Print shops and Admiral Croft in Bath

Print shops were very popular in Jane Austen’s England. In particular, the political cartoonists of the day like James Gillray (1757-1815) and Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) provided entertainment for the masses who crowded round the print shop windows to see their latest pictures.
Here is a little nugget of Jane Austen’s treasure for your delight. Admiral Croft’s [...]

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Editing with Lizzy and Darcy

I’m at the editing stage of my latest work in progress. Surely this has to be the most trying and difficult part of writing a book. It’s when I feel I’m completely on my own – and I feel a little bit lonely. I start to read it through, feel quite pleased with how it’s [...]

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Haddon Hall Gardens

The gardens at Haddon are lovely – I really enjoyed the views from the terraces – the formal gardens contrasting with the wildness of the landscape beyond. I have seen photos of the Hall in summer – I shall definitely have to visit again to see the riot of roses clambering over stone walls and [...]

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Book Review from the Jane Austen Society of North America – Kelly M. McDonald
Lydia Bennet’s Story was reviewed alongside Carrie Bebris’ novel, The Matters at Mansfield so I’ve extracted the relevant parts of the review which concern my book.
A good opening line can instantly vitalize a novel…Jane Odiwe sets her scene exceedingly well: “The true [...]

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News of a new blog, Lydia Bennet’s Story, and a Jane Austen inspired exhibition

News of a new blog – Austen Endeavours
- I am enjoying this blog from Aimee Fry and thought you might too! Aimee indulges her love of all things Austen and Regency along with her quest to become a writer!
Thanks to Jenny for a mention of Lydia Bennet’s Story from Wondrous Reads which is a [...]

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Jane Austen, Bath, and Birthdays in May

Forgive me for being quiet lately, but we’ve had two birthdays in this house this week. Two of my children were born within a day of one another – three years apart – so it’s always very hectic, a bit crazy, but very enjoyable! It’s my nephew’s birthday on the 17th also, so we shall [...]

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The Dining Room at Haddon, Pride and Prejudice 2005

The dining room was used for a scene at the inn at Lambton in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. It is quite a small room which would have been used by the family for their private quarters. The plaster ceiling dates from the early 1500s and is decorated with a Tudor rose and [...]

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Pride and Prejudice 2005, Haddon Hall Chapel

The chapel at Haddon Hall was used in the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. It’s a marvellous example of an early chapel with separate seating for the gentry, wall frescoes, and 15th century painted glass. The south aisle dates from the 12th century and was widened during the [...]

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Haddon Hall, Derbyshire, a contender for Pemberley?

As they walked across the lawn towards the river, Elizabeth turned back to look again; her uncle and aunt stopped also: and while the former was conjecturing as to the date of the building, the owner of it himself suddenly came forward from the road which led behind it to the stables. They were [...]

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What are Men to Rocks and Mountains?!

In the last of my posts on Chatsworth I thought you’d like to see some of the views of the gardens. It was difficult to choose, I have so many photos, but I thought I’d tie these in with one or two passages from Jane Austen’s wonderful Pride and Prejudice.
“We have not quite [...]

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