I’m very happy to welcome Amanda Grange to Diary of an Eccentric today. Her latest release, Wickham’s Diary, will be reviewed here next week. I’ve enjoyed some of her other books, particularly Mr. Darcy’s Diary and Captain Wentworth’s Diary, so I was very excited to be able to ask her questions about the Jane Austen craze (which has taken over my reading life lately). I’d like to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions. Please give a warm welcome to Amanda Grange.
You’ve written several novels from the point of view of Austen’s heroes. With your latest release, Wickham’s Diary, you appear to be turning to the shady men in her novels. Do you plan to write more like this?
Not at the moment, no. I really wanted to explore the relationship between Wickham and Darcy when they were children and young men, and I’ve written it through Wickham’s eyes. I was fascinated by the way they could start out as friends and end up as bitter enemies.
What is your favorite Austen novel? Who is your favorite Austen hero, heroine, couple? Why?
My favourite novel is Pride and Prejudice. It’s my idea of a perfection. The characters, the humour, the romance and also the technical things like the construction, are all brilliant.
My favourite hero and heroine fluctuates, and so does my favourite couple. Since writing Colonel Brandon’s Diary I’ve fallen in love with him, so I’m going to say Brandon for the hero, Emma for the heroine and Brandon and Marianne for the couple. But if you ask me again another day I will probably say something different!
Why do you think Pride and Prejudice gets all the attention? Don’t get me wrong, I love P&P, but Persuasion is my favorite, and I’d love to see more variations of that novel.
If you’re asking why the publishing / media world give Pride and Prejudice the most attention, it’s because Pride and Prejudice has the biggest fan base and therefore they can be almost certain of making a profit on Darcy-related projects. But because Persuasion doesn’t have such a big fan base, producing Persuasion-based novels, films etc is more of a risk. If you’re asking why Pride and Prejudice gets the most attention from fans, I’m not really sure. I think it’s because of the sparkling nature of the romance, and because of Mr Darcy.
What is it about Austen that has you devoting your writing to her novels and characters?
Something about Austen’s world has always drawn me in. I only have to open one of her books and I’m immediately in her world. I love her humour and her wit, and I love the way all her books are different. I couldn’t have written a series of diaries if they’d all been the same kind of book. One of the biggest challenges for me was in trying to capture the mood of the original and the character of the hero in the writing, as well as retelling the story from a different point of view. It’s been really rewarding to do and I feel I’ve come to know the originals so much better through doing it.
What is your favorite movie adaptation of an Austen novel?
That’s difficult, but if I’m only allowed one, I think I’ll have to choose the 1995 film of Persuasion. I thought Amanda Root was luminous as Anne. She captured the pervasive air of melancholy beautifully and incredible subtly.
Any hints about what you’re working on now?
It’s a bit too early to say, but I have several projects in the early stages. It’s safe to say that one of them is likely to have the words Mr Darcy in the title!
Do you have a special place where you write? If so, could you describe it?
I work mainly in my study because if I try to work anywhere else I get distracted and wander off to make a cup of tea or do a spot of weeding! It’s a plain room without any pictures on the walls because I find it easier to concentrate that way. I have a large desk, but even so the floor, desk and window ledge are usually covered in research books, pictures, source materials, calendars and print-outs of draft versions. I’ve learnt from experience that it’s a mistake to tidy up because then I can’t find anything, but somehow I manage to put my finger on what I want very quickly as long as the room is a mess. I have an instinct that it’s under the pile of papers on top of the dictionary that’s about to fall off the desk!
What do you do when you’re not writing or immersed in Austen?
I like to get out of doors as much as possible, it’s a complete change from my indoor working life. I like gardening and walking, and if I’m feeling particularly energetic I like to go cycling.
What are some of the best books you’ve read recently?
I’ve just read The Small Hand, which is a novella by Susan Hill. It’s a very atmospheric ghost story and I loved it. I also read The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud lately. I love humorous books, there aren’t enough of them. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know!
Thanks, Amanda! I’m looking forward to reading more of your work in the future.
Courtesy of Sourcebooks, I’m giving away 1 copy of Wickham’s Diary to one of my readers. To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail address, along with your recommendation for a humorous book, since Amanda so kindly asked. This giveaway is open to readers in the U.S. and Canada and will end at 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, April 17, 2011.
**Please note that this giveaway is now closed**
Disclosure: I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I don’t know of any humorous books I have ready. However, I did quite enjoy the Bunko Babes series by Maria Geraci. Now you have me all excited for a posslible book about Mr. Darcy in the future. I too love Persuasion. I think Capt. Wentworth and Anne are just as captivating as Elizabeth and Darcy.
I wonder if because some schools teach P&P and do not teach her other novels, like Persuasion, that is why it is more popular, which then gives it more marketing and a larger audience. I am sure if all these Darcy lovers out there read Persuasion they would love it and Capt. Wentworth too!
jakki36 at yahoo dot com
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I love Darcy, but since reading Persuasion, I love Wentworth more. 🙂
Personally, I think the movie with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy helped make P&P more popular. I really wish there more variations of her other novels, though. Not that I’m getting sick of the P&P ones; just want more variety.
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The 1995 film of Persuasion is my favorite too. I love the atmosphere of the movie. Gods Behaving Badly is incredibly hilarious; I suggest Amanda read that one.
No need to enter me in the giveaway, but I’ll post it in my sidebar.
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Thanks, Serena!
I haven’t seen that version of Persuasion. I do like Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth in the newest movie. If only it were a better adaptation!
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My favorite humorous novel is Lamb by Christopher Moore. 🙂
I have read Mr. Darcy’s Diary and Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, so I’m due for another novel on him! I also have Captain Wentworth’s Diary and Edmund Bertram’s Diary on my bookshelf waiting. I’ve had my eye out for Colonel Brandon’s Diary and have been waiting on Wickham’s Diary ever since I heard about it! I’m sure it’s very interesting–a neat POV!
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I hope to read the rest of Grange’s diary books at some point. I loved Mr. Darcy’s Diary and Captain Wentworth’s Diary.
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Nice interview:)
I do love the 95 Persuasion
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Thanks! I’m going to have to get my hands on that movie!
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I think you’re right, Jakki, the fact that schools teach Pride and Prejudice makes a big difference.
Thanks for all the book recommendations, I’ll try them out, and thanks to Anna for the interview, it was fun.
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My pleasure! Thanks for being a guest on my blog. 🙂
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I am currently reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, and there are many humorous situations; it’s really a delightful novel. And for hilarity, try the Janet Evanovich series. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thanks for the humorous suggestions, Linda!
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I recommend the novels of Eva Ibbotson. They are so lovely and they make me smile.
Thank you for the giveaway!
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I’ve never heard of Ibbotson. Will have to check out her work.
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Wonderful interview, Anna. I understand the Austen craze, and agree that P & P is incredibly brilliant. Amanda Grange seems to be quite committed to Austen’s fiction.
A recommendation for a humorous book? Confessions of A Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler springs to mind, but if the author would prefer to stay away from humorous Austen books (ahem), then how about Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi, a graphic novel that’s terrifically wicked?!
Please enter me in this great giveaway. Thanks! I will add this giveaway to my sidebar.
suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thanks, Suko! I have the Rigler book but haven’t read it yet. I hope to read it this year for one of the JA challenges. Sounds like I’m in for a treat.
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love amanda’s works!
how about trying the latest…
Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People
By Amy Sedaris
it should be a hoot ;-D
vvb32 at yahoo.com
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That book does look hilarious!
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[…] here to read my interview with Amanda Grange and enter to win a copy of Wickham’s […]
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I think Amanda makes a great point about Wickham and Darcy starting out as friends only to end up as enemies. I am very interested to see how this is dealt with in Wickham’s Diary as well as what else comes up in the book!
Thank you for a terrific interview and a great giveaway!
~ Amy
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
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Grange did a good job showing how the two took separate paths in life.
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Kindred spirits we are! re-Persuasion!! #1 in my books {movies} … looking fwd to this giveaway Anna ~ thankyou!
blstef1 at mts dot net
humour? any of the Anne series by LM Montgomery~lovely!
enjoyed your interview and hearing Amanda… thx!
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I love finding others who love Persuasion best, like I do. 🙂
I love the Anne series as well. Hope to re-read it soon.
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My favorite humorous novel is the entire Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I laughed so much that my husband started reading them. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Wow, that’s saying a lot. 😉
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This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered or just stopped by to read the interview. The winner will be chosen via Randomizer.org and posted shortly.
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