 1970s publications! - and I found it really entertaining. She also covers translations of Austen's work and a little about the movies and television productions that have been made. This is a book that Austen collectors will love to own.

The only problem with this book is that now I want to collect ALL of these editions - especially the cheesy ones! show less