Hello World!
I have decided the subject of my second post to be my ultimate favorite: the originator of chic-lit, the forebearer of feminism, the pioneer of wit, the advocate of romance, the preeminent heroine herself, Jane Austen. I comforted myself a few nights ago with the delicious film version of Sense and Sensibility starring Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, and many others, which promptly renewed my obsession with Ms. Austen, inspiring me to dig out my worn copy of Emma for yet another read. Side note- Ladies, if ever you want to convince that man in your life that Jane Austen is actually smart and funny, and not just for girls, force him to watch Sense and Sensibility. I swear, I have had great success turning anti-Austen ‘bros’ into guys who can at least respect her with this movie.
Generations have grown up with her work, women all over the world are in search for their Mr. Darcy, and there is no doubt the entertainment world has been forever influenced. I’m pretty sure that every one of her books has been turned into at least one movie, if not more than one. And now the publishing world has decided to cash in on Austen’s appeal with more and more books a la Austen.
One of the more popular books I enjoyed was The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler. This was also turned into a movie, but as usual, the book was considerably more charming and interesting. The book follows a group of women, and one man, who decides to read all of Austen’s work together. Of course, each of them finds new meaning in her words, and Austen helps them all through life’s challenges. There is drama, romance, and some really fun discussions about Jane.
Another popular book turned movie is Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence. This book is a great look into Jane’s world as it chronicles her relationship with Tom LeFroy through letters to her sister Cassandra. Jane is just as witty and interesting in her personal letters as in her books for publication. Of course Jane knew a thing or to about romance, and this book proves it. It depresses me a little, though, that Jane didn’t have the happy ending like Elinor, Marianne, Anne, Catherine… every single one of her heroines.
Yet another realm of Austen literature is the 2009 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith. Very…interesting. This book takes the plot and basic text of the original book and adds elements of zombies, turning the Bennett sisters into trained zombie hunters. The climax is even more exciting when Lady Catherine challenges Elizabeth to a fight to the death for Mr. Darcy, and of course Elizabeth defeats Catherine and her squad of ninjas. I can’t help but wonder what Ms. Austen would think of such a diversion from her book. Who knows… perhaps she would appreciate Elizabeth’s newfound bad-assness.
If zombies are not for you, but Pride and Prejudice is, try The Annotated Pride and Prejudice edited by David M. Shapard. If you’ve read the book a billion times over already, this is a good choice for the next round. It has over 2,300 annotations, including definitions, anecdotes, and interesting literary commentary.
Yet another is Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Vira Rigler. If you’re not opposed to the idea of time travel, then this book will be tons of fun. A woman wakes up in the body of a lady in Regency England, and not even her Jane Austen addiction has prepared her for all the troubles of the times. This book is bound to give your imagination some ideas when day-dreaming about being Jane’s best friend.
The last on my list for today is Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels by Deirdre Le Faye. This is a great addition to the Austen education for people already versed in her characters. With illustrations and maps, biographical information, summaries and contemporary opinions of Austen’s books, and meticulous descriptions of all things Regency England, this book helps to create an even more thorough vision of Austen’s novels.
Even with all of these additions to the Austen library, you can never go wrong with Austen herself. So break out your old copy of Pride and Prejudice, or find a new copy of one you haven’t gotten to (Northanger Abbey is totally underrated), and keep Austen alive.
That’s all for now!
For those of you who have kept up to date with the Beaufort Books blog, you know my obsession with Jane Austen. Well here’s another manifestation of it! BadAusten.com is hosting a Write Like Jane contest for all those Austen-aholics out there. The rules are simple: write a unique, witty, and imaginative scene based on the style of the great Jane, no longer than 800 words, and submit. The panelists will choose the best worst Austen scenes to be published in a compilation in 2011. There are already a few posted on the website, so visit and vote for your favorite! Or maybe it’s time to embrace the Austen bug and write a scene of your own. Perhaps an Emma and Gossip Girl mash-up? Or maybe Northanger Abbey‘s Susan goes goth. It could also be fun to see the Bennet sisters Big Love style. There are so many options! Imitation is a form of flattery right?