Group Read- March

[Sophia]

Oh, I remember now. She surprised you with a trip to see a few Austen sites. So even better that you got to share it.

[Teresa]

A FEW AUSTEN SITES Sophia!!!!! The highlight of my life!! It cannot be dismissed in so casual a fashion :):)

[Sophia]

Haha, my apologies. You're right. Even if I just saw two, I would feel transported from the experience.

[Anna]

I'm really enjoying this discussion, though I don't think I'll have time to read the book this month after all. I am interested in seeing how her family portrayed her, but I would likely follow it up with a less "sanitized" biography.

Oh, and to be able to visit the places where Austen lived, visited, and rests...just wow!

[Sophia]

Bummer you'll have to sit this one out, Anna. But hey, I like your idea of reading one like this and then another that takes a different approach to compare them.

[Teresa]

Yes Anna I was completely star struck!! As much as any of the young people today who swoon over those pointless celebrities that we are over run with now. (Really showing my age here)!!

[Anna]

I know what you mean, Teresa! I would've felt the same way!

[Anji]

Teresa wrote: "Yes Anna I was completely star struck!! As much as any of the young people today who swoon over those pointless celebrities that we are over run with now. (Really showing my age here)!!"

I felt the same when I visited Chawton, Teresa. To be in the same room where she wrote, gazing at that tiny little writing table - well, I got shivers all down my spine and goosebumps, too! Winchester Cathedral is on my To Do list next time we're in Hampshire, visiting our friends in Southampton.

[Patricia]

Sophia wrote: "First Discussion Starter

What are your impressions before starting the book? Does it matter that it is written by her relations or not really? If you've started, what's your early thoughts on it?..."

I feel like this is going to be a more thorough kind of book since its written by her relations.. I like that it is written by them, Besides, how often, (and cool ) is it when isomething is written by relatives or descendants of favorite authors, historical people etc. about them. :)

[Teresa]

That's it exactly Anji. I couldn't believe I was actually walking where she walked and looking at sights that she would have seen. I'll never forget it.

[Mary]

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much,Teresa.

[Sophia]

Patricia wrote: "Sophia wrote: "First Discussion Starter

What are your impressions before starting the book? Does it matter that it is written by her relations or not really? If you've started, what's your early ..."

It is a little exciting to read a book her relatives wrote. I don't think I've read other books like this. I hope to start it next week.

[Carmen8094]

Abigail wrote: "For me, it does matter (a lot) that it is written by her relations—especially her nineteenth-century relations. They were quite a conservative family and were influenced by Victorian mores to the e..."

... and Abigail makes me think as always... :)

Well, I have read the first two chapters so far, and I found the book really interesting. I didn't expect I would have been moved reading about Jane Austen from someone related to her...

[Abigail]

Sorry about making you think, Carmen! ;-) I know we’re supposed to be having fun here! I’m just a compulsive nerd.

[Sophia]

Carmen8094 wrote: "Abigail wrote: "For me, it does matter (a lot) that it is written by her relations—especially her nineteenth-century relations. They were quite a conservative family and were influenced by Victoria..."

Oh good, I'm glad its pulling you in already.

And I love how Abigail makes me think, too. :)

[Carmen8094]

Abigail wrote: "Sorry about making you think, Carmen! ;-) I know we’re supposed to be having fun here! I’m just a compulsive nerd."

Always fun in thinking ;)

[Carmen8094]

Sophia wrote: "Carmen8094 wrote: "Abigail wrote: "For me, it does matter (a lot) that it is written by her relations—especially her nineteenth-century relations. They were quite a conservative family and were inf..."

Yes, I like reading about Jane Austen's background. Then, the edition I am reading is full of really interesting notes.

[Sophia]

I found the first few chapters of learning Jane Austen's family history interesting, but now... Yippee!!!!! I am loving the letters section where her nephew (her oldest brother James's son, the author of this book) lets her own words tell the story. Austen's letters make me laugh, snort, and sigh... As much as I love reading and listening to her novels, her letters are just as sparkling of gems.
I'm at page 66 of the copy I'm reading so I have plenty more to enjoy of the book.
So if you're sort of slogging through the early part and the nephews definite desire to portray the family in the best light (which incidentally I still enjoy very much though I was skeptical about the portrayal), just wait.... :)

[Abigail]

She really lets her freak flag fly in the letters, doesn’t she? Reminds me of the tone of the juvenilia.

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "She really lets her freak flag fly in the letters, doesn’t she? Reminds me of the tone of the juvenilia."

Yes, she really does. I have no idea how Cass can read those letters and not go off into peels of laughter. And then to encounter some of the people Jane speaks of in her letters while keeping a straight face would be impossible. :)

I have been hit and miss with her Juvenilia and need to make a concentrated effort there.

[Abigail]

It’s pretty extraordinary, when you think about the fact that Cassandra ruthlessly expurgated the letters, that the ones we still have are so trenchant. I wonder what the ones we never got to see were like!!

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "It’s pretty extraordinary, when you think about the fact that Cassandra ruthlessly expurgated the letters, that the ones we still have are so trenchant. I wonder what the ones we never got to see w..."

Oh, me, too. I suspect that two hundred years later they might be amusing and insightful, but back then it might have set fire to all and sundry.

This book does mention the times she goes silent with letters even when she is known to be away from home and one of those times is right after her parents swiftly decide to give up Steventon and reside in Bath. She likely had some real choice words about that.

[Kirk]

Sophia wrote: "Abigail wrote: "It’s pretty extraordinary, when you think about the fact that Cassandra ruthlessly expurgated the letters, that the ones we still have are so trenchant. I wonder what the ones we ne..."

Yes, especially since apparently there no discussion before the decision was announced. I really admire Rev Austen but on this one he appeared to have really "dropped the ball". Lol, maybe Mrs. Austen spoke before she was supposed to speak about this. Hmmm...

[Sophia]

Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Abigail wrote: "It’s pretty extraordinary, when you think about the fact that Cassandra ruthlessly expurgated the letters, that the ones we still have are so trenchant. I wonder what..."

I agree, Kirk. From this end of the letters and to their children no dobut, they seemed to have made a snap decision when they were just recently making improvement plans.

[Sophia]

So, twice as I've read, I've seen the possibility of two near tragic misses.

First, the author mentioned that if S&S had not seen success there would be no P&P or the later novels b/c Austen would not have been able to afford to write and pay or publishing (the way it was done back then).

Second, the author shares about the first effort at Persuasion did not possess the same ending- it was missing that whole scene at the Musgrove's inn between Anne and Captive Harville and...THE LETTER!!!! Now yes, I am curious to see that original draft as this book mentions a fun additional scene involving the Crofts, but whew, not to have had the ending we do.

(view spoiler)[
I did manage to finish the book today. Confession time... I bawled my eyes out over Cass' letter to her niece, Fanny Knight describing Jane's last hours and her death. (hide spoiler)]

My final thoughts for this read was that it was well worth it for me and gave me a greater appreciation for the author's writing and an enjoyable view of her from one new generation member of her family.

[Teresa]

I've only just started this book. I seem to be in a bit of a slump. I'm overwhelmed with all the names in the first few chapters. Trying to remember all the dates as well is daunting. However, I am enjoying it. And that's good. Maybe it will get me going again. For the first time ever I'm reading a regency romance along side it. I've never read two books at the same time before.

[Sophia]

Teresa wrote: "I've only just started this book. I seem to be in a bit of a slump. I'm overwhelmed with all the names in the first few chapters. Trying to remember all the dates as well is daunting. However, I am..."

I had trouble getting going with this one, too. It was over-whelming with all the names and connections. In fact, I never was entirely sure how the author as her great-nephew fit in until afterward.

Hey, love that challenge of juggling two at once, Teresa. :)

[Abigail]

Try drawing a family tree! It really helps with the prolific Austens. The generation after Jane is especially trying—not to mention the Leigh side of the family.

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "Try drawing a family tree! It really helps with the prolific Austens. The generation after Jane is especially trying—not to mention the Leigh side of the family."

Yes, that is exactly what helped. I was sent a link to a Jane Austen site with a tree that included the extended family. If there had just been Austens or Leighs...
But then they had do the changes for legal heir purposes so then we had our Austen-Knights, our Austen-Leighs, and our Leigh-Perrots to throw me for a loop. ;)

[Ahnya]

Yes a family tree would help. I got lost a few times trying to read it.

[Sophia]

Here's the page I was sent to, Ahyna, if it helps. There are several family charts, some cover the same ground so that is confusing, but they can give a large picture of the people at least. :)

http://pemberley.com/janeinfo/brablet...

[Teresa]

Oh that's brilliant Sophia. Thanks so much for the list. I'm just checking my messages in between running here there and everywhere so I'll study it all later.

[Ahnya]

Sophia wrote: "Here's the page I was sent to, Ahyna, if it helps. There are several family charts, some cover the same ground so that is confusing, but they can give a large picture of the people at least. :)

ht..."

Thanks! I will have to check this out when I get home.

[Sophia]

You're welcome, gals!

[Anji]

I'm almost certainly not going to make it through the group read book this time, folks, which is a shame as I was looking forward to it a lot. Too much other stuff to read with deadlines on them. Which is a good thing, in that it's other reading that's preventing me, rather than real life!

[Teresa]

It's a burden we readers have to bear :):)

[Sophia]

Anji wrote: "I'm almost certainly not going to make it through the group read book this time, folks, which is a shame as I was looking forward to it a lot. Too much other stuff to read with deadlines on them. W..."

I get it. I've got my 'review commitment' books on the stack that I try to spread out over time, but once in a while there is only time to get through those and no personal reading for a time.

That's okay. Our group read book will still be there when you can fit it in. :)

[Ahnya]

I am slowly getting through this. I have not had a lot of down time. I am even stealing quiet moments at work to read a chapter.

What I have read so far is really interesting. I think my favorite part is wondering if something is the inspiration for something in her novels.

[Sophia]

Ahnya wrote: "I am slowly getting through this. I have not had a lot of down time. I am even stealing quiet moments at work to read a chapter.

What I have read so far is really interesting. I think my favorite..."

Yes! The curiosity is the fun part. I saw where a couple of the Austenesque writers who stated their inspiration came from something in her letters were able to write their fictional stories about her.

[Teresa]

I've already come across names that she definitely used in her novels. Descriptions of some of the people are familiar too. She had a sarcastic wit too. I don't think she suffered fools gladly.

[Sophia]

Teresa wrote: "I've already come across names that she definitely used in her novels. Descriptions of some of the people are familiar too. She had a sarcastic wit too. I don't think she suffered fools gladly."

Oh yes, Teresa! The wit in those letters. It really has me curious just how much of it she unleashed in the ones Cass burned. :)

[Teresa]

Yes and actually Sophia I would have been very interested in some of Cass's letters! Was she as sarcastic, as witty as Jane. Not in the novel writing sense but they were incredibly close and we know just as little about Cassandra really.

[Sophia]

Teresa wrote: "Yes and actually Sophia I would have been very interested in some of Cass's letters! Was she as sarcastic, as witty as Jane. Not in the novel writing sense but they were incredibly close and we kno..."

If she wasn't like her sister in being witty, she at the very least understood Jane's wit based on the way Jane assumed she'd get it in her letters. Although, I bet she had it in her, too. ;)

[Ahnya]

The Austen's must have been fun parents, because it says the whole family was fairly witty & amusing. I like to think that they laughed a lot.

As for Cassandra's letters she is just as funny. You can read more of her letters online. Here is a link: http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/bra...

[Teresa]

Wow thanks for the link Ahnya. Didn't know about these.

[Carmen8094]

Hello, sorry I didn't take part too much to the discussion, but I had to stop reading at a certain point because I was very busy!
Well, I loved reading about Jane Austen with children, so lovely!!
And yes, I agree with Sophia... the loss of Wentworth's letter would have been terrible!!!
I loved particularly Anna Lefroy's and Caroline Austen's memories at the end of the book.

[Sophia]

@Carmen No problem. Life has its busy moments. Yes, that last letter was a tear-jerker.

@Ahnya Oh neat! Thanks for the link.