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Storytelling decisions, or Downton Abbey

Warning: This post contains discussions of plot points up to and including the most recent episode, which aired February 11 in the US. What is happening to the writing on Downton Abbey? Julian Fellowes has committed some major storytelling sins, and only the general strengths of the production — the actors, the setting — are able to carry it through. It’s frustrating, because there is a glimmer of the really fantastic work that went into Read more…

By Patrice Sarath, ago
A Regency era girl stands at the piano, a boy standing behind her. The title reads The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath

Book giveaway — The Unexpected Miss Bennet

It’s February. It’s cold. The nights are long. It’s the perfect month for a book giveaway! Of course you want a copy of The Unexpected Miss Bennet. Who could resist? Just tell me in the comments why you read Jane Austen. What does she mean to you? Are there certain lines of dialog or scenes that have grabbed your imagination and never let go? For me, it was learning to love the craziness that is Read more…

By Patrice Sarath, ago

The Heyers are here!

The Heyers arrived today! Check out these covers: The paperbacks are from the ’60s and early ’70s. The hardback is copyright 1939. It’s a bit fragile but I still intend to read it. Ahhh…it’s so nice to have a copy of Cotillion back in my possession. I have to read that one first — it’s like visiting an old friend. I was in high school when I first started reading Georgette Heyer. I think The Read more…

By Patrice Sarath, ago