Synopsis

From Booklist *Starred Review*
Although Jane Austen is often acknowledged as the godmother of the Regency romance (of course, she was writing contemporary love stories at the time), the contributors to this collection intend to prove that Austen's much-loved novels, and specifically her masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, provide the prototype for today's chick-lit fiction. After romance superstar Crusie presents a crisp and witty introduction distilling the essence of Austen's appeal, an eclectic mix of popular romance authors explore a variety of topics, including Austen's social commentary, the role of history in her novels, and the adaptation of her books into film. Beth Kendrick considers how much today's woman has in common with Austen's heroines in her deliciously clever "Does This Petticoat Make Me Look Fat?" Jo Beverley's "Gold Diggers of 1813" is a discussion of why marrying for wealth mattered so much during the Regency era. Teresa Medeiros takes a fun and flirty look at the appeal of one of Austen's most famous heroes in "My Darling Mr. Darcy." Each contribution to this smart and entertaining collection is a pure delight, adding up to an unusually enjoyable work of literary criticism. John Charles