The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I DNF Harriet for a couple of reasons. While I love the story of Emma and was really intrigued to see Harriet's perspective with the imaginative bent that Harriet is the smart and manipulative one, McVeigh doesn't give Harriet a strong voice. This book also shares the role of heroine with Jane Fairfax, another character I thought I wanted to hear more from, but doesn't distinguish their voices enough to really care about either. McVeigh writes her prose well, communicating in an Austenesque voice, which I really appreciated! However, when you write beloved characters so differently from their original form, you need to give them something of their own to stand on, and I found that lacking.

Personally, I don't like the new characterizations of all the characters or the twist ending, but I recognize that is a matter of preference.

First thing first: This should be called Harriet and Jane, not Harriet. It switches between retelling the story of Emma from the eyes of Harriet, the lower-class and easily-led orphan Emma takes under her wing as a fun project, and Jane Fairfax, the bane of Emma's existence and stick which she fails to measure up to in the eyes of her brother -in-law. And thank God for the Jane chapters, because reading any more of the poisonous manipulative bitchery that were the Harriet chapters would have left an indelible mark on this Austen-lover's soul.

The Jane chapters really are very satisfying, because they serve as an extension of the novel, showing you what happens in the scenes and locations Emma doesn't go to, as well as meeting people Emma never meets (Mr. Dixon). The Mr. Dixon backstory actually goes a great way towards explaining a lot of Jane and Frank's goings-on in the original of Emma.

McVeigh also lifts whole swathes of dialogue direct from the original, and the seams between her own writing and Austen's are pretty subtle, which is a high compliment. Just as I started to get complacent and think I could live with Harriet's cruel judgements of Emma and Mr. Woodhouse, along comes BLASPHEMY:

<spoiler> How dare you take the romantic lead from one of literature's great couples and have him spend the book in love with someone else? The first almost-confession of feelings to Jane I could maybe have overlooked. When there's the second moment on horseback (when he's about three seconds away from engagement to Emma btw) felt like betrayal. And then... he's HARRIET'S FATHER!? No, no, no. Unacceptable.

Anyway, then ending was a disaster for me, and doesn't paint much promise for any of our characters. Knightley now married to Emma who he seemingly didn't love, and is weird ex-besties with his secret daughter of the same age as his new wife. And not telling Emma either. Harriet, who ends up with the guy she liked right from the beginning but it took learning that there are crowds in cities to decide love is more important than a house in the city? Jane, not disclosing the threat of assault from a man she's still sort of related to, and marrying a man who lives up to Austen's Knightley's criticism of him as irresolute and unworthy. And then Emma, living in the dark, having been puppeteered by a self-proclaimed Machiavelli in hand-me-downs. </spoiler>

Off to watch the 2020 Emma to repair the damage this has done (and ogle Bill Nighy's suits).

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A beautiful cover. Highly recommend.

A lovely retelling of Jane Austen's classic Emma, this book has a spin of telling the familiar tale from the points of view of Harriet Smith and the beloved Jane Fairfax. With a clever twist of making Harriet Smith an intelligent social climber rather than the ditzy friend of Emma Woodhouse, this was certainly an engaging version to read. In addition to being intrigued by Harriet's thought process and actions as she tries to manipulate her way into the marriage of a gentleman, I loved being able to see what exactly took place during Jane's stay at Weymouth and how her attachment to Frank Churchill formed. There are so many hidden scenes from the original that are given words in this retelling making it so much fun to read. And while I didn't love the twist at the end, it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. McVeigh's prose also mirrored Austen's so well that I never felt jarred out of the story. I can see many Austen fans enjoying this in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Harriet A Jane Austen Variation by Alice McVeigh continues her delightful work on alerting readers to fascinating new interpretations of Jane Austen's characters. They do not need to be the heroines of Austen's novels. For example, in this case, Harriet usurps Austen's Emma. Although Susan: A Jane Austen Prequel, is an interpretation of Austen's main character in Lady Susan, young Susan's appearance again usurps Austen's character of the older woman. Even more importantly than appearance, although the making of her sharp practices is abundantly apparent in the younger version, she is a more sympathetic character.

The cast of characters at the beginning of Harriet is so useful - we see clearly the age difference between Emma Woodhouse and George Knightly, and the magnitude of being the youngest unmarried daughter of a man of 72.. The youth of the characters who become embroiled in Emma's machinations, love affairs, misunderstandings and friendships is glaringly apparent. How does a twenty one year old Emma wield so much influence? Immediately Harriet's age, seventeen, provides an answer to why she is almost deprived of her suitable lover. As well as age, property ownership, place of residence and marital status is clarified. As readers, we begin with so much useful knowledge.

The first chapter , Harriet Smith, behoves us to cast Emma as the most important character in the novel aside (although she does not go easily, remaining wholeheartedly Austen's Emma) . This is Harriet's story, and it is one to relish. However, other characters, who in Emma, are almost pushed aside to give that ebullient character centre stage, are also given a place. Jane Fairfax converses with Frank Churchill, with Emma's role being only to pass by and force the two to a pretended concern with friends, rather than their intimacy.

Harriet does not reduce Emma, but sees her as part of a community in which others lives operate independently of her. This rewriting of her role, through Harriet's story, continues McVeigh's work which enhances the way in which Austen's characters can be experienced. McVeigh's thorough understanding of Austen, her characters and their environment, and deft hand in her reinterpretation proves invaluable in the two Warleigh Hall Jane Austen series novels I have read so far.

Harriet is another excellent read, as an enticing novel in its own right, and as an encouragement to dip once more into Austen's Emma. I look forward to reading more of McVeigh's Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen series, and am thrilled to see that she is currently finishing Pride and Prejudice with Darcy as its focus.

I really wanted to love this book because it is a retelling of Emma from Harriet’s perspective. However, the twist at the end really ruined the whole book. It was an unbelievable twist and not at all faithful to Jane Austen! This novel really ruined the characters that I love. Therefore, I refuse to believe the twist and the ending never happened before because it is not what Jane Austen would have wanted! I do not recommend this for any fan of Jane Austen!

Successfully debuting in the Austenesque world with Susan, Alice McVeigh continues to dazzle Austen lovers with a new retelling of Emma. Harriet sidelines that matchmaking lady and satisfies readers who ever wondered what two very different ladies were thinking as events transpired.

Since a tender age, Harriet Smith had boarded at Mrs. Goddard’s school in Highbury. Parentage unknown, but in possession of a wealthy benefactor who makes her stay possible. Emerging into adulthood with no future beyond her home village, Harriet longs for the excitement and color of London that wealth and situation can bring. Harriet forms a long plan.

Jane Fairfax is nothing like Harriet Smith save in her need for assistance in attaining the social sphere her family’s poverty has forced them to relinquish. Though living in London and being brought up as a lady alongside her dear friend, Miss Campbell, Jane did not forget what she owed to her widowed grandmother, garrulous spinster aunt, and the residents of Highbury.

Harriet was an entertaining romp particularly when Harriet Smith is narrating. She is fascinating from the first pages and has a goodly amount of larceny mingled with good sense and goodness in her. Keen in her reading of people, she sees them for what they are and doesn’t miss if they possess a trait she can exploit. I enjoyed seeing her sometimes making the choice that benefits herself best as she maneuvers people, but she doesn’t sink utterly because at crucial moments she does what is best for others. I was amused that ultimately Harriet was sideswiped by her own potential courtship and a secret from her past.

Now, the Jane Fairfax perspective was no less engaging. She is made of different stuff and doesn’t leap off the page like Harriet, but chooses to involve herself with a rascally man who wreaks havoc on her feelings and still manages to charm her. Harriet wouldn’t have put up with such a situation just as Jane couldn’t have made Harriet’s plotting for worlds. Jane longs to have a friend to know her heart’s secrets and her spirit is most revealed through her musical talents of song and pianoforte. Frank is first captured by her musical magic. She is short on faults making her less interesting though I found her very worthy.

I appreciated the way Ms. McVeigh infused the Emma story with originality. There will be moments that cause some Austen-loving readers to pause and grow consternated because ‘so and so would never’ think, do, or say such and such’. Best to go in open-minded and appreciate what comes. I will confess to wanting a bit more of certain characters like Mr. Knightley teased out to understand how he came to feel attached to one lady while there seemed more evidence in the story that he was leaning toward another. The reader is treated to something sparkling and fresh that still honored Austen’s original style, plot, and most especially her beloved characters.

Whether one is new to Austen and simply fond of historical fiction or a long-time fan, Harriet can be enjoyed either way and one I encourage readers not to miss.

I like Austen retellings and "Harriet" focuses on characters that didn't get a lot of time in the spotlight in the original text.

I actually enjoyed Jane's part of the story more than Harriet's, but both plotlines suffered from being rushed towards the end to the point of taking away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

My main problem with this novel though was the portrayal of Harriet herself: her characterization felt incompatible with the original text and the twist at the end somewhat ruined the whole book for me because it not only felt untrue to the original novel but also to the characters of "Harriet".

I enjoyed Harriet enormously, even though it's not without flaws. I think that anyone who simply enjoys Jane Austen novels will be entertained by this alternative telling of Emma.

Although it's decades since I last read Emma, the characters and places all still felt familiar. Harriet herself is an interesting character in this retelling, more duplicitous and clever. In fact, it provides further insights into the minds and motivations of many of the characters, often giving them more depth and complexity than the original.

Austen purists will no doubt be horrified, as purists are wont to be when their beloved works of art are altered in any way. For myself, I felt that the novel was relatively successful in recreating the story and the people. It's a bit like the film of the book, only it's the book of the book, if you see what I mean. Most retellings create something new, not a copy, and that's fine.

My first impulse was to give this 3 stars, not five, because of the style. What many people love about Jane Austen is not [just] the characters or the vivid storytelling that can make us feel like we've stepped into the very early 19th century. What we love is the writing style. Austen's style has a staccato sharpness and subtlety that McVeigh doesn't really manage to recreate. McVeigh's sentences lack the ambiguity found in Austen: she spells out what the characters are thinking and feeling rather too much. And it lacks the crisp musicality of Austen's writing.

But I give back a star because really, it's rather too much to expect that any writer could write in a true Jane Austen voice and style. She is inimitable, and has been for 200 years. I am happy that anyone even tries to bring her back to life.

What I would really love, though, is a 'new' Jane Austen novel. All-new characters and story, as though written by Austen herself. If McVeigh could give us that, I'm sure millions of Austen fans would be indebted to her!

I am always in search of a good Jane Austen variation and I definitely found it with Ms. McVeigh's Harriet. I haven't had the pleasure of reading her work before, but will certainly be looking out for more of her work in the future. This delightful variation on Emma gives us a look from Harriet and Jane Fairfax's point of view. How interesting to see Harriet as the schemer. She is trusting in her friendship with Emma to help elevate her in society and is looking to marry a gentleman in hopes of leaving Highbury. Jane's character was also brilliantly portrayed. We see both characters in a new light, but the essence of the original story is still intact. This was a very enjoyable and fun take on the original novel, with many lighthearted and fun moments and a bit of twist. I enjoyed it very much and wholeheartedly recommend for any Austen or Regency fan.
I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

It has been sometime since I read Emma or any Jane Austen novel but I know I always loved reading them. I'm sorry to say I didn't feel the same about this one. I found it annoying and just as I was getting into the Jane Fairfax story (which was okay) it switched to the Harriot story.

The portion of the book I did read I found confusing and even a little boring. Therefore, even though I tried to keep reading this one I just couldn't get into it and therefore couldn't finish it.

This book is not really good.
I couldn't finish it.
Emma, a privileged young heiress, decides to mentor Harriet Smith, a pretty boarding-school pupil, and to matchmake her as eligibly as she can… But how is she to guess that Harriet has a secret?
Meanwhile, the brilliant, penniless Jane Fairfax consents to a clandestine engagement with Frank Churchill – though not daring to confess, even to him, that she is being relentlessly pursued by her best friend’s husband.
Harriet sidelines Emma herself in favour of the ingenious Harriet and the fascinating Jane Fairfax. It is Emma – but an Emma with a surprisingly believable twist in its tail.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.

A truly fantastic read! Witty character POVs from the much loved Austen classic, Emma - with a twist. If I could give this novel more than 5* I would - I adored it! Can’t wait for more from this author.

Thank you to Alice McVeigh and Netgalley for the ARC.

Harriet
A Jane Austen Variation (Warleigh Hall Press Jane Austen Series)
by Alice McVeigh
BooksGoSocial
Out now.

Alice McVeigh has written a charming reimagining of two characters from Jane Austen's Emma: Harriet, the boarding school student whom Emma mentors, and Jane Fairfax, the orphan secretly engaged to Frank Churchill.

I just saw the 2020 movie adaptation of Emma., and when I read the synopsis and others' keen reviews of HARRIET, I knew I had to read it too.

Absolutely loved the depth and twists added to these two characters, brilliantly conceived and executed. Highly recommended for any Janeite wanting a unique treatment of one of Austen's most beloved books.

#Harriet #AliceMcVeigh #BooksGoSocial #NetGalley #VariationonAustensEmma
#historicalfictionnovel #HarrietandJaneFairfaxreimagined
#bookstagramcommunity

A dynamic take on a revered classic…. Brilliant writing and more importantly, riveting reading. This was a brilliant read. Set aside plenty of time to read in without a workday.

A delightful retelling, faithful and very enchanting! This is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I definitely recommend.

I found Harriet to be an intriguing read that's a unique and interesting story. I fully enjoyed that half the story was told from Jane Fairfax's point of view. They were both vivid, well drawn and three dimensional characters that held my attention throughout.
A definite refreshing tale that I would recommend to anyone who loves an original and entertaining story.
Thanks to the author and Netgalley.

I love a Jane Austen so was really excited to receive a copy of Harriet in exchange for my honest review.
Alice McVeigh focuses on the characters of Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax from Austen’s Emma. Ms. McVeigh has captured the essence of Jane Austen's work by giving us the story of the more background characters. This book brings them to life and develops their stories and personalities and give the reader a new dimension to the characters in a beloved book.
I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

I was immediately intrigued by the premise for Alice McVeigh’s Harriet. Having watched the recent Emma adaptation and read the book afterwards, I was at times infuriated by how naïve Harriet was. I loved McVeigh’s take on Harriet as we realize that she isn’t quite as dim as she originally appeared. This was a fun read and I felt as though I was in on the joke with Harriet as we watched her subtlely manipulate her friendship with Emma to her advantage. McVeigh's Harriet has a lot more agency and consequently, I was firmly invested in her story and her romances! McVeigh perfectly captures the spirit of the original, but also put her own spin on it. I also loved the twist in regards to Harriet's background. It was also great to see Emma from Harriet's perspective. I loved Jane's pov as I always thought that she was given a short-shrift in the book. Harriet is wonderfully written and I love how McVeigh does something new by reimagining Jane Austen’s side characters for the better. I highly recommend this and I'm definitely excited to read more of the author’s Austen-style re-imaginings.

I must admit to having been equal parts curious and skeptical when I first viewed this novel. A “variation” of Jane Austen’s Emma? As an admirer of all things Jane Austen, I did somewhat worry the author might not do justice to a well-loved novel. Luckily, my fears were quickly allayed.

From the very first pages, I was completely enthralled by this retelling of Emma through the perspectives of two relatively minor characters, Harriet Smith and Jane Fairfax. The writing was beautiful and the observations by these characters as they narrated this familiar story from their own perspectives was enchanting.

McVeigh has managed to create a fascinating character in Harriet, with a sharp intellect and powers of observation that adds a fun, new perspective to the story. While Emma is trying to amuse herself by shaping Harriet, Harriet is skillfully playing the part of ingénue, while simultaneously delivering biting insight into the character of Miss Woodhouse and all those around her. Although, while I liked the newly devious and razor-sharp Harriet, I wasn’t fully onboard with the final twist regarding her parentage.

Alongside Harriet’s tale, we also follow the story from the perspective of Miss Jane Fairfax, including the backstory of her original meeting with Frank Churchill.

Miss Bates, Mrs Elton and Mr. Woodhouse were such spectacular secondary characters in Austen’s novel, and I love how McVeigh developed them further in her work. Every scene in which they appeared was pitch perfect.
This is a must-read for Austen fans, but can be easily enjoyed even by those unfamiliar with her work. Absolutely loved this novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.