Diana Birchall

Now retired from her career as a story analyst at Warner Bros Studios, Diana is the author of Jane Austen sequels Mrs. Darcy's Dilemma, The Bride of Northanger, In Defense of Mrs. Elton, Mrs. Elton in America, and the forthcoming The Darcys in Venice, as well as Austenesque plays, stories, articles, and pastiche. Diana's scholarly biography of her grandmother, Onoto Watanna, the first Asian American novelist, was published by the University of Illinois Press. Diana grew up in New York City, and now divides her time between California and England.

Most commented posts

  1. 12 Days of a Jane Austen Christmas: A Book of Days — 62 comments
  2. Throwback Thursday with Diana Birchall — 59 comments
  3. Leap into Love – an Excerpt by Diana Birchall — 55 comments
  4. The Darcys and Lord Byron in Venice, Part 8 — 53 comments
  5. Persuasion 200: Mary Musgrove’s Complaint — 48 comments

Author's posts

Mr. Darcy’s Guidebook (excerpt from The Darcys in Venice by Diana Birchall)

As my novel The Darcys in Venice glides slowly as a gondola toward hopeful publication, I share a new scene with you, in which Mr. and Mrs. Darcy prepare for their journey. Mr. Darcy’s Guidebook Now the dark winter evenings at Pemberley became busy ones. The storms moderated, the guests departed, repairs were carried on, …

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Did Jane Austen Ever See an Elephant? by Diana Birchall

You don’t have to be a pachydermophiliac to delight in a very delectable question, whose origin may be traced to a discussion on one of the Jane Austen online lists from as far back as 2011 – this post is what one might hopefully and tactfully call An Old Classic. Research has not revealed whether …

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Planned in the Cradle: Darcy and Anne

“What a fine pair they are,” said Lady Catherine de Bourgh, tilting her dark, lace-capped head sentimentally to the side, for effect. “Surely no finer children were ever seen in England.” “You are right, I believe,” her sister Lady Anne Darcy answered placidly. “My little Darcy is remarkably strong and intelligent, and twice little Anne’s …

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P&P Prelude to Pemberley: Lady Catherine Deals with Georgiana

Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on …

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P&P Prelude to Pemberley: Lady Catherine’s Scheme

Welcome to our Pride & Prejudice prequel! P&P: Prelude to Pemberley tells the story of the time leading up to the events of Pride & Prejudice, including what Darcy and Elizabeth were doing and thinking, Georgiana Darcy’s story, the events of Ramsgate, how Mr. Bingley came to lease Netherfield, and much more! Join us on …

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A New Beginning: Preface to The Darcys in Venice by Diana Birchall

Ever after his marriage, it was Darcy’s first and greatest delight to give pleasure to his wife, and he studied the subject with all the intelligence and seriousness he possessed, which were considerable. Their first trip together, in the spring following their wedding, was to the Lakes, which Elizabeth had missed seeing when her aunt …

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P&P TUS: Lady Catherine Condescends to Inspect the Happiness at Pemberley by Diana Birchall

Lady Catherine has a very great deal to say about how she finds Pemberley and its new mistress.  December 16, 1812 The approach to Pemberley was on a giant scale—the wide valley, the great house, the vast garden before and forested land rising behind. The inmates of the house, the owner and his family and …

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A Wild Ride: The Darcys in Venice, Chapter 30, by Diana Birchall

It was a grey day for the horseback ride on the sandy dunes of the Lido, but the Venetian churches and palazzi were etched against the pearly sky and the wind blew hard through the horses’ manes and tails, also ruffling the hair of the two men in a wild and free way. “Did I …

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Planning with Lord Byron: The Darcys in Venice Chapter 30 by Diana Birchall

Seeing Lord Byron crossing the garden accompanied by a monkey, a fox, and two mastiffs, Mr. Darcy observed to his wife that once, they would have been astonished by such a sight.  “It would take more than that to produce such an effect these days,” she replied. “The only difference, perhaps, is that now we …

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P&P:TUS Darcy and Elizabeth in the Library at Pemberley by Diana Birchall

Darcy has the joy of showing Elizabeth the treasures of his library. November 26, 1812 The maid pulled apart the curtains, and left the tea tray. As soon as she had withdrawn, Elizabeth opened her eyes and lifted her head from the feather pillow. Darcy, in his nightshirt, was beginning his ablutions with water-pitcher and …

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