“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: 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 have become timeless classics because of their biting wit, honest social commentary, and 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.
In the third romance anthology of The Quill Collective series, sixteen celebrated Austenesque authors write the untold histories of Austen’s brave adventuresses, shy maidens, talkative spinsters, and naughty matrons. Peek around the curtain and discover what made Lady Susan so wicked, Mary Crawford so capricious, and Hetty Bates so in need of Emma Woodhouse’s commpassion.
RATIONAL CREATURES is a collection of humorous, poignant, and engaging love stories set in Georgian England that complement and pay homage to Austen’s great works and great ladies who were, perhaps, the first feminists in an era that was not quite ready for feminism. “Make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will become good wives; —that is, if men do not neglect the duties of husbands and fathers.” —Mary Wollstonecraft
Stories by: Elizabeth Adams * Nicole Clarkston * Karen M Cox * J. Marie Croft * Amy D’Orazio * Jenetta James * Jessie Lewis * KaraLynne Mackrory * Lona Manning * Christina Morland * Beau North * Sophia Rose * Anngela Schroeder * Joana Starnes * Caitlin Williams * Edited by Christina Boyd * Foreword by Devoney Looser, Ph.D.
MATURE CONTENT RATING as per EDITOR
ALL STORIES CONTAINED HEREIN HAVE A HEAT INDEX RATING OF 1-3.
(1) None: affection and possible kissing
(2) Mild: kissing
(3) Moderate: some sexual references but not explicit
(4) Mature: some nudity and some provocative sex
(5) Erotic Romance: explicit, abundance of sex
I have so much fun with Christina [Boyd]’s Anthologies. Her latest collection of our favorite obstinate head strong girls is FABULOUS! I couldn’t get enough! "Rational Creatures" is bold, brave, brazen, and brilliant! I love strong, feisty heroines and I simple adored this book.
I recommend this book to anybody who loves Austen and has always felt curious about her female characters, protagonists and supporting players alike, and wished to have a private conversation with them, or at least be privy to the thoughts they kept under wraps.
In Jan Feb 2018 / Issue 97 of Jane Austen's Regency World magazine, Jocelin Bury says of Rational Creatures, "The third anthology, from the Quill Ink collective, brings together 16 writers who together celebrate Jane Austen's 'strong women'--and it's a satisfyingly strong collection. Each author has chosen to write about an Austenian female character, before, during or after her appearance in one of the novels, and the resulting anthology is full of surprises and delights."
"all [the stories] are the same high standard regarding research and stature of writing – in other words, very well written."
Rational Creatures is an outstanding and flawless anthology that pays tribute to the complex and progressive female characters Jane Austen created and creatively exemplifies how through them she was not afraid to challenge the social norm of her time. This stellar collection is sure to entertain, enthrall, and inspire!!! I cannot recommend it enough!
“excessively diverting” bespoke short story anthology"
Their stories feel both extraordinarily timely and quintessentially of the period. A perfect collection for lovers of Regency romance as well as for those seeking historically accurate examples of feminine dignity and self-respect. Highly recommended.
"I won’t spoil the stories themselves, but I will say there are so many I love and a few that have made certain characters more vivid and endearing in my heart."
"Jane Austen's heroines are reimagined in these pages: obstinte, headstrong girls, and women of spirit. We discover them anew, bright and sparkling, and above all, Rational Chreatures." --Dr. Gillian Dow, Executive Director at Chawton House,Associate Professor at University of Southampton
Happy launch day, Rational Creatures!
Rational Creatures, edited by Christina Boyd, is a collection of stories that explore the rational side of Jane Austen’s characters, delving deep into what makes them tick. From Louisa Musgrove who leaps from the Cobb and is severely injured to Hetty Bates, the spinster who chatters away. Sixteen Austen-inspired stories are within the covers of this anthology, and each one will shed light on some of Austen’s most modern thinking characters. But don’t be fooled by the title because this collection also has the romance many Austen readers desire....
"I became aware of Christina Boyd through the Austenesque anthologies penned by The Quill Collective. Christina is the driving force and editor behind the books, which have enjoyed remarkable success, not least due to their strong author lineup, bold premises, and striking covers."
RATIONAL CREATURESFeminism in the Hearts of Austen’s Most Beloved Females?
"It was more than an exercise in writing a story with an economy of words or an attempt to channel a beloved author’s style, but a chance to explore women’s history, appreciate what others have accomplished who came before us, and shine a light on one sample of a lady wordsmith’s work that continues to inspire her fellow rational female creatures hundreds of years later to stand beside and not behind, to choose, to persist, and joyfully pursue what she will."
Check out the book trailer! We are so excited for release day October 15 at Amazon.
We are over the moon to announce that Harry Frost, our voice actor from THE DARCY MONOLOGUES, has returned to narrate YULETIDE: A JANE AUSTEN-INSPIRED COLLECTION OF STORIES. Look for it at Audible: November 2019.
And coming this summer, our anthology RATIONAL CREATURES--presently in production with the talented Victoria Riley.
"No one has ever accused Fanny Price of being witty or exciting. She is barely beautiful and is wholly dependent upon wealthier relations for any standing in society or comfort at home."
Look for the Rational Creatures audiobook at Amazon, Audible, and iTunes July 2019. In the meantime, check out these sample clips at SoundCloud.
We were surprised and delighted to learn via twitter from #ChawtonHouse CEO Gillian Dow that our anthology #RationalCreatures was recently catalogued at the Great House. The manor of Jane Austen's brother Edward Austen Knight houses the research library of The Centre for the Study of Early Women's Writing, 1600-1830. We feel at once humbled and so very proud of the work and the authors.
Today I am here to ponder a question I’ve wondered about for a long time myself; whether or not Mrs Croft was a feminist.
Eleanor Tilney, as created by Jane Austen, is a bit of a mystery. She has a considerable amount of screen-time in the novel, but in the end, Miss Austen uses Eleanor’s fate as a plot device to hasten a successful conclusion to Northanger Abbey.
I'm happy to be welcoming author Elizabeth Adams here to chat with me about rational creatures in general, and in particular Persuasion's Anne Elliot, the character in Elizabeth's story.
This is sure to be a diverting journey.
Thank you, Austenesque Reviews--we are proud to be listed amongst so many of our favorites and authors we've worked with and admired for so long! Favorite Austenesque Short Story Anthology
Favorite Austenesque Short Story Anthology
Rational Creatures edited by Christina Boyd
And the top 4 as Austenesque Reviews Readers’ Choice Favorites are…
Rational Creatures edited by Christina Boyd
London Holiday by Nicole Clarkston
Mr. Darcy’s Enchantment by Abigail Reynolds
The Events at Branxbourne by Caitlin Williams
Austenprose names #RationalCreatures to Best Austenesque Fiction list of 2018.
With the Quill Collective anthologies becoming a cornerstone of the Austenesque writing world, it seemed a good time to ask Christina about her work, the books, and her affection for Jane Austen’s novels…
Following the official launch of Rational Creatures yesterday, we are joined by prominent Austenesque and newest member of Jane Austen Variations, the one and only Joana Starnes.
I’m very happy to receive an author who is new in the The Quill Collective Anthologies but someone whom I’ve known quite well for the past years, Nicole Clarskton.
Is Elizabeth Bennet a rational or wreckless creature?Jane Austen wrote about strong, courageous women in an era when feminine strength took on a different form from how we know it today.
Who run the world? Rational Creatures!
We've talked in the past about which Austen character we are most like, but we always tend to lean toward the more likable, favorable characters -- and Austen was good at recognizing personality flaws, if nothing else.
Writing about one of Jane Austen’s most infamous and selfish female characters, Jessie [Lewis] shares how she tackles Lady Susan Vernon! (I must say, I love that Lady Susan is included in this anthology and I am very eager to see her character fleshed out!)
In the third romance anthology of The Quill Collective series, sixteen celebrated Austenesque authors write the untold histories of Austen’s brave adventuresses, her shy maidens, her talkative spinsters, and her naughty matrons. Peek around the curtain and discover what made Lady Susan so wicked, Mary Crawford so capricious, and Hettie Bates so in need of Emma Woodhouse’s pity.
“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 Yet her heroines, such as Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliot, and Elinor Dashwood, were no swooning, fainthearted damsels in distress.
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.
Proud to have such creative, smart business women from Northanger Soapworks, PNW Vibes, and Paper & Slate Candles as ambassadors for our "Rational Creatures" anthology project. Love to support amd cross-promote small business!
An impatient reader might skim over quotes spoken by Miss Hetty Bates, the talkative spinster-aunt in Emma. Her chatter is, after all, entirely inconsequential. Or is it?
Thank you, Maria Grazia, for launching the tour of our book, Rational Creatures, at My Jane Austen Book Club.
GIVEAWAY: Rational Creatures Winner's Choice Prize Pack!Yesterday, Christina Boyd, editor of the upcoming anthology Rational Creatures, stopped by to share her — and her authors'; thoughts on the feminist underpinnings of Jane Austen.
The Rational Creatures Blog Tour stops by More Agreeably Engaged today and the spotlight is on the talented author, Caitlin Williams.
Good Morning dear readers,I am happy to bring to you some very exciting news when it comes to the JAFF community.
Over the summer, I featured a post from Christina Boyd, editor of the Jane Austen-based anthology, Rational Creatures (for Austen in August, of course). Today, I'm hosting one of the authors from the anthology, Jenetta James (a name you've seen around here before)
You can catch Christina Boyd, Austenesque Editor Extraordinaire, in this year's Janeite Convos, but today she's stopped by to have a chat with the narrator of the audiobook version of the feminist-Austen short story collection, Rational Creatures
