My August with Jane Austen

I signed up for the "Austen in August" challenge hosted by roofbeamreader. The object was to read books connected with Jane Austen in the month of August.  Since I have already read Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, I opted to explore new territory this month. I read three books, and loved every minute of it!  Here is a bit about my month with Jane.

My journey began with Mansfield Park. I had attempted this novel once before, and I confess I got stuck when the characters are rehearsing a play.  This time around, however, I was determined.  The play rehearsals are a pretty important part of the novel in that during this time the reader sees the character traits of the participants.  Henry Crawford is an outrageous flirt (and a bit of a cad), Edmund doesn't have the strength of character to resist Mary Crawford's charms, and Fanny Price, the steady heroine of the novel, is working very hard to avoid participating in this folly.  I thoroughly enjoyed Mansfield Park and am now a fan of Fanny Price.  Fanny is in the position of being the poor relation reliant on the goodness of others, and accepts her position in the family with a good deal of grace.  She ingratiates herself to her aunt and uncle, and becomes an integral part of their lives, particularly as their own offspring make questionable choices.  I enjoyed my time at Mansfield Park, and will definitely read this one again!

Next, I visited Northanger Abbey.  Catherine Morland's overactive imagination gets the best of her in Northanger Abbey, despite the fact that the actual home is not nearly as dark and dangerous as she anticipates.  This book had me laughing, and is the simplest and most light-hearted Austen novel I have read.  Jane Austen must have had a wonderful time writing this novel poking fun of the Gothic literature of her day, and she crafts her own story with a steady hand and a good deal of humor. I quite enjoyed Henry Tilney and his complete understanding of the workings of the mind of seventeen year old Catherine.  I especially appreciated when Henry says "The person, be it gentlemen or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel must be intolerably stupid."  

Sprinkled into my month were a couple of detours for Jane Austen in film.  I watched versions of Persuasion, Emma, and the movie, The Lake House (with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves). The novel, Persuasion, has a role in The Lake House, so I justified throwing it in to my August experience. 

Lastly, I took A Rambling Fancy with Caroline Sanderson through England, looking for locations and events in the life of Jane Austen.  Sanderson sprinkles her well-written book with interesting insights into the life of Jane and the Austen family, and also includes quotes from Austen's novels.  This was my first encounter with little poems written by Jane for family, and with excerpts from her few remaining letters.  Sanderson has woven all of this into chapters about Bath, Lyme Regis, and other locations Austen lived and visited in her lifetime.  It is a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The title, by the way, is taken from Mansfield Park.  After her journey through Austen's England, Caroline Sanderson sums up her experience this way:

"Jane Austen tea towels and the like are all very well (I have a key ring myself), but her words are the only souvenirs from the journey really worth having."

As I (sadly) leave August and Jane Austen, I heartily agree that her words are wonderful souvenirs from my journey!

Here is a previous post about Pride and Prejudice you may want to read.

I enjoyed the following blog posts from Lark Writes while I was doing my own Austen in August reading. Check them out!

A Jane Austen Education

Jane Actually

Mansfield Park

Austen in August (Lady Susan)

"Pride and Prejudice" Turns 200!

This week marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice.  I wonder if Austen every dreamed her book would have such staying power, or if she would be horrified by all of the spin-offs from her incredible novel.  

Pride and Prejudice, for those of you who have somehow managed to miss this work, is the story of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters, and her romance with Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.  Of course, their relationship begins on rocky footing with Mr. Darcy refusing to dance at a ball, deeming none of the women suitable.  Over the course of the novel, the two continue to encounter each other, and Mr. Darcy, at least, grows fond of Elizabeth.  His harsh criticisms of her family, however, cause her to reject his clumsy proposal.  Who can't help but smile at the scene where Darcy comes out of the blue to declare his intentions to her?

"'In vain I have struggled.  It will not do.  My feelings will not be repressed.  You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.'

Elizabeth's astonishment was beyond expression.  She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent."  (from Pride and Prejudice).

Illustration from Pride and Prejudice

Austen's writing contains so many insights into human behavior that it resonates even today, two hundred years later.  Her characters are flawed, which makes them all the more lovable.  Austen's novels have happy endings, and getting there is fun.  Early in Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth says to Darcy, "I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry."  The journey from that beginning to their happy ending is a literary pleasure.

If you haven't read Pride and Prejudice, you might want to indulge now, and see what has given it such popularity.  As for me, I think it is about time to read it again.  Happy Birthday, Pride and Prejudice!

To read about my "Austen in August" reading experience, click here.