Best Pride and Prejudice book covers… continued

When I first started sharing some of my favourite Pride and Prejudice book covers, I thought I’d get to a list of 10, and leave it at that. However, after my Top Ten Pride and Prejudice Book Covers, I got to Top Ten Foreign Pride and Prejudice Book Covers and the Top Ten Borders covers (sadly the images are no longer available as, obviously, Borders has ceased to exist). And yet, I still come across a huge number of covers I love, and that I want to share with you – particularly as online portals continue to grow and our access to a number of editions, re-issues and brand swanking new copies grows with it.

Which ties into this constant conversation at my workplace, and with my friends – is print dead? Is there ever going to be a role for it again? I was discussing with my girlfriend my want for a Jane Austen-themed book shop in Australia, and how I wanted to start one. Perhaps in retirement (anything more typical?). I really believe that when it comes to books there’s still something romantic about the feel of the paper, the material of the cover (I have certain types ofpaper stock I can’t help but touch when I see them on a book) and, when secondhand, the discovery of someone else’s notations halfway through the story. In saying that, it’s the story that matters and no matter how pretty the binding, if the content is crap, we’ll never want it. For this reason, I’ve never been against eReaders (I have a Kindle… somewhere… and an iPad, which is now my constant companion for all things reading related), and I understand why they’re a practical consideration. But I do think the design of eBooks needs to be stepped up – just because you don’t see the ‘cover’ of the eBook as often, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be gorgeous! I’m happy to say that in the list below, some of the versions are eReader covers – it’s good to see nice design in the digital format picking up a bit more.

But enough of my rambling… on with the list!

Book Review: Mr Darcy the Dancing Duck

My Auntie recently had a baby boy called Bailey. He’s the most damn cute thing, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t much into children and mothering. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking of a way to introduce the little boy to Pride and Prejudice as soon as possible. Now I have the perfect thing.

I’ve been meaning to post this blog for ages, but because of internet troubles (and work) I haven’t gotten around to it. These two books have sat on my desk as a reminder for a while now.

Book preview and author Q&A: Mr Darcy by Alex Field

I stumbled across this gorgeous Mr Darcy book online while doing one of my regular trawls. Published in 2011, this book for young readers, written by Alex Field and illustrated by Peter Carnavas, is a gorgeous little hardback from New Frontier Publishing (ISBN:978-1921042836).

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Graphic Novel

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith) adapted by Tony Lee, illustrated by Cliff Richards

If you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, then you’ll be overjoyed by this graphic adaptation. Personally, I found it twice as humorous and far more easy to hack through than the original zombie-Austen mashup.  And who doesn’t like more pictures, really?

The Annotated Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen- The annotated Pride and Prejudice, annotated and edited by David M. Shapard

While in Melbourne on holiday this week (with book club member, and life-time bestfriend/almost-sister/confidante, Pauline) we stumbled into a little discount book store (from memory I believe it was ‘fly by night books’ on Elizabeth Street). I soon found this book on the shelf marked at ‘$10’ before being told that everything in the store was reduced by 50 per cent! What a bargain! (AU)$5 for this fantastic book (that I have seen priced anywhere between $30-$50 on the web)?  Hell yes.   Both Pauline and I bought the two copies from the shelf, highly satisfied with this incredible bargain.