It's Not Jane Austen But It's Really Good

[Claudine]

"Haunting Mr. Darcy" is 2.99 right now, thanks for sharing Ceri! Now I can get it off my KU and finally own it! This is a romantic and bubbly read!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JDS...

[Patricia]

id like to recommend edenbrooke.

[Sophia]

Thanks, Patrica!

I've heard good things about that one.

[Teresa]

Edenbrooke is a great read. Would highly recommend it.

[Sophia]

SALE Alert! Georgette Heyer's Sylvester is only $1.99 at Amazon right now: https://www.amazon.com/Sylvester-Wick...

[Anji]

I had a break from listening to JAFF audiobooks recently. My annual subscription with Audible renewed at the beginning of June and I treated myself to The Hunger Games trilogy. We'd borrowed the DVDs from our son as they came out and thought they were really good films. So that made me want to seek out the source material. The films are pretty faithful adaptations as it turns out. The books are told from the POV of Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence in the films) and, rather unusually, in the present tense for the most part. Then, we bought our own box set of the films and watched them in fairly rapid succession over several nights, with a break during each one for me to get up and walk around for a while.

Did you know that there are two P&P 2005 alumni in these films? Donald Sutherland is the obvious one but Jena Malone (Lydia Bennet) plays one of the supporting roles.

If, like me, you're a sci-fi geek, give these books and films a try.

[Anji]

Another DVD we've seen recently is the new film version of Dad's Army. I wasn't sure about it at first and it did get off to a slow start but really enjoyed it in the end. The casting of the familiar characters from the TV series was pretty good with quite a few famous names among them.

There's even an Austen connection here, too as one of the supporting characters was played by Alison Steadman from P&P 1995. She had a lot less trouble with her nerves in this!

[Sophia]

Thanks for sharing your book to movie and movie to Austen connections. I want to read the Hunger Games trio at some point. I didn't before, but now I do.

[Teresa]

I'm a real fan of the old Dad's Army series and I did enjoy this film. I thought too that they got some of the characters spot on from the series. And I'm a big fan of Bill Nighy.

[Anji]

Teresa wrote: "I'm a real fan of the old Dad's Army series and I did enjoy this film. I thought too that they got some of the characters spot on from the series. And I'm a big fan of Bill Nighy."

So am I Teresa. I first came across him when he played Sam Gamgee in a BBC radio dramatisation of The Lord of the Rings way back in 1981 (he appears in the credits as William Nighy). He was also excellent as corrupt politician Geoffrey Grainger in a series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. I don't think he's capable of turning in a bad performance!

[Anji]

Sophia wrote: "Thanks for sharing your book to movie and movie to Austen connections. I want to read the Hunger Games trio at some point. I didn't before, but now I do."

Sophia, if you really want to get into connections, there's even one between The Hunger Games and Dad's Army. Toby Jones (Captain Mainwaring in the latter) also appears in the former.

[Abigail]

My Jane Austen reading club is currently reading Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As per this thread’s title, it’s not Jane Austen but it’s really good. Anne is the most Austenesque of the Brontës, though that’s not saying too much.

[Paige]

Abigail wrote: "My Jane Austen reading club is currently reading Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As per this thread’s title, it’s not Jane Austen but it’s really good. Anne is the most Aus..."

Oh, that is a book i really should read! I have a daughter who is an English major in her senior year this year and she is a Bronte fan, and she particularly likes Anne! (My daughter is much brighter and more well-read than I am. :-) )

[Carmen8094]

Hi! Last month I reread "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte. I read it several times when I was a teen, but it was not a favourite of mine. This time, instead, I loved it! Jane is so brave, witty and passionate! And Mr Rochester isn't at all as bad as I remembered him.
I'd like to know what you think about the book and the adaptations (if it isn't out of topic). So far, I've watched three out of five I have found.

[Teresa]

I think I posted previously that I love the bbc version with Timothy Dalton. A bit dated now but very true to the book. I also liked the old black and white movie with Orson Welles as Mr Rochester and Joan Fontaine as Jane. It was really well done and Welles was an excellent Rochester.

[Debbie]

The only version I've seen is from 2010 with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. It's been a while since I've seen it so I don't remember how faithful it is to the book, but it's an excellent production. (Judi Dench is in the cast!)

[Carmen8094]

Teresa wrote: "I think I posted previously that I love the bbc version with Timothy Dalton. A bit dated now but very true to the book. I also liked the old black and white movie with Orson Welles as Mr Rochester ..."

Hi Teresa! Oh, I'm very curious about the 1983 BBC version, I hope to find some subtitles, at least in English. I love series with a lot of episodes, and this has 11 ones!

I have watched the 2006 version. I don't like it, even if I think that Ruth Wilson is the best Jane so far and that the relationship between Mr Rochester and Jane is well rendered.

About the black and white movie, I liked it very much at the beginning, but then my enthusiasm diminished above all because of Jane, that is too languid, and her relationship with Rochester, that is not absorbing. Little Margaret O'Brien is adorable as Adele!

Today I have watched the movie with Mia Wasikowska. I like it, above all the way of telling the story, starting from Jane's escape frome Thornfield and I like the cast, too, but, once more again, that is not entirely Jane and the love story is not absorbing.

I've found a version with Ciaran Hinds (Captain Wentworth from Persuasion!!) by ITV, I think, with Spanish subtitles... I hope to understand one or two words out of three...

Then, there is the movie by Franco Zeffirelli.
I've searched for some anime version, but it seems there aren't.

Other suggestions?

[Carmen8094]

Debbie wrote: "The only version I've seen is from 2010 with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. It's been a while since I've seen it so I don't remember how faithful it is to the book, but it's an excellent pr..."

Yes, Judi Dench is a perfect Mrs Fairfax!

[Teresa]

Wasn't keen on the Ciaran Hinds one even though I really like him as an actor. Just didn't get any chemistry from it.

[Maria]

The version directed by Zeffirelli is my favourite, Carmen. It's faithful to the novel and the actors are just amazing! I liked the movie with Fassbender but I agree with you when you say that the love story isn't absorbing. I have yet to see the 2006 version but a friend told me that she loved it so I hope to enjoy it, too! :)

[Carmen8094]

@ Teresa: What a pity!!

@Maria: Wow, I hope to watch the movie soon.
I watched the 2006 version first and I wasn't satisfied for some reasons, but after watching other adaptations, I am reconsidering it.

[Mirta]

Hi all. I recently discovered Nichole Van and her series of Regency/ Time Travel books. Great fun!
Intertwine
Divine
Clandestine

[Patricia]

Mirta wrote: "Hi all. I recently discovered Nichole Van and her series of Regency/ Time Travel books. Great fun!
Intertwine
Divine
Clandestine"

Sounds Interesting! reminds me of a series of books I read when I was in my teens.
These books :

[Mirta]

Abigail wrote: "My Jane Austen reading club is currently reading Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As per this thread’s title, it’s not Jane Austen but it’s really good. Anne is the most Aus..."

I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie. Loved it...very dark, very Bronte! ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115387/) The main character played by Tara Fitzgerald was also Mrs. Reed in the 2006/Ruth Wilson adaptation of Jane Eyre. Also recently seen in Game of Thrones :-)

[Abigail]

When I wrote about it being really good, I hadn’t read it in decades! After rereading, I am less upbeat about it—the Austenian elements are mostly in the early going, and then it gets more dark and a bit hysterical (not as hysterical as her sisters’ novels, but still). I liked the movie of it very much, too, and would perhaps recommend Austen fans to watch more than read if they’re interested in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

[Ceri]

I really enjoyed reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, I've read it a few times. It's the on the lower side of the Bronte gothic scale. I keep meaning to try Agnes Grey too.

[Abigail]

I haven’t read it since I was in my teens and can’t remember it at all. A friend who read it recently said that it was even more religious than Tenant—hard to imagine! Not as silly as Wuthering Heights, at least! (You can tell I’m not a big Brontë fan.)

[Ceri]

I am not a huge fan of WH, but I can't deny that it's a powerful read and I am glad I read it. It's interesting to think that Emily was the product of the same family as the others, who have very strong religious themes in their book, albeit allied with passionate feelings. WH is quite Godless I think. Such a dislikeable cast of characters too, the only one I liked was Cathy's nephew! But a big, moving, powerful book all the same. It's a bit much for me! I like less drama.

[Teresa]

I read Agnes Grey a long time ago but I remember I liked it very much.

[Carmen8094]

I liked Agnes Grey, too.
Now I am reading "Shirley" by Charlotte Bronte, but it is boring...

[Ceri]

The only one I've read by Charlotte Bronte (other than the awesome Jane Eyre, of course) is Vilette, which was good, but the ending annoyed me a bit.

If you are in the mood for a bit of melodrama, a book that I enjoyed was The Woman in White. That reminded me a bit of the Brontes.

[Carmen8094]

Ceri wrote: "The only one I've read by Charlotte Bronte (other than the awesome Jane Eyre, of course) is Vilette, which was good, but the ending annoyed me a bit.

If you are in the mood for a b..."

I read it some months ago!!
The central part was distressing, but I enjoyed it, too.
I have No name on my kindle, hope to have time to read it soon.

Villette is in my tbr list, I'll read it after Shirley. What a pity for the ending... so, was Jane Eyre an isolated case?

[Gretchen]

Chelsea wrote: "Trish wrote: "I recommend the Elizabethan series by amanda carmack. takes place during Tudor era and a girl who works for Elizabeth solves mysteries."

Trish, I've added the first book to my, ever-..."

I just looked up the series I will definitely be putting it on my TBR list a musician and mystery and Queen Elizabeth oh yes!

[Ceri]

@Carmen: Of the two I have read, I far preferred Jane Eyre, but Vilette is a good read too. You might not mind the ending, but I found it left me feeling a little flat, it's a style of ending that I am not fond of, but others don't have an issue with. I have been meaning to read The Professor for a long time too.

[Carmen8094]

Ceri wrote: "@Carmen: Of the two I have read, I far preferred Jane Eyre, but Vilette is a good read too. You might not mind the ending, but I found it left me feeling a little flat, it's a style of ending that ..."

Thank you Ceri. Now I'm curious about Villette :)

[Abigail]

When I was in my late teens/early twenties, Villette was my favorite Brontë novel! Perhaps because I spent long hours alone and obsessing, like the heroine. I’m reluctant to read it now because my approach to life has changed so drastically, it might well not resonate anymore.

[Carmen8094]

Abigail wrote: "When I was in my late teens/early twenties, Villette was my favorite Brontë novel! Perhaps because I spent long hours alone and obsessing, like the heroine. I’m reluctant to read it now because my ..."

The same that has happened to me with Jane Eyre, that I didn't love as a teen, but now I have read with different eyes.
From your description, I think Villette has some chance to be a favourite of mine, too.

[Abigail]

Carmen wrote, “I think Villette has some chance to be a favourite of mine, too.

That’s great! Sometimes books just have to hit you at the right moment in your life.

[Teresa]

Having read your comments here maybe I'll give Jane Eyre a go again. I just didn't like it when I read it some years ago. I can still remember slogging my way through it. Maybe I'll like it now but I definitely still hate Wuthering Heights. I even hate the tv adaptations.

[Maria]

Ahh, Wuthering Heights... I tried to read it but failed miserably. Then I tried to watch some adaptations but couldn't finish them either... I'm determined to give this book another try (hopefully this year) but I have to be in the right mood for it!

[Debbie]

The first time I read WH, I really struggled to finish it. Then I became an English teacher and it was part of the 12th grade curriculum so I had to teach it! Learned to like it out of necessity, but it's not one of my favorites.

[Carmen8094]

I don't like Wuthering Heights, too.
I found Heatcliff too violent! To hit children!!!

[Ceri]

I struggled with WH because the characters were almost universally unlikeable. I didn't even like the narrator! Only one I cared about even a bit was Cathy's nephew (Hareton?) I pitied Heathcliff but all the bad treatment he suffered couldn't excuse him for the misery he inflicted on innocent parties. I studied it in school.

[Anji]

I have to admit to struggling with the Brontë sisters works, apart from Jane Eyre. A part of it may be that we had to study WH at school and I just couldn't get my head around the relationships at all. Definitely didn't like Heathcliff. I should give them another go really, especially as Haworth is only about 45 minutes drive away from us. Just wish it was Chawton instead, though!

Of the dramatisations of Jane Eyre that I've seen, I really enjoyed the Timothy Dalton version back when it was originally broadcast but I think it's a little dated now. The most recent one I've seen is the one with Toby Stephens, which was pretty good. Has anyone else seen it?

[Teresa]

I have. My daughter loves that version but she's a big fan of Toby Stephens. I wasn't over keen on it. But overall it's not one of my favourite books to begin with.

[Ceri]

I didn't like the casting of Toby Stephens as Rochester but that version is not bad. The one with Michael Fassbender is ok too. I haven't seen a version of Jane Eyre that I can really love yet. Orson Welles was good as Rochester but Jane in that version (Joan Fontaine) was pretty personality free. I haven't seen the Timothy Dalton one yet.

[Anji]

Ceri wrote: "I didn't like the casting of Toby Stephens as Rochester but that version is not bad. The one with Michael Fassbender is ok too. I haven't seen a version of Jane Eyre that I can really love yet. Ors..."

I remember when the Timothy Dalton version was first broadcast that the BBC were criticised for casting someone who was too good looking as Rochester. Then someone pointed out that his particular kind of good looks were somewhat different to what had been generally accepted as conventionally handsome at the time the book was written.

I haven't seen the Michael Fassbender version yet though.

[Ceri]

I think Timothy Dalton is too handsome for Rochester, I have to say, but he has the right style of look, masculine, dark, square jaw etc. Fassbender is also too handsome, but to a lesser degree and again he's very manly looking. Of them all I thought Toby Stephens looked the least like Rochester and didn't have the presence needed for the character. I think that all the versions of JE I've seen have been ok, and had different strengths, but there have been none that have stood out as a favourite. I'm still waiting for a really good one.

On the other hand, I thought The Tenant of Wildfell Hall adaptation, which also starred Toby Stephens, was really satisfactory, I wouldn't change much about that one.

[Teresa]

Strange how we all disagree on this one. I thought Timothy Dalton was perfect for the part and Orson Welles also was a proper Rochester for me. Toby Stephens didn't do anything for me in the part.

[Ceri]

Teresa wrote: "Strange how we all disagree on this one. I thought Timothy Dalton was perfect for the part and Orson Welles also was a proper Rochester for me. Toby Stephens didn't do anything for me in the part."

I'm not disagreeing with you very much, I think OW was probably the best cast. I don't object to the actor playing Rochester being too handsome, as long as it's the right style of too handsome :)