The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen
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6. Mr. Clarke
7. Mr. Sherer
8. Mary Cooke
9. Many critics
10. Mary Cooke
11. Fanny Knight
12. Mrs. Pearse of Chilton Lodge
13. Fanny Knight
14. Mrs. Craven
15. Mr. H. Sanford
Acknowledgments
I am indebted to the following people for their assistance in bringing this novel to fruition:
My husband, Bill, for being my rock, my best friend, my source of inspiration, and my lifelong love. Thank you for your endless support on this wonderful journey we are sharing together, and for always being the one to read the first draft.
My agent, Tamar Rydzinski, for encouraging me to write it, and for being such an amazing and invaluable source of information, guidance, and support. I am so grateful.
My editor, Jackie Cantor, for enthusiastically championing the book and for giving me such incredibly smart notes…and the whole team at The Berkley Publishing Group. Thank you! I love working with you.
Laurel Ann Nattress, Austen aficionado extraordinaire, for reading two early drafts, and (while snowed in for several days) pondering the story line and offering wisdom and advice as to how to make it better. You are a brilliant woman, and I am so glad to be your friend.
Diana Birchall, Austen expert and fellow author, for her extremely insightful feedback on the Austen portion of the manuscript. The book is better because of you.
Christine Megowan, Special Collections Librarian at LMU, for generously giving of her time and expertise, and particularly for her explanation of the way books were originally bound.
Dr. Linda Hall, English professor at Chapman University, for sharing her personal and professional insights and experiences. Your love of literature and teaching is an inspiration.
Michelle Drew, a remarkable woman who, after a two-minute meeting at a book signing, became a valued friend and factual advisor, despite living all the way across the pond. Thank you for the research about all things British, including such obscure details as nineteenth-century bell forging and clerical stipends.
Michelle Shuffett, M.D., for her help with the modern-day medical stuff. You have been there for me over the years for every single book and screenplay, and I am most appreciative.
Ryan James, my very smart son, for his usual round of excellent feedback. I always think the manuscript is perfect when I give it to you, and of course it never is.
READERS GUIDE TO
The Missing Manuscript
of Jane Austen
Discussion Questions
1. The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen is a novel within a novel. Did you enjoy reading both the present-day story of Samantha and Anthony, and the nineteenth-century story of Rebecca Stanhope? Were you equally invested in each story, or did you prefer one over the other? Would the book have been equally effective if The Stanhopes had been a stand-alone novel?
2. Jane Austen wrote that “pictures of perfection make me sick and wicked,” and her main characters usually must acknowledge and learn from their mistakes before they can find hap piness. How do Rebecca and Mr. Clifton earn their happy ending? What are their respective outlooks on life at the beginning of the novel? How do they each grow and chang001e? How do the lessons they learn affect Samantha and Anthony—and help them earn their happy ending?
3. The author uses Austen’s Plan of a Novel as a plot device for The Stanhopes. Why do you think she made this decision? Compare The Stanhopes with Austen’s Plan. Why do you think the author chose to mirror some elements but not others?
4. Were you surprised when you learned the truth about Dr. Jack Watkins, Mr. Clifton, and Amelia Davenport? How does Jane Austen similarly misrepresent the true personalities of characters such as Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, and Isabella Thorpe, who appear in her novels?
5. Samantha theorizes that Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Spangle might be literary forerunners of Austen’s Mr. Woodhouse and Mr. Collins. What other Austen archetypes inhabit The Stanhopes?
6. Until Stephen shows up, he is only represented by his text messages and phone conversations. Samantha cares for Stephen, but she wonders if she truly loves him. What did you initially think of Stephen and of their relationship? Did your opinion chang001e throughout the book?
7. Rebecca and Samantha both have female relationships that they treasure. How is Rebecca’s friendship with Amelia Davenport and Miss Clifton similar to Samantha’s with Laurel Ann? How is it different? In what ways is Rebecca’s relationship with her sister, Sarah, reminiscent of Jane Austen’s relationship with her sister, Cassandra?
8. Did your opinion of Anthony chang001e over the course of the novel? If so, why and how?
9. Discuss the various aspects of The Stanhopes that lead Samantha to conclude that it is the work of Jane Austen. Did you ever feel as though you were reading an actual “lost” Austen manuscript? If so, how did that make you feel?
10. Samantha refers to a scene before the ball where Amelia and Rebecca are “talking at cross-purposes” about a pending proposal as “so Austen.” Did you pick out any other “so Austen” moments in both the The Stanhopes and the modern-day story?
11. Rebecca Stanhope tells Miss Clifton that her own life used to be very small. Can Samantha say that the same is true for her? How so? Compare the two women’s situations at the beginning and the end of the story.
12. Mrs. Harcourt is a complex personality. Did you like her? Why or why not? How does she add to the plot and influence the outcome of the story?
13. Anthony eventually tells Samantha that he plans to auction off the manuscript to the highest bidder, regardless of its fate. Anthony values monetary gain, whereas Samantha values scholarship. With whom do you agree and why? Considering the value of the manuscript, if it came into your possession, what would you have done with it?
14. Money and its effect on people’s fates is a common theme in Austen’s novels. Discuss the ways in which money, or the lack of it, creates suspense and moves the plot forward in The Stanhopes. While reading the novel, what did you think happened to the sum that disappeared at the King’s Arms at Leatherhead? Did you at any time think Mr. Stanhope might have been culpable?
15. Did you think that Mr. Clifton would propose to Miss Russell? What did you expect when he returned from his trip?
16. Samantha says that the male suitor who is painted as charming at the beginning of most Austen novels usually ends up being the wrong match for the novel’s heroine. Were you aware of this? If so, did it shape your first impression of the male characters that both Rebecca and Samantha encounter?
17. Laurel Ann is happy for Samantha when she announces that she will return to Oxford to complete her PhD. Likewise, Miss Clifton comes around to the fact that her brother is marrying Rebecca instead of her friend, Laura Russell. In both cases, the ability to accept chang001e is a redeeming quality in these friendships. How does each character’s response to chang001e and adversity affect the outcome of their individual story line?
18. What do Anthony’s and Mr. Clifton’s actions tell us about them, particularly at the end of the story? How do their deeds and choices make them worthy Austen heroes?
19. How does James make us sympathize with and respect Rebecca and Samantha? Are they worthy Austen heroines?
20. Rebecca receives a number of offers of marriage in the book. How does each man’s manner of proposing reflect his personality, the depth of his feelings, and his suitability as a life partner for Rebecca?
21. How did your experience reading The Stanhopes compare to other Jane Austen novels you’ve read? Do you think Jane would have approved?
Notes
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