Anyone here read any of his books? What did you think? What about Paul Emile Botta's work?
I wanted to offer recommendation of Elizabeth Gaskell's novels for Austen fans looking to read another nineteenth-century novelist. My English professor assigned us North and South last semester, and I read Cranford and Wives and Daughters over winter break. Cranford evokes a cozy village atmosphere, with some distinct hints of melancholy. Wives and Daughters has a similar setting, but develops really fascinating relationships among female characters, as the title suggests.
But my very favorite of her books that I've read (and one of my very favorite books of all time!) is North and South. It tells the story of a family from the south of England who have to move to a northern industrial city. It focuses on the character of Margaret Hale, who has certain Elizabeth Bennett characteristics, while also being a character who experiences greater extremes of tragedy, sorrow, and also (I think) growth. I can't recommend it enough!
Has anyone else on her gotten into Gaskell? Would love to hear your thoughts!
A pet peeve of mine is when people say Jane Austen was a Victorian writer. She died 20 years before Victoria even took the throne! Society, politics, literary movements, etc. were different in the Regency era compared to the Victorian and these aspects are so tied into Austen's work. Most of the time it's just an average person who makes the mistake, but it really ruffled me when I had an English professor say that Austen was a Victorian writer. That professor's specialty was Virginia Woolf, but still, the woman had a PhD in English Literature and Austen is so vital to the canon.
Any pet peeves you have that are Austen-related?
After a few re-reds Mr.Bennet turned from sarcastic gentleman to irresponsible man who procrastinates too much and doesn't take things seriously.
Then I started thinking about other fathers in Jane Austen's novels and they don't set nice role models as well: Mr. Woodhouse serves more as a comic relief than a father figure, Sir Thomas Bertram and general Tilney treat their family terribly, Sir Walter Elliot neglect his daughter Ann.
So can you help me to find a character that is a reliable father figure? Also how do you think are these men written this way mostly as a plot device (to put heroines in precarious and/or dangerous position) or for some other reasons?
As we all know, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
Of course, not all of the men listed below are in possession of a grand fortune, but they all have SOME appeal, given that they all begin as single in their respective novels, and end up married.
So the question is, who would YOU choose to live out your days with, if you existed in the fictional worlds of Jane Austen? And who, if he proposed, would you most definitely turn down?
(I would have made a pole but the limit is 6 options, and I didn't want to leave anyone out! List is randomized.)
ROBERT MARTIN (EMMA)
MR. COLLINS (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE)
MR. ELTON (EMMA)
ROBERT FERRARS (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY)
EDMUND BERTRAM (MANSFIELD PARK)
MR. KNIGHTLEY (EMMA)
FRANK CHURCHILL (EMMA)
EDWARD FERRARS (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY)
MR. WILLOUGHBY (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY)
HENRY CRAWFORD (MANSFIELD PARK)
MR. DARCY (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE)
CAPTAIN WENTWORTH (PERSUASION)
COLONEL BRANDON (SENSE AND SENSIBILITY)
HENRY TILNEY (NORTHANGER ABBEY)
MR. WICKHAM (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE)
MR. BINGLEY (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE)
CAPTAIN BENWICK (PERSUASION)
I'd like to introduce the 15 year old I tutor to Jane Austen, but I don't think we'll be able to study a full novel at the moment. What I'd like to find is an excerpt (maybe the length of a chapter or so) that would give a taste of Austen's humor and make sense with just a summary of the context, without reading the rest of the book.
I'm leaning towards the wardrobe scene in Northanger Abbey, but I'd love some other suggestions!
Title!
Iβm curious about the situation for widows, particularly young widows. Would they have been considered less desirable? Would the widow having children make a difference?
I got P&P and S&S for Christmas and I'm excited to start (I still haven't decided which one to begin with).
I've never read any of her novels and I'd like to see if there's anything relevant I should know before starting with her books. Anything that will make it a more enjoyable read.
Thanks!
Edit: thank you, people! You've been extremely helpful. Last night I started with P&P :).
I have watched all of Southern Charm, and then watched Winter House. This lazy, untalented doofus apparently canβt swing a dead cat without hitting a woman who wants him.
Can someone please enlighten me? Even if you donβt personally desire him, whatβs the hook?
i have some jane austen cards up for grabs! they're stamp themed so i'll chuck a couple of vintage stamps with the card too :DD
comment which one you would like (northanger abbey, mansfield park...etc), i only ask that you write a thank you after as i'm tryna up my flair game haha. if you have a colour preference or a prompt let me know in your comment as well
happy carding! the weird leg like shadow in the pic is just my aloe haha just realised
what's left edit:
sense and sensibility
Can anyone think of authors who are into Jane Austen? It could be interesting to see her influences on other writers. I can think of two:
- Hank Green, who, among other things, is a novelist and co-producer of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
- Stephenie Meyer (listen, I was a tween in 2006), who explicitly mentions Austen's works in Twilight, and also went on to be a producer on the film Austenland.
I ask because I saw the 1995 P&P and did not find Jane nearly pretty enough (in fact she was also quite annoying) whereas Rosamund pike was genuinely beautiful in a classic way.
Then Keira Knightly is obviously beautiful but in a very βmodernβ way- more model Cheekbones and pout (and the obvious lip fuller kept annoying me) then rosebud lips and apple cheeks.
And then the men- Mr Darcy was gorgeous in both but I wonder who fit regency male beauty ideals better? Colin Firth or Mathew Mcfadyen?
They have been spending lots of time together. And it appears they are together this weekend in Charolette.
I have never read nor watched any of Jane Austen's works. I'm interested in watching movies and/or TV series with my wife to become familiar with the stories and characters, etc. I think it could be a fun way to connect with her. I like the idea of watching them and then ranking them or something like that. Where would be a good place to start? I see, depending on the book, there are many different adaptations for each. Which movie/miniseries do you recommend for each work? Thanks in advance!
Edit: Including where to best find or stream the recommended adaptation would be helpful as well!
Bride & Prejudice (Amazon Prime): a Bollywood style retelling of the Jane Austen classic
Emma (Amazon Prime): Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Emma, who meddles in the love lives of others
Mansfield Park (Amazon Prime): penniless heroine Fanny Price is sent to live with wealthy relatives
Pride & Prejudice (Amazon Prime): Keira Knightly stars as Lizzy Bennet in this story about her and her sisters search for love
Austenland (Amazon Prime): Jane's love of all things Jane Austen is complicating her love life. Determined to be the heroine of her own story, Jane spends her life savings on a trip to Austenland, where she has difficulty determining where fantasy ends and real life begins. Not a retelling per se, but feels on brand for this week's theme.
