As every Austen fan knows, 26th November is also Netherfield Ball Day, and I’m delighted to announce that, starting this Saturday, I’ll be posting the opening chapters of a new Austen-inspired novel (co-written with Ada Bright), which begins soon after the Netherfield ball.
The story, Mr Darcy’s Persuasion, has been percolating in my head for years, and at long last it’s almost complete. We’re deep into editing mode now, and the book will be released in February 2021.
Yes, it’s going to be another big book!
Chapters will be posted regularly* between now and the book’s release, and we hope you’ll come here and join in the fun as we read along together.
So what is it about?
Mr Darcy’s Persuasion is a crossover between Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion.
The story begins in the aftermath of the Netherfield Ball, which took place on 26th November 1811, three years before the events of Persuasion, so for the characters from that novel, things are a little different (eg, it is five years since Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth were parted, not eight, so the captain is away at sea; Mary and Charles Musgrove have only been married a year and are expecting their first child; Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove are away at school, so do not feature in the story; etc).
The Prologue (which will kick things off this weekend) will better explain how the crossover comes about and consists of two letters, one from Darcy to his cousin, the colonel and the other from Elizabeth Bennet to her aunt, Mrs Gardiner.
See you on Saturday!
~o0o~
* The number of chapters posted each week may vary, so I can’t say how many will be shared before publication—but as many as I can manage!
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- Kellynch Hall Estate
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- in Somersetshire
Welcome to my blog, where I share my love of books, travelling, cats and other things... but mainly books!
Cass Grafton - Writer 
Love the pictures. Looking forward to the story.
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Excellent!
Hope you are much better now, Jen!
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Eagerly looking forward to it!
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Roxey!
Lovely to hear from you. I hope you enjoy it!
Best wishes
Cass
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I just received the first big book. 🙂 I better get started soon so that I’m ready for the next hefty book. Congrats on the upcoming publication.
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I hope you enjoy Quest, Bonnie! I am rather fond of that story!
Thanks for agreeing to be one of our advance readers on the new one!
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This sounds so exciting! Bring on Feb! ❤️
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Hope you will enjoy it, Vee!
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Looking forward to reading this story. Persuasion is my second favorite of JA’s stories so…bring it on! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
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Persuasion used to be my second favourite too, Sheila, but in recent years it’s overtaken P&P for me.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!
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This is so exciting! Another ‘Beast’! Looking forward to it! Congratulations! Stay safe & healthy!
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LOL
I know. I think we will have to give this one a different name. We can’t have two beasts, can we?
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‘Behemoth’? LOL!
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LOL!
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So good to see you with a new story. I cant wait.
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Hope you will enjoy, Mari!
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i forgot to say that i like the look of the new site. Very soothing.
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Aw, thank you!
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