The Watsons and Emma Watson by Jane Austen and Joan Aiken

 

Have you ever read a continuation of a classic story or fraction of a book?  I enjoy reading continuations of fragments of Jane Austen’s work.  I always wonder in what direction Austen would have taken the story if she only would have had more time.

Emma Watson has returned home after many years away living with her aunt.  Her aunt has remarried, and Emma has lost her place as her aunt’s heir.  When she returns home, she discovers that her family is in disarray.  Will Emma be able to find her own happiness and place in the world?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was the November pick for the JASNA Northwoods Book club.  It was not a book club favorite.

·       The book had a clear break between the Jane Austen fragment and the continuation by Joan Aiken.  It was apparent that this was a first draft from Jane Austen and that she had not polished the work before publication.

·       Joan Aiken’s part did not seem like a Jane Austen tale.  It was very Gothic and contained three shocking deaths in a row.  The storyline seemed scattered and slapped together without a plan.

·       Emma’s love interest was just randomly introduced at the end.  I was hoping she would find love with one of the many eligible men that were already in the novel.  I did not feel invested in her love story at all, or really in any of the characters besides the ones that were killed off.

·       Emily from book club pointed out that there was a Henry Crawford (from Mansfield Park) Easter egg at the end of the novel that was fun.

Are there any better continuations of The Watsons out there that I should read?

Book Source:  Purchased from Amazon.com