Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021 discussion
Group Activities
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January Group Read- Going Classic
Love all these letter references! Thanks for reminding me of so many (and pointing out ones I never had considered before). Recently, I've been thinking about the letter Willoughby--rather, Willoughby's soon-to-be-wife Miss Grey--writes Marianne. The fact he doesn't even write the letter himself tells us a lot about his character, that's for sure! And yes, that Wentworth letter. Sigh. Oh, and of course Darcy's letter to Elizabeth is a very important letter as well. Again, just the fact that he wrote it--that he put down in ink Wickham's connection to his sister--that tells us so much about how much he needs Elizabeth to understand him. (Or at least to stop misunderstanding him! :-D)
Mod
This was such a fun romp. It doesn't feel like Jane Austen's work, but yet I can imagine this is how her teenage writing might have gone had she finished this one in narrative form.
It definitely got me excited for Rodi's other Juvenilia adaption Edgar and Emma and also an eagerness to read the rest of Jane Austen's Juvenilia.
Very cool, Sophia! I've never ventured away from Austen's six completed novels. This thread is a reminder of how much more there is to read!
Mod
Thanks! I've read the compilation of her letters and family letters that her nephew assembled, Lady Susan and the unfinished novels, but I've never traipsed into her juvenlia past History of England (which is a hoot, btw). I think I drag my feet because I want to read them, but I also know that once I read the Juvenilia then I really have read al her stuff and have only re-reading ahead of me. :) Yep, I'm the kid who saves some of my candy for later to savor it even longer.
Ceri wrote: "Well funnily enough I had been planning an Austen read this month. I got a beautiful copy of Pride & Prejudice for my birthday which I haven't read yet [book:Pride and Prejudice: The Complete Novel..."Oh boy, Ceri. I want that book now.
I totally agree with you on Juliet Stevenson's narrated Austen works, and Gaskell. I just listened to her Persuasion this past fall.
Would you say which annotated versions are your faves?
I had planned to reread P&P this year sometime (being rather embarrassed that I had put that off way too long!) so this challenge helped me get a move-on. I just listened to Rosamond Pike's P&P, which I enjoyed quite a lot once I got used to her voice choices for each characters...my first time listening to her. I recommend.
CindySlowReader#GimmeDatVac! wrote: "Christina wrote: "This has got me wondering: in which of the other novels could we see letter-writing as a signal about a person's character?..."Although Mr. Collins wrote prodigiously, it was th..."
Cindy, pardon me for coming back to this such a ways out but I just finished listening to P&P w/Rosamond Pike narrating. That letter from Collins was so much more egregious than I remembered, Really made me want to reach through the book and poke his eye. I wonder if Charlotte got to see that letter? Oooo! You writers out there! Plot bunny.
I think Mr. Bennet stated that although he wasn't much of a letter writer... he wouldn't give up his correspondence with Mr. Collins for anything. I just finished my January group read. What an excellent choice.
Don't forget the letter in NA where Catherine and Isabella were waiting for the letter from James in regard to how much his father was willing to give him. Then later, James wrote to Catherine about guarding her heart when Isabella threw him over for Captain Tilney. Lots of letter references in Austen's work.
Mod
Those are excellent examples of letters adding to plot tension.
I’m trying to read the book that matches the challenge level I’m in. I read Sanditon earlier this month and am about to start with the gorgeous “Sense and Sensibility: An Annotated Edition” edited by Patricia Meyer Sparks which Abigail and Sheila generously recommended. I didn’t own a copy of the book and thought to splurge on it. It is the size of a coffee table book and I’m very excited to discover the charming addition of commentary and illustrations. Looks like there are editions of other Austen novels by the same editor, should anyone be about to complete their own collection.
The main annotated versions that people seem to get seem to be the versions that you are referring to, Julieta, which I believe are the Harvard ones, and the one annotated by David Shepard which are less beautiful books but apparently the annotations are good. I hope you enjoy!
Just popping in to say that I'm loving seeing what everyone's read or reading for the January challenge.And thanks for all the letter references! J.W., I had completely forgotten letters in Northanger Abbey!
In usual fashion, I probably won't be able to finish Mansfield Park before the end of January, but I'm so glad I am listening (even if it's not as often as I should be), and I'll definitely listen to the end.
When I read MP in my 20s, I disliked it; when I read it in my 30s, I found it hilarious; now, in my 40s, I find it both compelling and challenging in a way I hadn't expected. My feelings for several of the characters change from moment to moment. Fanny, you're a dear, and I love you! Fanny, you're a prig, and I don't like you! Mary, you're witty! Mary, you're a jerk! Edmund, you're so sweet for taking Fanny under your wring. Edmund, you're such a patronizing, hypocritical prat!
Also, does anyone else out there think the A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh, modeled Rabbit after Mrs. Norris? Every time she bustles around a room to make herself important, all I can think is, There goes Rabbit!
Christina wrote: "Just popping in to say that I'm loving seeing what everyone's read or reading for the January challenge.Christina, you are hilarious. Can't answer your Rabbit/Mrs. Norris question. I think we can all relate to reading a book with a different perspective every time we revisit it. But you have to have liked it enough (or bending to some outside pressure/opinion) to read it the 2nd & 3rd, etc., time. I don't have an Austen book like that in mind. Maybe that means I should reread those I didn't like as much first time around. I think I'll take a page from your book and reread MP.
Christina wrote: "Just popping in to say that I'm loving seeing what everyone's read or reading for the January challenge.And thanks for all the letter references! J.W., I had completely forgotten letters in North..."
I read Winnie the Pooh so many years ago when my children were of an age to enjoy it. And then I discovered Jane Austen 15 (maybe) years after that so I never made the connection. Thanks for sharing.
I am rereading Pride and Prejudice. This time my goal is to read it straight through without interruption in the past I have had to put it down and end up not getting back to it until maybe 2 or 3 months later or not for such a long stretch that I end up having to start over but not this time!
Nope this time I am determined to finish it from beginning to end no putting it aside.
And so far so good and I am pleasantly surprised at all the little details that hadn't remembered that just enhance the story for me.
I'm loving it!
Mod
What a cool idea, Julieta! I've never thought to do that, but it is a fun idea to add to the challenge. Might have to steal it next year. :)
I've not read the S&S annotated version so I'll look forward to seeing what you think.
Mod
And thanks for all the letter references! J.W., I had completely forgotten letters in North..."
Now, that is an interesting thought about Rabbit and Mrs. Norris... Maybe instead of celebrity matches to characters, we should have a Pooh character match up. Who will be Eeyore... Tigger.... LOL
Mod
This time my goal is to read it straight through without interruption in the past I have had to put it down and end up not getting back to it until maybe 2 or 3..."
Go get 'em, Tiger! I'm cheering you on to the finish, Gretchen.
@Sophia the S&S annotated edition is a joy. But it really is the size of a coffee table book so it’s mostly for when you can read at a table, or sitting up at least!
Mod
Huh... good to know it can double as a free weight. ;)
I just finished, in the nick of time, non-annotated S&S. Phew!! :)
Well done Kirk. I’m still in the introduction to the S&S annotated version which, on account of its format (large, as already mentioned), is going to take me an age to read. All of a sudden I don’t feel that counting Sanditon as one whole book is questionable... The editor of this version really does a good job of putting the S&S story into context and gives interesting details about Austen’s life. Internet s a serious study of the themes underpinning the book (like money) and a compelling read.
Kirk wrote: "I just finished, in the nick of time, non-annotated S&S. Phew!! :)"Great!
Sheila wrote: "Kirk wrote: "I just finished, in the nick of time, non-annotated S&S. Phew!! :)"Great!"
Thx!
Julieta wrote: "Well done Kirk. I’m still in the introduction to the S&S annotated version which, on account of its format (large, as already mentioned), is going to take me an age to read. All of a sudden I don’t..."Happy reading!!! Those intros... interesting but not quick reads.
Mod
LOL, Julieta, you have just discovered the reason we are okay with counting short stories- because they balance out the huginormous doorstopper ones. :)
So, I listened to more of my January classic read, Mansfield Park, this morning. I'm about 2/3 of the way through, and can I just say that I now love Fanny beyond measure? (I know you really didn't need me to clutter the board and/or your inboxes for such a statement, but then, Fanny doesn't get a lot of love, does she?) Without going into spoilers -- do we have a policy on spoilers for the major JA novels? -- I'll just add that Fanny's conviction is amazing. I may not always agree with her views on decorum and the delicacy of females, but goodness, she's just as strong as Elizabeth Bennet (maybe -- dare I say it? -- stronger in her own way). Thanks for this group read activity, Sophia! I'm so glad I've had a reason to revisit Mansfield Park.
Mod
You may clutter our feeds as much as you like, for my part, when you see a strong Fanny when you read MP. And, yes, when you're the poor relation who has been downtrodden by all even the one you most esteem and still stand firm, you are stronger than EB, in my book, too. :)
TEAM FANNY!! Yes!! I've seen a few blogs where they were showing some love for Fanny. Not many are on Team Fanny and some don't like her at all. I've also read a post where they hated her the first time they read MP. Then, on a reread, they liked her, and having read it again, loved her. She is a drink best served aged. Does that even make sense? Christina, I am so glad to see you are Team Fanny.
J. W. wrote: "TEAM FANNY!! Yes!! I've seen a few blogs where they were showing some love for Fanny. Not many are on Team Fanny and some don't like her at all. I've also read a post where they hated her the first..."J.W., glad to join Team Fanny!
I admit to being one of those people who just didn't appreciate Fanny Price on my first read of MP, some twenty years ago now. On my second read about 10 years ago, I really enjoyed the book, but still didn't particularly like Fanny. Perhaps it's because I'm older now, or perhaps it's because I'm listening to the book, but I was in tears when Fanny had to undergo that interview with her uncle, about 2/3 of the way through the book. When he says she is being ungrateful -- oh! That is just about the cruelest insult one could level at Fanny! (And Sir Thomas isn't intentionally cruel, which makes the scene even more devastating.) In that moment, who could blame her for succumbing to the pressure of doing what everyone else wants her to do? But she knows, deep down, she's right -- and she holds to her principles. Wow.
Austen is truly masterful here. She has made the character who seems the weakest the strongest. Everyone else in the book may have connections and fortune and education and status--but they haven't got anything on Fanny.
Mod
Exactly. And, my last read, I was struck by her age. She's not even twenty and she has such strong convictions already that she can hold out against a respected family leader's censure.
And she upheld her honor in that she didn't rat out her cousins. She knew that Crawford was playing around with her cousin even though she was engaged to Rushworth. In the movie, she observed a kiss between them, which wasn't in the book. Their actions were scandalous enough even without the kiss and she knew it was WRONG to behave in that manner. Crawford was taking liberties and Maria was allowing it.
Mod
I read MP for the first time last year (blushing embarrassedly) and I liked Fanny but I will need a couple of rereads before I like Edmund...
Elin wrote: "I read MP for the first time last year (blushing embarrassedly) and I liked Fanny but I will need a couple of rereads before I like Edmund..."That's great that you liked Fanny on the first try! Many don't like her on the Nth try. The "Fanny Wars" was a thing in the Jane Austen Society of North America a while back. One of my favorite Janeites in my in-person JA bookclubs is a school adm dealing with "difficult" high schoolers. She speaks with such venom/hostility about Fanny it makes me want to respect her a bit less than I do. Lol...she did go with me and another Janeite to a local abridged play version of MP two(?) yrs ago. The young European woman in the starring role was a far better Fanny Price than 1999 MP and certainly that massive casting fail 2007(Billie Piper???? NO NO NO). Maybe equal to 1983(fun facts: The 1983 MP leads playing a match making couple in 2006 Amazing Grace. She also playing Mrs Allen in 2007 NA and he played Mr Musgrove in 2008 Persuasion. A very young Jonny Lee Miller played one of Fanny's younger brothers for about 15 seconds!). Lol I give Edmund a pass about Mary Crawford as I have a MC in my past. And massive fail for him pushing Fanny to marry Henry the snake after she indicates she has reasons for turning him down.
Elin wrote: "I read MP for the first time last year (blushing embarrassedly) and I liked Fanny but I will need a couple of rereads before I like Edmund..."Hah! That is so true, Elin. Edmund is -- he's frustrating, to say the least. Just as Kirk said above, how can Edmund push Fanny toward Crawford? (Well, we know how; he can only think of Mary.) Yes, "massive fail" indeed. Well said, Kirk!
Still, I must admit, I can't completely dislike Edmund, and all because that one scene in Chapter 2 when he finds young Fanny crying on the attic stairs. He's the only person in the house who thinks to ask her what is wrong and then asks to hear about her life. He may be blind and self-interested at times, but that moment makes me feel he truly does have a compassionate character.
Christina wrote: "In that moment, who could blame her for succumbing to the pressure of doing what everyone else wants her to do? But she knows, deep down, she's right -- and she holds to her principles. Wow.Austen is truly masterful here. She has made the character who seems the weakest the strongest."
Yes! You've got it, Christine. That is absolutely the essence of Mansfield Park, in my opinion! I've decided that I absolutely LOVE stories about heroines who suffer even through doing the right thing. There's at least one Grace Livingston Hill book like that - I wish I remembered which one. But I think I need to collect them. It's definitely Jane Eyre, which is why I like it. My husband thinks it's so strange that I like that story, but THAT is the reason.
If anyone has any suffering righteous (clean) heroine romances to recommend, let me know!
Speaking of Mansfield Park, my husband, daughter, and I rewatched the MP adaptation with Billie Piper - the woman who plays a Dr. Who character - which several of you have stated that you disliked. I LIKED it! It was like MP on fast forward, and didn't prolong the agony of the suffering, yet got through the story. It was nice. :-)
Kirk: I believe understanding Anne Elliott before I read MP, helped me "getting" Fanny in a way I would not if I had not realised the quiet strength of Anne first. When I first read Persuasion, I thought her insipid and weak because I failed to see/understand her.Christina: As to Edmund, Fanny likes him so there must be more to him than meets the eye... He is the only one in the family who sees her so that does redeem him a little. I am giving him the befit of doubt but would not go as far as calling it like ;)
Marlene: I liked the 2007 MP too, as you said, MP on fast forward. I am not a patient soul so it suited me, I think.
(I have written PnP story where she possesses a quiet strength, that not every reader percieved as I intended, but that is not chaste so I cannot recommend it to you.)
Marlene wrote: "I've decided that I absolutely LOVE stories about heroines who suffer even through doing the right thing....It's definitely Jane Eyre, which is why I like it. My husband thinks it's so strange that I like that story, but THAT is the reason. "I too love Jane Eyre! But what I found easier about Jane Eyre than Fanny Price was that Jane was more able to speak her mind. I think I understand why Fanny so often doesn't, but her timidity is frustrating to me at times. Still, I admire Fanny Price. (I feel like one of the Crawfords putting it like that. Why yes, Fanny is so admirable! Now let me go be the opposite of her... ;-D)
Marlene wrote: "If anyone has any suffering righteous (clean) heroine romances to recommend, let me know."
Have you read any Mimi Matthews? I feel like her recent Fair as a Star might fit this category?
Yes, I like her! I put that one up on my TBR list. Thanks. :-)Elin, that is a very interesting plot point. Not how you'd normally think of Elizabeth!
Marlene:No, it's a very off canon story (Still Waters) where I explore what might have happened had Jane died at Netherfield.
ODC spend but little time together because Elizabeth is tending her sister. Darcy helps her shortly after Jane passes and Mrs Bennet cries comprise. They must marry but not until Elizabeth's mourning is over. Darcy travels to Pemberley where he is worked upon by Caroline. He doesn't return to Meryton before the wedding day, having "warned" his servants and Georgiana about this interloper that tricked him into marriage. (Bear in mind that there has been no Hunsford moment. I pictured this Darcy as the man who could utter: "She a beauty? I would as soon call her mother a wit!).
Elizabeth realises that she is her husband's property and shows a lot of quiet strength to prove her worth until Mr Darcy does the unthinkable. You might say he brings the Hunsford moment upon himself and must reevaluate everything he stands for.
Elizabeth must swallow some camels to reach her happily ever after, that some readers thought she should not have but I believe it is a strength to make the best of what you got despite life's many curveballs. She chooses to let her anger and dare I say hatred go, to be happy and she succeeds.
In this time period, her choices were limited, I chose to explore that...
Quirky fact: Still water runs deep the proverb say but the Sami people of Norway says: Still waters are never clean, I believe this to be true in this story ;)
So, I finally finished listening to Mansfield Park! Oh, I was so glad to revisit MP! Thank you, Sophia, for this challenge, as I doubt I would have listened to the audiobook otherwise. Here's my review, and thanks, friends, for all the great conversation about Fanny, Edmund, and others!
Elin wrote: "Marlene:No, it's a very off canon story (Still Waters) where I explore what might have happened had Jane died at Netherfield.
ODC spend but little time together because Elizabeth is tending her s..."
Very creative, Elin! I could never do that. My oldest daughter spins stories in her mind while quietly sitting on the couch for one of her free time activities. But she NEVER writes them down because she just doesn't want to and because they're fan fiction! (Anime fan fiction)
Elin, I loved still waters. Even though Darcy was very irritating, Elizabeth was fabulous.
Aw, thank you, Abmom!Marlene: I wonder if it's hereditary. I have daughter who writes stories and my oldest son has written poems that he got published in a newspaper. They gave him a column where he wrote about everyday challenges having autism :)
Mod
I selfishly put in this group read each year because I need the extra push to read/listen to the source material (so to speak) more often. :) Glad you were able to delve into MP and mine the good stuff from it.
Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021
Books mentioned in this topic
Fair as a Star (other topics)Amelia Webster: A Novel After Jane Austen (other topics)
The Longbourn Letters: The Correspondence between Mr Collins & Mr Bennet (other topics)
The Annotated Persuasion (other topics)
The Annotated Persuasion (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rose Servitova (other topics)Juliet Stevenson (other topics)
I'm putting it in my re-read pile for 2021.
The Longbourn Letters: The Correspondence between Mr Collins & Mr Bennet