Group Read- November

[Sophia]

UPDATE!!!

First of all, my apologies for the delay in getting this event settled so you can start preparing.

Okay, I honestly couldn't decide from the handful of suggestions sent in- thank you oh sooooo much, to those who messaged me with their recommendations- so I put all the titles in a hat and chose one.

The winning choice was Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 1 Volume One by Robert Rodi

I have been curious about this one for a while and seen some divided opinions on it so it will be an interesting read. Hope you can join in starting November 1st.

[Sophia]

I'm in. Though, I might not be able to start the book right away. :)

[Kirk]

Ugh....I might attempt to skim this one...might not....hmmm...Dept of Irony...I enjoyed his Siena book several yrs ago...just checked...the BPL has a copy(zero chance of me buying the book), so I've requested it... Sherwood Smith's review makes it clear to me that I must avoid Rodi's comments on MP...GRRRR!!!!

[Sophia]

Yeah, I read Abigail's review and decided that I'd probably better be prepared for not sharing his opinion in all things. :)

[Abigail]

Sherwood is right about his take on MP--I threw the book across the room at one point!

[Kirk]

Abigail wrote: "Sherwood is right about his take on MP--I threw the book across the room at one point!"

Bravo!!!!!

[Mary]

I read Rodi's Fag Hag when it first came out a bazillion years ago (slight exaggeration). I remember finding it very cruel, misogynistic in an over-the-top way, and just not very compassionate and insightful.

As someone who loves Jane's satire, I have no problem with the bitch in the bonnet label, but (based on the reviews) his failure to appreciate Mansfield Park is off-putting. Mansfield Park contains some of Jane's most glorious satire and is, I'd argue, in some ways her least romantic novel. The reviews don't make me that eager to read this, I must confess.

Sorry for going "full Fanny Price" in my disapproval! I haven't read this book, though, so maybe I'm being unfair.

[wosedwew]

I read this in 2015 and don't remember a lot about it but I do remember that I skimmed through a large portion to finish.

3 Stars so I wasn't very impressed.

[Abigail]

I enjoyed a lot of it though over the course of two volumes his shtick began to pall. I liked his little novel based on one of JA's juvenilia, Edgar and Emma: A Novel After Jane Austen, quite a lot!

[Sophia]

No worries, Mary and Rose!
You're allowed to feel what you feel. He went the controversial route so it was bound to get people's hackles up.

Good to know, Abigail! Not sure I have the stick to it-ness to go two volumes, but I will dive into the Edgar and Emma at some point because the juvenilia doesn't get a spotlight that often.

[Kirk]

I read the Intro and a few bits. Back to the library it goes tomorrow. :)

[Sophia]

At least you got to read some of it and form an early impression. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll make it a little ways. :)

[Sophia]

Welcome to those joining in for the group read this month. Just a peek at the introductory pages and even the author warns us there be monsters out there. Haha!

Though, I think he is making a fair warning for what style he plans to take with this one. I get an irreverent vibe and a gleeful excitement of stomping down our warm-hearted romantic Austen shibboleths and persuading us to take Austen for only her wit and give her no credit for a romantic bone in her body.
Will I/we be persuaded to follow his lead... stay tuned.

Discussion Points #1
Pre-Read and early thoughts

Are you anticipating or wary going in? Curious or indifferent?

What of the three novels discussed- S&S, P&P, and MP? Plan to jump straight one particular one first?

What do you hope to get from the book?

For those who've started:
What did you think of his opening remarks?

What about that way of tackling the books in chapter chunks?

What do you think of his own wit and humor while discussing Austen's?

See any points of interests or confusion yet?

Feel free to discuss any, all, or none of my points. Jump in with your own discussion points and questions. If its a spoiler mark it as such at the beginning of your comment. You know how we go on with these by now. It's casual.
I'll post one more Discussion Start point nearer the end of the month.

[Sophia]

So, I've read a little ways past the introduction and into Rodi's discussion of the first book, S&S.
I feel a tad bristling and hostile after his early warning, but I can admit he's got a biting humor that our Jane would likely appreciate. He brings up some good points as he breezes through the chapters and ignores the correctness of some details. I also sense that he is precariously handling the whole modern views of the historical times in that ways and thinking were different then and that has to be taken into account.

I think for me, this will be a read that won't persuade me from my own already settled opinions that finds balance in that I don't think Austen was only this or only that in her writing. I can't deny that she isn't writing strictly speaking a romance, but I can't see how one could deny that there is romance in all her works.

I do look forward to getting a point of view on things that is very different from my own and allowing myself to be open to new insights as a result, but that said, I am wary.... LOL