I love books, both old and new. As a writer and as a reader, I'm always fascinated by what makes a book last. Jane Austen is an author that continues to be read, rewritten, and loved even these many years after her books are published. While I'm sure there are many books and articles that utilize a lot of research, here are just a few of my thoughts on the subject.

Whether it is Emma's well-meaning mistakes, Lizzie's quick judgments, or Fanny's seeming inability to speak up for herself and others, Jane Austen wrote characters with believable faults that many of us can identify with. It's always nice to have characters that are inspiring, but not so perfect we feel we could never emulate them.

Personally, I think Jane Austen's greatest skill (and the reason we still get so much from her books) was her insight into human emotions. All of her characters are complicated. Having recently reread Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility, I was once again struck with her complicated characters. They have emotional highs and lows. The longer I live, the more I realize how each character has depth and you can find people around you that are a lot like them.

While her writing was solid, I do think her setting made her books stand the test of time. The manners and beauty of the Regency era are captivating. Sometimes, I just read a passage that is steeped in the customs of the time and I sigh happily, soaking up the gentility. Other times, I laugh or poke fun at it. However, the time in which she wrote really adds to the charm of her stories.

While flawed, I think all her main characters were good people who you feel you can always root for. While I love a good redemption story, I sometimes get tired of books where the characters seem to be more flawed then good. Just as they have flaws we can relate to, I feel they also have goodness that we can aspire to.

Lastly, the struggles each of her characters face are normal but compelling. Anne chose to follow advice that could cost her marital happiness for her life, Lizzie struggles to navigate her life in a proper way despite how some of her family members act, Fanny wants to do what is right but struggles to communicate her deepest feelings, and Emma wants everyone to be happy but thinks she knows best how to do it.  While normal struggles, Austen presents them in a compelling way.

Why do you find Jane Austen compelling?

"It's historical - but not so far back in the past that it feels disconnected from the present (in other words, we're still reaping the results of what happened/decisions made/etc. from that time) - so I love the connection combined with the nostalgic feeling those books often have, too.
Additionally, the courage that the characters often display...girds up my own courage to face the troubles of today."
I loved these responses because I think they sum up why we love to read fiction set during the Great Depression so much. Perhaps you've read Emmeline or one of the other books in the Vintage Jane Austen series. Maybe you've enjoyed The Fragrance of Geraniums or a Grace Livingston Hill novel. Whether these or something else, the time of the Great Depression is fascinating to you.

You're not alone. Many of us find this time in history to be compelling. Why is that? While I think the answers I received on Facebook were eloquent, I'll go ahead and add a couple thoughts of my own.

We all go through times of hardship, big and small. Often, reading about something that is removed from us, yet similar, helps us to process things we have gone through ourselves. This can be true for all fiction, and it the main reason I write. I know that growing up in a family that struggled financially, I really appreciated stories about families that also struggled or lived through the Great Depression. I didn't feel as alone and it reminded me of how much I still had.

While all of life shows character, in extream situations like the Great Depression the best and worst in a person is brought out. Good, godly people rise up with courage,  faith, wisdom, and fortitude (I love that word, don't you?). In contrast, those people who are shady, or without morals descend to new depths. Hard times are a litmus test of character.

Of course, one of the more interesting things is the "what if" question. How would I have handled the Great Depression? How did my ancestors handle it? What if something like that happened again?

When writing Emmeline, I got to think about what not only I would have done, but what would Jane Austen's characters have done. How would Emma Woodhouse (Emmeline Wellington in my story) have dealt with the financial world collapsing?

Of course, there are a lot of reasons we find this time in history fascinating. Why do you? Leave a comment and tell me.

“I don’t remember the last time you used the good china,” Fredrick observed from where he sat in the corner munching on an apple.
“I haven’t put on an elegant dinner in ages. Now, all I have to do is make the place cards. I wonder where I put my calligraphy set.” Emmeline looked about the dining room as if she had just laid it aside. She knew that it was most likely in her little-used desk in the library.
“Why this sudden interest in parties?” Fredrick asked.
“Some people like to be sociable,” Emmeline chided, adjusting one of the glasses. “Not all of us like to sit at home reading all day.”
“I know you like to be sociable, but two parties in one month is more than usual, even for you.” He took another big bite out of his apple.
“In all honesty, I want to help Catarina make a good match among her own class.”
“I don’t see you inviting the other factory workers here, so how is she supposed to do that?”
Emmeline gave an exasperated sigh. “Anyone can see that she was born for something better. I’ll bet she has royal blood somewhere in her family history. All you have to do is look at how she carries herself, and it is plain that she belongs in our set and not with a bunch of rough factory workers.”
“Emmeline,” Fredrick said in a tone that was sure to have a lecture behind it.
“Don’t scold me right now. I have enough to do without you lecturing me on some subject I probably don’t care a fig about anyway.”
Fredrick wiped his mouth and shook his head. “Emmeline, I …”
“Emmeline!” Catarina burst through the door and took hold of Emmeline’s hands. “Oh, I do need your advice. I have the most wonderful … Oh, Mr. Knight.” She stopped mid-sentence when she saw her employer lounging in the chair.
“Don’t worry about him; don’t keep me in suspense!” Emmeline prodded.
“But …” The girl looked miserably between Emmeline and Mr. Knight.
Fredrick stood. “Obviously, you ladies have some things you must discuss without me here. We can finish our conversation tonight.”
“Don’t forget to wear a hat,” Emmeline called after him before drawing Catarina into the parlor.

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Description: Among the cotton fields and farmland of Gilbert, Arizona in the early years of the Great Depression, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey live a simple, but happy life with their five daughters on a cotton farm. When the wealthy Richard Buchanan moves to town, bringing his family, a friend, and a desire to learn about cotton, Matilda Bailey is convinced that he is the perfect candidate to marry her eldest daughter, Alice. 

Richard is cheerful, friendly, and likable. His friend Sidney Dennison doesn’t make such a good impression. Eloise Bailey decides he’s arrogant and self-conceited, but when Raymond Wolfe comes to town, accusing Sidney of dishonorable and treacherous conduct, Eloise is angered at the injustice of the situation. 

When the Buchanan household leaves town, Alice must turn to the Lord and face, perhaps, her most difficult test in trust, while Eloise takes a trip to visit her friend and may well discover a web of deceit that she doesn’t really want to believe exists.

With this book, this series is drawn to a close. That would be sad, but it is hard to be sad when the final book is so amazing. I think that those who might worry that the final book might not live up to their expectations can stop worrying because this was amazing.

Jones did an amazing job weaving Jane Austen's original stories into farm life in Arizona. I think out of the whole series, this had to be the most creative setting. The farm life fit the story so well and gave it so much depth.

I was blown away with some of the faith and moral elements that were seamlessly woven into the story without ever feeling preachy. I especially loved how Alice (Jane) had feelings for Richard (Mr. Bingley), but still worked to guard her heart. So many books make either it all about feelings or make it sound like you shouldn't have feelings at all. I appreciated that Alice had feelings, but didn't let them get out of hand.

Eloise was a wonderful leading lady with just the right balance of faith, spunk, and lady-likeness. I loved her and felt a kinship with her, as I suspect many girls will. She makes some rash judgments but learns from her mistakes. Above all, she goes to God for help.

Sidney Dennison (Darcy) was also very well done. At first, I wasn't sure about how he as an Indian was going to work, but in the end, I couldn't have thought of anything better. I like the depth of character and his faith.

Two major changes were made from the original story. The first was the interaction of the parents. While Mrs. Bailey is given to headaches, complaining, and matchmaking, her husband is loving and her daughters respectful. This was a beautiful change that was inspiring. The second was how the story ended. While the story’s actual ending didn’t change all that dramatically it was just...so much more satisfying. I can’t say any more because I don't want to give it away.

Overall, this was a beautiful retelling and a fitting end to the series. I highly recommend it to those who have loved the other books in the series, enjoy Jane Austen retellings or those who love books with strong faith messages.