November's Autumn

February Prompt - A Classics Challenge

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone enjoyed all the posts from January. Many were on authors I plan to read later in the year and learning about them made me more eager to get started on their novels!

But my favorite aspect of reading is meeting the characters. Knowing them so well you feel you could guess what they would say or how they would act in different situations; this month's focus will be on a:

Character

Write about a character you find interesting, it doesn't have to be your favorite. Perhaps your least favorite or a minor one: choose any.

To clarify how this will work: I'll post various questions, don't feel obliged to answer all of them. Participants have the full month to post and share their answers. The different levels are based on how far into the book you are.

Feel free to skip around the levels if you see a question that catches your fancy.

Level 1
What phrases has the author used to introduce this character? What are your first impressions of them? Find a portrait or photograph that closely embodies how you imagine them.

Level 2
How has the character changed? Has your opinion of them altered? Are there aspects of their character you aspire to? or hope never to be? What are their strengths and faults? Do you find them believable? If not, how could they have been molded so? Would you want to meet them?

Level 3
Try writing a short (four sentences +) note or letter as the character, addressed to you, another character, the author, anyone.

Participants

Please fill out the 'your name' field in this format:
Name @ Your Blog's Name - Name of Character you Wrote About

True feelings vs. Romantic notions

2012-01-15T23:41:00.000-08:00

One of my first experience of Austen's Sense and Sensibility was when I was about fifteen or sixteen. I came across the 1995 film adaptation while at a DVD store and bought it. At that time I thought Elinor rather dull and Marianne exciting and interesting.

But when I read the novel some years later, knew I was really more like Elinor. I realized how Marianne, who made no secret of thinking feelings are the most important thing in life, was so brazen with her sister's, and was irritated with her passionate antics.

Now I'm not so irritated, but I do wonder at her feelings for Willoughby. Was she like Catherine Morland, playing the part of a heroine?

Her romance with Willoughby certainly sounds like a novel: He rescues her when she sprains her ankle, asks for a lock of her hair, reads her poetry, spends as much time as he can in her company. Was she swept up in the romantic aspects or did she truly love him? I think it was the former. Which explains why she marries the Colonel, finding a deeper, steadier love. What do you think?

Willoughby's side of the story

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

2012-01-14T23:24:00.000-08:00

Alice and the Gryphon © Erin

My freshman year of high school I was in the mood for children's literature and read J.M. Barrie and Lewis Carroll for the first time. But I admit to making the mistake of speeding through Carroll's imaginative and quirky story.

After watching the Royal Ballet's recent production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, I thought I should revisit the book. This time I paid more attention and found some sense in that world of nonsense. Lot's of wordplay that makes it fun, even for an adult to read:

The Mock Turtle went on. “We had the best of educations... the different branches of Arithmetic-- Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision.”

Here's my take on it:

Ambition + Addition = Arithmetic is commonly used for money, adding more money = Ambition
Distraction − Subtraction = Distracted by things we want = Spending money
Uglification × Multiplication = It sounds bad and something bad to do with multiplying money = Greed
Derision ÷ Division = Ruin of personality or finances

Have you read any children's literature recently?

January Prompt - A Classics Challenge

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

The year has just started and we are only four days into the challenge, so this month's focus will be on:

The Author

To clarify how this will work: I'll post various questions, don't feel obliged to answer all of them. Some may require a little research but you can be creative in how you answer. Participants have the full month to post and share their answers. The different levels are based on how far into the book you are.

Level 1
Who is the author? What do they look like? When were they born? Where did they live? What does their handwriting look like? What are some of the other novels they've written? What is an interesting and random fact about their life?

Level 2
What do you think of their writing style? What do you like about it? or what would have made you more inclined to like it? Is there are particular quote that has stood out to you?

Level 3
Why do you think they wrote this novel? How did their contemporaries view both the author and their novel?

My posts: George Eliot & Charles Dickens

Participants:

George Eliot - January Prompt

2012-01-03T23:55:00.000-08:00

In Response to my January Prompt for A Classics Challenge

George Eliot - Mary Ann Evans

Born November 22, 1819

Lived for a while in London at

4 Cheyne Walk in Chelsea

Wrote:

Adam Bede, 1859

The Mill on the Floss, 1860

Silas Marner, 1861

Romola, 1863

Felix Holt, the Radical, 1866

Middlemarch, 1872

Daniel Deronda, 1876

Charles Dickens - January Prompt

2012-01-03T23:52:00.000-08:00

In Response to my January Prompt for A Classics Challenge

Charles Dickens

Born February 7th 1812

Portrait painted by William Powell Frith

Between 1837-1839 he lived at

48 Doughty Street
Camden Town, London

Photo © Matt Brown

During which time Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby, and The Pickwick Papers were being published in monthly serials. The home is now the Charles Dickens Museum.

Book Review: Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress

2012-01-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation

A few years ago I exchanged an email with Laurel Ann Nattress of the esteemed blog: Austenprose. I don't remember the particulars but we moved onto the subject of both living in the Seattle area and found our workplaces were within blocks of each other!

Cassandra's portrait of Jane

It's such a pleasure to converse with a fellow Janeite and fan of British television. Laurel Ann is gracious and friendly; I'm so happy to call her a friend. We've had great fun, sharing opinions on Austen, the adaptations, 19th century literature, and more recently, the suspense of waiting for season two of Downton Abbey.

I also had glimpses as Jane Austen Made Me Do It unfolded. Recently published, it's an anthology of short stories edited by her. I listened intently as she told me about the book deal, whispered who might write for it, the whirl of the short story contest, a peek at the cover design, down to getting one of the first signed copies, and attending the book launch.

Filled with a variety of 28 stories and styles, the anthology has something to suit the taste of most everyone. I'll be reviewing my three favorites.

Nothing Less Than Fairy-land by Monica Fairview

Having read all of Fairview's work and enjoyed her talent for creating interesting and entertaining dialogue, I was very eager to read her contribution. A delightful story, she keeps the portrayal of the characters true to the original novel. It was fun to see a spark of wit from Miss Bates and a glimpse of life at Hartfield after the wedding. And my dear Mr. Knightley, are you quite sure you know Emma as well as you thought? For once he is wrong about what Emma is scheming.

We are so happy that Jane's future has been settled," said Miss Bates, "it was a source of anxiety to us, you can be sure-- never expected such good fortune-- though Jane of course deserves the best-- does not Jane deserve the best, Mother?"

Miss Bates continued to discourse in this manner, but her words were halting. Emma looked at Miss Bates, truly seeing her for the first time. She saw darkness under her eyes, line of worry around her mouth. She wondered who would listen to Miss Bates when her mother was taken from her. She questioned who would supply Miss Bates' conversation, once Jane ceased to send her letters."

The Riding Habit by Pamela Aidan

Now that Mr. Darcy is settled with Elizabeth, it's Georgiana who becomes the object of matrimony. People don't like to see someone with a fortune single. Under the influence of Lizzy, her 'natural shyness was giving way to a self-confidence that was delightful to behold.'
But Elizabeth suddenly comes face to face with perhaps the one thing that does rather intimidate her: a horse. And the words of Lady Catherine have more meaning as she's about London society.

The whims and inconsistencies, the ridiculous poses and airs which had amused her from afar were not so diverting when once she was plunged into their midst... her ever word and action would reflect immediately upon her husband's standing among her peers.

Heard of You by Margaret Sullivan

Persuasion is generally my favorite Austen novel (although Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park sometimes take the lead), it was so lovely to see some of my favorite characters again. As we sit amidst Admiral Croft, Sophy, Anne, and Frederick over a comfortable cup of tea at Kellynch we get to hear of the adventures of Wentworth and Harville as young midshipmen, and of the Admiral when he was still Captain Croft. We also learn a little secret... Wentworth unwittingly has something in common with Emma.

You have asked about the captain. I like him very much... He is a good officer, kind and fair. His manners are old-fashioned; I suspect not the kind of manners that would be admired in high society, the kind of manners I have often noticed hid an unpleasant nature; but he is a true gentleman, and I think, if he were a post-captain and had a frigate or a ship-of-the-line, would distinguish himself in cattle; and I don not think he would behave differently if he became as famous as Nelson.

The Pained Heart by Arthur Hughes

2011-12-29T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is the second follow-up post to this collection

The Pained Heart or Sign no More, by Arthur Hughes

The Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood started as a 'rebellion' against conventional art, the rules that had been molded and taught in art schools based off the masters of the Italian Renaissance, in particular Raphael Sanzio, hence the name Pre-Raphael.

Arnolfini Portrait, Jan Van Eyck

They wanted to harken back to the Flemish and Quattrocento or Byzantine styles. It's quite natural that I'm drawn to their art as I really love those styles, especially Dutch art (Van Eyck, Vermeer, Rembrandt).

Although Hughes' are enhanced with a Victorian eye for patterns and a softer look in the subjects, if you compare his painting to that of Van Eyck's famous Arnolfini portrait, you'll notice a few similarities in the styles, and use of symbols, and color.

But what do the symbols mean?

On the left side, if we look out the window a sparrow is perched on the bush outside.

"The sparrow shown near a window, perched on a ledge, flying in a window, flying outside a window or perched on a branch outside a window, represents the soul of a recently deceased loved one..." Source

The elder lady is wearing mourning clothes but the younger is not. A death does not seem quite the right meaning. How else could we interpret the symbol?

Let's take a look at the subtitle of the painting. You probably recognize it from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing:

Sigh no more, ladies, sigh nor more;

Men were deceivers ever;

One foot in sea and one on shore,

To one thing constant never;

Then sigh not so,

But let them go,

And be you blithe and bonny;

Converting all your sounds of woe

Into. Hey nonny, nonny.

Perhaps its not the death of a loved one but the death of an image she'd built of the man she loves; her heart has been broken or is about to be.

What about the lute? Vermeer uses the instrument in quite a few of his paintings:

Love Letter, by Johannes Vermeer

"The lute is rich not only in repertoire but in symbolism...it could be an emblem of lust or lasciviousness... If the lute's sensuous and delicate tones evoked the pleasures of love, the fleeting nature of its sound, and the physical fragility of the instrument made it a fitting emblem of transience and death..." Source

Again we have the ideas of passion and death. It's on the floor rather than being played, as though cast away in her reverie.

To the right of the painting, hanging on the loom is a shell. Similar to the one used by Botticelli in his Birth of Venus. Shells often represent sensuality, fertility, and wealth.

You'll also notice the pink rose petals on the floor. Do you see the light pink roses flying about to the left of Botticelli's painting? Venus, in Roman mythology was the goddess of love.

The Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli

Victorians used flowers convey meaning both in art and literature. A pink rose means 'grace' and do you see the bluebells embroidered in the curtain? They symbolize humility.

What secrets do you see? What do you think her story is? Has she just discovered the truth about her love? or does it loom before her as the concerned and kind-looking elderly lady does?

Regency Kashmir Shawl - Jane's Gift

2011-12-15T23:00:00.000-08:00

This post is part of the Austen Birthday Soiree
My 'gift' to Jane is a lovely Kashmir Shawl

With thin muslin and diaphanous fabrics in vogue a warm shawl was something of a necessity. The most coveted were from Kashmir, which in the 19th century was the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range.

A century later the colors remain
strong, imagine when they were new

A paisley design, click the image
to admire the details

Indian textiles were synonymous with quality, luxury, and beauty. In the earlier centuries it was their technqie of 'mordant' dyeing, which produced rich, vibrant colors that fascinated. This mixed with the beautiful patterns created a striking look with the simple, quintessential white dress of the Regency period.

Many were handwoven with bobbins taking between 18 months to three years to make. But some were created with the Jacquard loom, invented in 1801. An interesting side-note: the loom weaved the design by 'reading' punch cards.

Although unlikely that Jane had such a shawl, it is possible Charles Austen may have spoiled her with one, as he did with the Topaz cross.

A Jacquard Loom

Giveaway
*Ended December 18th

Sources:

"Jacquard loom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. .

"Shawl - Victoria & Albert Museum - Search the Collections." Search the Collections - Victoria and Albert Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. .

Bubbles, painted by John Everett Millais

2011-12-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

This is the first follow-up post to this collection

Bubbles are playful and mesmerizing, but in 17th Century Dutch art they conveyed a serious meaning; the fragility of life. Peter Sion used them in his still life below. The hourglass, pocket-watch, wilting flowers, and extinguishing candle all allude to what the skull blatantly implies; death.

Vanitas Still Life, Peter Sion

But looking at Millais darling painting, originally titled, A Child's World can the subject really be the same? Although its likely the majority of Victorians only saw the charm and innocence on the surface (as I originally did) there are clues in the painting that imply it is. On each side of the boy are pots. One has a growing plant, fresh and green. The other is broken, empty with crisp leaves and some twigs on the ground near it.

Bubbles, by John Everett Millais

The little curly haired sitter was Millais grandson, who later grew up to be Admiral Sir William Milbourne James. He is gazing at the bubble which teeters between the two sides. When scarlet fever was a greatly feared illness and took the lives of many children, it's possible the painting implies how even at such a tender age life is just as delicate.

Detail

Pears' Soap later purchased the original painting and copyright. There's some conflicting information whether Millais was consulted or not but a little bar of soap was added in reproductions used for advertisement. For which he was harshly critisized by Marie Corelli:

I am one of those who think the fame of Millais as an artist was marred when he degraded himself to the level of painting the little green boy blowing bubbles of Pears' soap. That was an advertisement. And that very incident in his career, trifling though it seems, will prevent his ever standing on the same dignified height of distinction with such masters in art as Romney, Sir Peter Lely, Gainsborough, and Reynolds.

The company were within their legal rights and while it caused some controversy, Millais accepted it; he really couldn't do otherwise. The painting became so well-known that the little sitter was nicknamed 'Bubbles' within the Navy.

Knowing it's background I do still like the painting. But where before I saw his gaze at the bubble as fascination I now percieve a bit of anxiety. I think it's interesting that Millais chose to attire him in costume, it looks perhaps 16th century?

What do you think of the painting? Has knowing it's history and symbolism altered your view of it too?

Sources

"John Everett Millais's "Bubbles" and the Commercialization of Art." The Victorian Web: An Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2011. <http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/corelli/kuehn6.html>.

"Liverpool museums - 'Bubbles' , by Sir John Everett Millais | Artwork of the Month ." Liverpool museums - National Museums Liverpool. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. <http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/picture-of-month/displaypicture.asp?venue=7&id=299>.

A Collection - Millais, Homer, and Hughes

2011-12-04T10:45:00.001-08:00

Every so often I'll be posting a small collection of paintings that have a similar mood or a theme. Followed by a second post with some information or history about the painting or artist.

I hope you enjoy them, please share you thoughts~

Bubbles, John Everett Millais

Fresh Eggs, Winslow Homer

The Pained Heart, Arthur Hughes

About Anne Bronte, part two - The School Years

2011-12-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

Roe Head School, by Anne Bronte

Please be sure to read Part One

Anne must have been apprehensive that October day in 1835 when she arrived at Roe Head School. Described as rambling, roomy, and solid, it was her first time away from home and its surroundings very different.

There were never more than twelve pupils throughout the two years Anne studied there and the building must at times have felt very solitary.

It became rumored by the students, that if you stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the third floor, which wasn't used (perhaps to economize) you could hear the rustling silk gown of a ghostly lady.

Margaret Wooler, headmistress
of Roe Head School

The headmistress, Margaret Wooler, was said to have a talent for instilling a love of learning in her pupils but it should also be noted that in her journals, Charlotte writes of the 'very unwilling pupils.' Regardless, where Emily had felt stifled, Anne persevered and adapted, she was even presented a medal for good conduct.

Charlotte was good friends with Miss Wooler, but it seems they differed during Anne's study there.This is pure speculation on my part: based on how Charlotte later reacts to Anne's writing, I think she underestimated her and that Miss Wooler saw Anne's aptitude. But they remained friends and she was one of the few attendants later at Charlotte's wedding.

The two sisters seem to have lead rather seperate lives at Roe Head and Anne made no close friends. During one of their Holidays, they were both been invited to the home of Anne's godmother, Mrs. Frank, and her Reverend husband James, less than five miles off in Huddersfield. It was a disappointment not to be able to go home to dear Haworth but Mrs. Frank was very kind.

Huddersfield Parish Church after its
reconstruction encouraged by Rev. Frank

Amelia Walker of Lascelles Hall whom Charlotte studied with also lived in the area and invited the sisters to visit, it was Anne's first experience of the privileged class and here she was not in the shadow society placed on a governess.

The town had new Calvanist and Methodist churches in the area, outshining the Parish church with its crumbling roof. The Rev. Frank set in motion a complete re-construction of the church and when the Bronte's arrived work was underway.

Upon their return to Roe Head Anne began suffering from Religious turmoil. It's possible she may have heard some of the Calvanist doctrines during her stay in Huddersfield which perturbed her, so different were they from her Anglican upbringing; the idea that salvation is only for an elect few and the un-elected are shown no mercy.

James La Trobe when he later
became a Bishop

It was a Morovian Minister, James La Trobe, who helped Anne through this crisis. Reminding her of God's love for fallen humanity and of Salvation. He found her well read in the Bible and they conversed as equals despite the sixteen year age gap.

Anne had been experiencing difficulty breathing and by late 1837 her health was deteriorating. Concerned, Charlotte wrote to her father about Anne's decline and during the December holiday they traveled home.

Patrick decided to withdraw his daughter from the school and she spent the next year recovering.

Sources:

"Anne Brontë - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Bront%C3%AB.

"Calvinism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2011.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvinism

Chitham, Edward. A life of Anne Brontë. Oxford, UK: B. Blackwell, 1991. Print.

Florence, and Marie .. "Margaret Wooler : Les Brontë à Paris." Les Brontë à Paris. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. http://brontefrance.hautetfort.com/archive/2010/06/17/margaret-wooler.html.

Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn. The life of Charlotte Brontë. Champaign, Ill.: Project Gutenberg, 199. Print.

Michael, Armitage. "At Roe Head and Blake Hall." Commence Countdown.... N.p., 26 June 1999. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. http://mick-armitage.staff.shef.ac.uk/anne/cast-2.html. *scans of Anne Bronte's artwork

"Yorkshire." The Sikes/Sykes Families Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. http://sikes-sykesfamilies.rootsweb.com/yorkphotos.htm. *scan of Huddersfield Church

Upcoming Event - An Austen Soiree

2011-12-02T22:23:00.000-08:00

You are all cordially invited by Maria Grazia, me, and an exciting array of twenty-nine authors and bloggers to celebrate the 236th birthday of the estimable Miss Jane Austen.

Join us, December 16th

Clifton Assembly Room, by Rolinda Sharples

There will be two gifts at each location, one for Jane, and one, possibly, for you! Each location will be hosting a giveaway. Please be sure to read the details of how to enter and the rules on their respective sites.

Your Hosts

Maria Grazia of My Jane Austen Book Club & me here at November’s Autumn

Participants

Alyssa Goodnight
Austen Authors
Austenprose, Laurel Ann Nattress
Brant Flakes, Marilyn Brant
Choc Lit Authors’ Corner, Juliet Archer
The Fiction vs. Reality Smackdown, Karen Doornebos
First Draft, Cindy Jones
The Heroine’s Bookshelf, Erin Blakemore
Jane Austen Brazil, Adriana Zardini
The Jane Austen Film ClubJenny Allworthy
Jane Austen SequelsJane Odiwe
Jane Started It! Laura Hile, Susan Kaye, Pamela Aidan, and Barbara Cornthwaite
Jane Austen in Vermont, Deb
Jennifer Becton
Kaitlin Saunders
Mesmered’s Blog, Prue Batten
O! Beauty Unattempted, Emily Snyder
One Literature Nut, Becky Rhodehouse
Patrice Sarath
Pemberley Variations, Abigail Reynolds
Reading, Writing, Working, Playing, Jane Greensmith
Regency Sketches, Farida Mestek
Regina Jeffers
El Salón de Té de Jane
SemiTrue Stories, C. Allyn Pierson
Sharon Lathan
Stiletto Storytime, Courtney Webb
Urban Girl Takes Vermont, Vera Nazarian
vvb32 reads, Velvet

Back to the Classics Challenge

2011-11-24T11:38:00.001-08:00

There is another lovely challenge in the book blogging world which I first heard through Jillian from A Room of One's Own. It's being hosted by Sarah at Sarah Reads Too Much, I love how she's created categories to help encourage variety.

If you've already joined my Classics Challenge, please think about also joining hers too. We're happy for everyone to read the same books for both.

A list isn't required but I've created one:

19th Century Classic: The Warden by Anthony Trollope

With Trollope's bicentenary coming up in 2015 I hope to get a head-start on reading his novels. I did watch some of the Barchester Chronicles series staring Alan Rickman and Susan Hampshire a few years back, but remember very little. The Warden is the first book in a series of six.

20th Century Classic: Howards End by E.M. Forster

Looking forward to reading this famous work by Forster

Reread a classic of your choice: Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

I plan to listen to Agnes Grey through Naxos production of it, I've 'read' very few audio books: Gaskell's Cranford and Heyer's Sylvester.

A Classic Play: A Month in the Country by Ivan Turgenev

I choose this one partly because I enjoyed Turgenev's Rudin and want to read more of his works in future, including his more famous novel Fathers and Sons. The other reason is because Frederick Ashton choreographed a ballet based on the play, and although I haven't seen it, I'm curious to know more about the story.

Classic Mystery: Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Next to Wilkie Collins, whose Woman in White I plan to read, Braddon was considered the other great Victorian 'sensational' novelist. 'Sensational' in this sense meaning mystery.

Classic Romance: Sylvia's Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell

I love Elizabeth Gaskell's writing and have yet to read this one. Unlike her other novels which are set during her time period this one is during the Napoleonic Wars.

Translated Classic: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (from French)

This has been on my TBR list since I saw the adaptation of Dumas' famous novel staring Gerard Depardieu a few years back.

Classic Award Winner: The Man of Property by John Galsworthy

Galsworthy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature in 1932. The Man of Property is the first book of his series The Forsyte Saga.

An 'Fantasy-Land' Classic: The Complete Poems by Emily Jane Bronte

A great many of them are tales of Gondal, an invented island in the North Pacific.

My List for A Classics Challenge

2011-11-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

I'm hosting A Classics Challenge, the following are the list of books I plan to read for it:

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Considered one of the first mystery novels. I have the annotated B&N edition on my Nook and after reading Rebecca's review of it feel it's time to read it.

The Professor and re-read of Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Villette was drawn from Bronte's experiences but it was written later in her life and the overall tone darker and somber. I'm curious to see how she approaches her first novel The Professor, which deals with the similar theme of unrequited love and if there will be parallels between the characters of Villette's John Graham and the Professor or if he will be more similar to Monsieur Emannuel.

Middlemarch by George Eliot

I started Middlemarch a few years ago but another book caught my fancy and it was set aside. As Mrs. Gaskell's female contemporary, I'm finding myself intrigued by Eliot. They are often compared with each other and I've learnt a few things about her through my research of Gaskell.
I've seen and enjoyed Daniel Deronda, Silas Marner, Adam Bede, and Middlemarch; so I'm very much looking forward to delving into her writing.

The Absentee by Maria Edgeworth

Edgeworth has the connection of being Jane Austen's favorite writer and as if that isn't enough to tempt me to read her works she is also connected to the maternal family of Mrs. Gaskell.

Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

Excepting Mugby Junction I've not read any Dickens. I received a copy of Little Dorrit as a birthday gift last year and loved the mini-series staring Matthew Macfadyen and Claire Foy; it seems a good one to start with. But, I must admit, I had a very hard time choosing between Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, and Our Mutual Friend.

Loorna Doone R.D. Blakemore

Adventurous and romantic, it just sounds like such an interesting read.

Announcing: A Classics Challenge

2011-11-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

The Challenge

Read seven works of Classic Literature in 2012
Only three of the seven may be re-reads

How Does it Work?

I've organized this challenge to work a little like a blog hop. I hope this will make it more interactive and enjoyable for everyone.

Instead of writing a review as you finish each book (of course, you can do that too), visit November's Autumn on the 4th of each month from January 2012 - December 2012.

You will find a prompt, it will be general enough that no matter which Classic you're reading or how far into it, you will be able to answer. There will be a form for everyone to link to their post. I encourage everyone to read what other participants have posted.

What if I'm not sure I can participate every month? Don't worry, the main goal is to read seven Classics. Try to participate in at least three prompts throughout the year
What if I'm still reading the same book as last month? That's ok!
What if I'm not reading something for this challenge during one of the months? You can choose to either skip that prompt or answer about the Classic you've most recently read.
What is considered a Classic? A work that transcends time. Usually it's well recognized but there are many lesser-known gems too.

Join the Challenge

Anyone who loves to read and has a blog is invited

You can join at anytime

Write a post on your blog with a list of the seven works you hope to read in 2012 and why you chose them-- but don't feel bound by the list.
Please include a link back to this page in your post, so others can learn about the challenge and join us.
Fill out the form at the bottom, linking to your post.
Check back on the 4th of each month.

If you need a little help choosing what
to read Wikipedia has a few lists here.

If you have any questions please let me know!
My Reading List

Participants

Illustrated Austen

2011-10-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

My first copy of Pride and Prejudice was this beautiful pocket-sized Collector's Library edition. The dust-jacket concealed its dark red cloth-binding and gold lettering.

But what enchanted me most, apart from Jane's prose, were the illustrations by Hugh Thomson. They were delightful; he captures the personalities of the characters and each piece is so detailed.

I wasn't surprised to learn he was a prominent Victorian illustrator and apart from creating works for all six of Austen's novels he also did so for Mrs. Gaskell's Cranford, among many others. Julie Wakefield of AustenOnly has a wonderful post with more about him.

A scene from Ch. 10

In honor of Sense and Sensibility's bicentenary, Palazzo is releasing this beautiful edition which includes eleven color plates and twenty-one silhouettes by Niroot Puttapipat, who is perhaps my favorite contemporary artist.

I've been following his artwork for quite a few years now through DeviantArt and remember how delighted I was when he posted his illustrations for the Folio Society's editions of Austen. I love the way he uses color and the dynamic compositions of each plate.

As a child in his native Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, Niroot shared his time between drawing, devouring books, and playing out stories, leading to a lifelong interest in art, literature, history and the natural world. He studied Illustration at Kingston University... learn more.

I know what I must add to my library collection come January 2012.
The UK edition is already available.

How do you feel about illustrated Classics? Who are some of your favorite artists?

About Anne Bronte, part one - Upbringing

2011-10-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

74 Market Street in Thornton, the birthplace of Anne
Photo © Paul Glazzard

Born January 17, 1820 Anne was the youngest of the Bronte family. Her Irish father, Patrick, came from a humble peasant background but rose through self-education until he won a place at St. John's College in Cambridge where he studied the ministry. Her mother Maria Bramwell came from a comfortable merchant family and after the death of her parents had gone to help her Aunt Jane and Uncle John at a new Methodist school, Woodhouse Grove [photo]. Patrick Bronte was invited to serve as an examiner at the school. His determination and intelligence and her industrious nature struck a chord with each-other and they married three months later.

Their family is something of a literary legend. They had six children, Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Bramwell, Emily, and Anne. Shortly after Anne's birth the Rev. Bronte took a stable position as perpetual curate of Haworth Parsonage. Among the wild landscape they settled into what remained their home for life albeit one where they would experience many hardships. The first being the illness of their mother, it's believed she suffered from cancer.

Her sister Elizabeth came to nurse her and help the family. The Rev. must have been tormented at the possibility of losing all his family when the children contracted Scarlet Fever. They survived, but their mother did not. Aunt Elizabeth was a stern lady who seemed to have rarely shown tenderness to any except Anne, who was her favorite. Perhaps this would played a role in the friction Charlotte seemed to harbor over Anne.

Haworth Parsonage, the Bronte home
Photo © Daily Mail

In 1824 the four elder daughters were sent to school in Lancashire. Maria and Elizabeth contracted TB and died of consumption. The Rev. quickly removed Charlotte and Emily from the school and decided to educate them at home for the time being. The loss of her sisters must have been a shock although she couldn't fully understand it, being only four. It affected Charlotte and Emily deeply. But she was an astute little girl, it's said one day when her father asked her what a child wanted most she answered "age and experience."

The moors near Haworth
Photo © Rob Glover

One year Bramwell was given a set of toy soldiers, which they named the twelves and created a country in Africa called Angria. Creating maps and watercolors of landscapes. They invented characters and stories of the people who lived there. When Anne was about eleven she and Emily broke away from Angria and created another place, Gondal. The two were inseparable:

... bound up in their lives and interests like twins. The former from reserve, the latter from timidity, avoided all friendships and intimacies beyond their sisters. Emily was impervious to influence; she never came in contact with public opinion, and her own decision of what was right and fitting was a law for her conduct and appearance, with which she allowed no one to interfere. Her love was poured out on Anne, as Charlotte's was on her. - Elizabeth Gaskell's The Life of Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte in turn spent much time with Bramwell, but was then sent to Roe Head school where she later became a teacher, her salary mostly paying for Emily to now study there. It was a hard transition for Emily. As her writing later implied she was a person of extreme emotions and the turmoil of her homesickness made her physically ill. She was brought back home and Anne sent in her place.

Please Read Part Two

Pacific Northwest Ballet, All Wheeldon

2011-10-09T06:03:00.000-07:00

Seth Orza and Carla Korbes in Carousel
© Angela Sterling

Christopher Wheeldon is considered by many as the most original and talented choreographer of the preset day. The Pacific Northwest Ballet under the direction of Peter Boal recently presented a program devoted to four of his works called All Wheeldon. It features:

Carousel
After the Rain, the pas de deux
Polyphonia
Variations Serieuses

Carousel is a short work originally created for the Richard Rogers centenary celebration in 2002, based on the musical it hints at the story of Billy and Julie.

The set is understated; a backdrop and carnival lights above that change color throughout the dance. The costumes have clean lines and vibrant shades. Amid the simplicity movements and emotions are the focus.

It opens with playful choreography and cartwheels then transitions into a romantic pas de deux and ends with, what for me was the most moving moment, the dancers creating a carousel, the effect is truly stunning! In an interview shown with Christopher Wheeldon he mentioned when originally choreographing the dance, the budget was very limited so he used choreography to create the set.

Corps de Ballet in Carousel © Angela Sterling

After the Rain was next. The ballet is two sequences, the rainstorm and this pas de deux, which was featured by itself in the program.

It's presentation is more modern than I'm used to but the music is wonderfully touching (Spiegel im Spiegel by Arvo Part) and there are many striking poses. Although abstract it has a very earthy feel, I had the impression some of the poses imitated nature.

Kaori Nakamura in Polyphonia
© Angela Sterling

Polyphonia is quirky, with long lines, and dashes of comic movements. It's set to the complex piano music of György Ligeti. There are a variety of moods within the different sets of choreography and music.

I really enjoyed Carousel but am undecided on Polyphonia, particularly the 'eyes wide shut' pas de deux and the sequence of four, but I loved the lyrical 'wedding dance' solo and the playful piece danced by Kaori Nakamura and Benjamin Griffiths.

Variation Serieuses is a funny story-ballet. Cleverly staged as though we are watching everything from the wings and the dancers are performing to an 'audience' off at another part of the stage.

There is the 'stereotypical' prima ballerina in a huge pink romantic tutu who makes a great deal of fuss. The ballet master who desperately tries to appease her tantrums and get on with the show, the male lead, a great dancer, who must put up with the ballerinas antics.

After a somewhat clumsy male dancer, who stepped on the ballerina's foot earlier, fails to catch her she falls into the orchestra pit injuring her foot. (Might I add, he shouldn't be blamed for her calamitous jumping ability).

But the show is saved by a talented and unpretentious corps de ballet dancer who gets her first taste of stardom, but the story goes full circle and she's becomes the ballerina.

Polyphonia © Angela Sterling

Final Thoughts Wheeldon has a talent for creating choreography that is unique and he isn't afraid of putting a little humor into his work, as also shown in his recent production of Alice and Wonderland for the Royal ballet where the Queen of Hearts imitates the famous rose adagio from in her own dreadful way.

His style is very modern and energetic. I'm very much used to the Classic Romantic style of ballet but I think its good to have experienced a different vision.

I end with a video from another abstract piece by Wheeldon that wasn't featured in the program but I came across on YouTube and liked:

Reading Anne Bronte's Tenant of Wildfell Hall

2011-09-18T02:18:00.001-07:00

I'd read Anne Bronte's Agnes Grey about four years ago and I remember being struck at something about her style, the way she fleshed out the characters, and penned the story; I found I enjoyed her writing more than that of her famous sister Charlotte (Emily I cannot say as I haven't read her, but knowing the premise of Wuthering Heights, I think I can say it's probably more passionate and tumultuous than I would like).

I've just started reading her other work, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It's told by the point of view of one of the characters, Mr. Markham. A newcomer to the village Mrs. Graham and her son are a bit of a mystery. She is proud and reserved and at first Mr. Markham takes a strong dislike of her but as he knows her better he finds she is intelligent and opinionated and enjoys her conversation.

As I read I'll be posting a few thoughts and quotes. The one below I found very reminiscent of Austen:

I will just touch upon two other persons whom I have mentioned, and then bring this long letter to a close. These are Mrs. Wilson and her daughter. The former was the widow of a substantial farmer, a narrow-minded, tattling old gossip, whose character is not worth describing...

Have you read Anne Bronte? What did you think?

Brief thoughts halfway through Mansfield Park

2011-08-14T03:13:00.001-07:00

Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility have always been my favorites of Austen but now I find them being surpassed by Mansfield Park. The complexity of the characters is intriguing.

Fanny Price, called ‘insipid’ by Austen’s own mother, is the forgotten character through the first half of the novel, passive and gentle; she sits in the background but with the return of Sir Thomas and Henry Crawford’s infatuated attentions we start to see the layers of her character and emotions.

Painting: Florence Dombey in Captain Cuttle's Parlour by William Maw Egley

Featured Artwork: In the Theatre Box, by Franz Xavier Simm

2011-08-14T03:10:00.001-07:00

Painting: In the Theatre Box, by Franz Xaver Simm

The way the light from the stage is reflected in the central couple of the painting draws our eyes to them; the girls father is rather circumspect but the curve of his mouth makes me imagine him clearing his throat or stamping his stick at any moment. But who is the sister to the left gazing at across the way? I love the detail of the youngest looking through her opera spyglass at the people down below.

Featured Artwork: Die Siickerin, by Franz Xaver Simm

2011-08-14T03:06:00.001-07:00

Painting: Die Siickerin, by Franz Xaver Simm

I love the different patterns, colors, and textures in this paining; the lace on her fingerless gloves and cap, the tapestry, the trim around on the frock; all the small details.

Featured Artwork: The Fair Toxophilites, by William Powell Frith

2011-08-14T03:03:00.001-07:00

Painting: The Fair Toxophilites by William Powell Frith

This reminds me of the archery tournament scene in George Eliot’s Daniel Deronda.
Toxophilite: a devotee of archery; archer

Featured Artwork - The Ball, by James Tissot

2011-08-14T03:01:00.001-07:00

Painting: The Ball by James Tissot

I love the way the bustle on her frock leads the eye into the photo and the rich, warm hues of cream and yellow that are used. One also wonders who or what has caught her eye?

Featured Artwork: Girl Reading, by Alfred Émile Stevens

2011-06-04T02:59:00.000-07:00

Painting: Girl Reading by Alfred Émile Stevens

She’s comfortably stepped into the world of the book, which had been beckoning from the table next to her while she knitted. I like how the yarn on the table is disheveled, I believe it was quite rare for Victorian painters to show something messy when it came to the middle-class, which gives this painting a look of a candid moment. And the way the yarn ball on the floor seems to have rolled off her lap as she immersed herself in the novel.

Comparing Pride & Prejudice with North & South - Theme: Social Prejudice Part 2

2011-04-19T14:17:00.001-07:00

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South have often been compared to each-other but within their very general similarities are also great colorings and shades, making them distinct novels written by two very admirable writers.

Click Here to Read Part 1, Gaskell's North and South - Social Prejudice

Part 2, Austen's Pride and Prejudice - Social Prejudice

Prejudice: a. unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, esp. of a hostile nature, regarding a racial, religious, or national group.
b. an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.

Exploring Darcy's Prejudice

The prejudices between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are of a different kind. Socially, they're not equals but they are part of the same class.

The Georgians, like their Victorian predecessors thought money earned rather than inherited as tainted by the stain of trade.

Neither Mr. Darcy's nor Eliza's immediate family work; they are both of the genteel class. But their statuses within that class are very different.

"In marrying your nephew, I should not consider myself as quitting that sphere. He is a gentleman ; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are equal."

"True. You are a gentleman's daughter. But who was your mother ? Who are your uncles and aunts ? Do not not imagine me ignorant of their condition."

Mr. Collins is prone to exaggeration, but when he describes Mr. Darcy as 'one of the most illustrious personages in this land' he is not too far off. Darcy has inherited aristocratic blood (his mother was the daughter of an Earl), enormous wealth, the grand estate of Pemberley, and is a man of education and intelligence.

Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections? To congratulate myself on the hope of relations, whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath my own?

Despite it's arrogance, his remark, in a Georgian era mind-set, is justified. Most gentleman of comparable rank would think the same-- they wouldn't have said it but in the heat of his frustration and mixed emotions perhaps we can forgive him.

The question is: do his actions prove he really thinks this? His friendships suggests otherwise.

Charles Bingley's father accrued his wealth through trade and Charles is the first generation to live as a gentleman of leisure, with no profession. His income is half that of Darcy's. When a young boy Darcy played with George Wickham, the son of his steward.

Had Wickham not become dissipated they still would be friends. It's Wickham's change of behavior that makes Darcy break his friendship and it's Bingley's amiable manners that lead to their friendship.

The situation of your mother's family, though objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself, by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your father.

It's not the person's rank or wealth that Darcy considers but their behavior; His disdain at the Meryton Assembly, his reserved and sometimes short remarks to Caroline Bingley, his cutting of Wickham, his attempt at disentangling Bingley from marrying into the Bennet's-- the reasons behind all these are behavior; irresponsible, bad manners, rudeness.

He has exacting standards which explains his proud demeanor. Like Elizabeth he's found:

The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it

Darcy may have been brought up within the rules of society, to think himself above others, but he's not confined to them and uses his own judgment of people's characters.

Book Review: The Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig

2011-04-03T06:47:00.001-07:00

Book Review 1/5 for the Historical Reading Challenge

Eloise Kelly, a modern day Harvard student, is researching for her dissertation, trying to discover the mysterious identity of the Pink Carnation. The story unfolds as she reads letters belonging to the Selwick family-- despite the many protests of the impossible and infuriating Colin.

The French Revolution tore Amy Balcourt's family apart. Living in England with relatives she dreams of joining the league of the Purple Gentian-- successor to the Scarlet Pimpernel. But with Amy's heedless way of rushing into things could she really be a good spy? Accompanied by her level-headed cousin Jane and their chaperon, Miss Gwen, who unflinchingly gives Napoleon Bonaparte a good set-down, they voyage across the channel, meeting the English Lord Richard Selwick along the way.

Dashing and debonair with his sparkling green eyes; we understand his reputation as the Purple Gentian, his intelligence and cunning in besting Napoleon but we miss his greatest escapades! I would have loved to be in the action as he gathered intelligence in Egypt, helping Nelson to victory in the Battle of the Nile.

The dramatic irony is that only we know he's the Purple Gentian (shh!) and Amy, in the dark throughout most of the novel, gets into some very serious scrapes. Including a fervent dislike for the actual man, who she thinks is just a scholar of Egyptian antiquities with no heart towards the sufferings of France or perils of England.

The novel focuses mainly on the romance between Amy and Richard; He is irresponsibly distracted by Amy. Their repartee is similar to what you'd find in Georgette Heyer's work but unlike Heyer, the romance isn't chaste and I felt that really took away from the novel.

Amy is a split character; A bundle of energy, somewhat childish, and unobservant. Throws herself wholeheartedly into things, often without thinking. Well-read, versed in Latin and Greek, determined, and shows glimmers of intelligence. The inconsistency in her character is very human but as the heroine, I found her too immature I didn't admire her.

If the romance had been toned down, more character development brought out, especially on the villain who seemed rather flat and deranged rather than menacing, plus more adventure, it would have been a fabulously entertaining combination. The transitions between the two stories (present day and Napoleonic era) helped build tension but otherwise, didn't make that much of a contribution. The premise was so promising and Lauren Willig has a way with words and adds dashes of wit, but The Secret History of the Pink Carnation was overall disappointing.

Book Rating:

The B&N Nook

2011-03-27T02:56:00.001-07:00

To those of us who love to read these little tablets have either piqued curiosity or something akin to indignation. Drawn to being able to access hundreds Classics, both rare and well-known, I decided to purchase a Nook.

I find, as I’m immersed in the novel the device fades away; I'm in the world of the writer. The pushing of a button doesn’t hinder the trip any more than the turn of a page and while at 11.6 oz (I have the wi-fi only version) it may be slightly heavier than some paperbacks, portable technology always becomes lighter and thinner with time. If you’re used to reading hardcover books, you’ll love the change.

Some great features are being able to alter the font style and size and access to the dictionary as you're reading, you just highlight the word in question and press 'look up.' While I've yet to travel with it, I'm sure it's wonderful to bring a mini-library of books with you.

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But there are some things that still make me go back to a printed book:

From Cassandra and Jane by Jill Pitkeathley

I’m a very visual person and I love well-designed books, with a beautiful cover and details on the spine. A suggestion at bringing more design to an eBook? A pattern along the top or side of the page, similar to the image on the right.

I miss turning that very last page and shutting the novel, it’s something very mundane, but such a nice feeling! While the Nook does have a small bar that shows your progress, there’s nothing special when you’ve finished, you’re simply at that last page.

On my Nook, I find myself reading four or five books at once and not finishing them, with printed copies I read one at a time.

.How has it affected my patronage of bookshops? Before I used to borrow from the library and purchase favorites for my small collection. I still do the same, but have my Nook too!

What have I read on my Nook?

Wives and Daughters by: Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South by: Elizabeth Gaskell
The Moorland Cottageby: Elizabeth Gaskell
Thirty-Nine Steps by: John Buchan

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Do you have an eReader? How has it changed your reading habits? What improvements do you hope for?

Jane Eyre and Book Covers

2011-02-25T11:37:00.001-08:00

In anticipation for the theatrical release of Jane Eyre in March I want to re-read the novel, I have it on my nook but want to buy a printed copy.

This penguin 'couture classics' edition features the art of fashion illustrator Reuben Toledo, whose style I recognized from Nordstrom's promotional images. The artist seems to focus on shapes and forms; it's interesting to note how the layers of Jane's cloak plays off the curves in the pathway to Thornfield. Thornfield itself looks like a haunted house and the erratic font style really emphasizes the Gothic elements of Jane Eyre an interesting and well thought-out cover but not to my taste.

Despite the old adage, I like the books in my collection to have interesting covers; and I like covers to say something about the story. The current trend seems to be patterns and minimal colors, but can designs tell us what happens in a book? Perhaps.

The edition to the right is from White's Books. The swirling purple wind gives the feel of emotion and drama. To an American audience orange and black will make us think of Halloween, a much subtler Gothic hint. The purple? I think of heather on the moors. Only three of the flowers are in full bloom, do they represent three central characters?

The overall look is wild and untame; suitable for a Bronte. The classic look with added annotations and analysis also makes me really like the Collector's library edition. Which will be in my library? It could end up being a completely different edition.

As I Begin Re-reading Sense and Sensiblity

2011-01-18T11:46:00.001-08:00

Now here at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

It's been more than five years since I've read one of my favorites, Sense and Sensibility, and even though I know it's storyline so well, reading it still has the wonderful fresh quality that time and genius lends. Austen has such an understated narrative skill to sketch out a character in just a few lines:

Marianne's abilities were, in many respects, quite equal to Elinor's. She was sensible and clever; but eager in everything; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation. She was generous, amiable, interesting: she was everything but prudent. The resemblance between her and her mother was strikingly great.

Georgian & Regency Art

2011-01-12T16:00:00.001-08:00

Portrait of Henrietta Vernon, by Thomas Gainsborough. 1766-67

Something about her smirk and her last name of 'Vernon' puts me in mind of Austen's Lady Susan.

Jane Austen's Clerical Brothers: Rev. Henry Austen

2011-01-11T10:22:00.001-08:00

Now here at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

Henry Austen went to St. John's in Oxford, with his brother James. The two were able to enter by acquiring scholarships; the college was founded by Sir Thomas White in the 16th century and they claimed kinship to him through their mother. Although he studied to enter the church he enlisted in the militia after graduating and served in Oxfordshire for a number of years.

Afterward he settle in London and set up a bank: Austen, Maunde & Tilson. Jane was very fond of Henry and came to stay with him for a time. He did his best to spoil her: taking her to art galleries, the theatre, and indulging her. His neighbors included the Tilsons, and Mr. Haden and he was often in company his extended family the Cooke's. When the war with France ended his financial affairs took a downfall; he went bankrupt.

At fourty-five he started over again, going to Oxford to become an ordained curate. His brother Edward suggested the living at Chawton, but the Rev. John Papillon was currently there so they offered him compensation. After a little disagreement as to the value of the living, Henry settled in. Jane wrote in a letter to her nephew James Edward:

Uncle Henry writes very superior sermons. You and I must try to get hold of one or two and put them into our novels-- it would be a fine help to a volume.

When the Austen's glamorous cousin Eliza de Feuillide arrived from France there was bit of sibling rivalry between James and Henry as they vied for her attention but it was Henry who charmed her in the end and they married.

St. Nicholas - Chawton Church © Henry Lawford

What makes him truly endearing is what he did for Jane and for us. He was her literary agent and through his business connections helped get her published.

Sources

Collins, Irene. Jane Austen and the Clergy. London: Hambledon, 1994. Print.

Nattress, Laurel Ann. “Jane Austen’s Siblings – Rev. Henry Thomas Austen 1771-1850.” Austenprose. Web. 10 Jan. 2011. <http://austenprose.com/2009/10/06/jane-austen%E2%80%99s-siblings-%E2%80%93-rev-henry-thomas-austen-1771-1850/>.

Georgian & Regency Art Thursday

2010-12-28T16:26:00.001-08:00

Portrait of Miss Frances Vinicomber, by John Opie. 1790s.

How Jane Austen has Enriched my Life - Happy Birthday Jane Austen Blog Tour

2010-12-15T16:00:00.001-08:00

Thank you for joining me and my fellow bloggers on this fourth stop of the Jane Austen Blog Party.

I've always loved reading since I was little, even then my favorite genre's were Historical Fiction and Classics. I remember reading the Dear America series, Standing in the Light and When Will This Cruel War Be Over? have stood out all these years later so they must have been my favorites. Lucy Maud Montgomery and her stories of Anne, Emily, and Pat were others and Harper Lee's fantastic novel but, apart from Shakespeare, I hadn't really started reading the English Classics.

I'd heard of Jane Austen but it wasn't until 2006 that I found myself watching the 1980s version of Pride and Prejudice. Loving the story and characters I went out to purchase the novel. I was lucky in finding a Collector's Library edition, which was small enough to carry around with me and beautifully illustrated by Hugh Thompson. Pride and Prejudice is a delight. Now, having read at least a dozen sequels of it, even though I may sigh and wish it was not quite so prominent in the Austenesque book market, I go back, read the story, and remember why it is.

I love wit of Eliza Bennet and Mr. Darcy's ardor for her, the humor of Henry Tilney, the patience of Fanny Price, and the foibles of Emma. But my favorites remain Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility.

Austen also made me a connoisseur of British Period Drama, for of course, one must watch all the Austen adaptations available. Which in turn led me to find the world's of Gaskell, Eliot, Dickens, Bronte, Galsworthy, Hardy, and many others. I have a great appreciation for the BBC and British actors and the many hours of wonderful entertainment I've received from them.

Broadening my horizons further I was inspired by the many great Austen blogs such as AustenProse, AustenOnly, Jane Austen's World, and Jane Austen in Vermont to start this blog, November's Autumn. I've met many wonderful new friends including Laurel Ann of AustenProse who I learnt was a neighbor! And was introduced to the works of more charming authors such as the entertaining Georgette Heyer and enlightening Amanda Vickery.

And it all started with Jane Austen.

Thank you dear authoress and Happy Birthday!

Giveaway Ended, winner announced at My Jane Austen Book Club.

Charlotte Brontë's Villette and Coincidences

2010-12-03T02:35:00.001-08:00

With the anticipation of the new Jane Eyre coming to theaters in the Spring and reading Governess by Ruth Brandon, Charlotte Brontë's Villette has been on my mind lately. It's been a few years since I've read it, but a fragment has always stayed with me, I remembered it as 'happiness is not a potato one can cultivate,' the actual dialogue (between Lucy Snowe and Dr. John) is:

Happiness is the cure - a cheerful mind the preventive: cultivate both."

No mockery in this world ever sounds to me so hollow as that of being told to cultivate happiness. What does such advice mean? Happiness is not a potato, to be planted in mould, and tilled with manure. Happiness is a glory shining far down upon us out of Heaven. She is a divine dew which the soul, on certain of its summer mornings, feels dropping upon it from the amaranth bloom and golden fruitage of Paradise.

"Cultivate happiness!" I said briefly to the doctor: "do you cultivate happiness? How do you manage?"

"I am a cheerful fellow by nature: and then ill-luck has never dogged me. Adversity gave me and my mother one passing scowl and brush, but we defied her, or rather laughed at her, and she went by.".

"There is no cultivation in all this."

"I do not give way to melancholy."

The heroine Lucy Snowe is a sullen character and very secretive. Emma Woodhouse would think Jane Fairfax quite open in comparison to the reserve of Lucy Snowe. But it is not her reserve that frustrates me, it's her melancholic temperament. By cultivating happiness I think Dr. John means to be optimistic when adversity comes your way; doing the best to choose your reaction to situations. To take pleasure in the little things and not let things you can't control upset you too much; the time will pass and you'll be a stronger person at the end of it. Think of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and how differently Elinor and Marianne chose to react towards their disappointment in love.

It's an interesting psychological read, I used to criticize it for it's many coincidences. While I was reading it I always thought of Anna Maxwell Martin as the perfect actress for Lucy Snowe, perhaps partly because I'd watched Bleak House around that time and thought she did a lovely portrayal of Ester Summerson. Imagine my surprise today when doing a little research on Villette I come across a BBC Radio 4 production of it read by... Anna Maxwell Martin. It seems coincidences and Villette go hand in hand!

Jane Austen and Gloves

2010-11-13T06:06:00.001-08:00

While shopping for some nice gloves for Winter I came across a lovely little pair made by a company I hadn't heard of before, Fownes. It was founded in the Georgian era (1777) in Worcester, England.

My first thought was could Jane Austen have worn a pair made by this company? If not perhaps she wore Dents? Another company founded the same year and in the same county.

Two of Worcester's most famous gloving firms, Dent Allcroft and Co Ltd. and Fownes Gloves Ltd. survived by reorganizing their workforce, introducing a factory system and improving the overall quality of the products.

There were many different fashionable lengths for gloves in the Regency. Long elbow-length white gloves were worn for balls, Court, and formal dinners. Wrist-length gloves of any color were worn for almost every other occasion with the exception of riding, where gauntlet-length was used. Usually they were of satin or leather kid, a fine and soft goatskin or calfskin.

Sources

"Regency Accessories - Gloves." Austentation. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://austentation.tripod.com/gloves.html>.

"Spirit of Enterprise Exhibition - Glove Making." Worcester City Museums. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://www.worcestercitymuseums.org.uk/mag/spirit/spglov.htm#da>.

Character Analysis: George Wickham

2010-10-20T03:38:00.001-07:00

Jane Austen uses the character of George Wickham to set up the stage for pivotal points of the novel-- they are almost all in some way connected to him, to name a few:

Elizabeth's bad opinion and rejection of Mr. Darcy
Mr. Darcy's letter
Lizzy's development as a person in realizing her judgment isn't as clear as she thought
Lydia's 'elopement'

'Mad bad, and dangerous to know' his true character is veiled by:

...the best part of beauty, a fine countenance, a good figure, and very pleasing address... a happy readiness of conversation -- a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming

First, let us try to examine his motives in seeking Elizabeth. Certainly Lizzy was attractive with fine eyes and a lively disposition but she also, no doubt, had an astute look about her.

On reflection of the Darcy incident, Mr. Wickham must have been worried that someone noticed their reactions and he knew if anyone did it was Elizabeth Bennet. In that case he'd have to find out what her opinion is of Darcy and how he can manipulate it in his favor.

Mr. Wickham was the happy man towards whom almost every female eye was turned, and Elizabeth was the happy woman by whom he finally seated himself; and the agreeable manner in which he immediately fell into conversation, though it was only on its being a wet night, and on the probability of a rainy season, made her feel that the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the skill of the speaker.

Note that it's a subtle warning to the reader that he can make the weather an interesting topic; he is a charmer and can have people 'listening with all their heart' if relating something of true importance. Even Mr. Darcy's excellent father was taken in:

...My father was not only fond of this young man’s society, whose manners were always engaging, he had also the highest opinion of him.

Wickham is also gambler, as we learn later on in the novel, true, he wouldn't win very much at Mrs. Phillips party but I'd imagine even a few shillings or pounds would tempt Wickham.

The fact that he turns down whist and doesn't participate in the lottery tickets further implies he had a particular reason in speaking to Elizabeth and carefully leads the conversation:

He inquired how far Netherfield was from Meryton; and after receiving her answer, asked in an hesitating manner how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.

As he begins to spin his tale the reader is no doubt shocked at the hypocrisy and lies that are clearer upon a second reading :

I have no reason for avoiding him...

...I must have employment...

...There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law. A man of honour could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it

Perhaps the only honest sentences of his tale to Elizabeth are:

I have been a disappointed man, and my spirits will not bear solitude... I had forfeited all claim to it by extravagance, imprudence [of course he changes the context of this one and was nevertheless compensated for the living]......We [Darcy vs. Wickham] are very different sort of men

He is a man of 'vicious propensities and want of principle, which he was careful to guard' a chameleon in a red coat that proves a fatal attraction to foolish Lydia Bennet but if Elizabeth was taken perhaps we ought not be so condemning of poor Lydia.

Jane Austen's Clerical Brothers: Rev. James Austen

2010-10-05T17:00:00.001-07:00

Now at: novembersautumn.blogpsot.com

The eldest of the Austen children, James Austen was the first to be considered the writer of the family. He and his brother Henry to studied at Oxford. In 1787 he was ordained a deacon and held the curacy near Stoke Charity. It was a position that had very few duties and he was able to continue his studies at Oxford and visit his family.

He guided his sister Jane in what to read and created, edited, and wrote for a satirical weekly journal The Loiterer. It ran for a year but the cost of publishing outweighed the income from subscribers so it was brought to an end. It's believed that Jane contributed to the magazine, Issue no. 9; it certainly sounds like her:

I write this to inform you that you are very much out of my good graces, and that, if you do not mend your manners, I shall soon drop your acquaintance... your subjects are so badly chosen, that they never interest one. – Only conceive, in eight papers, not one sentimental story about love and honour... not one Eastern Tale full of Bashas and Hermits, Pyramids and Mosques – no, not even an allegory or dream have yet made their appearance in the Loiterer.

Why, my dear Sir – what do you think we care about the way in which Oxford men spend their time and money – we, who have enough to do to spend our own. For my part, I never, but once, was at Oxford in my life, and I am sure I never wish to go there again – They dragged me through so many dismal chapels, dusty libraries, and greasy halls, that it gave me the vapours for two days afterwards.

The Rev. James Austen,
color scan courtesy of
Julie at Austenonly

James wrote prologues and scripts for the entertainment of his family and when on holiday they would dramatize them in the barn. One year, in anticipation for the theatricals, Jane wrote a play called The Visit, which she dedicated to James but a new curacy position in Overton required his full attention and he was unable to make his usual visit.

One of his new duties was giving the service at Laverstock, it was there that he fell in love with Anne Mathew. She was the daughter of the retired General Edward Mathews, whose illustrious career included the capture of Fort Washington in 1776 and and the position of military Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies. He was described as the inspiration for General Tilney of Northanger Abbey but is also said to have been:

Generous, and full of honors, kind and crestfallen, but with a bitter, stiff, dictatorial presence... [and a] very soft old veteran who loved his daughter... not at all avaricious, despite the fact that, unlike Tilney, he desperately needed money.

Jane Anna Elizabeth Lefroy nee Austen

James and Anne were married in 1792. Needing a nice home for them to start a family James applied to his father and he recieved the curacy of Deane, a comfortable living. They had a daughter a year later and named her Jane Anna Elizabeth. After the death of her mother in 1795 she stayed with her two Aunts Cassandra and Jane at Steventon for two years.

James' cousin, the enchanting Eliza de Feuillide caught his fancy but he grew impatient with her indecisive flirting and later married the sister of Jane Austen's best friend Martha Lloyd, Mary. They had James Edward, born in 1798, and Caroline, 1805.

He unexpectedly became the curate of Steventon when his father announced his intention of retiring to Bath, much to the shock of Jane Austen who is said to have fainted clean away, something our sensible Jane was not in the habit of doing:

Run mad as often as you chuse but do not faint

Perhaps with something of the indelicacy of Fanny Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility James' wife eagerly took over the home. When his father passed away he offered financial support for his mother and sisters. It seems that his intellectual aspirations were somewhat suppressed by his wife whose interests were more superficial and that he suffered a decline. Perhaps something of the changes observed in him by Jane is what brought this line to Persuasion:

A more equal match might have greatly improved him; and that a woman of real understanding might have given more consequence to his character, and more usefulness, rationality, and elegance to his habits and pursuits

He died two years after Jane Austen at the age of fifty-four and was buried at Steventon as he requested,

... Buried in the plainest possible way consistent with decency in the Churchyard at Steventon.

Sources:

"Austen Family." Jane Austen Centre. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <http://www.janeausten.co.uk/magazine/page.ihtml?pid=545&step=4>.

Collins, Irene. Jane Austen and the Clergy. London: Hambledon, 1994. Print.

"First Foot Guards Officers 1776." Redcoats Boston Reenactment. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <http://footguards.tripod.com/08HISTORY/08_officers1776.htm>.

Nattress, Laurel Ann. "Jane Austen’s Siblings - Rev. James Austen 1765-1819." Austenprose. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. <http://austenprose.com/2009/10/05/jane-austen’s-siblings-–-rev-james-austen-1765-1819/>.

Jane Austen’s Paradox of Names: The Fanny’s

2010-09-30T09:00:00.001-07:00

Fanny Dashwood is one of the more spiteful characters in Austen's work, her only competitor being Mrs. Norris, which in itself says a lot.

No sooner was his father's funeral over, than Mrs. John Dashwood, without sending any notice of her intention to her mother-in-law, arrived with her child and their attendants. No one could dispute her right to come; the house was her husband's from the moment of his father's decease

This lack of delicacy also suggests, as many adaptations have portrayed, that she directly began making changes in the household. I can imagine her little slights that the delicate and sensitive Mrs. Dashwood (her mother-in-law) must have felt keenly such as 'we'll be running things very differently.'

As if it wasn't enough to take possession of their home when the Dashwoods leave she laments the loss of some of the furniture.

Mrs. John Dashwood saw the packages depart with a sigh; she could not help feeling it hard that as Mrs. Dashwood's income would be so trifling in comparison with their own, she should have any handsome article of furniture.

One also cannot forget the serious offense of her manipulating her weak husband and ensure he doesn't support his half-sisters and step-mother, despite that he gave a solemn promise to his father that he would.

On the subject of her brother she has the good wishes and hope that he:

"make a fine figure in the world in some manner or other... to get him into parliament, or to see him connected with some of the great men of the day... but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche"

Some key adjectives to describe Fanny Dashwood

Domineering
Ruthless
Greedy
Selfish
Material

Fanny Price on the other hand is a gentle soul. She appreciates the beauty of nature and poetry:

“Cut down an avenue! What a pity! Does it not make you think of Cowper? ‘Ye fallen avenues, once more I mourn your fate unmerited.’”

She patiently helps and supports others and endures the harshness of Mrs. Norris with fortitude and humility. When it comes to being fashionable or noticed she is:

"Almost as fearful of notice and praise as other women were of neglect"

She has strong family values, corresponding with her dear brother William while he is at sea, and taking Susan in her wing when she goes back to Portsmouth. Despite the fact that she is somewhat astonished at the manners of her father and disorderliness of her mothers management of the house instead of criticizing she does her best to help them.

Adjectives describing Fanny Price:

Docile
Obedient
Delicate
Timid
Lady-like
Principled

Book Review: Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

2010-09-28T17:00:00.001-07:00

Thank you for joining me and my thirteen fellow bloggers as we celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Elizabeth Gaskell's birth with a tour featuring reviews and resources on her life and works. A special thank you to Laurel Ann of Austenprose for hosting the event!

I was introduced to Elizabeth Gaskell in 2008 while browsing through my library's British DVD collection, a spot I frequent very often, and I came across North & South. After falling in love with the story and characters I was curious to know more about the author and soon found the BBC's adaptation of Wives & Daughters; it's difficult to say which of the two I love more.

2010 has marked the start of my reading Gaskell's work and this month I read Wives and Daughters, 'An Everyday Story' as Mrs. Gaskell called it. It follows the life of Molly, a wonderful and fresh heroine with intellect, selflessness, and frankness. She is the daughter of widower and doctor, Mr. Gibson and has caught the fancy of Mr. Gibson's apprentice Mr. Coxe. During a foolish and clandestine attempt to give Molly a romantic letter it is intercepted by Mr. Gibson and careful that Molly not percieve Mr. Coxe's regard for her he send her to visit the Squire and Mrs. Hamley of Hamley hall; she is too young for romance.

Squire Hamley loves the outdoors and has a rough look about him but has a very vulnerable and emotional side that endears him. Mrs. Hamley has delicate health and refined taste and manners but is open and without any pretensions. The Hamley's have two sons Osbourne, the poet, and Roger, the steady and scientific lad with a thirst to discover, who are away at Cambridge but Roger comes on a visit which leads to some family drama and the start of a wonderful friendship between him and Molly.

Molly could have cried with passionate regret at the though the of unvalued treasure lying at Cynthia's feet; and it would have been a merely unselfish regret. It was the old fervid tenderness. 'Do not wish for the moon, O my darling, for I cannot give it thee.' Cynthia's love was the moon Roger yearned for; and Molly saw that it was far away and out of reach, else would she have strained her heart-chords to give it to Roger.

Meanwhile Mr. Gibson has realized his Molly is at that delicate age where the attention and advice of a mother is in want. Nothing is more prone to matrimony or romance than rain and opportunity. And somewhat unexpectedly he finds himself proposing to the beautiful widow, Mrs. Hyacinth Clare Kirkpatrick. Molly who loves the life she has with her father is reluctant to the change, especially as she met Mrs. Kirkpatrick when she was a child and thinks her careless and selfish but she is comforted that she will have a step-sister. Cynthia's arrival and charisma creates a bit of mystery, intrigue, and romance in the town of Hollingford.

If there is one thing I dislike it is the way doctors have of giving tablespoonfuls of nauseous mixtures as a certain remedy for sorrows and cares"
"Come! You acknowledge you have 'sorrows' by that speech; we'll make a bargain: if you'll tell me your sorrows and cares, I'll try and find some other remedy for them than giving you what you please to term my nauseous mixtures

Book Rating:

Please join Elaine as she continues the tour with a review of the BBC Mini-Series Adaptation of Wives & Daughters

Giveaway Ended, winner announced at Austenprose

Elizabeth Gaskell Tour Details

Biography

1.) Elizabeth Gaskell’s life and times: Vic – Jane Austen’s World

Novels/Biography

2.) Mary Barton (1848) Book: Kelly – Jane Austen Sequel Examiner
3.) Cranford (2007) Movie: Laura – The Calico Critic
4.) Ruth (1853) Book: Joanna – Regency Romantic
5.) North and South (1854–5) Book: Laurel Ann – Austenprose
6.) North and South (2004) Movie: Maria – Fly High
7.) Sylvia’s Lovers (1863) Book: Courtney – Stiletto Storytime
8.) Wives and Daughters (1865) Book: Katherine – November’s Autumn
9.) Wives and Daughters (1999) Movie: Elaine – Random Jottings
10.) The Life of Charlotte Bronte (1857) Book & (1973) Movie, The Brontes of Haworth: JaneGS – Reading, Writing, Working, Playing

Novellas

11. Mr. Harrison’s Confessions (1851) Book: Alexandra – The Sleepless Reader
12. My Lady Ludlow (1859) Book: Alexandra – The Sleepless Reader
13. Cousin Phillis (1864) Book: Alexandra – The Sleepless Reader

Resources

14.) Your Gaskell Library – Links to MP3′s, ebooks, audio books, other downloads and reading resources available online: Janite Deb - Jane Austen in Vermont
15) Plymouth Grove - A Visit to Elizabeth Gaskell’s home in Manchester: Tony Grant – London Calling

Jane Austen's Paradox of Names: The Susan's

2010-09-16T09:28:00.001-07:00

The novel we've come to know as Northanger Abbey was originally titled Susan and it's heroine, Catherine Morland, bore the name of the title. It was the first novel that Jane sold to a publisher (1803) but was never released and some years later she purchased back the rights. Perhaps her heroine's name was changed to freshen the novel after it's ill-fate or perhaps it was because another novel titled 'Susan' had now been published. Northanger Abbey was written four years after her epistolary piece Lady Susan, it's interesting that she chose the same name for her protagonist. Lady Susan centers around the true nature and motives of widow Lady Susan Vernon and it's interesting to note how different the two characters are:

Appearance

Catherine Morland: Plain and Simple

...As plain as any. She had a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin without colour, dark lank hair, and strong features" as a child and grows into "quite a good-looking girl -- she is almost pretty today

Lady Susan: The Fashionable Beauty

Really excessively pretty..I have seldom seen so lovely a woman as Lady Susan. She is delicately fair, with fine grey eyes and dark eyelashes; and from her appearance one would not suppose her more than five and twenty, though she must in fact be ten years older.

Dispositions

Catherine Morland: An Angel
"Her heart was affectionate; her disposition cheerful and open, without conceit or affectation of any kind" and her innocence and goodness makes her honest and not the least bit flirtatious. She is naive in the ways of the world and doesn't realize people aren't always what they seem.

Lady Vernon: ...
A "mistress of deceit" so "ostentatious and artful a display has entirely convinced me that she did in fact feel nothing" and the "The most accomplished coquette in England" she is scheming and manipulative.

Family Relations

Catherine Morland seeing her brother:

Catherine, by whom this meeting was wholly unexpected, received her brother with the liveliest pleasure

Lady Susan on her daughter:

She is a stupid girl and has nothing to recommend her. I would not... have you encumber one moment of your precious time by sending her to Edward Street.

Lady Susan's marriage:

Her neglect of her husband, her encouragement of other men, her extravegance, and dissipation, were so gross and notorious that no one could be ignorant of them at the time nor can now have forgotten them

Hobbies

Catherine Morland: Innocent diversions
Reading, particularly Gothic novels, and "fond of all boy’s play... preferred cricket"

Lady Susan: Not so Innocent diversions
"Aspires to the more delicious gratification of making a whole family miserable" and flirting "He is quite agreeable enough however to afford me amusement and to make many of those hours pass very pleasantly

Jane Austen’s Paradox of Names

2010-09-02T09:59:00.001-07:00

Now at novembersautumn.blogspot.com

Did you notice how many of Austen's characters share first names but have opposite personalities? I'll be doing an informal and ongoing series exploring this:

Lady Susan Vernon vs. Catherine Morland

Fanny Dashwood vs. Fanny Price

Mary Bennet vs. Mary Crawford

George Wickam vs. George Knightley

Elizabeth Bennet vs. Elizabeth Elliot

Captain Frederick Wenworth vs. Captain Frederick Tilney

Anne Elliot vs. Anne Steele

Rev. William Collins vs. Lt. William Price

Paradox of the Paradox: The Jane's

Book Review: Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer

2010-08-30T02:03:00.001-07:00

I was invited by Austenprose to celebrate historical fiction author, Georgette Heyer, with a review her novel: Black Sheep.

Twenty-eight year old Abigail Wendover arrives home in Bath after having helped one of her sisters. The poor dear; all was an uproar at her home; all three children had the measles, the nurse fell down the back-stairs and broke her leg, and she’s due to have her fourth child at any moment! After order is restored by Abby’s level-headed nursing and reassurances she treats herself to a visit to London. She shops and enjoys herself until her lecturing brother descends upon her with the news that her niece, Fanny is being courted by a ‘gamester and gazetted fortune hunter,’ Mr. Stacy Caverleigh.

Abby lives with her sister Selina, her senior by sixteen years, and the two of them are doting old maid aunts who’ve had the care of Fanny since she was two-years-old. Selina is ready to believe the best of everybody but perhaps no the most perceptive of creatures, and a bit of a hypochondriac,

“The melancholy truth, my love, is that single females of her age are almost compelled to adpot dangerous diseases, if they wish to be the objects of interest.”

Stacy Caverleigh has done his best to charm her and his decided air of fashion puts him in her good graces. Fanny who will make her debut in London within a few months is a precocious young lady who knows her own mind but still has romantical school-girl notions, which makes her ripe for all kinds of outrageous folly. Abby hopes for an opportunity to speak with Mr. Caverleigh without Fanny’s knowledge and the perfect opportunity happens when while writing a note to acquaintances that are arriving in Bath at fashionable York House she hears “Carry Mr. Caverleigh’s portmanteaux up to No. 12.” She is surprised when she looks up and sees a gentleman older than she and in clothing too loose-fitting to be considered even remotley fashionable. She introduces herself to him in a humorous scene of cross-purposes and mistaken identities. The Mr. Caverleigh to whom she is speaking is no other than the black sheep of that family, Miles, who was not only expelled from Eton but had done such extravagant follies he was packed off to India.

“His mind moved swiftly… he could make her laugh even when she was out of charity with him, and… a dozen other attributes which were quite frivolous… but which added up to a charming total, outweighing the more important faults in his character.”

Will Fanny elope with Stacy Caverleigh? And will Abby ever be able to stop laughing at something Miles Caverleigh says when she is really most vexed with him? This is my third Georgette Heyer read, her novels have such incredible plots and humor I love her style of writing dialogue; It’s playful and witty and her characters come alive with it. Miles Caverleigh is like a mixture of Henry Tilney and Mr. Bennet but in latter’s case he’s met his intellectual equal.

Book Rating:

Book Review: Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd

2010-08-26T05:08:00.001-07:00

When Miss Maria Ward captivated Sir Thomas, with only two thousand pounds and beauty to recommend her nobody expected the Ward family to make other marriages of interest. But matters of the heart ... or other attractions are difficult to predict and the next Miss Ward married Rev. Norris who was not only the rector of Sir Thomas' estate but also a man with property in Antigua; it was a fortune alliance. Miss Frances, her sister, married a man of an even greater estate and fortune.

Entranced by her lively disposition Mr. Price makes the mistake of believing that once she is his wife gratitude will make her submissive and meek. The difficulties of marriage and the disdain of his family oppresses her and leads to her decline shortly after giving birth to Fanny. Later orphaned little heiress Fanny Price is placed in the care of her aunt and uncle at Mansfield Park.

Mrs. Norris, who was left with a step-son, Edmund, when her husband died, fawns and flatters her until she is turned into an affected and pernicious young lady.

I am sure that Miss Price's ringlets are quite as artfully contrived as her deportment

Maria Bertram is cast into the shadows and poor Julia is not only the object of Mrs. Norris' hectoring but also a very sensitive poetic soul whose love for the avenue and Cowper leads to something unexpected.

Henry Crawford arrives at Mansfield with his sister Mary on a commission to improve the landscape and Mary becomes our central character; The two create a tumult of change for many of the characters. Sir Thomas travels to his estates in the North of England and while in contrast with the original where his departure puts everyone at ease, trouble brews and emotions that have been simmering for far too long boil into vehemence and murder.

Mansfield Park is the most controversial of Jane's novels mainly because of it's heroine. Fanny Price is meek and passive. She is what is expected of a young Regency lady, especially one who is a poor relation. "Pictures of perfection make me sick and wicked" it seems it's not only Jane who feels this way; many have a great dislike of Fanny who is a virtuous creature. I think it's part of Austen's genius that she created a heroine so different from the rest of her cannon. But we'll leave my thoughts on Fanny for another post.

Lynn Shepherd has beautiful command over the Georgian tone of writing. She also incorporates quotes from Jane's letters into Mary's thoughts as well as things people said of her, "the prettiest, silliest, most affected, husband-hunting butterfly." A clever retelling of Mansfield Park that every Janeite will appreciate and enjoy, I rank it as one of my favorites.

Book Rating:

This is my second item for the Everything Austen Challenge II

Jane Austen: Her Neighborhood – Steventon

2010-08-18T03:37:00.001-07:00

Now at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

Please join me on this tour of Jane Austen’s neighborhood with information on the people she knew and grew up around including some of her mentions of them in her letters. In part one we visited Deane and in part two we took a look at Ashe. Now let us explore Steventon!

Steventon Churchnow known as St. Nicholas

The church was constructed in the 1200s. In the 1600s a few more windows were added and it was very much the same when in 1759 The Rev. George Austen and his wife Cassandra settled in the parish rectory. A mischievous young Jane wrote in fake marriage entries for herself in the Parish registry.

When Rev. Austen retired and moved to Bath it was such a shock to her that she fainted! But it remained in the Austen family until 1859. Jane's brother James Austen, the eldest who followed in his father's footsteps became rector. After his death it went to Jane's other brother Henry and then to a nephew, William Knight.

Photos © Jeff Dodgson

A poem by Jane Austen:

Happy the lab'rer in his Sunday clothes!
In light-drab coat, smart waistcoat, well-darn'd hose,
And hat upon his head, to church he goes;
As oft with conscious pride, he downward throws
A glance upon the ample cabbage rose
Which, stuck in button-hole, regales his nose,
He envies not the gaiest London beaux.
In church he takes his seat among the rows,
Pays to the place the reverence he owes,
Likes best the prayers whose meaning least he knows.
Lists to the sermon in a softening doze,
And rouses joyous at the welcome close.

Photo © Allan Soedring

Steventon Manor House

Photo © Jeff Dodgson

Jane's closest neighbors were Mr. Hugh and Mrs. Ruth Digweed. They had six children that survived infancy, Frances, John, Harry, James, William, and Francis. Jane's father, Rev. George Austen, shared the lordship of the manor, which meant he was allowed to shoot and hunt on the property. While he never did his sons took the opportunity when they could. Mr. Digweed also farmed most of the land in the area.

Mentions of the Digweeds in Jane Austen's letters:

Mrs. Digweed returned yesterday through all the afternoon's rain, and was of course wet through, but in speaking of it she never once said 'it was beyond everything,' which I am sure it must have been. - June 23, 1816

"beyond everything" was a phrase often used by Mrs. Digweed

Dear Mrs. Digweed! I cannot bear that she should not be foolishly happy after a ball. - October 11, 1813

I shall not tell you anything more of Wm. Digweed's china, as your silence on the subject makes you unworthy of it. - December 27,1808

Jane Austen's Naval Brothers: Charles Austen, CB

2010-08-12T03:18:00.001-07:00

Now at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

This is Part II of Jane Austen's Naval Brothers Series.
Part I: Francis Austen ..

Charles Austen, C.B.
Commander in Chief of the
East Indies and China Station

Charles Austen was the youngest of the Austen children. He joined the Royal Naval Academy in 1791 and shortly after he graduated was appointed Midshipman.

His career was shaped by the Battle of Camperdown in 1797. It was the most significant action between Dutch and British forces during the French Revolution. The British had wonderful success capturing eleven Dutch ships. Charles was promoted the Lieutenant shortly afterwards.

Aboard the HMS Endymion his success continued and they captured many privateers. He used some of his prize money to purchased two topaz crosses and gold chains for his dear sisters Cassandra and Jane, who called him, "Our own particular little brother."

Ever daring he and four other men set off in a small boat during a gale and boarded the Scipio with 140 men on it and triumphantly took possession of it. His good service was recognized by Captain Charles Paget and he promoted Charles to commander in 1803.

Thomas Whitcombe's depiction of the Battle of Camperdown

In 1804 his duties posted him to Bermuda where he seized deserters of the British Navy that ran off to the higher paying American Navy. He also blocked American trade with Napoleonic Europe and intercepted slave traffic. It was during his time in Bermuda that he met his wife the young, plump, and fair Fanny Palmer. She was the daughter of the former Attorney General of Bermuda John Grove Palmer.

He was promoted to captain in 1810 and in 1811 he, Fanny, and their two daughters returned to England. Sadly Fanny died in childbirth a few years later.

Portrait of Charles Paget, he recognized
Charles' talents and promoted him to
commander in 1803

Her sister Harriet helped Charles and cared for the children. Much to his families dismay he later married her. Harriet was plain, with a sour countenance, and no pretensions to elegance.

When the war ended there was a shortage of jobs in the Navy and Charles had to resort to the Coast Guard but he pinned for action out on the sea.

He would spend most of the day on horseback riding along the coast of Padstow, Cornwall watching for vessels smuggling goods.

Eight years later the family moved to Portsmouth and one day as he watched the ships across the harbor he noticed the HMS Aurora stop as it was about to set sail and signal the death of its captain.

He went post-haste to the Admiralty to inform them and request the position. He sailed for Jamiaca and again battled the slave trade.

In the 1830s during a very strong gale the mast of the Aurora fell on his chest sending him back to England to heal and seek medical advice.

Modern Padstow Photo © Barry Ennor

The HMS Bellerphon was stationed in the Mediterranean to campaign against the viceroy of Egypt. For his success in this and in bombarding St. Jean d'Acre he was appointed to Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.). In 1850 he became Commander in Chief of the East Indies and China Station.

Indefatigable, when he was 71 years of age he lead the British forces in the 2nd Burmese war which later resulted in the capture of Rangoon.

The HMS Bellerophon

Sadly in 1852 while heading an expedition up the Irrawaddy River he had a fatal relapse of Cholera.

"[He] won the hearts of all by his gentleness and kindliness while he was struggling with the disease."

What did he think of Jane's writing?

While at sea Jane sent him a copy of Emma of which he read three times during the voyage and said,

I am delighted with her more so I think than even with my favorite Pride and Prejudice

Sources:
"Battle of Camperdown." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camperdown
Brian, Southam. "Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers: Francis and Charles in Life and Art. - Free Online Library." Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal, 1 Jan. 2003. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Jane Austen's sailor brothers: Francis and Charles in life and art.-a0119224270
"Charles Austen." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Austen>.
Le, Faye Deirdre., and William Austen-Leigh. Jane Austen, a Family Record. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2004. Print.

Flora Thompson and the Jane Austen Connection

2010-08-05T16:25:00.001-07:00

Recently I've been watching Lark Rise to Candleford, a television series adaptation of Flora Thompson's trilogy. The show has an array of familiar actors and a lovely heartwarming story-line. Curious to know more about the author I went on wikipedia and learnt that her first piece of writing was a three-hundred word essay on Jane Austen for a 1911 competition in Cartwright's Lady's Companion magazine. Here are a few exceprts, the full essay is unfortunately not available:

Before Jane Austen began to write, the novelists of her day had depended on involved plot, sensational incident and the long arm of coincidence; therefore when these quiet, gentle stories appeared, dealing with everyday people and events, the general public did not immediately recognise her genius or appreciate the gentle sarcasm that plays around her characters...

... Jane Austen compared herself to a painter on ivory, and the enjoyment of her work is something like the possession of an exquisite miniature.

…Those who appreciate her art consider no praise too high. Those who do not simply wonder how anyone can wade through the dull, tame pages, for no one loves Jane Austen moderately.

Sources

Barry Ennever. "Flora Jane Timms." Ennever Family History & Ancestry. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. http://www.ennever.com/getperson.php?personID=I4827&tree=Ennever1

"Flora Thompson." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_Thompson

Smith, John Owen. "Essay on Jane Austen by Flora Thompson." John Owen Smith - Author, Publisher, Historian, Speaker. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. http://www.johnowensmith.co.uk/flora/austen.htm

Book Review: Cassandra & Jane by Jill Pitkeathley

2010-08-04T07:57:00.001-07:00

What were in the letters that Cassandra burned? What was she trying to hide? Every Janeite has pondered these question; Jill Pitkeathley writes this fictional biography told from Cassandra's point of view trying to answer them.

It's a snowy December night, little Cassandra, who has been living in the village as was the Austen custom until she was out of her infant years, comes to visit this new and only sister sensing at once that a great bond will exist between them. As they grow up and are sent to school Jane's independent spirit begins to show through when an epidemic is raging and she presses Cassandra and a cousin to defy the schoolmistress and send a letter to their parents to take them home. Now studying at home Jane's scribbling becomes more predominant within the story-line as well as the trials of young adult life; Broken hearts, jealousies, and rifts between that sisterly bond.

Writing about an author who has such a strong following and whose fans are so passionate about her work is a challenge. There is a certainty to clashes of views and a monstrous deal of discussion. It's impossible to truly know everything about Miss Jane's life but Jill Pitkeathley takes a discreet and respectful route and Janeites will appreciate the well-researched story line, the pinch of imagined romance at Lyme, and will no doubt shed a tear as they read about their beloved authors death.

When I came back into the room I could see that she too knew that death was very near. Her dear face showed how she suffered, but she did not complain, only begged me to stay near her.

The narrative at times seems passive and I feel the novel would have benefited from more exploration. It already delves into the world of fiction and dramatic risks with situations that we know occurred would have made it more compelling.

Book Rating:

This is my first item for the Everything Austen Challenge II

Book Review: Searching for Pemberley by Mary Lydon Simonsen

2010-07-11T14:52:00.001-07:00

"Of course, they're fictitious, but they were based on real people. I grew up in Stepton, which is about five miles from Montclair, or Pemberley, as Jane Austen called it. It's the ancestral home of the Lacey's. They're the ones Jane Austen called the Darcy's... if you really love the novel so much, you should at least go see Montclair."

Which Janeite wouldn't be tempted? Set in the aftermath of WWII Maggie Joyce is from the rural mining town of Minooka in Pennsylvania. During the war she had a job in Washington D.C. doing her bit to help the war effort and not wanting to go back to the monotony and joblessness of her hometown she volunteers to enter the AAFES where she'll be stationed in Germany for two years then transferred to London, a place she's always longed to go to.

Maggie's been settled in London for awhile and she and her co-worker Pam head down to visit Montclair. While there she makes the acquaintance of Beth and Jack Crowell. They seem to know a great deal about the Lacey's and strike a friendship with Maggie. On a returning visit Maggie meets their son, Michael, who is on leave from the RAF.

There's a spark between the two right away but it's suppressed when Maggie later meets a fellow American named Rob whose red rose tilts the balance of her heart to his favor. But there is more to the Crowells than they're letting on and as she learns more about the Lacey's and their romance she begins to wonder why her relationship with Rob seems to be at a standstill. Her feelings are then thrown into a fluster with the return of Michael.

Searching of Pemberley explores the impact that the World Wars had on society, how it affected the men who served in them, their families, and loosened the morals of courtship. Mary Lydon Simonsen's vast historical knowledge is rooted in the novel and at times the reader must catch themselves and remember that Montclair is fictional. While I admire the amount of research and fact that is in the novel it makes it a heavy read and at times I feel fact overpowers the story.

It's also based on the idea that Jane Austen was heavily inspired --almost copied a true story when she wrote Pride and Prejudice. It's the undercurrent within the novel revealed with old letters of the Lacey family that Beth and Jack send Maggie to read. A delightful suggestion is made as to who told Lady Catherine that Mr. Darcy might propose to Lizzy which sends her on that glorious repartee with Elizabeth.

But I can't help but be a little miffed at the idea of Jane Austen's sparkling novel being a true story. As much as we wish Lizzy and Mr. Darcy to be real there's something wonderful about them being only fictional; elusive characters that let our imagination answer the questions we have about them. It's that elusiveness that inspires so many of these enjoyable sequels. If they were real there would be a finality to their characters and story.

Book Rating:

Jane Austen’s Naval Brothers: Sir Francis Austen, GCB

2010-07-05T11:27:00.001-07:00

Now at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

This is Part I of Jane Austen's Naval Brothers Series.
Part II: Charles Austen

Sir Francis Austen G.C.B.
Commander in Chief of the North
America and West Indies Station

Francis Austen entered the Naval Academy at twelve in 1782. His father the Rev. George Austen was pleased that among the seafaring knowledge they also taught mathematics, fencing, French, and dancing. He excelled at all the subjects and was held in high esteem by the Master of the Academy, Mr. Bayly. Once he graduated in 1788 he went on a ship headed to the East Indies as a volunteer and was soon promoted to Midshipman.

By 1805 he held the command of the HMS Canopus, a ship-of-the-line that was part of the famous Admiral Horatio Nelson's fleet. Nelson considered Francis as an, "excellent young man." He was given orders to break from the fleet and do convoy duty in the Mediterranean, as a result he missed the Trafalgar action. Not only would it have granted Francis promotion and fortune more quickly but he could have married. He was engaged to Mary Gibson but their marriage was delayed due to financial difficulties.

The Battle of San Domingo

One can't help but be reminded of Captain Benwick and Fanny Harville from Persuasion but while their love story does have tragedy they did eventually marry in 1806 after his success in the Battle of San Domingo. The rest of that year he stayed on dry land and invited Jane, Cassandra, and their friend Martha Lloyd to live with them in Southampton. This greatly eased his mind when in 1807 he was given a command.

On the HMS Peterel he intercepted three French ships forcing two aground and capturing the other. Not one man aboard his ship died during that action but he wasn't popular with his crew. He was a very religious man and expected his crew to be as well, earning his ships the nickname 'praying ships,' something not popular in the Navy. He was also very strict with rules and regulations and a harsh disciplinarian.

He represented the Crown in a diplomatic issue in China in 1809 with great success and the East India company gave him one thousand guineas as thanks for resolving the issue, it also won him the high regard of the Admiralty. Later he was nominated to join the most Honorable Order of the Bath as a C.B. (Companion).

An 1809 Map of China and the East

After giving birth to their eleventh child Mary never fully recovered and died seven months later. Naturally it was a blow to Francis, especially after his recent success of his career where he must have felt he was near the pinnacle of his life.But like Captain Benwick, he was consolable. Five years later he married Jane's best friend Martha Lloyd, who was nine years older than him.

While many believe it was a marriage of convenience one also wonders if perhaps when Martha stayed with his family in Southampton she admired the sweetness Francis showed to Mary. With the large Austen brown eyes he must have been quite handsome and due to his active disposition cut a fine figure. Martha's father had been a rector and Francis' religious devotion was also a point in his favor. He thought she was:

Joined to the profession of much good sense... possessed the blessings of a sweet temper, amiable disposition, lady like manners, and, what is of far greater importance, a mind deeply impressed with the truth of Christianity

He was later transferred to the North America and West Indies station where he rose to Admiral of the Red. There were three orders of Admirals:

The Red (highest seniority)
The White
The Blue (lowest seniority)

Within those there were three divisions:

Rear Admiral (command of the ships in the back)
Vice Admiral (command of the front)
The Admiral (center fleet, highest seniority)

He was also granted a knighthood and his Order of the Bath class went to G.C.B. (Knight Grand Cross). He died at home when he was 92 years old.

Mrs. Norris and Fanny Price
from Mansfield Park as
depicted by C.E. Brock

What did he think of his younger sisters novels? He loved Emma more than Mansfield Park and Pride and Prejudice. He thought Fanny Price was a delight character and decided Mrs. Norris was one of his great favorites.

Sources:

Graham, George H. "Admiral Sir Francis William Austen 1774." Web. 05 July 2010.
Leithart, Peter J. Jane Austen. Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson, 2009. Print.
Southam, Brian. "Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers: Francis and Charles in Life and Art." Library Online. Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal, 1 Jan. 2003. Web. 04 July 2010.
Vic. "Sir Francis William Austen: Glimpses of Jane’s Sailor Brother in Letters « Jane Austen's World." Jane Austen's World. Web. 05 July 2010.

Book Review: Rudin by Ivan Turgenev

2010-06-26T17:00:00.001-07:00

I'd like to extend a special welcome to those who are visiting as part of the Classics Circuit's tour, White Nights of the Neva and a warm hello to my loyal readers.

Ivan Turgenev weaves this dramatic and emotional novel with philosophical thoughts and believable characters. Gathered at the home of Darya Mikhailovna Lasunskaya, a wealthy widow, the circle of characters anxiously await the arrival of an intellectual baron. Instead they are treated to the company of Dmitry Nikolaich Rudin. He seduces their imagination with his "powerful and passionate dialect." Pleased with his intellect and wit Darya Mikhailvna invites him to stay, she was once a belle of Moscow and loves the company of charming and sparkling intelligent men.

The invitation has somewhat wounded the pride of two of her male friends: Afrikan Semyonych Pigasov, who is not charming at all and embittered by everyone, but has a fierce wit steeped in his passion for exaggerating and throwing blame at female's. And Konstantin Diomidych Padlevsky, who sponges on others wealth, but is handsome and knows how to flatter to a lady.

It also unsettles: Darya's quiet daughter, Natalya Alexyevna, whose emotions are deep and strong, she is uncomfortable with the idea of spending more time with him. Sergei Pavlych Valynster who is in love with her and recognizes the danger of Rudin staying. And Mikhailo Mikhailyoh Lezhnev who studied with Rudin at the university has a poor opinion of him.

Rudin is the sort of charismatic man who sets people's hearts on fire but he has a fatal flaw: a weak character. Something that Mikhailo Mikhailyoh has difficulty forgiving Rudin for. With so much intellectual potential will the budding romance between him and Natalya save him and bring him out of his fine words and into nobel deeds? He's a contradiction zealous for change and yet hesitant at doing anything to realize his dream; doubtful of his ability.

"Look: Rudin began, and pointed out of the window - you see that apple tree: it has broken under the weight and plenty of it's own fruit. The tree, emblem of genius."

"It broke because it had no support," Natalya retorted.

A beautiful read and introduction into the Russian classics.

"Have you noticed... that the oak... sheds its old leaves only when the young ones begin to break through? ... Precisely the same thing happens with an old love in a strong heart: it has died but still clings on; only a new love is capable of driving it out."

Book Rating:

An Encounter with Horatio Hornblower

2010-06-24T02:52:00.001-07:00

Heading downtown there's a hill that you must go down and from it there's a beautiful view of main street and the Puget Sound. Imagine, what should I see on the waters but a frigate in full sail? Am I watching too much Horatio Hornblower? No, it's the Lady Washington sailing along.

A few years ago when I was reading C.S. Forester's series I came across her website while researching frigates. Delighted, I headed to take some snapshots, glad that I always carry my camera with me. I thought I'd share them:

Coming soon... we'll be take a look at Jane Austen's naval brothers and their careers.

Book Review: Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston

2010-06-22T03:32:00.001-07:00

Georgina Jackson is a writer and Victorian era academic with a snobbish prejudice against Jane Austen.

"...Fascination with Jane Austen is so damaging, people harking back to a time when people were seriously oppressed and pretending it was some kind of a golden age."

Her novel Magdalene Crib, filled with the social struggles of the late nineteenth century, received praise from the critics but didn't sell well. She's been working on her next for the past two years and has been unable to get past chapter one. Livia Harkness, her aggressive literary agent, who is something along the lines of a vulture with spectacles, gets her a great contract: to complete a recently discovered Jane Austen novel.

Under a great deal of financial strain and unable to stay in the UK unless she's employed she breaks down and signs the deal. Her kind landlord Henry Lefroy, his rebellious musical teen sister Maud, and their refined Polish housekeeper Anna think it's great that she's been given this opportunity but Georgina can't seem to do anything but procrastinate and spends two weeks sulking.

Her first dilemma is that she can't finish the novel because their writing styles are so different. Thinking Austen's work as lighthearted froth of the Regency era, the true mark that she hasn't read any of Jane's work. After running around the country struggling to find inspiration and hiding from her agent and publisher. She finally sits down and reads Pride and Prejudice. Then she can't stop. She devours all six novels with no sleep in between. Now she realizes Austen's genius:

Imagine if Mozart had written nothing but six operas or six symphonies.

With less than ten weeks left will she be able to complete the novel? Will it be any good? What exactly is the story behind the newly discovered manuscript? and why did she never realize how handsome Henry was before?

Elizabeth Aston takes a new approach at the world of Austen answering questions such as why we read and love her novels, sketches some of the variety of fans from the purists to the movie-goers, and folds in some interesting facts about both Jane and the Regency era. It was fun to meet modern versions of Mr. Palmer, Miss Bates, and Lady Catherine and there are quite a few Janeite jokes.

Perhaps the novel would have benefited if Georgina hadn't been so whinny and I would have loved to read more about Henry and their romance. While I don't think this is Aston's best work I appreciate that she has tried something different and look forward to her next novel.

Book Rating:

Jane Austen: Her Neighborhood – Ashe

2010-06-20T02:57:00.001-07:00

Now at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

Please join me on this tour of Jane Austen’s neighborhood with information on the people she knew and grew up around including some of her mentions of them in her letters. Last month we visited the neighboring Parish of Deane, this month let us take a look at Ashe. For a tour of Steventon please click here.

Ashe Parish

Home of Revered George and Anne Lefroy. They were a well-to-do family with many children. Jane was permitted to read books from their library. She and Anne became great friends, discussing novels and poetry. She was a very kind and forward-thinking lady who opened a school for the poor and vaccinated many against the smallpox. She died tragically in 1804 when she was riding a horse that became uncontrollable and had to throw herself from it.

The infamous Tom Lefroy, with whom Jane Austen had a flirtation was the nephew of Rev. Lefroy. Considering how well Anne thought of Jane it's surprising that she and the Rev. separated them but I believe she was well intentioned and I imagine her as a Lady Russell-like character.

I expect a very stupid ball; there will be nobody worth dancing with, and nobody worth talking to but Catherine, for I believe Mrs. Lefroy will not be there. - December 18, 1798

My black cap was openly admired by Mrs. Lefroy, and secretly I imagine by everybody else in the room. - December 18, 1798

I am quite pleased with Martha and Mrs. Lefroy for wanting the pattern of our caps, but I am not so well pleased with your giving it to them. - June 2, 1799

He [Tom Lefroy] is a very gentlemanlike, good-looking, pleasant young man, I assure you. But as to our having ever met, except at the three last balls, I cannot say much; for he is so excessively laughed at about me at Ashe, that he is ashamed of coming to Steventon, and ran away when we called on Mrs. Lefroy a few days ago.

Ashe Park

Owned by the Portals but rented by William and James Holder. The brothers made their fortune in the West Indies. William later married and left. James stayed a bachelor, no doubt to the dismay of many mothers, but he was kind and courteous. He didn't host balls but he held card parties.

This morning has been made very gay to us by visits from our two lively neighbours, Mr. [William] Holder and Mr. John Harwood. - December 18, 1798

I fancy Mr. [James] Holder will have the farm, and without being obliged to depend on the accommodating spirit of Mr. William Portal; he will probably have it for the remainder of my father's lease. This pleases us all much better than its falling into the hands of Mr. Harwood or Farmer Twitchen. Mr. Holder is to come in a day or two to talk to my father on the subject, and then John Bond's interest will not be forgotten. - January 8, 1801

Your unfortunate sister was betrayed last Thursday into a situation of the utmost cruelty. I arrived at Ashe Park before the party from Deane, and was shut up in the drawing-room with Mr. [James] Holder alone for ten minutes. I had some thoughts of insisting on the housekeeper or Mary Corbett being sent for, and nothing could prevail on me to move two steps from the door, on the lock of which I kept one hand constantly fixed. We met nobody but ourselves, played at vingt-un again, and were very cross. - January 25, 1801

Only think of Mrs. Holder's being dead! Poor woman, she has done the only thing in the world she could possibly do to make one cease to abuse her. - October 14, 1813

Publishing History of Pride and Prejudice

2010-06-17T17:00:00.001-07:00

This post is part of Austenprose's event
Pride and Prejudice without Zombies, let us reclaim the classic!

It's difficult to believe that the work synonymous with Jane Austen struggled being published. Originally titled First Impressions Jane completed the first draft when she was only twenty-one years old. Often read aloud at home it became a family favorite. Her father, the Rev. George Austen, sent a copy to Thomas Cadell of London's Cadell & Davies publishing on November 1, 1797 introducing it as:

A Manuscript Novel, comprised in three Vols. about the length of Miss Burney’s Evelina

It was rejected by a return of unopened post. It's curious to ponder what would have happened had it been published at this point. No doubt Austen's genius still shone through. Maybe early success as a writer would have given us more than the precious six novels.

Alas, Pride and Prejudice wouldn't be published until eleven years later. It went through extensive revision, changing from a series of letters, perhaps from Elizabeth to Jane, into the famous novel we're acquainted with.

In 1810 Jane's brother Henry Austen approached Thomas Egerton. He was a business acquaintance who helped him and James Austen print their magazine, The Loiterer, when they studied at Oxford University. Published on commission Sense and Sensibility came out in 1811.

The commission arrangement meant that Jane would pay the printing costs protecting the publisher from loosing money and she would receive all the profits. No doubt it's success surprised Egerton and even Jane had expected to lose money.

Encouraged by her success she went to work on Pride and Prejudice.

I must confess that I think her [Elizabeth Bennet] as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her at least I do not know. There are a few typical errors; and a 'said he,' or a 'said she,' would sometimes make the dialogue more immediately clear; but 'I do not write for such dull elves, as have not a great deal of ingenuity themselves.'

The second volume is shorter than I could wish, but the difference is not so much in reality as in look, there being a larger proportion of narrative in that part. I have lop't and crop't so successfully, however, that I imagine it must be rather shorter than Sense and Sensibility altogether. - Letter to Cassandra January 29, 1813

The title changed possibly for a number of reasons. Two novels were already titled 'First Impressions,' one by Margaret Holford and the other by Horace Smith. 'Pride and Prejudice' was also a title that would catch the eye of admirers of Fanny Burney's novels as it was the title of her last chapter in Cecilia and occurred three times within the chapter in capital letters.

This time the astute Egerton offered to purchase her work for a flat fee of £110 (approx. £4,611 in today's money). Jane had asked for £150 but Henry agreed. Egerton held the copyright, would pay the cost of printing, and receive all the profits.

The first edition released on January 1, 1813. He went to great efforts to publicize it and by October the second edition was out. The first two editions brought Egerton £450. It was Jane's most successful novel and brought her the least amount of profit.

Richard Bentley purchased the copyright from Egerton in 1832 for £40 and then published it in his standard novels series in 1833. Since then Pride and Prejudice has never been out of print and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

Book Review: The Darcy Cousins by Monica Fairview

2010-05-24T04:20:00.001-07:00

Monica Fairview continues to delight in this tale of Miss Georgiana Darcy’s coming of age. With her brother and Elizabeth settled into married life and welcoming a baby she finds herself falling behind in the step that society expects of her: marriage.

“The fate of unmarried sisters had befallen her. For while she did not for one instant feel unwelcome her place had shifted in the household and she now occupied the role of an outsider looking into a happy family circle.”

Visiting Lady Catherine de Bourg at Rosings, who is as pompous and meddlesome as ever, they are joined by their American cousin, Miss Clarissa. Her lively, unconventional, alluring, and fashionable manner impress Georgiana. Fueled by her annoyance at her brother continuing to treat her as a child and overhearing Mr. Percy Channing, a handsome man, if somewhat worldly, that she finds very charming, describe her as a bore she decides to rebel. Clarissa helps her teaching her how to make grand entrances, choose dresses that draw attention, and flirt successfully. The harder she tries to captivate the attention of Mr. Channing the more it seems she finds herself in the company of his relative, Mr. Henry Gatley, who is perceptive, gentlemanly, and exacting.

“There is nothing wrong in expecting the best of others… provided you will allow for people’s weaknesses. To demand perfetion is a sure way to be disappointed in everybody, for you will be bound to think ill of others”
“It is you, Miss Darcy, who think illl of others, since you are so sure that I will be disappointed”

He finds that Georgiana is being foolish trying to become the peacock that Clarissa is when she already possesses grace but he is also annoyed at her blushing school girl manner. When she literally stumbles and is laughed at Mr. Gatley gives her support and kindness and she begins to realize that Clarissa and Channing are not the paragons she thought they were.

“Your confidence is not confidence at all -it is simply brashness. Your courage stems from indifference your outspokenness comes from a disregard for others and what they think”

She begins to come into her own and realizes how blind she has been in love.
Since Regency England was a time where so much was occurring in the world, it’s nice to see mentions within the novel, look forward to Lady Catherine’s political opinions about the Boston tea party, American revolution, and of course Napoleon! There’s also a humorous scene with stockings and handkerchiefs and what did Anne de Bourg do to anger to all the Darcy’s?
Monica Fairview’s talent continues to bring us well-rounded characters, entertaining, dramatic dialogue, and well-weaved plots.

Book Rating:

Jane Austen: Neighborhood – Deane

2010-05-19T10:31:00.001-07:00

Now at: novembersautumn.blogspot.com

Please join me on this tour of Jane Austen's neighborhood with information on the people she knew and grew up around including some of her mentions of them in her letters.

Explore Steventon
Visit Ashe

After the Rev. George Austen's marriage he acquired the position of rector of Steventon through a wealthy cousin. The rectory was old and rather run down. As it underwent expansion and repairs they rented the parsonage at Deane for four years and he later became the rector of Deane parish as well.

Let us explore the area!

Deane Manor

Home of the Harwoods, an old Hampshire family and the most prominent in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood had three sons John, Earle, and Charles.They often held balls and John danced with Jane quite often. It was at one of their balls that Miss Austen met Mr. Thomas LeFroy, with whom she had a short flirtation. Jane never liked Mr. Harwood and his property was mortgaged due to his gambling. The manor was sold in 1864 to the Right Honorable William Wither Bramston Beach presumably to settle debts incurred by Mr. Harwood.

A few mentions of the Harwoods in Jane Austen's letters:

I know that the Harwoods are not very exact in their letters. - January 09, 1796

Let me know how J[ohn] Harwood deports himself without the Miss Biggs. - January 05, 1796

We all dined at the Harwoods' on Thursday, and the party broke up the next morning ...I danced with Mr. John Wood again, twice with a Mr. South, a lad from Winchester, who, I suppose, is as far from being related to the bishop of that diocese as it is possible to be, with G. Lefroy, and J. Harwood, who, I think, takes to me rather more than he used to do. - January 08, 1799

The Church

Oakley Hall

Home of Mr. Wither Bramston, he married married Mary, one of the daughter's of the Chute family of the Vyne estate. They had no children but were a wealthy family and often let Jane and Cassandra use their carriage to go to events in the neighborhood. Mrs. Bramston was a very kind lady but Jane often remarked on her lack of intelligence.

Mrs. Bramston was very civil, kind, and noisy. - January 08, 1799

"Mrs. Bramston talked a good deal of nonsense, which Mr. Bramston and Mr. Clerk seemed almost equally to enjoy. - November 20, 1800

More views of Oakley:

Book Review: The Reluctant Widow by Georgette Heyer

2010-05-15T23:00:00.001-07:00

Elinor Rochdale is the daughter of Lord Rochdale, a man whose gaming debts caused him to despair leaving Elinor fatherless. She's made the transition from lady to governess with equanimity and is on her way to a new situation. But she has taken the wrong carriage leading into a very humorous dialogue when she arrives at the home of Lord Ned Carlyon’s dissipated cousin Mr. Eustace Cheviot. Lord Carlyon is under the misapprehension that she has come in response to his advertisement for a wife for his cousin and she thinking she’s at the home of her new young charges.

As the truth begins to unravel Nick Carlyon, Ned’s youngest brother who is a student at Oxford, exuberant in his youthful energy, comes in shaken with the horrible news that in defending himself he stabbed Mr. Cheviot. The family blame Ned for Mr. Cheviot’s fall into dissipation; an early death of Mr. Cheviot would result in him inheriting the estate. Much to her mortification, he persuades Elinor to marry Cheviot at his deathbed so he won't inherit but Nick’s involvement in the death creates an awkward situation.

Elinor and the Carlyon’s try to put the Highnoons estate into order to sell it and settle Mr. Cheviot’s debts but they have a few unwelcome visitors who seem to be searching for a document --an important document with Wellington’s plans against Napoleon. Suddenly Highnoons is a place of intrigue and mystery, will they be able to discover where the document is before their enemies do?

The banter between Elinor and Carlyon makes some amusing dialogue. Lord Carlyon has a deep sense of practicality and a strong mind and character.

What I find so particularly disagreeable in him is his habit of making the outrageous things he does seem to be the merest commonplace!

Elinor is loves to try to put him out of countenance with her feisty conversation. There’s another unforgettable character in the novel, Bouncer. Nick’s hound, which Heyer writes to perfection with all his dog-like quirks.

A thoroughly entertaining weave of Regency romance and espionage.

Book Rating:

Character Analysis: Edward Ferrars

2010-05-14T17:53:00.001-07:00

Edward Ferrars was not recommended to their good opinion by any peculiar graces of person or address. He was not handsome, and his manners required intimacy to make them pleasing. He was too diffident to do justice to himself; but when his natural shyness was overcome, his behaviour gave every indication of an open, affectionate heart. His understanding was good, and his education had given it solid improvement. But he was neither fitted by abilities nor disposition to answer the wishes of his mother and sister, who longed to see him distinguished—as—they hardly knew what.

It is no wonder he fell into the charms of Lucy Steele. She knew just how to please him with her insincere remarks and in his goodness he believed they were sincere. She was most likely the first female that treated him kindly and didn't bully him like his mother and sister Fanny did; She let him be himself. It could also be supposed that her uncle Mr. Pratt was a sensible gentleman by the difference in education between him and his brother Robert, so the young Edward must have assumed Lucy to be sensible too. As he matured and became more perceptive he realized his error of judgment.

Lucy appeared everything that was amiable and obliging. She was pretty too -- at least I thought so then , and I had seen so little of other women, that I could make no comparisons, and see no defects. Considering everything, therefore, I hope, foolish as our engagement was, foolish as it has since in every way been proved, it was not at the time an unnatural, or an inexcusable piece of folly.

It was a matter of honor for a man to keep his engagement with a lady he has proposed to, only the lady could break it. Imagine how he felt once he met Elinor, his equal, and fell in love but had to keep his feelings to himself. To see the contrast between her and Lucy and know himself bound to the the latter forever. His sufferings were the same as those of Elinor if not stronger because it was his foolishness that caused them.

I was simple enough to think, that because my faith was plighted to another, there could be no danger in my being with you; and that the consciousness of my engagement was to keep my heart as safe and sacred as my honour. I felt that I admired you, but I told myself it was only friendship; and till I began to make comparisons between yourself and Lucy, I did not know how far I was got.

Yet when he's disinherited instead of stepping out of the engagement and taking a comparatively easier path, a life of wealth with a woman he did not love, he choose poverty and suffering with Lucy Steele.

All that Mrs. Ferrars could say to make him put an end to the engagement... was of no avail. Duty, affection, everything was disregarded. I never thought Edward so stubborn, so unfeeling, before. His mother explained to him her liberal designs, in case of his marrying Miss Morton; told him that she would settle on him the Norfolk estate, which, clear of land-tax, brings in a good thousand a-year; offered even, when matters grew desperate, to make it twelve hundred; and in opposition to this, if he still persisted in this low connection, represented to him the certain penury that must attend the match. His own two thousand pounds she protested should be his all; she would never see him again; and so far would she be from affording him the smallest assistance, that if he were to enter into any profession with a view of better support, she would do all in her power to prevent his advancing in it.

It was this noble and honorable act that truly endears him to the reader, saves him financially by Colonel Brandon's offer of the Delaford parish, and that allows him to in the end marry Elinor.

Character Analysis: Colonel Brandon

2010-05-14T17:49:00.001-07:00

"Colonel Brandon ...is old enough to be my father; and if he were ever animated enough to be in love, must have long outlived every sensation of the kind. It is too ridiculous! When is a man to be safe from such wit, if age and infirmity will not protect him?"

The gentleman of thirty-five is thus rejected by Marianne as a suitor when her family tell her Mrs. Jennings believes the Colonel to be attached to her. For much of the novel he seems like a sensible and rather dull man. Marianne's prejudices against him become ours but through his actions and through Elinor we learn he's far more passionate and worthy than he seems. He remains faithful to his first love for a little over fifteen years and takes care of the illegitimate child she left behind.

The Story of Colonel Brandon and Eliza
Excerpts from Ch. 31

"If I am not deceived by the uncertainty, the partiality of tender recollection, there is a very strong resemblance between them, [Eliza and Marianne] as well in mind as person -- the same warmth of heart, the same eagerness of fancy and spirits ...I cannot remember the time when I did not love Eliza... hers, for me, was, I believe, fervent as the attachment of your sister to Mr. Willoughby, and it was, though from a different cause, no less unfortunate. At seventeen, she was lost to me for ever. She was married -- married against her inclination to my brother.

We were within a few hours of eloping together for Scotland.... I was banished to the house of a relation far distant, and she was allowed no liberty, no society, no amusement, till my father's point was gained... I heard, about two years afterwards, of her divorce. It was that which threw this gloom... it was nearly three years after this unhappy period before I returned to England. My first care... was of course to seek for her; but the search was as fruitless as it was melancholy. At last, however, and after I had been six months in England, I did find her ...I saw her placed in comfortable lodgings, and under proper attendants; I visited her every day during the rest of her short life; I was with her in her last moments." Again he stopped to recover himself.

She left to my care her only child, a little girl, the offspring of her first guilty connection, who was then about three years old. She loved the child, and had always kept it with her. It was a valued, a precious trust to me; and gladly would I have discharged it in the strictest sense, by watching over her education myself, had the nature of our situations allowed it; but I had no family, no home; and my little Eliza [he speaks of her in such a tender way] was therefore placed at school. I saw her there whenever I could."

He fights a duel with Willoughby after he learns that he had seduced his ward:

"Yes," he replied gravely, "once I have. One meeting was unavoidable... I could meet him in no other way. Eliza had confessed to me, though most reluctantly, the name of her lover; and when he returned to town, which was within a fortnight after myself, we met by appointment, he to defend, I to punish his conduct. We returned unwounded, and the meeting, therefore, never got abroad."

He dashes about the country at a moments notice to take care of those he loves. When Marianne is ill and near death he goes to fetch her mother, "Not a moment was lost in delay of any kind"Ch 43. As soon as he receives notice that Eliza had been found, after her disappearance, he goes directly to her, "I cannot afford to lose one hour" He is a balance of sense and sensibility; the quietly romantic character with a flannel waistcoat, which is prudent in cold weather if not quite dashing.

Character Analysis: John Willoughby

2010-05-14T17:39:00.001-07:00

The dashing Mr. Willoughby makes a grand entrance he sweeps Marianne off her feet while she's in distress, brings her flowers and poetry, unites frankness and vivacity, and, above all, is passionatley fond of music and dancing (Ch. 10) and still manages to add to all these continual rebellion of society's rules -to a certain point. A true typical literary Romantic hero. But does that necessarily mean he is romantic? When he's disinherited he suddenly becomes conventional and practical.

He cannot follow his heart and marry Marianne but instead goes off to London to marry an heiress and then regrets his actions. But does he regret his actions because Mrs. Smith reinstates his inheritance which would have let him marry Marianne had he waited? or because his dislike of his new wife? and was his love for Marianne truly as he tries to establish? or has he now idealized Marianne and their attachment because it was so much better than his marriage?

Willougbhy's Excuses
Excerpts from Ch. 44

"When I first became intimate in your family, I had no other intention, no other view in the acquaintance than to pass my time pleasantly while I was obliged to remain in Devonshire, more pleasantly than I had ever done before. Your sister's lovely person and interesting manners could not but please me; and her behaviour to me almost from the first, was of a kind -- -- It is astonishing, when I reflect on what it was, and what she was, that my heart should have been so insensible! -- But at first, I must confess, my vanity only was elevated by it. Careless of her happiness, thinking only of my own amusement, giving way to feelings which I had always been too much in the habit of indulging, I endeavoured, by every means in my power, to make myself pleasing to her, without any design of returning her affection...

...I insist on your hearing the whole of it," he replied. "My fortune was never large, and I had always been expensive, always in the habit of associating with people of better income than myself. Every year since my coming of age, or even before, I believe, had added to my debts; and though the death of my old cousin, Mrs. Smith, was to set me free, yet that event being uncertain, and possibly far distant, it had been for some time my intention to re-establish my circumstances by marrying a woman of fortune. To attach myself to your sister, therefore, was not a thing to be thought of; -- and with a meanness, selfishness, cruelty -- which no indignant, no contemptuous look, even of yours, Miss Dashwood, can ever reprobate too much -- I was acting in this manner, trying to engage her regard, without a thought of returning it.

But one thing may be said for me, even in that horrid state of selfish vanity, I did not know the extent of the injury I meditated, because I did not then know what it was to love. But have I ever known it? -- Well may it be doubted; for, had I really loved, could I have sacrificed my feelings to vanity, to avarice? -- or, what is more, could I have sacrificed hers? -- But I have done it. To avoid a comparative poverty, which her affection and her society would have deprived of all its horrors, I have, by raising myself to affluence, lost everything that could make it a blessing."

Here we understand that Willoughby's seduction of Eliza was only for his own amusement; he never had honorable intentions towards Eliza because he had always meant to marry a woman of fortune.

His love for Marianne can also be doubted, which he himself frankly admits. I cannot help but wonder if he had not married Miss Grey, whom he detests, but a woman of fortune that he neither loved nor hated if this scene would have taken place at all.

"You did then," said Elinor, a little softened, "believe yourself at one time attached to her." "Yes, I found myself, by insensible degrees, sincerely fond of her; and the happiest hours of my life were what I spent with her, when I felt my intentions were strictly honourable, and my feelings blameless."

He declares his intentions with Marianne became strictly honorable yet he still continued to risk her reputation by breaking convention. Would an honorable gentleman have done that to the one he was in love with? Certainly his attachment to her would have wanted to protect and shield her from gossip?

"My affection for Marianne, my thorough conviction of her attachment to me -- it was all insufficient to outweigh that dread of poverty, or get the better of those false ideas of the necessity of riches, which I was naturally inclined to feel, and expensive society had increased. I had reason to believe myself secure of my present wife, if I chose to address her, and I persuaded myself to think that nothing else in common prudence remained for me to do."

His dread of poverty and lack of self-discipline would, had he married Marianne, lead him to become restless and agitated. Perhaps his love for Marianne would have turned into a regret as well.

"It was necessary to my own pride. I could not bear to leave the country in a manner that might lead you, or the rest of the neighbourhood, to suspect any part of what had really passed between Mrs. Smith and myself, and I resolved therefore on calling at the cottage, in my way to Honiton."

What a reason to visit Marianne before he left! Regardless of the fact that he felt terribly tormented.

"I felt that she was infinitely dearer to me than any other woman in the world, and that I was using her infamously. But everything was then just settled between Miss Grey and me. To retreat was impossible...

...Do not talk to me of my wife," said he with an heavy sigh. "She does not deserve your compassion. She knew I had no regard for her when we married."

These are perhaps one of the most interesting sentences in his apology. His wife does not deserve compassion because she knew Willoughby had no regard for her when they married. Yet she has probably fallen under the same spell for Willoughby as Eliza and Marianne did. As he said earlier regarding Marianne: "I endeavoured, by every means in my power, to make myself pleasing to her." He must have done the same to Miss Grey perhaps even more fervently because of his situation. She was so much attracted to him that she probably believed she could make him love her. How is it less evil for him to marry her for her money then for her to let him?

Poor Mr. Willoughby! I have been terribly hard on him. "There is such an expression of goodness in his countenance! such an openness and gentleness in his manner!" One truly wants to like him and had his education been firmer, had he been less indulgent in giving way to his vanity and pleasures, and had he a sense of morals and honor he would indeed have been an interesting character. As he is, he's bordering on being the villain in Sense and Sensibility, his crimes being selfishness and vanity.

Movie Review: Sense and Sensibility 1995

2010-05-14T17:32:00.001-07:00

Marianne Dashwood is a character of such emotional passion; abandoning herself to moments of despair and great joys, betraying everything she thinks and feels. Her immaturity and lack of concern for other people's emotions are also clearly shown by Kate Winslet's fearless portrayal.

Emma Thompson is Marianne's elder sister, Elinor, whose sense and practicality truly make her the head of the family. She keeps her emotions in check, placing the feelings of others ahead of her own, and always acts with decorum.

Margaret is the youngest sister, hardly mentioned in the book, the screenplay gives her a larger role. Played by Emilie Francois she is a spirited young girl with a love of geography and sword-fighting.

The widely recognized Gemma Jones is the widowed Mrs. Dashwood mother of Marianne, Elinor, and Margaret. She is an elegant and kind mother. I love how the Dashwoods truly look like a family, something which director Ang Lee particularly strived for.

Colonel Brandon is considered by many as the most romantic character in Austen. Alan Rickman does an understated portrayal concentrating on the caring, quiet, and melancholy side of his character. While one isn't particularly struck by him at first his noble actions endear him.

Greg Wise is the handsome and dashing John Willoughby whose charm captures Marianne's heart. His seemingly amiable nature makes anyone doubt that he's a villain but as he begins to act against the rules of society one begins to wonder if he's leading her on. The thought is then refuted by his asking Marianne for a private interview, presumably to propose and during the 'proposal' one is bewildered by his leaving to London just as the Dashwoods were.

Hugh Grant is Edward Ferrars oppressed by his family and an engagement which he has come to regret. He has an awkward demeanor but is a gentleman of great honor and duty with no pretensions or hopes of distinction despite his wealth. When he falls in love with Elinor his youthful promise keeps him away.

Harriet Walter does a great job as the bitingly greedy and haughty Mrs. John Dashwood while still brining bits of humor to her character. Lucy Steele's (Imogen Stubbs) veiled insincerity keeps the first-time viewer unsure of her true character. Mrs. Jennings (Elizabeth Spriggs) and Sir John Middleton (Robert Harding) are a delightful pair and despite their horrible impertinence at times one can't help but chuckle.

I believe this adaptation does wonderful justice to Jane Austen's wit in the screenplay, brilliantly written by Emma Thomspon who won an Academy Award for it. Arguably one of it's greatest defects is that it left out the scene where Willoughby comes to explain himself when Marianne is ill and near death. But was is the result of the scene? Pity for him? Confirmation that he was at one time in love with Marianne? Both of these results are still accomplished by adding that Colonel William learnt from Lady Allen that Willoughby had meant to propose and by showing Willoughby watching Marianne's wedding to Colonel Brandon from the distance with a look of regret at the happiness he lost.
A beautiful production with fabulous acting, wonderful landscapes, and true 19th century elegance.

Book Review: The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview

2010-05-14T16:15:00.001-07:00

She had always thought herself very competent. She had been confident of her goals and her ability to accomplish them. Then, one by one, the threads she had woven begun to unravel, and now she was left with nothing but a tangle.

Caroline Bingley; we remember her as vain, haughty, and interfering. When attending Fitzwilliam Darcy's wedding what do you think the conceited creature does? She cries alone in the library in uncontrollable sobs... or at least she thinks she's alone. To her great humiliation Mr. Robert Darcy, the American cousin of Mr. Darcy, is sitting in the room. She is consoled with the idea that she will probably never see Mr. Robert again.

Staying at Netherfield, her friendship with Jane renewed, she helps her manage the household. She is so capable that the widowed Louisa remarks,

What would they do without your management... they rely far too much on you.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Robert arrives with the news that Elizabeth Darcy is ill. Jane and Charles immediately set off to Pemberley. Robert, Col. Fitzwilliam, Caroline, and Louisa following in a couple days. On their way they run into a local goose-fair which makes the roads impassible and forever changes the life of Miss Bingley.

Prejudice towards Miss Bingley diffuses as you read. Caroline is the product of her time period. Brought up to keep her emotions in check, always say the right thing, think very highly of herself, and snub those lower than her; she follow the ways of society. Robert challenges her character.

You are ready to condemn others for expressing their feelings, or for not falling completely in step with everyone else. In my mind, however, it is far better to be open, even to the extent of appearing imprudent, than to be so terrified of one's emotions that one doesn't even know what they are.

He is frank and unhindered by conventions. His mind is quick and observant. He has a teasing and caring manner towards Caroline that endears him.

There are quite a few nods to Pride and Prejudice that will delight Austen fans. One being that Mr. Robert not liking Stilton cheese makes Louisa think very poorly of him, "When he [Mr. Hurst] found her [Elizabeth Bennet] prefer a plain dish to a ragout, had nothing to say to her." Monica Fairview has a wonderful skill for writing, especially dialogue, and I eagerly look forward to reading The Darcy Cousins.

Book Rating:

Book Review: An Improper Suitor by Monica Fairview

2010-05-14T16:11:00.001-07:00

Julia Swifton is a rational and witty young lady who finds herself in the position of a heroine. Raised by her grandmother, the eccentric and merry Lady Bullfinch, she's known in society as a bit of a bluestocking. Truth be told Julia simply isn't interested in attracting a husband, she isn't in want of a fortune so why should she marry? Especially when her poor mother's marriage had brought such misery. Her husband had abandoned her and she died about a year after Julia's birth.

Unexpectedly after Lady Bullfinch recovers from an illness that had her near death she tells Julia she must find a suitor within three months or she will arrange a match with Lord Thorwynn, who has the reputation of a libertine. Despite what a contradiction it seems after the last sentence, Lady Bullfinch's intentions are good. She wants Julia to have someone to care for her when she is gone and knows Julia won't try to find a husband unless forced to. A few hours later a riding accident brings her face to face with Lord Thorwynn and a new friend Amelia Neville who has fallen from her horse. Reluctant to admit it she is immediately attracted him. Events and gossip have him continually cross her path and he develops feelings for her especially when she's in the dangerous hands of a fortune hunter and truly villainous man, Neave.

The plot at times reminds me of a Gothic parody, including two near abductions, the trickery and deceit of a conniving woman, an honor-bound marriage proposal, an elopement that is brought to a dramatic standstill involving a pistol and the quick thinking of Miss Swifton. It is a fun read with some wonderful dialogue that will sometimes bring a smile and the Byronic hero Lord Lionel Thorwynn is memorable. His honorable actions as he begins to reform allow the reader to bring down their guard and redeem him from his past behavior.

Book Rating:

Book Review: Mr. Darcy’s Dream by Elizabeth Aston

2010-05-14T16:09:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Aston is well known in the Austen world for her series of Darcy novels. Mr. Darcy's Dream is her most recent work and follows the story of Mr. Darcy's intrepid niece, Phoebe Hawkins. We become acquainted with her the morning after she has said yes to the marriage proposal of Arthur Stanhope, a handsome and well to-do gentleman with whom she has fallen in love.

Immediate happiness is not to be, her father will not sanction the match on the grounds that Mr. Stanhope is a rake! Phoebe sneaks out of the house and plans to speak with Mr. Stanhope and have him explain himself but there's no need for an explanation when she sees the scandalous actress Mrs. Vereker leave his house at an improper hour of the morning.

In low spirits she is sent to Pemberley to recover and her relation, Louisa Bingley, the daughter of Jane and Charles Bingley joins her. With a Summer ball to plan, a nosy and meddlesome Aunt to entertain, and a beautiful new glasshouse being built there is much to keep her distracted. Until she's unsettled once more by Mr. Stanhope who decides to visit his sister, a near neighbor of Pemberley.

The plot is foreseeable and many of the characters reminiscent of Austen originals --perhaps a little too much in some cases. I wish that Arthur Stanhope's character was developed a little more; he had all the ingredients for a Romantic hero but something fell short. While it was clear he truly loves Phoebe, he wasn't endearing. Phoebe's strong character is what really makes the book. There's also a more serious tone than her previous works. Glimpsing unhappy marriages, infidelity, and aversion to change. It stands out from her previous novels and is a good and quick read.

Book Rating:

Regency Era: Georgian Jewelry

2010-05-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

Jewelry, it is a very personal part of the wardrobe and reflects the personality as well as the style of the wearer. What can the jewelry fashions of the late Georgian / Regency tell us about the period?

The Essentials

The Romans thought coral kept harm away from whoever wore it. Napoleon Bonaparte’s interest in all things Roman helped coral regain it’s popularity and by the mid nineteenth century strands of coral were extremely fashionable. Shades of rose peach and deep red were very much in vogue- it was the staple jewelry piece. The red created a beautiful burst of color with the classic white gown. A strand of pearls was also very becoming and has always remained a classic throughout the years as well as cross pendants.

A Delicate Fashion

Brooches decorating both necklines and waistlines were also very stylish. They varied from small stone brooches set in gold to pearl drops and flowers. Popular stones of the time were diamonds, emeralds, garnets, rubies, amethyst, yellow topaz, onyx, and turqoise.

Compared with today, precious stones had a rougher look as they were not faceted to such perfection due to lack of machinery. The rose cut and the table cut were the most common and while they let the stone keep most of it’s carat weight they both created sparkle because the light was reflecting off the facet and not because the light was passing through the stone. So jewelers set the stones with colored, silver, or gold foil behind them to enhance their color and bounce back a little more light.

Precious Metals

Gold was the metal of choice and the higher karat was preferred. However gold was in short supply due to the war and pieces were often thin, layered, or made with a filigree design. Pinchbeck, a metal alloy of brass that closely resembles gold in color was used for costume jewelry. Pewter, silver, and bronze were also used.

Style

Simplicity was the key, anything ostentatious was thought to show a lack of taste and refinement. It suited the style of clothing very well. So it’s surprising to come across portraits with such bold jewelry as the ones seen above. My conjecture is that they were inspired by exotic styles and that they must have had bold personalities.

The lady on the left, the Hon. Mrs. Seymour Bathurst ,was the wife a colonel stationed in Malta for a period of time. Lady Julia Peel, the right portrait, was the wife of the future British Prime Minister Robert Peel during the Victorian era. Her father was a Colonel in an Indian regiment and her bracelets have an Indian look to them.

Jewelry Collections
If you would like the view Georgian jewelry pieces The Three Graces has a wonderful array of antique pieces.

Sources

"About Georgian Jewelry." The Three Graces. Web. http://www.georgianjewelry.com/reference/about_georgian_antique_jewelry
"Georgian Jewelry." Georgian Index -- Alphabetical Site Map. Web. http://www.georgianindex.net/jewelry/gjewelry.html
"Georgian Jewelry Influenced by Napoleon Bonaparte and Georgian Architecture." Antique Jewelry Investor. Web. http://www.antique-jewelry-investor.com/georgian-jewelry.html
"Rose Cut Diamond - LoveToKnow Engagement Rings." Engagement Rings. Love to Know. Web. http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Rose_Cut_Diamond

Regency Era: Miniature Portraits

2010-05-12T17:29:00.001-07:00

These tiny portraits of the past have always fascinated me. Often as small as one inch and a half, it's amazing to note the detail the artists worked into them. It started with a sketch of the subject on paper. Like any type of portraiture, not only did the artist strive to capture an accurate likeness but catch a glimpse of the subject's personality as well. When the artist was satisfied the sketch was placed under a semi-transparent sheet of ivory or vellum to be copied.

There were two main ways in which an artist painted a miniature: broad strokes, a faster but very difficult method that required a lot of experience and dotting, easier than the former but very time consuming. Watercolor and gouche were the paints of choice. Slightly wide brushes were used for the background and clothing, full but very finely pointed brushes were for details and the skin.

Details were painting looking through a magnifying glass. The more details shown and the more carefully hands were painted, the more expensive the miniature was. A sharp metal blade or 'scraper' was used to correct areas of paint that were too thick and to add small details such as strands of hair or lace patterns. It had to be used very gently so as not to scratch the ivory. A wide wooden tool was used to lift the paint when an error was made.

When finished and dried it was usually framed onto metal pedants, leather cases, or metal circlets. Daugerrotypes and photography lead to the decline of making the miniatures.

A lovely collection be found at The Tansey Collection of Miniatures and Portrait Miniature's of British Artists. Below are a few, click to see the gallery.

MiniaturePortraits

Sources:

Judy and Brian, Harden. Portrait Miniatures. Web.
http://www.portraitminiatures.co.uk/.

"19th Century Miniature Collection." The Tansey Collection of Miniatures. Web.
http://www.miniaturen-tansey.de/en/miniatures/epoches/epoche/19

"Painting Technique." The Tansey Collection of Miniatures. Web.
http://www.miniaturen-tansey.de/en/pages/show/sid/technique>."Portrait miniature." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_miniature

Movie Review: Pride and Prejudice 2005

2010-05-12T17:05:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Bennet is a young lady in the regency era who lives in the countryside with her family. Her mother and father are very different from one another. The former being rather simple and often fancying herself nervous and the later very witty and quick. She takes after her father and is one of five sisters. Jane is the eldest and one she is closest to. Her other sisters Mary, Kitty, and Lydia are rather silly.

When a neighboring estate finally has a new tenant, Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bennet is certain that he will marry one of her daughters. At the ball he is struck by Jane and she also falls in love with him. He has a friend with him, a Mr. Darcy, whose distant manners make him ill liked. Especially by Elizabeth after she overhears him mention to Bingley that she is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt him.

Soon after the charming Mr. Wickham arrives in the town with the militia and tells Elizabeth of how he grew up with Mr. Darcy and lost his advancement in the world because of Darcy's jealousy for his father's affection. But her first impressions are not quite how things really are and she will need to overcome her pride, as well as a few proposals.

Matthew Macfadyen is one of my favorite actors, I particularly love his portrayal of Arthur Clennam in Little Dorrit . It was interesting to see a different take on Mr. Darcy. He brings a sweetness of person to the character. However while Mr. Darcy is taciturn I don't think that he would have been shy. Shyness is stemmed from feeling or worrying about being inferior to others, which I think is the opposite of Darcy's fault.

Keira Knightley's charm with modern audiences brought some new Jane Austen fans. One thing that I really wish she had worked on was keeping the poise of the period. Her posture was too modern as were some of her mannerisms. I like how after Mr. Darcy's proposal Lizzy is shown as struggling and really evaluating herself and Darcy's comments.

As to Lizzy and Mr. Darcy's relationship it was clear from the beginning that they would end together. He is shown as struck by her when he first sees her and much sympathy is given to Mr. Darcy during the proposal scene. The scene I enjoyed the most of their relationship was their conversation at the piano when at Rosings.

Perhaps because of the short time span Mr. Wickham's true character is quite obvious. When one first meets him there is a feeling of insincere charm and certain looks he gives or sometimes doesn't give -lack of eye contact makes one distrust him. This accents Lizzy's blindness. Poor Mr. Bingley's easy manners and strong mind are reduced to an awkward and comical character and his relationship with Jane is hardly shown. Judi Dench does a great job as Lady Catherine de Bourg. She gives her a presence that dominates the scenes. Rosings was styled just as I imagine Lady Catherine would have requested; ostentatious and expensive.

This adaptations biggest strength is the beauty of its cinematography. I like how there is some inspiration from famous works of art and the use of light and weather work wonderfully with the scenes. The landscapes, locations, and aesthetics of how the costumes work with the settings are simply wonderful! But I don't like what they did with Longbourne (the Bennet residence). It was far to messy and dirty for the family of a gentleman during the regency period. In contrast Pemberley and Rosings were too stiff and formal.

The pace of the movies is very fast and much of the storyline is lost as well as some of the grace of the Georgian Regency.

Movie Review: Miss Austen Regrets

2010-05-11T17:21:00.001-07:00

It may be a little shocking to some to see Jane portrayed as someone who enjoys flirting and sipping wine but I doubt as to whether Harris Bigg was secure enough to propose to Jane without having received any encouragement from her.

Certainly a very spirited view of Jane Austen with poignant human moments. I like how it gives a more down to earth view of her. She had financial difficulties, she could have sometimes regretted some of her decisions, and with such lively and sparkling wit how can she be considered to be demure?

As to her sipping wine, here is an informative article on spirit consumption in the regency period. The movie also explores how difficult it must have been for her to have to rely on her brothers for everything, not being allowed to take care of her own affairs, especially when she was quite capable of doing so. As well as the fact that no matter how old we become we are still susceptible to emotions.

When I first read about the movie and saw that Olivia Williams was casted as Jane I knew she would do a brilliant portrayal. She brings the right amount of energy to the role as well as the full force of wit to the lines. I've always imagined Cassandra as the quieter of the sisters and Greta Scacchi fit well with my vision of Cassandra. She and Olivia were also very believable as sisters. It was an interesting speculation that one reason Cassandra may have persuaded Jane to refuse Harris Bigg, if indeed she did persuade her, was to not loose her sister, "because of me you chose loneliness and poverty."

Hugh Bonneville is the Rev. Brook Bridges a long time friend of the family who in the movie is portrayed as having fallen in love with Jane years before. Although he is now married it is apparent he still has feelings for her and he says some quietly romantic things to Jane. Imogen Poots is Jane Austen's sweet tempered niece Fanny Knight who wants Jane's advice on romance. My only qualms with her performance were the mannerisms and some of the body language she gave the character, which I thought were too modern for the era.

The beautiful music was composed by Jennie Muskett, who also created the music for The Virgin Queen and the first series of Spooks. It is available for purchase oniTunes. The script, written by Gwyneth Hughes, cleverly incorporates quotes directly from Jane's letters here are some of them:

November 20, 1800
"I believe I drank too much wine last night... I know not how else to account for the shaking of my hand ...my hair was at least tidy, which was all my ambition."

November 3, 1813"You call him an apothecary; he is no apothecary, he has never been an apothecary... he is a Haden, nothing but a Haden, a sort of wonderful nondescript creature on two legs, something between a man and an angel."

December 11, 1815"I think I may boast myself to be, with all possible vanity, the most unlearned and uninformed female who ever dared to be an authoress."

February 20, 1816"... Such a description of your queer little heart!"