Diana Birchall

Author's posts

A Collection of Comeuppances

Jane Austen was a most judicious punisher of her least deserving characters. She had a high moral sense, as well as a wicked wit, and loved to mete out comeuppances as well as happy endings. Her comeuppances are generally very plausible and very fair, and the ones that might not seem entirely satisfactory, generally have …

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Love – and Hate, in Two Austen Novels

Love and hate.  Jane Austen wrote about them both, sometimes in the same novel, and about the same characters. The love/hate relationship that first comes to mind is of course that of Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. The word hate is used several times in describing Lizzy’s early prejudiced feelings about Mr. Darcy. …

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Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Pemberley

Mr. Darcy put down his book and his face lighted as his wife entered the library. “So, you have found me,” he greeted her with a smile. “That is not a matter of wonder. Where else would you be likely to be found, such a dark wet day as this, save the library?” “Very true, …

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Retrospective and Prospective

This month, we look back on our recent work, especially at books published during 2020. I fell a little short of that date, as my last published book came out in October 2019. The Bride of Northanger is a sequel to Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, and it follows her heroine Catherine Moreland into her marriage …

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Advent Calendar Day 20: The Wickhams’ Christmas

This is Part III of my three-part story, which has appeared on successive Sundays in our Austen Variations Advent Calendar.  The first episode, “St. Nicholas Day,” was published on December 6, and told of a Rich Jane Austen Christmas, set at Pemberley. The second part, “Miss Bingley’s Christmas,” was about a Poor Christmas (referring to …

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Advent Calendar Day 13: Miss Bingley’s Christmas

PART II of a Three Part Story, to appear on Successive Sundays in Advent. The first episode, “St. Nicholas Day at Pemberley,” was published on December 6, and told of a Rich Jane Austen Christmas, set at Pemberley.  This second treat, “Miss Bingley’s Christmas,” is about a Poor Jane Austen Christmas, spent with the cold-hearted …

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Advent Calendar Day 6: St. Nicholas Day at Pemberley

PART I of a Three Part Story, to appear on Successive Sundays in Advent. This first episode tells of a Rich Jane Austen Christmas, and is set at Pemberley.  The second treat, on Sunday, December 13, is about a Poor Jane Austen Christmas, spent with the cold-hearted Miss Bingley and her sister Mrs. Hurst. On …

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After the Wedding – a Dialogue between Emma and Mrs. Elton

“Now, my dear Mrs. Knightley,” began Mrs. Elton eagerly, hitching herself forward in her chair in Emma’s pretty sitting-room, “Do tell me, there’s a dear, where it was that you and Mr. K went on your honey-moon?” There was so much to offend in this question, that Emma was silent a moment. That gave the …

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Fabulous Food: Mr. Darcy’s Dinner

Before [Elizabeth] had been three minutes in her own room, her mother followed her. “My dearest child,” she cried, “I can think of nothing else! Ten thousand a year, and very likely more! ‘Tis as good as a Lord! And a special licence! You must and shall be married by a special licence! But, my …

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Through Kitty’s Eyes: A New Proposal Scene

Bingley, who wanted to be alone with Jane, proposed their all walking out. It was agreed to. Mrs. Bennet was not in the habit of walking. Mary could never spare time, but the remaining five set off together. Bingley and Jane, however, soon allowed the others to outstrip them. They lagged behind, while Elizabeth, Kitty, …

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