Rational Creatures: Stirrings of Feminism in the Hearts of Jane Austen’s Fine Ladies - Christina Boyd (ed)

Written by Christina Boyd (ed)
Read by Victoria Riley
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

· By: Joana Starnes, Amy D’Orazio, Caitlin Williams, Karen Cox, Jenetta James, Beau North, Christina Morland, Nicole Clarkston, Elizabeth Adams, J. Marie Croft, Jessie Lewis, KaraLynne Mackrory, Lona Manning, Sophia Rose, Anngela Schroeder, Brooke West.

· Series: The Quill Collective, Book 3
· Length: 18 hrs and 3 mins
· Release date: 07-18-19
· Publisher: The Quill Ink, LLC

Foreword by Devoney Looser

“But I hate to hear you talking so, like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days.” (Persuasion, Jane Austen)

Jane Austen: True romantic or rational creature? Her novels transport us back to the Regency, a time when well-mannered gentlemen and finely-bred ladies fell in love as they danced at balls and rode in carriages. Yet her heroines, such as Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot, and Elinor Dashwood, were no swooning, fainthearted damsels in distress. Austen’s novels are timeless classics because of their biting wit, honest social commentary - because she wrote of strong women who were ahead of their day. True to their principles and beliefs, they fought through hypocrisy and broke social boundaries to find their happily-ever-after.

The short stories in Rational Creatures explore the “rational,” or “feminist” side of these characters, showing how they managed to exert what control they had, considering their limited options at the time. Some are prequels (Mary Crawford, Lady Susan), some are sequels (Catherine Morland, Emma Woodhouse Knightley) some are side-stories (Marianne Dashwood, Elizabeth Bennet, Harriet Smith, Fanny Price, Mrs. Penelope Clay, Louisa Musgrove), and the rest are combinations of the three (Elinor Dashwood, Charlotte Lucas Collins, Hetty Bates, Anne Elliot, Mrs. Sophia Croft, Eleanor Tilney). The characters and stories live harmoniously side-by-side with Jane Austen’s original creations.

Critic Reviews…“Victoria Riley effortlessly transports listeners to England and brings to life all these amazing characters. Each story and character within has its own voice so there is no confusion on who is speaking which creates an enjoyable listening experience. The pacing, the emotion, the articulation are done well for an almost flawless performance.”

1. Self-Composed by Christina Morland. (Elinor Dashwood.)
2. Every Past Affliction by Nicole Clarkston. (Marianne Dashwood.)
3. Happiness in Marriage by Amy D’Orazio. (Elizabeth Bennett.)
4. Charlotte’s Comfort by Joana Starnes. (Charlotte Lucas.)
5. Knightly Discourse by Anngela Schroeder. (Emma Woodhouse.)
6. The Simple Things by J. Marie Croft. (Hetty Bates.)
7. In Good Hands by Caitlin Williams. (Harriet Smith.)
8. The Meaning of Wife by Brooke West. (Fanny Price.)
9. What Strange Creatures by Jenetta James. (Mary Crawford.)
10. An Unnatural Beginning by Elizabeth Adams. (Anne Elliot.)
11. Where the Sky Touches the Sea by KaraLynne Mackrory. (Sophia Croft.)
12. The Art of Pleasing by Lona Manning. (Penelope Clay.)
13. Louisa by the Sea by Beau North. (Louisa Musgrove.)
14. The Strength of Their Attachment by Sophia Rose. (Catherine Morland.)
15. A Nominal Mistress by Karen M. Cox. (Eleanor Tilney.)
16. The Edification of Lady Susan by Jessie Lewis. (Lady Susan.)

Book 4: Yuletide: A Jane Austen-Inspired Collection of Stories is already uploaded.