I do love a good classic, particularly Austen. I still have my high school copy of Pride and Prejudice with all the margin notes and underlining.

I was delighted to discover some recent reprints of Austen and Bronte classics by Cameron House (an imprint of Bookwise International). They were previously published in the UK by Worth Press Ltd. My comments here are based on the two titles that I have, Emma (ISBN: 978-1-74173-019-7) and Jane Eyre (ISBN: 978-1-74173-035-7)

Okay, now that I have all that official stuff out of the way, I can tell you how lovely these editions are. They are bound in an embossed black cover with rounded corners and look eminently suitable for reading as you take a turn about the room or wander aimlessly around the grounds of your family estate. (*sigh*)

Aside from my obvious delusions about being a character in an Austen novel, these books do seem to be somehow more ‘classic’ than buying a paperback version. The Australian releases by Cameron House will include the following titles:

Jane Austen Classics:

• Emma
• Mansfield Park
• Northanger Abbey
• Persuasion
• Pride & Prejudice
• Sense & Sensibility

Bronte Classics:

• Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
• Tenant of Wildfell Hall – Anne Bronte
• Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

In addition to the complete text, each book features notes compiled by literary scholars regarding the setting, text and author, a summary of significant characters and a timeline of the author’s life and work in relation to other world and literary events. They would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves classic literature.

I do love a good classic and the appearance of these books offers a certain gravitas and dignity to reading books by Austen and the Bronte sisters. I would love a collection of these books on my bookshelf and will have to hunt down the others to join Emma and Jane Eyre.

To reassure you that I am not totally lost in past literary glory, I will be keeping my copy of Jane Eyre on the shelf next to my signed copy of The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (thanks again to Meredith for this spectacular Christmas present).