Wordy Wednesday #22

Source: wintersoldierfell on Tumblr

via CNJ JASNA on Pinterest 

[text] hot take pride and prejudice isn’t a story about two people who hate each other getting married despite their hate. pride and prejudice is a story about a rich, privileged guy getting called on his privilege and toxic masculinity by the woman he admires and then actually listening to her, taking steps to correct his own toxic masculine behavior, and using his wealth and privilege to rectify the “missing stair” problem he caused by allowing a predator to operate unchecked in his community. he specifically takes action, pays money, and does work without asking for credit or using it to point-score, because he realizes that his job as a privileged person is to protect vulnerable people, especially women. and THAT is what changes his crush’s mind about him, because he does the work and becomes a person she can respect, love, and be proud of. thanks for coming to my TED talk

Wordy Wednesday #13

Source: Vanessa Riley's Regency Reflections 

Visiting Vanessa's blog post you'll get a look into how she created the white soup pictured here.  She followed the recipe from The London Art of Cookery and Domestic Housekeepers' Clomplete Assistant by John Farley published in 1811.

You can also find a recipe given by The Telegraph taken from the 1783 edition of John Farley's The London Art of Cookery:

Put a knuckle of veal into six quarts of water, with a large fowl, and a pound of lean bacon; half a pound of rice, two anchovies, a few peppercorns,a bundle of sweet herbs, two or three onion, and three or four heads of celery cut in slices. Stew them all together, till the soup be as strong as you would have it, and strain it through a hair sieve into a clean earthen pot. Having let it stand all night, the next day take off the scum, and pour it clear off into a tossing-pan. Put in half a pound of Jordan almonds beat fine, boil it a little, and run it through a lawn sieve. Then put in a pint of cream, and the yolk of an egg, and send it up hot. John Farley, The London Art of Cookery, 1783.

Happy Birthday Pride and Prejudice

"I want to tell you that I have got my own darling Child from London . . . The Advertisement is in our paper to day for the first time . . . ." —Jane Austen, letter to Cassandra Austen, January 29, 1813


1796 - "First Impressions' begun

1797 - "First Impressions" completed and offered by Austen's father to a publisher, but rejected sight unseen.

1811 - Extensive revision of "Frist Impressions" as Pride and Prejudice begun.

1812 - Pride and Prejudice's copyright purchased for £110 by Thomas Egerton.

1813 - Pride and Prejudice published. "...the novel was announced for sale in an ad in the Morning Chronicle on January 28, 1813: a three-volume set priced at 18 shillings. The title page credited the novel to 'the Author of Sense and Sensibility."

fall 1813 - Second edition of Pride and Prejudice published

1817 - Third edition of Pride and Prejudice published.



This information was culled from the JASNA website.  You can find the publication timeline here and the background information on Pride and Prejudice here.

#BigLibraryRead Cowboy Pride by Lacy Williams

Title: Cowboy Pride (Wild Wyoming Hearts #3)

Author: Lacy Williams

Synopsis: "Everyone knows a rancher in possession of a large spread needs a wife."

First impressions count.

Liza Bennett has two missions in life: keep the family’s shop afloat, and ensure her shy sister finds love. Sparks fly when she meets rancher Rob Darcy at a town dance, but when she overhears him insult her, she vows to put the man out of her mind. Rob Darcy is instantly attracted to the vivacious Liza but a lack of social graces and the promise he’s keeping ruin his chances of winning her.

Once jilted, Janie Bennett is appropriately gun-shy of falling in love again. But she doesn't seem to be able to help herself when she meets charming Nathan Bingley. Bingley desperately wants a wife and family of his own. Can he trust that Janie returns his feelings?

When Janie is injured in a spring storm, she and Liza are sequestered on Nathan’s ranch. Hearts and emotions get tangled, but will first impressions prove true, or false?

Cowboy Pride is a Wild West version of Pride and Prejudice with dual love stories.

Review:  I haven't read it yet, but it's this year's Big Library Read selection. 

From July 9-23, library users whose libraries partner with Overdrive will be able to borrow the eBook from their library. Big Library Read is an international reading program that connects millions of readers around the world simultaneously with an eBook through the library. Readers can join an online discussion about the book at BigLibraryRead.com.

Wordy Wednesday #5

Source: SparkNotes: Pride and Prejudice as told in a series of texts
via CNJ JASNA on Pinterest

Monday Book Quote

Trying something new here on the blog, using a random word generator I will get a word and find it in one of Jane's novels. I will share that quote here. 

result

Mr. Collins was not left long to the silent contemplation of his successful love; for Mrs. Bennet, having dawdled about in the vestibule to watch for the end of the conference, no sooner saw Elizabeth open the door and with quick step pass her towards the staircase, than she entered the breakfast-room, and congratulated both him and herself in warm terms on the happy prospect of their nearer connexion. Mr. Collins received and returned these felicitations with equal pleasure, and then proceeded to relate the particulars of their interview, with the result of which he trusted he had every reason to be satisfied, since the refusal which his cousin had stedfastly given him would naturally flow from her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.

--Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 20

Box Hill Book Discussion - Longbourn

At this year's annual Box Hill meeting members of CNJ JASNA spent some time catching up before beginning out discussion of Jo Baker's Longbourn. Set during (and a little after) the events of Pride and Prejudice, Longbourn is set at the Bennett house and focuses on the lives of the staff.


One of the topics discussed was criticism on the number of staff Baker shows the Bennett household having. In this novel there is the butler and housekeeper (Mr. and Mrs. Hill), two maids (Sarah and Polly) and a footman (James). It was discussed whether this was too low a number for the household. We seemed to be split on this idea that the Bennetts didn't have the money to hire more help because Mr. Bennett didn't earn enough or if their lack of savings played a part in the size of the household staff.

We also discussed Baker's use of the war in the novel, something Jane barely hinted at in her novels. This novel gives us a better understanding of the political landscape of the time. England was at war with France (well Napoleon was at war with everyone) and this resulted in James fighting in Spain. The Napoleonic Wars spanned the time period between 1803 and 1815. Between 1801 and 1814 English troops helped Spanish troops in Spain, this is when James was involved in the war.  These events were ongoing while Jane was editing P&P. Given a penchant for research one could look at P&P and attempt to glen an insight to troop movements in relationship to English troop movements in relation to the war (I think that sentence makes sense).

We enjoyed the little glimpses we got into P&P while not being a retelling of the novel. Comments about the mud on the bottoms of petticoats, to needing to go fetch the shoe-roses, and the flogging of a private all became major aspects of Longbourn.

We also discussed:
* the similarities between the two stories. Elizabeth is torn between Darcy and Wickham and Sarah is torn between James and Ptolmey
* how Wickham is even more horrible in this novel
* the mixed feelings on Mr. Bennett's characterization
* the inclusion of Ptolmey and how he was similar and yet different from James


Please feel free to share you're thoughts on the novel!

Goodreads Monday - Flirting with Pride and Prejudice

Title: Flirting with Pride and Prejudice: Fresh perspectives on the Original Chick-Lit Masterpiece
Author: Jennifer Crusie, Glenn Yeffeth
Publication Date: August 11, 2005
Date Added to List: July 23, 2014


Synopsis: One of fiction's most well-loved novels, this 19th-century classic continues to capture the hearts of contemporary readers with its notions of marriage, dating, and romance. Leading authors in the area of women's literature and romance contribute to this fresh collection of essays on everything from Lydia's scandalous marriage to George Wickham to the female-dominated Bennett household and the emphasis placed on courtship and marriage. Contributors include Jo Beverly, Alesia Holliday, Mercedes Lackey, Joyce Millman, and Jill Winters. This compilation is an excellent companion for both those new to Jane Austen and well-versed Austen-philes

Why I Wanted to Read It: I enjoy Jennifer Crusie's novels and when I find out that an author I like also like Jane Austen it makes me giddy. So when I saw she was the editor of this collection and that some other authors I like also contributed I really wanted to read it!

Goodreads Monday - Flirting with Pride and Prejudice

Title: Flirting with Pride and Prejudice: Fresh perspectives on the Original Chick-Lit Masterpiece
Author: Jennifer Crusie, Glenn Yeffeth
Publication Date: August 11, 2005
Date Added to List: July 23, 2014


Synopsis: One of fiction's most well-loved novels, this 19th-century classic continues to capture the hearts of contemporary readers with its notions of marriage, dating, and romance. Leading authors in the area of women's literature and romance contribute to this fresh collection of essays on everything from Lydia's scandalous marriage to George Wickham to the female-dominated Bennett household and the emphasis placed on courtship and marriage. Contributors include Jo Beverly, Alesia Holliday, Mercedes Lackey, Joyce Millman, and Jill Winters. This compilation is an excellent companion for both those new to Jane Austen and well-versed Austen-philes

Why I Wanted to Read It: I enjoy Jennifer Crusie's novels and when I find out that an author I like also like Jane Austen it makes me giddy. So when I saw she was the editor of this collection and that some other authors I like also contributed I really wanted to read it!

Podcasting with Jane with Slate.com

Slate's Audio Book Club celebrated Pride and Prejudice's 200th birthday with this episode.



In this episode the hosts "discuss why the novel still bewitches us, whether it is fundamentally radical or conservative about gender and class, and the difference between Austen people and Brontë people. They also envision what a Jane Austen dating service might do for the modern man." - More can be found on Slate.com

Movie Review - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

A group of us gathered together on Sunday to watch Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  When the movie came out in February we were in the process of making plans to go see it in theaters when it was gone after only (about?) a week.  So we said when it came out on streaming/DVD we'd get together to watch the movie.

We had an enjoyable time laughing at the movie and talk about what we liked and disliked.  Overall we felt it wasn't enough of a period piece nor was it enough of a zombie movie to be really good either way. That said there were some enjoyable scenes.

After the Meryton Ball when the sisters are discussing the evening is made more enjoyable by a taking place while the sisters are training. This version of Mary is less insufferable since she's doing something more than lecturing.

The same can be said of Mr. Darcy's first proposal. Lizzy and Darcy both verbally and physically fight and destroy Mr. Collins' living room.

Ah, Mr. Collins. Played by Matt Smith, he was a blend of the annoying man from the novel and the lovable quirkiness of Smith's 11th Doctor from the series Doctor Who.

There were some other good parts of the movie, but overall we were in agreement that the plot seemed rushed on the P&P aspects and disjointed throughout. The sound quality was bad and there were sections that were hard to hear and we felt we were missing something important.

We all missed some scenes from the book that we did enjoy like nearly everything about Charlotte Lucas who was pretty much cut out of the movie but for a few small scenes.

If you are interested in watching the movie, I highly suggest gathering a group of friends, putting together an array of snacks and not taking the movie seriously.

Happy Viewing!

-Amelia

It's Monday! What are you reading? - Lizzy Bennet's Diary

Title: Lizzy Bennet's Diary
Author: Marcia Williams
Publication Date:April 22, 2014
Date Added to List:April 14, 2014

Synopsis: When Lizzy Bennet’s father gives her a diary, she fancies she will use it to write a novel, as her real life is exceedingly dull. Then the handsome Mr. Bingley moves to nearby Netherfield Park, and suddenly life is every bit as thrilling as a novel would be. Who will he dance with at the Meryton ball? Who is his haughty friend? Will Lizzy ever receive a marriage proposal? Readers will have to read her diary to find out! Marcia Williams offers a lively introduction to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in a highly illustrated scrapbook-diary format, featuring such novelties as foldout notes from sisters and suitors, an elegant bill of fare, and an invitation to the ball.

Review: After last week's Goodreads Monday, I decided to check out the book and give it a try.  I enjoyed the book. I thought it was appropriate for the age group it was written for and a good book for those who aren't quite ready for the actual text of Pride and Prejudice. The publisher recommends this book for children aged 8-12 and I do think that's the perfect age range for this book, but I think anyone picking up this book would enjoy it.

This book would be great as a book to read along with your child.  There are hand written notes that you open up as if Lizzy has attached them to the pages of her diary.  The handwriting is mostly cursive and can be a bit challenging to read. The artwork wasn't my favorite but might appeal to younger readers. 

I suggest picking up this book and giving it a quick flip through. It's a great format for the age group and a retelling. 

Wordless Wednesday #107

Source: Pemberly Pond via CNJ JASNA on Pinterest

Pride and Prejudice Discussion

Yesterday we had our February meeting and we had a wonderful discussion about Pride and Prejudice.

I put together a list of 15 questions that I pulled from various sources (list at the bottom of this post).

Here are some of the ones we discussed:

• How are Elizabeth’s wit and intelligence and independence first made clear in the novel? In what ways, during the course of the novel, is she the victim of her own intellect and independence? Are these features eventually responsible for her happy ending?
• In 1814 Mary Russell Mitford wrote: "It is impossible not to feel in every line of Pride and Prejudice. . . the entire want of taste which could produce so pert, so worldly a heroine as the beloved of such a man as Darcy. . . Darcy should have married Jane." Would you have liked the book as well if Jane were its heroine?
• Austen suggests that in order to marry well a woman must be pretty, respectable, and have money. In the world of Pride and Prejudice, which of these is most important? Spare a thought for some of the unmarried women in the book-Mary and Kitty Bennet, Miss de Bourgh, Miss Georgiana Darcy, poor, disappointed Caroline Bingley. Which of them do you picture marrying some day? Which of them do you picture marrying well?
• In what ways is Elizabeth out of place in her own family? How do they limit what she can do with her “lively mind”? What do Darcy and Pemberly represent to Elizabeth? To what extent do you think family makes a person who he or she is? How does family influence the way others think of that person?
• Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Collins, and Lady Catherine de Bourgh are famously comic characters. What makes them so funny? How does Elizabeth’s perception of them affect your trust in Elizabeth’s views of other people in the book, particularly of Wickham and Darcy?

Discussion Question Sources:

• Pride and Prejudice Discussion Questions - Chicago Public Library
• Pride and Prejudice Questions - Shmoop.com
• Pride and Prejudice: Questions and Topics for Discussion - Penguin Books
• The Jane Austen Book and Film Club - PBS
• Pride and Prejudice Discussion Questions - Reading Group Guides

It's Monday! What are you reading? - Pride and Prejudice

I'm gearing up for our discussion of Pride and Prejudice next weekend by rereading the novel.  I'm not just rereading it, I'm reading it as an English Major.  I picked up a low-cost copy, a pencil and set to reading and underlining passages and making notes in the margins. I haven't read any of Jane's work this way (kind of surprising) and I'm finding things that I've missed on previous reads of the novel.

I'm finding a kind of like Mr. Bennett a bit more, yes he's harsh and uncaring, but he's so witty. I've known this, but taking the time to mark some of his lines as made him seem new to my eyes.  

One thing I enjoy about rereading is knowing how the story is going to play out and finding tidbits that the author has left for you. Sort of a breadcrumb path through the story. These get an underline and a note about foreshadowing or "that comments going to come back to bite you". 

What are you reading?

Podcasting with Jane - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

While doing some searching for this month's podcast I came across a wonderful list put together by Jane Austen's World.  You can find it here - Podcasts on Jane Austen's World.

One of the podcasts is about Pride and Prejucie and Zombies. You can find it here - Rambler’s Cafe: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies


We are also going to try to put together a group of Janeites to go see the movie, if you are interested send us an email to cnjjasna{at}gmail{dot}com.

Happy Listening!

Wordless Wednesday #95

Source: Jane Austen’s Film and TV Adaptation Locations: Sudbury Hall Interiors Part 3 
via CNJ JASNA on Pinterest

#AustenInAugustRBR - Book Review: Pride, Prejudice and Popcorn by Carrie Sessarego

Pride, Prejudice and Popcorn: TV and Film Adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre by Carrie Sessarego
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Going into this book, I wondered why these three novels and questioned whether this author was one of those people who assumed these authors were contemporaries. Well, I had to make though almost all of the books for the reason - because she wanted to.  Carrie Sessarego knows that these authors weren't contemporaries and she knows that they have little in common, but she does a wonderful job of breaking down the novels and their movie adaptations.  She even goes a little further and does some comparing and contrasting between the novels.

The main chunk of this book is broken down like this:

• novel summary
• grouped chapter breakdowns
• what a good adaptation should have
• reviews of movies
• bests in categories like characters, costumes, settings, ect.

What I liked most, was the chapter breakdowns were like sitting down over coffee with some friends and gossiping about people.  Carrie adds a snarky aspect that mimics personal conversation between friends. Everything is done from her likes and dislikes so you may not find that her favorite adaptation is to your liking, but she tends to be pretty open and honest about aspects of the movies. 

It's worth checking out if you would like to see what adaptations are out there for these novels.  Which movies are worth watching for their likeness to the novels and which are worth watching because they are nothing like the novels. Also if you want to find a like opinion that nothing about Wuthering Heights is romantic at all. 

Austen in August Book List #AustenInAugustRBR

 I know it's a bit scary but August is only a few weeks away.  Where has 2015 gone in such a hurry?  Adam at Roof Beam Reader is again hosting the annual, Austen in August reading event.  If you are interested in participating you can sing up over at Roof Beam Reader.

I went through all the Austen related books I've amassed in my Nook and Kindle libraries and have come up with four books that I'll be reading and reviewing for the month.

My Own Mr. Darcy by Karey White 
Pride, Prejudice and Popcorn: TV and Film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre by Carrie Sessarego
Captain Frederick Wentworth's Persuasion: Jane Austen's Classic Retold Through His Eyes by Regina Jeffers
Fall For You (The Jane Austen Academy Book 1) by Cecilia Gray

Podcasting with Jane Austen - BBC's World Book Club

This week we bring you a lively book discussion of Pride and Prejudice.  This podcast was from January of 2013.  World Book Club was celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of the novel.

On the panel were P.D. James, author Moni Mohsin, and Susannah Fullerton, President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia.

The program is a mixture of readings from the novel, questions and answers, and reflections from other authors. The podcast runs about 55 minutes long and you can find it here on the BBC Website.


A few things I found interesting:

• Men. It seemed to me that the questions asked came from a good number of men, from all walks of life and from all parts of the world.  It was great to see! There is a man who admits to reading P&P for the first time while in a pub. 
• Really listen at the 3 minute mark. A question gets answered and P.D. James's answer completely baffled me. (Don't worry if you miss it, I already have it planned for our August Poll Question.)
• The questions. They did a really good job of using both commonly asked and unique questions. Some of them I personally never would have thought to ask or discuss and some of them were what I felt were common questions to ask when discussing P&P.

Happy Listening!