Rating: 
Summary: Thoroughly enjoyable and engaging
Review: This novel by Aiken, as well as being a new perspective on Jane Austen's "Emma", stands out as a well written, complex and interesting novel in its own right. This is to be expected from a writer of Aiken's calibre, who has achieved literary success in her own right long before writing her Jane Austen based novels, the second of which is "Mansfield Revisited".I'll be quite honest and admit that usually I wouldn't touch a Jane Austen spinoff with a ten foot pole. It was mainly because of Aiken's previous reputation as a writer that I decided to take a chance on this one, and was highly entertained and interested. I was much struck by the quality of the writing, and Aiken's ability to mimic Austen's style, which very *very* few writers pull off successfully. At the same time, there is no feeling that she is trying to *be* Jane Austen, but is rather offering her own interpretation, and asking her own questions, in a refreshing and interesting way. A good read for all fans of Austen.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent re-telling of an excellent story
Review: Unlike so many re-writings or continuations of Jane Austen's too, too excellent stories, Joan Aiken's Jane Fairfax tells the story well. It is not affected, as many such novels are. If you are a fan of Jane Austen's Emma, I highly recommend this book. This novel sheds light on the soul of that delightfully self-absorbed creature, Emma, and the deserving but much put-upon character of Jane Fairfax.
Rating:
Summary: Wish they'd make this into a movie!
Review: What a wonderful book. No, it is not in the style of Jane Austen, but if that is not important to you then it is a great book for you to read. It takes you back into the beginning when Emma and Jane were little playmates. If you read Emma and wondered what her childhood was like, then you will love this book. You can discover the real reason why Emma dislikes Jane.
What is so terrific about this book is that you fall in love with Jane, she really is the second heroine of the novel. It is wonderful to be inside her head and find out why she had a secret engagement with Frank Churchill. She is such a sweet and endearing heroine, and in addition she is strong, intelligent, and loving. You will grow to like her and grow to dislike Emma. Which makes you wonder, isn't that the way it is supposed to be? Jane Austen's own words were that she created a character that no one but herself will like. Furthermore, it follows Jane's life you learn what happened in Weymouth, and who the Dixon's are. You go on an emotional journey with her. Her struggle with being poor and her love for her aunts.
If you root for the under dog then this is the book for you. Or if you loved the movie Emma, you love this too, you will wish that they will make it into a movie someday.
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