How did we all do? (A wrap up thread)

[Katie]

I realised I hadn't yet created a thread for this so . . . How was everybody's Jane Austen's July?

[Michael]

Great! I read all 6 main novels, 3 of them for the first time. This was the incentive to finally read them all

[QNPoohBear]

I didn't quite get to everything in July and cheated a bit. I didn't finish any of the major 6 and I only just got through The Lost Books of Jane Austen.

I read Emma for an adaptation of one of Austen's novels and enjoyed it.

For book written in Jane Austen's time I chose Mrs. Hurst Dancing: And Other Scenes From Regency Life, 1812-1823 which technically is a sketchbook and technically the text was added in the 1980s but the watercolor drawings perfectly illustrate Austen's world.

I watched an Indian take on Sense & Sensibility "I Have Found It" which was rather silly and lost a lot of cultural nuances in showing it to a western audience.

[Peggy]

The only challenge I missed was the modern retelling movie. I loved this challenge! It’s the first of this kind I’ve ever done. It prompted me to create one for myself. This month I’m reading the Brontë sisters, a biography of Charlotte, contemporary Elizabeth Gaskell, and a retelling The Eyre Affair -by Jasper Fforde

Thanks so much for this encouraging task!

[Rebecca]

I ended up not completing any of the challenges. I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts about the books and films though.

[Gia]

I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book and re-watching the movie the first chance I get!) These are the only two prompts in the challenge I was able to complete due to a very busy July personally for me, so I feel very good about this accomplishment!

[Kathy]

Gia wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book and re-watchi..."
Welcome to the club of annual re-readers and re-watchers! 😊
This year I even downloaded the piano music (Beethoven) Georgiana is playing in the scene with "The Look"--when Darcy gazes at Elizabeth as she helps to "turn pages."

[Gia]

Kathy wrote: "Gia wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book a..."

Hi Kathy, thank you! It's good to be in the club:) Cool! I'll look for that scene again. That's why I need to reread and re-watch; I know I missed some things!

[Jim]

I read Northanger Abbey, that's all. I've now read three of Jane Austen's novels. I read Emma last July and I'll possibly read Persuasion next July.

[QNPoohBear]

Gia wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book and re-watchi..."

Your first time? Congratulations! How wonderful to see both the book and adaptation with fresh eyes. Each time I read the book I discover something new and the more I learn about the time period, the more subtle references I pick up on. I LOVE the miniseries with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

[Janice]

Gia wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book and re-watchi..."

That's wonderful, Gia!!! I was hoping you would love Pride and Prejudice and want to reread it again and again!!! The miniseries with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is my favourite!!!

[Janice]

I completed the prompts #2-5 and part of #1. I read Mansfield Park for the first time and loved it!!! I just finished Persuasion ( a 2nd time) and loved it too!!! Not sure which would come in 2nd place after Pride and Prejudice. <3 I also read Lady Susan, another novel I love, as well as Tea With Jane Austen, The Best of Jane Austen Knits: 27 Regency Inspired-Designs, That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story, and The Nose. Already looking forward to Victober 2021 and Jane Austen July 2022. <3

[Gini]

I only discovered this group a couple days ago--alas! But I will be ready for next July, and in the meantime I have reread Lady Susan and launched myself into a reread of Sense and Sensibility. I also read Jane Austin Ruined My Life and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart, which sort of fulfill #4. Oh, and I rewatched the 2005 P&P (I know some people loathe it, but it makes me smile). So 2, 4(ish), and 6. Not great, but not to bad in a couple of August days! :-D

[Gia]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Gia wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book a..."

@QNPoohBear Thank you so much! Yes, it was all very wonderful to read and watch all this for the first time:) That's amazing your experience on rereading and re-watching and how it gets deeper each time--that's the sign of an amazing book! I will look forward to learning more about the time period myself in due time. I already know that I am going to have to buy this movie :)

[Gia]

Janice wrote: "I completed the prompts #2-5 and part of #1. I read Mansfield Park for the first time and loved it!!! I just finished Persuasion ( a 2nd time) and loved it too!!! Not sure which would come in 2nd p..."

Wow, Janice, well done!! I'm looking forward to Jane Austen July 2022 too!

[Gia]

Janice wrote: "Gia wrote: "I read Pride and Prejudice and I loved it sooo much! I also watched the movie adaptation with Colin Firth and it was simply outstanding! (Now I'm looking forward to rereading the book a..."

Me too, Janice!!! It's an all-time favorite for me now:) Once I finished the book I discovered I didn't want to pick up and read another book right away. I had to sit with it. The characters stayed with me. Same with the miniseries. I called it a movie but I guess it's really the miniseries that I watched, haha!

[QNPoohBear]

Gia wrote: "Once I finished the book I discovered I didn't want to pick up and read another book right away. I had to sit with it. The characters stayed with me. .."

I think that's why Jane Austen is still so popular. Her characters FEEL real, like people you know. Try watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube for a modern adaptation. Make sure to watch "THE LYDIA" in between. Her videos really add to the story and make it richer. For an added bonus... Welcome to Sandition continues the story.

http://www.pemberleydigital.com/the-l...

http://www.pemberleydigital.com/welco...

Then you need the book! The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet

[Tasha]

This was my first time participating in Jane Austen July and I enjoyed it so much!
I managed to complete all the challenges (although did extend into an unofficial Austen August).
1. Mansfield Park, joined the readalong
2. The Watsons and Sanditon
3. The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things
4. Miss Austen and a completion of Sanditon which I did not finish and wouldn't recommend
5. Evelina
6. BBC's 1995 Pride and Prejudice
7. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
I would watch and episode of P&P then try and watch up to the same point in the LBD to compare the adaptations. Love them both so much!

Thanks everyone for a great month of reading, already looking forward to next year!

[Janice]

Gia wrote: "Janice wrote: "I completed the prompts #2-5 and part of #1. I read Mansfield Park for the first time and loved it!!! I just finished Persuasion ( a 2nd time) and loved it too!!! Not sure which woul..."

Thanks and I am too. :)

[Gia]

QNPoohBear wrote: "Gia wrote: "Once I finished the book I discovered I didn't want to pick up and read another book right away. I had to sit with it. The characters stayed with me. .."

I think that's why Jane Austen..."

Wow, yes, I agree! Her characters do feel very real. Thank you so much for these additional tips and resources, this is wonderful!! I appreciate this and I will check out all these things too, next chance I get. Thank you for making this so easy for me! :)