Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2022 discussion
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January Group Read - Going Classic
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This is my fourth annotated read of a book and it proved to be frustrating as well as fascinating in that one has to either focus on the novel or the notes, but it is painfully distracting to try to do both. LOL
I agree! Shapard’s notes especially, which can sometimes be excessive. But I do learn a lot from his books, even though I can’t get caught up in the novel while reading them.
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Yes, especially when he has three or more over just one sentence. LOL
Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "About half way through P&P audiobook, with Rosamund Pike.It is very good, but so strange to hear the classic after so many different variations."
I enjoy that about pulling out the or..."
Yeah, but I didn't realize how much of the "iconic" quotes used in JAFF were actually taken from the 1995 series and not the actual book!
Sophia wrote: "Just wrapped up my read of The Annotated Sense & Sensibility by David Shapard. It did its job and dove deep into the aspects of the novel that our modern minds wouldn't necessarily grasp as signifi..."Wow- that is amazing. I don't think I'd have the patience to delve that deep.
Sophia wrote: "Just wrapped up my read of The Annotated Sense & Sensibility by David Shapard. It did its job and dove deep into the aspects of the novel that our modern minds wouldn't necessarily grasp as signifi..."Nice! I've just finished Sense and Sensibility for the first time and I'd love to read some annotated works. Shapard's annotations are ones I've always heard good things about. What were the other annotated books you've read?
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I've only read Shapard's books- P&P, Per, and NA besides S&S. I need to read others. Check Abigail's comment above for other editions. I need to read those, too.
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It's a nice change up. :)
Sophia wrote: "Triscia wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Just wrapped up my read of The Annotated Sense & Sensibility by David Shapard. It did its job and dove deep into the aspects of the novel that our modern minds wouldn..."I have read the novels many times over the years but I have never read an annotated copy. Would people recommend them? What do they offer?
Craftyhj wrote: "I have read the novels many times over the years but I have never read an annotated copy. Would people recommend them? What do they offer?"I haven't read annotated Austen but I've read other books with annotations. Usually things will be pointed out that a contemporary reader would have known but a later reader might not, such as what things are, who people mentioned are, what particular wording means or signifies etc. Sometimes themes are highlighted.
For example, I read one of Shakespeare's plays in an annotated version and one of the things this flagged for me is that the repeated mention of horns in the text was significant because there was a superstition at the time that a cuckolded man would sprout horns which is something I wouldn't have known as a modern reader.
Annotations can really add depth to your understanding of the book, but they can also prove distracting as your reading won't flow as you break away to look the notes.
Shapard’s annotated editions are probably the most complete and they are accessible and relatively inexpensive (available in paperback). For those who really want to invest, Harvard University Press/Belknap Press has beautiful full-color, large-format annotated editions which well-selected images and mostly good annotations by different editors (I loathe the ideas of the editor of NA).
Back in the day, the Oxford University Press editions edited by R. W. Chapman were considered standard, but they have very few annotations and mostly address issues of typos and such, as I recall. Chapman did put out a seventh volume of Austen’s minor works (juvenilia, Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon) that I’ve used for 50 years.
Some books published for college classes have scholarly introductions and a few annotations, but the serious annotated editions are those given here.
That’s really interesting, maybe I will give one a go. I am in the UK - do you think that makes any difference in which ones to try? For example some things which would need additional explanation for a non-UK reader (e.g. some geographical things) would not need explaining to one in the UK. In the same way I would need explanations for Catcher in the Rye that a US based reader might not.
Hmm, not that I can think of. I think the annotations/editors were drawn from all over the English-speaking world.
Abigail wrote: "Shapard’s annotated editions are probably the most complete and they are accessible and relatively inexpensive (available in paperback). For those who really want to invest, Harvard University Pr..."
With apologies to JA's History of England....N.B. The Harvard Press MP has very few annotations.
Welp, I'm about 3/4 of the way done with Persuasion (audio) - damn these Musgrove sisters! They are on my last nerve.
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LOL, I never did take to Louisa though I eventually felt more neutral about Henrietta. But, they did at least put Anne's serene and mature character in contrast.
Loved Emma audio narrated by new to me Belinda LangPlus enjoyed
Familiar narration of Persuasion by Juliet Stevenson.
For other JA audio fans, pick up the exceptional version of P&P narration by Kate Beckinsale.. Free now via apple books ✔️
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I visited Sense and Sensibility again. It struck me this time that Lucy Steele is the WORST! I listed to the audiobook read by Nadia May, and I think her Lucy voice added to my vehement dislike,
Ugh, Lucy is just fiendish, isn’t she? Gratuitously spiteful.
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Since I just read S&S, I can second your opinion of her. Ugh! Her and Fanny Dashwood were running neck and neck.
So I am currently listening to P&P with Roasmund Pike narrating. I have read the book too many times to count and have listened to a number of narrations over the years. A couple of things struck me afresh while I was listening however. Firstly Caroline was really startlingly catty to Elizabeth while she was staying at Netherfield when Jane was ill. Secondly Elizabeth was rather near the knuckle (an English phrase meaning blunt/rude in case you don’t use it in the US) when dancing with Darcy when she refers to a taciturn disposition.It left me wondering how much difference the narrator makes to our understanding of a story.
Well, back to listening - Collins is about to propose so I may need coffee to cope!
Looks like I’m going to have to slot in another Austen classic read this month: in a weak moment yesterday I volunteered to give a talk about The Watsons at the April meeting of my JASNA chapter. What was I thinking??? I don’t even know how to prepare a slide presentation! And my work on the book was nearly 50 years ago. I have totally lost it.
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I have found that listening to a good narrator really does bring out nuances that I didn't catch in my own reading alone.
Yes, Elizabeth really did get tetchy (loved your near the knuckle one) over his insult and got in several stings of her own. I can see why later he shares at the Hunsford Proposal that he believed her to being 'lively' with him and into him because she really had crossed the line with her own words a few times.
I always thought she reacted so badly because she had a visceral first impression herself of the handsome gentleman and she is not just the daughter of Mr. B (who gave her the waspishness to her tongue), but the daughter of Mrs B (who has no trouble speaking whatever is on her mind). ;)
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Oho, you really did take the bull by the horns. I haven't done a slide show in a few decades. I'm sure they have changed completely so I doubt I'd have it easy making them up. That said, I have not a doubt in my mind that your insight will generate much thought among your fellow Janeites. :)
Kind of you to say! As Kirk knows all too well, I have some non-mainstream views about the book. But it’s nearly 50 years since I was up to date on Austen scholarship so I’m a bit concerned. Fortunately The Watsons is a relatively neglected topic! Though I understand there was a special edition of Persuasions about it maybe 15 years ago? Will have to order that.
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Some startling views are just the spice needed to make a meeting memorable. :)
Abigail wrote: "Looks like I’m going to have to slot in another Austen classic read this month: in a weak moment yesterday I volunteered to give a talk about The Watsons at the April meeting of my JASNA chapter. W..."Wow- that is amazing! Good luck!!
Thanks, Sam! I’ve lived inside The Watsons so long that I’m less concerned about the content of my talk and more about mastering the necessary technology for its presentation.
Phew … made it in with 5 days to spare having finished the Rosamund Pike audio Pride and Prejudice. It’s always good to check in with an old friend and this was my first time listening to this reading.
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Yay, glad you finished your listen and it was as good as a visit with an old friend. In truth, we're somewhat lax about how long we take on the challenge reads and sometimes report back a month or two overdue. :)
Thanks for reminding me to post that I finished my Jane Austen works for this month. Really enjoyed the trio of Lady Susan, The Watsons, and Sanditon. Glad to have had the prompt!
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Sure thing, Ryan! Glad your first Austen read of the year was a hit.
Well done, Ryan! We’re on the same beat it seems—I read Lady Susan and The Watsons this month and Sanditon a few months ago. They’re all very different from the published novels, aren’t they? Did you have a favorite?
Thanks Sophia!Abigail, not much of a fan of the epistolary style of Lady Susan. I feel like I was just warming up on The Watsons but then it was over. The satirical edge to Sanditon puts that in first place of the 3. Too bad she didn’t finish it. I’m looking forward to reading how others have finished/adapted it when it comes back around in my rotation of Austen classics.
And you’ll do great with your planned presentation I’m sure. PowerPoint has gotten a lot easier to use in the past couple years!
Thanks, Ryan! Sanditon is certainly hilarious. I haven’t really enjoyed any of the completions I’ve read but have by no means read them all. Sir Edward Denham always tickles my funny bone, as well as of course the Parker siblings. Once wrote a short story in which I let Lady Denham and Lady Catherine de Bourgh have at each other—had a blast with that pairing!
Just finished Persuasion—narrated by Florence Pugh (along with a full cast) and realized that it was probably an abridged version because it was only like 5 & 1/2 hours that took me the entire month to listen to. But I'm calling it challenge completed! I can't listen to those Musgrove sisters again.
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Still counts. And, perhaps your abridged version cut out more Musgrove sisters. LOL
Sophia wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Just finished Persuasion—narrated by Florence Pugh (along with a full cast) and realized that it was probably an abridged version because it was only like 5 & 1/2 hours that took me..."I will say that if I see an audio book going forward narrated by Florence Pugh, I will listen to it. She did a great job
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Good to know. I've been grabbing audio versions a lot more these days.
Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2022
Books mentioned in this topic
Lady Susan (other topics)Sanditon (other topics)
Lady Susan (other topics)
Sanditon: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed (other topics)
It is very good, but so strange to hear the classic after so many different variations."
I enjoy that about pulling out the original. It's like a reset so I remember exactly what the original storyline was after a hundred books or so of other ideas on the original.