Karen: If you haven't ordered yet and are in the US, order from Jane Austin Books in Chicago. She has them in stock currently. Just mail her a check and she says she will send it right out (while supplies last). The address was given before, but here it is again, as well as a telephone and Fax number: Jane Austen Books 860 N Lake Shore, Suite 21-J Chicago, Ill. 60611 Ph: (312) 266-0080 FAX: (312)266-0081

Sharon, is JA Books really alive and well? I had an experience similar to Cheryl's last month--I e-mailed them about buying a copy of The Making of P&P (book) and received no reply. I also tried phoning them at the number you gave, but got no answer, no answering machine. (I finally bought the book from The Book Company in Toronto. Has anyone tried them about Darcy's Story? Or any other bookstore that stocks British imports? That's how I discovered Waterstone's.)

JA books is alive and well. I just order Darcy's story via email and received a confirmation that they are sending the books. For those of you who can't wait a single minute longer than you have to, they will bill you so you don't have to prepay. By the way it took me a couple try's to get a message to them. Happy day Mich

Anne3: Yes, I spoke to a woman at JABooks yesterday by phone. She indicated that she is just receiving checks in the mail for orders and was unaware that the book is in demand. I emailed twice, once to ask if she had it and a second time for ordering details, and received a response the next day to both messages. Keep trying.

I guess Amy2's rave review created the demand.

But is the e-mail JABooks@aol.com correct? If so, I'll try it again.

Cheryl, that is the address I was able to contact them at. Got a couple error messages but it finally made it on the 3rd try. Good luck Mich

I've heard from Copperfield Books, the publishers of Darcy's story. They have altered their payment policy for international orders a bit -- still no credit cards, but you can now send a personal check if you are willing to wait for it to clear. See the new ordering instructions at the revised web page: http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/town/estate/xda34/ JA books in Chicago has 40 copies on order but they are being shipped surface. Hey, maybe we ought to set up a little store for it here.... hmmm.....

Ch, Cheryl? How's it going?

I'm all excitement at your reports on reading it and mismailings and everything . I have just posted an order with international money order and for five copies. Have collected addicts and addicts to be(?) to make it cheaper..(niggardliness all over my greedy face)-

Sharon, Mich, Cheryl and Amy thanks for the info. I'm leaving to order NOW.

Sharon: Cheryl? How's it going? Well, I ordered again from JABooks through e-mail and it didn't get bounced back to me, so I assume it got through...now the wait begins....;-)

At last I have been able to login to meet you all ! Many thanks for all the kind things you are saying about Darcy's Story. My publishers are allowing me to use their email address to "speak" to you. They're sorry that there is not a quicker way of getting the book to you from England. It probably isn't possible for the Spring to sell the book, but Copperfield promise to act on all orders very quickly. Best Wishes. Janet

UPDATE ON JANE AUSTIN BOOKS The subject came up again last night at Pemberley on whether or not JABooks really had copies of Darcy' Story in supply. I had been told that she had a lot of copies on hand last week, and then Amy found that she had 40 on order being shipped surface. So I said that I would call today and get the story straight. All I can say, is that woman does not have much of an interest in informing her customers of ANYTHING. She did not want to tell me how many she had ("Why should I tell you?"), but she indicated that she was holding some for people until their checks got there. Then after we finished playing her little higher/lower game, she did concede that she had at least 5 extra in stock. I need not tell you all that I was pissed, but I will. But don't worry that I antagonized her, because I haven't received my copy from her yet. But bottom line, she does seem to be running out. You are probably okay if you have your order in already, but she was so reluctant to cooperate that I would not rely on the information I could drag out of her. There is no question that she has been inconsistent, sometime not responding to Email, sometimes not answering the phone, and has not been real clear on her odering policy. (I think she told someone that she will 'bill you', but she told me today that she is sitting on a bunch of books until the checks come in.) Needless to say, I am withdrawing my recommendation, as per #101 above, to order Darcy's Story from JABooks. I am sorry have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciusly done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. However, it seems that the Internet Book Store may be a more reliable source (and won't give us a bunch od s**t).

UPDATE ON JANE AUSTIN BOOKS The subject came up again last night at Pemberley on whether or not JABooks really had copies of Darcy' Story in supply. I had been told that she had a lot of copies on hand last week, and then Amy found that she had 40 on order being shipped surface. So I said that I would call today and get the story straight. All I can say, is that woman does not have much of an interest in informing her customers of ANYTHING. She did not want to tell me how many she had ("Why should I tell you?"), but she indicated that she was holding some for people until their checks got there. Then after we finished playing her little higher/lower game, she did concede that she had at least 5 extra in stock. I need not tell you all that I was pissed, but I will. But don't worry that I antagonized her, because I haven't received my copy from her yet. But bottom line, she does seem to be running out. You are probably okay if you have your order in already, but she was so reluctant to cooperate that I would not rely on the information I could drag out of her. There is no question that she has been inconsistent, sometime not responding to Email, sometimes not answering the phone, and has not been real clear on her odering policy. (I think she told someone that she will 'bill you', but she told me today that she is sitting on a bunch of books until the checks come in.) Needless to say, I am withdrawing my recommendation, as per #101 above, to order Darcy's Story from JABooks. I am sorry have occasioned pain to anyone. It has been most unconsciusly done, however, and I hope will be of short duration. However, it seems that the Internet Book Store may be a more reliable source (and won't give us a bunch od s**t).

You are very welcome, Janet!

Regarding JABooks, I ordered in December the Making of : yes there was a misunderstanding (probably on my part) if I ordered or not. Nevertheless, I received it by regular snail mail about 6 weeks after (which is normal for hinternational mail) with the bill included. The price was right and fair. Looks to me like a small business which can be drowned when a bunch of addicts like us jump on a Darcy story ;) Her loss is probably more in communication and public relation skills than anything else, what you say?

My impression, too, Johanne. They are probably being cagey about the number of copies so as not to disappoint long time customers. The ladies there are JA lovers; maybe we can forgive them for not being great business heads.

Shoot, if they were "proper businesspeople" they would not occasionally ship a book before they get your check!

Janet! I am so glad to see you made it in. I guess wiping out your old accounts did the trick -- and you had no trouble with your brower and old password? Good. Next thing we will have to see about doing is hooking this conference up to email so you don't have to incur connect charges. But that might take a while.

'Her loss is probably more in communication and public relation skills than anything else, what you say?' Johanne: Call what you will. But never in my experience, has a vendor of any kind NOT wanted, (no, in this instance, refused) to tell a potential customer what was in stock and available. I ordered 'Making Of' from Waterstone, also a small business. The only question I asked that guy was 'Do you have it?' and I got the infomation 1) none in stock; 2) none on order; 3) they will special order; 4) takes 4-6 weeks, and 4) the cost. So, what's the big deal? Though I had already ordered a copy from Cornerstone Books, I initially recommended JABooks to my new friends here because she responded to my Email, I spoke personally to her on the phone regarding our interest, and she assured she had plenty and stock. But since, there have been to many problems. Even your own prior experience with the company has shown that it just doesn't have it together. If her supplies is running out, that is fine. If she has to reorder and we must wait 4-6 weeks, that if fine, too. But to refuse the infomation is unreasonable. Since the information is unreliable, I can no longer in good conscious stand by this recommendation.

Sharon, you should have mentionned : abominable, hateful customer service! ;)

More trials and tribulations for Darcy's Story: As I mentioned earlier, I received a copy overnight from Waterstone's Books in Boston. But when I started to read it, disaster! There were about 13 blank pages between pp. 26-56! I am returning the book, but, as Sharon posted last week, Waterstone's is now out of stock and won't be receiving more for several weeks. So the search for another U.S. supplier continues. BUT, the point is: for those of you who are planning to order a copy from anywhere, make sure that you ask the bookseller to check pages 26-56 to make sure that everything is there.

Anne Rose, I STILL cry for you over THAT!

Lisa, you asked for first impressions! I liked the story very well indeed because it's pretty much what I've always thought Darcy was thinking and he seems to be the kind of person I'd imagined him to be. But I do have a caveat - a good proof-reader could have done wonders!! There are inconsistencies in a place name and at least one word is quoted wrong. But a pencil while reading helps in such cases as these!!;-)

' There are inconsistencies in a place name and at least one word is quoted wrong. But a pencil while reading helps in such cases as these!!' And don't forget the white-out! ;-)

Ok, so what do I do. I did email JA Books and haven't received an ok. I said I would send her a check???? What so you all suggest.

I'd say order direct, Donna. Too bad there are so many problems.

I ordered the Making of.. from JA Books by sending an e-mail. I received no response from my post but was thrilled to find that my copy had arrived today. It took about ten days. I had just about lost all hope in ever obtaining a copy after being on a waiting list for 3 months at my local bookstore to no avail. There was no need to send a check in advance, I told her I would mail her one when I received my copy and she didn't seem to object. I guess we all have some difficulties with some distributors. Anne3, I feel so bad for you that your copy was incomplete. I hope you will be able to remedy the situation quickly. I hope also, that everyone else has more luck in their purchase and that soon we can discuss Darcy's Story in great length.

The Book Company! Thanks Anne3! I'll check out some other sources for you girls.....

Perhaps now that Janet is with us, she can get us a list of sources from her publisher.

Welcome, Janet. As you can see, we are your most ardent fan club on the Net! We will have to create _so much demand_ for the book, the Internet Book Store must sponsor as its Book Of the Month!

Welcome Janet! How nice of You to drop in and I like Your nickname very well indeed. As I'm in Sweden I ordered my copy from Bath. Hope there are no blank sides in their stock. Am looking forward to Your thoughts on Darcy's inner life. Of course I lament everybodies misfortunes in ordering... but it gives me hope that I shall get my book in time to participate in the general discussion. Sharon you seem to have been as angry as Lizzy was during first proposal.Steam coming out of your nostrils ? Please have mercy on that booklady.

'Sharon you seem to have been as angry as Lizzy was during first proposal. Steam coming out of your nostrils ?' LOL... Truthfully, only momentarily. The 'Why should I tell you' didn't go over well at all with me, I admit. But I got her number pretty quickly after that initial shock, so whatcanyado.

I think the trick to jabooks hit them quick. Books name, quantity and your address. More complicated then that and order goes astray. Has anyone ever been there? Amy's got the right idea start a P&P Addict store/coffee shop. Big meeting rooms to discuss every little aspect of the books & movies. I still want a Darcy doll. Mich

I still want a Darcy doll. Mich __ Me too, Mich, even if it's Mattel. Ken as Darcy would have to have sold better then "Cool Shavin' Ken" this Christmas

Amy, Ken as Darcy? isn't that another thread?

I'm still trying to recover from "Magic Earring Ken."

GOOD NEWS! I got it, folks! Yes, I just received Darcy's Story in the mail today from Copperfield Books. So here is the time table for U.S delivery: 1/15 Airmailed international money order 2/22 Invoice/shipping date from Copperfield 2/29 Receipt of goods That is not too damn bad from the UK. All pissing and moaning from this corner is hereby at end.

How can it be Feb. Sharon? 2/22 and 2/29?

Typo!!!! 1/22 & 1/29

Sharon: All pissing and moaning from this corner is hereby at end. Don't disappoint us dear, I am sure you will find something else to voice your opinion about! ;-)

I ordered my copy from the Internet Bookstore, and received the book today, 2 weeks to the day after ordering! And they didn't try to give me any bizarre and obscure works by other authors! I am all excitement!

My husband was "downsized" from his job on Jan. 2nd, so I haven't indulged in this (or many other purchases). I feel like Elinor right now; no sugar, and no more beef! But, he has two job offers this week, and when he accepts one, I'll be through to Internet Bookstore quicker than a flash; can't wait!!!!

Sorry to hear about your husband's job, Mari. That can be really stressful for everybody. Good he has a choice, though, now. That must make him feel good.

Thanks, Amy. The job market for engineers with experience is very good right now; we were very fortunate, indeed.

Oh Mari! I am so sorry! This must be an incredibly trying and worrisome time for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I received my copy of Darcy's Story yesterday from JA Books. I ordered thru e-mail, never received a confirmation, but here the book is (enclosed with a bill for $14) one week later! I am very pleased and have already begun reading. Well, now that I have my book, when shall we commence a discusion? (I know, I'm baaaaaaaad!!) How many others have the book on order? Shall we think about a discussion in a month or so? Too soon, too far away?

Oh, Cheryl; my only concern is that we may have to jump back and forth in our discusion between this and the you-know-what conference. Can't seem to help my dagging, snogging, drooling tendancies. Repeat after me... I shall conquer this. Amy, Cheryl; Pemberly?

Cher and all, am awaiting D's story from JABooks, unfortunately wrote them (had to send my cheques for the other book I received anyway) and with international snail mail, it will take a while maybe a month or more. Can't wait to read it! I'm sure Mari we could arrange something...;)

Over on AUSTEN-L, someone was saying she didn't care for Darcy's Story at all (actually, I think it was more than one person).

Can we wait. Mine is still on it's way

I just received my copy of Darcy's Story from JABooks. I e-mailed them Sunday, 1/26, received an e-mail from them on 1/28 and received the book on 2/3. They sent me a bill. I hope others can quickly get the book so we can discuss.:)

I've been having problems trying to order from the internet bookstore. I get my order form filled out but when I submit it, I keep getting an error message and a notice that my order has been aborted. Has anybody else had this problem?

Cheryl, if you guys are going to discuss the book in Pemberley, please E-Mail me and let me know when!!! Thx, girlfriend!

Yes, maybe put it on the calendar. Are you in charge of that, Cheryl?

There are still a few folks waiting for their copies to arrive...how about if we schedule the discussion for the beginning of March? any thoughts? If there's a consensus, I'll put it on the calendar.

Cheryl, March is fine for me. Mari and anyone else having problems getting the book let me know via e-mail and I'll send it to you.

anyone else having problems getting the book let me know via e-mail and I'll send it to you. I also have a copy I can spare.

I can't wait until March! I'm dying to talk to someone about it NOW. Any votes for an early conference for those of us who've already read? As you can see, patience is not one of my virtues. . .

We could have a discussion in at Pemberley for the impatient and then set up a conference here in March when everyone else has had a chance to read it. I also have an extra copy to pass around if anyone else can't stand the wait.

Thanks Sharon! I read the book about 3 weeks ago and I really am dying to discuss! Please let me know when you want to set something up in Pemberley, and we will have to warn off those who have not yet read!

I'm done...;-)

Got it on Tuesday, read it on Tuesday. Reread on Wednesday, comparing it to P&P. And again Thursday. At this rate, it will be sadly dogeared by March..... :)

If any of you discuss 'Darcy's Story' at Pemberley, let me know when. One suggestion - not this weekend, since I won't have access to chat. Thanks.

[ not this weekend, since I won't have access to chat ] When will you have access?

The nice folks at Copperfield Books read my sad tale of getting a defective copy of Darcy's Story, and sent me a replacement, with their compliments! Now that is what I call handsome, gentleman/womanlike behavior! They sent it out airmail on Monday, Feb. 3rd, and I received it later that week, even though their order form says to allow 28 days for delivery. Their address is:Copperfield Books Room 38 Hillbrook House Lyncombe Vale Road Bath BA2 4LS EnglandCopies are 9 pounds including postage. An international money order can be obtained (in the U.S. at least) at post offices, and is equivilent to about $14, same price as at JA Books. Five copies are 36 pounds, a 20% saving. Now how do I get any work done today with this sitting on my desk?

It IS extremely addictive! I couldn't help re-reading within a few days either. Just really liked Aylmer's approach and choices. Any word as to when we can do the "advance crit"?

Who has it on order now and wants us to wait. Tell when you expect it.

I do, expecting it end of Feb, early March from JABooks, maybe sooner

I ordered by fax on friday to the internet book store. I got confirmation of the order this morning by email. So I am now playing the waiting game. I also ordered my own copy of "Making of...." after renewing the library's copy for 3 months.

Does anyone know how many copies JABooks still has in stock. (I know they have been ambivelent about telling people).

It is very addicitve. I have just begun reading it for a third time to get ready for the discussion but it appears that I'll have enough time to read it a forth time before we start analyzing it to death. I can't wait I hope your copies arrive soon.

Maybe I should start watch Sesame Street to learn how to spell FOURTH, but I fear my addiction has overtaken my senses and barely anything can tear me away from anything that's not P&P related.

I thought I'd get my copy this week from the bookstore in Boston (Waterstone?). I called today and they told me it's on back order b/c so many people have asked for it. I was angry b/c they'd told me 3 weeks ago they'd call if it needed to be back ordered. Trid JA Books and couldn't even get them on the phone. I'll try Copperfield tommorrow. Feeling somewhat desparate and definitely deprived atTthis point.

Oooh, looks like we need a director. Cheryl, Amy2 or anybody else, you want to coordinate, set the start date and organize borrowing arrangements? I'll make my copy will be available for loan by mail by the weekend.

Did someone call for a director? :-) Ok. Let's set March 1 as discussion starting day. If you feel comfortable lending your book, let me know and I'll keep a list, likewise I'll start a list for borrowees and try to match people up. Sound ok? Let's get cracking! ;-) PS--please send all inquiries re lending and borrowing by private e-mail so as to not clutter this space too much. Thanks. clsneed@ix.netcom.com

Boy! Am I an obsessive organizer or what?! :-(

Boy! Am I an obsessive organizer or what?! :-( Part of your charm, my dear. . .;-)

I just got mine only after a week of sending out my money order to Copperfield......already on pg.67!

Cheryl, you must be one heck of a piano teacher! March 1st it is. Will this occur at Pemberley, and if so, what time? (See, I can be a tad obsessive myself!)

Bless you, my dear Cheryl.

I got mine through the Internet Bookstore and I recieved it 2 weeks and 2 days (obsessive? no!) from when I ordered it. Read it this past weekend. Where is the discussion on 3/1, I'm there!!

The March 1st discussion shoul be held here at Spring, some of our people cannot get into Pemberley, we would never find a time convienent for everyone and the room may not hold us all! This topic is getting pretty long, we may want to archive this and start a new one when discussion begins...Amy? I've already matched up two borrowers and lenders and have two more lenders in the wings ready to be generous, just let me know... Let me say once more how much I love all of you here. You are all such wonderful people! *samooch*

And kisses and hugs back at you, Cheryl! You have performed splendidly -- I do not believe that Lady C herself could have done better, not even if she had practiced more.

kathleen: You have performed splendidly -- I do not believe that Lady C herself could have done better, not even if she had practiced more. High praise indeed! ;-)

Finished it......Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!

Cheryl, at least your performance would not have to be on a muted piano! So we will just post to this (or a new Topic) on the Spring on 3/1 to discuss? Do divulge your master plan, Cheryl!

Amy2: Do divulge your master plan, Cheryl! But Amy dear, it is only Feb 12, and patience is a virtue after all... Besides, a little mystery is good! ;-)

Amy2: Do divulge your master plan, Cheryl! But Amy dear, it is only Feb 12, and patience is a virtue after all... Besides, a little mystery is good! ;-) I have several would be lenders waiting in the wings, for any borrowers, let me know.

Sheesh! Some day I'll get this thing figured out! :-(

Yes, mystery keeps them coming back for more. I will await the unveiling of your Plan with bated breath!

So what do you get in Janet's book exactly, plotwise? Darcy's childhood? Any early girlfriends? Wedding night? Any plot extension beyond Austen? Want to know before considering buying seriously-

Lola, I understand your concern. The book is the same plot, basicly as the original Pride and Prejudice, only from Darcy's point of view. So you don't have a lot of stuff that is going on at Longbourn, since he is not there. There is a lot of the conversation that is taken right out of Pride and Prejudice. The story begins the summer before Darcy and the Bingleys go the Netherfield, when the near elopement of Gerogiana and Wickham almost happens. The author does give a little more background (her view) od Darcy's family. But actually, this author does not go much deeper into what is going on from Darcy's view than Jane Austen did from Elizabeth's point of view. In other words, there is still plenty of room for our speculation. There may be some points, though, in which any one of us may not agree with he way Janet Aylmer has taken some things, but it doesn't spoil the other aspects of the book, and that just leaves us more to debate about. Then she writes just a little more detail at the end of the story which Jane Austen just touched over. According to Cheryl, there are still some people willing to lend out a copy for you to read before the discussion. So just Email her with a request to borrow one, if you don't want to buy one yet.

I am all in uproar! You've all got me scrambling to find "Darcy's Story"! If I can't find a copy, I'll be e-mailing you, Cheryl. (Any lenders left?)

Hi, I'm new to this. Can someone tell me where to get a copy of the book in NYC? If not, where can I order it?

Kate, I e-mailed a request to Jane Austen books last Saturday, 2/8/97. The book was delivered on Wednesday, 2/12, with a bill for $14. The e-mail address is JABooks@aol.com. BTW, I did not receive a confirmation of the order. Good luck. Linda

Thanks Linda, I'll give it a try

June: (Any lenders left?) a couple..let me know...;-)