Jane Austen July 2025 discussion
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How Did We All Do? (The Wrap Up Thread!)
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1. Read one of Jane Austen's main six novels- Persuasion
- Pride and Prejudice (reread)
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
- Juvenalia by Jane Austen (some)
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
- What Matters In Jane Austen by John Mullan
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen's time
- Never Inconstant: A Sequel To Jane Austen’s Persuasion by Lyndsay Constable (historic Persuasion variation)
- Just As You Are by Camille Kellogg (modern P&P variation)
- Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper by Manuela Santoni (graphic novel)
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen (published between 1775-1817)
- Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
- Persuasion 2007
7. Watch a modern screen retelling of a Jane Austen book
- Rational Creatures (modern Persuasion variation web series)
This was my second JAJ. I completed all the challenges this year and had a great time. Two more novels to go…I’ll save them for next year ;)
Thanks to everyone who puts this together!
1. Read one of Jane Austen’s novels: The Annotated Mansfield Park edited by Shapard (started in June)2. Read another work by Jane Austen: Juvenilia (in my old R. W. Chapman edition), Praying with Jane: 31 Days through the Prayers of Jane Austen
3. Nonfiction work about Jane Austen or her time: Jane Austen, the Secret Radical
4. Retelling or historical fiction set in JA’s time: Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley
5. Read a book by a contemporary of JA: The Monk (dnf), The Castle of Otranto
6. Direct adaptation of a JA book: Rozema’s Mansfield Park (which is only a semi-direct adaptation)
7. Modern screen adaptation: Pride and Prejudice starring Kam Heskin
1. Read one of Jane Austin’s six novels.- The Annotated Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main novels
- Juvenilia, Jane Austen
- Lady Susan, Jane Austen
3. Read a non- fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
- The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things, Paula Byrne
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane
Austin’s time
- Godmersham Park, Gill Hornsby
- Ayesha at Last, Uzma Jalaluddin
- The Murder of Mr. Wickham, Claudia Gray
- Just as You Are, Camille Kellogg
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen
- Evelina, Frances Burney
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
- Northanger Abbey (2007)
- Love and Friendship ( based on novela called Lady Susan 2016)
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
- Bride and Prejudice (2004)
- Rational Creatures ( based on Persuasion , 2 seasons 2019&2022)
On my second time completed all prompts. Enjoyed it and looking forward to doing it again next year!
Read one of Jane Austen’s six novels Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen illustrated2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels Jack & Alice
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time Jane Austen at Home: A Biography
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time Arsenic with Austen
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen The Last Man
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book Diarmuid Lawrence, Emma
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book - Emma Approved
1. Northanger Abbey, finished Pride and Prejudice, started 2 different annotated Sense and Sensibility editions 2. started volume the first of her juvenilia
3. read most if the essays in A Truth Universally Acknowledged
4. Read the short story by Jo Walton Jane Austen to Cassandra found in the collection Starlings
5. started the Mysteries of Udolpho
6. Watched two adaptations of Northanger Abbey.
7. watched Bride and Prejudice
It was my second Jane Austen July and it was a blast! I wanted to complete 4 out of 5 reading and both watching challenges, and I’m happy to report that I have achieved all of my goals. I followed both readalongs but I did not finish the Juvenilia one completely. Still, I read 11 stories from the readalong as well as a few additional ones so I’m still happy with that one. And I’ll have more stories to read for the next Jane Austen July :)
My report:
1. One of JA’s main six novels:
✅ Northanger Abbey
2. JA’s Other Work:
✅ Juvenilia: Read all of the stories from The Beautifull Cassandra Penguin Little Black Classics book and read several more stories from Love and Freindship: And Other Youthful Writings
3. Non-fiction work about JA or her time:
✅ The Regency Revolution by Robert Morrison
4. Retelling OR Historical fiction set in JA’s time:
x Skipped this one
5. JA's contemporary:
✅ The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
6. Direct screen adaptation:
✅ Northanger Abbey (2007)
✅ Pride & Prejudice (2005)
7. Modern screen adaptation:
✅ Clueless (1995)
I posted this in the other thread, but here is my final listing. I really enjoyed my reading this year and have now discovered a fondness for horrid gothic novels.FINAL RESULTS -- what a great Jane Austen July
Main 6 novels
✓ Northanger Abbey -- my 3rd (?) read. I really enjoy the authorial tone in this book. 7/29
✓ Pride & Prejudice -- my 4th read. My book club happened to choose for this month as well.
Jane Austen Other Work
✓ The Juvenilia -- finished 7/3 -- My favorite in the collection was "Lesley-Castle".
✓ Lady Susan (read for the first time last year and I love it) -- finished 7/21
Non-Fiction
✓ The Regency Years by Robert Morrison -- the chapter on politics wasn't very compelling for me, but really enjoyed the section on literature and other entertainment. Interesting but perhaps a more chronological history would be better for me. Finished 7/31
✓ The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan -- a light, delightful little audiobook which is "free" with Audible Plus. Finished 7/16
Retelling
✓ Marvel's graphic novel of Northanger Abbey -- a serviceable version of the novel, faithful to the plot.
✓ The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street -- intralibrary loan suggestion. A serviceable version of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's perspective. Some really interesting ideas especially in the second half of the story. Finished 7/8
✓ Audio drama of Northanger Abbey, presented by Emma Thompson -- a delightful adaptation of the book which is very accessible to those who may struggle with the original book.
Contemporary work
As I mentioned on the TBR chat, I've decided to interpret this as works that Austen may have read or been influenced by, particularly with this year's selection, Northanger Abbey, whether or not they were published in her lifetime.
✓ Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole (1764) -- finished 7/5 -- I rather enjoyed the story. Had a very Shakespearean tragedy feel.
✓ The Monk by Matthew Lewis (1796) -- really enjoyed this book, a tale of obsession and oh-so-gothic. Finished 7/15
✓ "Lovers Vows" by Elizabeth Inchbald (1798) play mentioned and re-enacted in Mansfield Park. Very short play, butler who speaks in poetry was hysterical. Finished 7/15
Not a contemporary work, but one of the introductions to the Gothic stories I've read suggested that "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe (1839) was a spiritual successor to The Castle of Otranto, so I read that too as I seem to be going down the classic Gothic rabbit hole.
Direct Adaptation screen
✓ Emma 2020 -- finished 7/18. Really love this adaptation!
✓ Pride and Prejudice miniseries -- my favorite version, finished 7/12
✓ Love and Friendship (the adaptation of Lady Susan) -- watched 7/5. Very stylized but I really love this adaptation.
✓ Northanger Abbey (2007) -- watched 7/7
✓ "Being Mr. Wickham" play -- not a direct adaptation per se, but a one-man performance from Mr. Wickham's point of view (Adrian Lukis) of his behavior from hind-sight of being 60 years old. Watched 7/10
✓ Pride and Prejudice (1980 miniseries) -- finished 7/22. An interesting adaptation. Bennet sisters didn't seem right for the roles.
Modern Adaptation screen
✓ Clueless -- finished 7/31
Other Jane Austen activities
✓ My wife made a "Whipt syllabub" in honor of the 2 references to it from "Lesley-Castle", one of the juvenilia pieces. Tasty.
✓ My wife and I played the card game "Marrying Mr Darcy". She won the first game (Kitty marrying Mr. Denny against my Lydia marrying Mr. Bingley). I won the second (Caroline marrying Col. Fitzwilliam vs her Georgiana who drew a card that forced her to elope with Mr. Wickham!!)
✓ Finished a jigsaw puzzle with an image of Jane Austen's novels.
✓ Played a second card game, this time it was Matchmaking, which is essentially a game of memory where instead of attempting to match the same image, you match romantic (or just matrimonial) pairs of characters from Austen's novels.
Katie wrote: "Jane Austen July is hours from finishing, so I thought I'd start a wrap up thread. How did everybody do? I'm pretty pleased with my reading and watching:
1. Read one of Jane Austen’s main six no..."
Hi Katie,
Thank you for all your threads and for starting this readathon.
I read the following for Jane Austen July.
Northanger Abbey
Emma
Mansfield Park(only started it a few days ago but will continue reading it this month)
Jane Austen's Letters.
Dorothy and Jane
The Secret Radical(DNF)
Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen
Lord Edward and Citizen Small
A Most Agreeable Murder
The School for Scandal
Lost in Austen-2 star
Emma(Gwyneth Paltrow adaptation)-3 star
Rebecca wrote: "1. Northanger Abbey, finished Pride and Prejudice, started 2 different annotated Sense and Sensibility editions 2. started volume the first of her juvenilia
3. read most if the essays in A Truth U..."
Hi Rebecca,
How did you finding reading Udolpho?
Bodil wrote: "1. Read one of Jane Austin’s six novels.- The Annotated Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main novels
- Juvenilia, Jane Austen
- Lady Susan,..."
Godmersham Park thoughts?
1. Northanger Abbey ( This was my fourth reread and I liked itmore than ever before.)
2. Juvenilia
Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon (All three rereads. It's a
pity that Jane Austen wasn't able to finish Sanditon, I suppose
it would have become a very witty and funny novel, it begins
so very promising!)
3. Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley (I still have to finish it.)
4. What Kitty Did Next by Carry Kablean
Unequal Affections by Lara Ormiston
5. Der goldene Topf (The Golden Pot) by ETA Hoffmann,
published 1814 (I didn't like it, this is not my favourite
challenge.)
6. Northanger Abbey 1987 and 2007
Sense and Sensibility 2008
Emma 2009 (my favourite Austen adaptation)
Love and Friendship
Miss Austen Regrets (not an adaptation of a novel but a film
about Jane Austen)
7. Rational Creatures
Highlight of my Jane Austen July besides Northanger Abbey and Sanditon was Unequal Affections by Lara Ormiston.
I'm still listening to The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. It doesn't quite fit into the prompts but it is Austen related. The audiobook is narrated by Richard Armitage and I enjoy it very much.
Thank you Katie, Marissa and Claudia for hosting Jane Austen July 2023 I was able to read three pieces of writing (two novels and one poem) for this Jane Austen July.
1) Read one of Jane Austen’s main six novels
I read Northanger Abbey and I really liked it.
Jane Austen described the life in Bath (UK) and the entertainment of the time (dancing and theater) and the satire of gothic novels. Gripping story!
2) Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
I read a poem by Jane Austen - Ode to Pity
Link: https://tinyurl.com/2bfawwaj
A very short poem, I really like poetry and it was a nice poem to begin with.
3) Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James.
Mystery fiction is a literary genre that I am very fond of.
I started to read Mystery books when I was 10~11 years old thanks to Agatha Christie's books.
I could see that Jane Austen influenced many others writers: P.D. James and Susanna Clarke.
Recently, I discovered a YA author called Tirzah Price who wrote retellings of Jane Austen's books.
I think Jane Austen's writings are enduring for many generations to come.
In conclusion, Jane Austen is the greatest!
Thaizi wrote: " Thank you Katie, Marissa and Claudia for hosting Jane Austen July 2023 I was able to read three pieces of writing (two novels and one poem) for this Jane Austen July.
1) Read one of Jane Austen..."
Hi Thaizi,
I second your thanks to the lovely founders of this readathon.
It really helped me through a bad time last year.
I'm still working on Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World and the DVD of Mansfield Park. Read one of Jane Austen’s six novels
Illustrated Sense and Sensibility from the Jane Austen Centre shop
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
I didn't get to this one. I've read everything more than once.
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
Still working on Jane's Fame
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time
The Road to Pemberley: An Anthology of New Pride and Prejudice Stories
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen
Didn't get to that one
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
Still working on MP 1986
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
Wishbone : Furst Impressions
So impressive! Everyone's accomplishments! Hopefully next July I will have more time, because I want the complete experience. This year I did read Northanger Abbey and took a free online course (Hillsdale) on The Young Jane Austin. I did read some essays, reviews from the first publication, and some Juvenilia all found in the Norton Critical Edition. It was recommended to read Sense and Sensibility next. So I looking for the Norton version of that.But I would not have done anything, except I saw this group! Thank you!
Marti wrote: "...all found in the Norton Critical Edition."Norton critical editions are the best! I didn't try their Austen yet, but I really loved the editions I tried from them...
Jassmine, I'm hooked. I am looking for a used copy of Sense and Sensibility. Reading the reviews at the time alone was worth it -- she just passed away, Northanger Abbey (first book) was published with Persuasion (last book). Her death at such a young age came at a time when the world was just beginning to realise her worth.
QNPoohBear wrote: "I'm still working on Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World and the DVD of Mansfield Park. Read one of Jane Austen’s six novels
Illustrated Sense and Sensibility from t..."
How do you like Jane's Fame? I have a copy but have never dipped into it.
(Posted this in another thread before this one was set up, so I am re-posting here.)Amazingly, I finished all the challenges. It's been great fun and intellectually stimulating!
1. Read an Austen novel. I read two very happily -- Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. Appreciated Persuasion more after watching a couple of BookTubers talk about it. However, neither of these are likely to unseat my three Jane Austen faves -- Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility.
2. Something else by Austen: I followed along with all the juvenilia readings. Not often do I laugh out loud when reading, but I did with several of these.
3. Non-fiction about Austen or her times. I went back to an old favorite here with the Austen section of Volume I of Annette Rubinstein's From Shakespeare to Shaw. This also helped with my appreciation for Persuasion.
4. A retelling of an Austen work or historical fiction set in her time: Where the Rhythm Takes You, taking inspiration from Persuasion. Very much fun. I also read the time travel book The Jane Austen Project -- a good choice for me as a sci-fi lover.
5. Book by a contemporary: The Woman of Colour. I had entirely the wrong expectations for this book. But it gave me a clear idea of at least one type of book Austen made fun of -- the sentimental novel.
6. Direct screen adaptation: the 2007 Northanger Abbey. Enjoyed this quite a bit, though I didn't love every change to the book they made. Guess that will always be the case. All of the main cast were fabulous, and Liam Cunningham was one scary dude as General Tilney. I had seen this before, but a lot of the adaptations I haven't seen are BBC productions not available for free on streaming in the U.S. Frustrating! I have a list of ideas for next year, and I am going to either buy the DVDs or get them from my library in advance.
7. Modern screen adaptation: Austenland. A delight, and imagine my surprise when JJ Feild shows up again. (Austen must have had a hand in the spelling of his name.) An inspired, out-of-left-field pairing of Keri Russell and Jennifer Coolidge. Russell had perhaps the harder job as the "straight man" in their scenes, but she did great.
Thank you to the Jane Austen July organizers!
Thank you, Katie, Claudia, and Marissa, for another great Jane Austen July! I can't wait for next July!!I finished four of the seven challenges, so I am very happy!
1. Read one of Jane Austen's six novels: Northanger Abbey group read, and then I read Emma for the first time.
2. Read something not of her main novels: Sandition
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen: Lover's Vows by Elizabeth Inchbald (audio)
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen novel: Love & Friendship (1996), on YouTube.
* I am still reading The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer for #4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book or a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen's time.
And I plan to watch Bridget Jones's Diary for #7 watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. I plan to do this before summer is over. :)
Janice wrote: "Thank you, Katie, Claudia, and Marissa, for another great Jane Austen July! I can't wait for next July!!I finished four of the seven challenges, so I am very happy!
1. Read one of Jane Austen's ..."
Ah Sanditon is great. The lovely Rose Servitova has written a completion of the fragment which is excellent.
Thank you all for another great Jane Austen July!I finished all the challenges.
1. Northanger Abbey, which was reread for me. I enjoyed it a lot, though it's not my favourite Jane Austen.
2. I read Love & Friendship physically and also enjoyed Katie's videos of The Beautifull Cassandra and Jack & Alice. Her juvenalia is so much fun.
3. The Genius of Jane Austen by Paul Byrne - It was entertaining and educational, I enjoyed her interpretations of Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility.
4. Where The Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass - not a fan of YA in general, but it was a nice retelling in an interesting setting.
5. Childe Harold's Pilgrimage by Lord Byron - There are some really wonderful lines in the poem and I can see why he's considered a great poet, but a lot of it went over my head. It was probably the wrong time for reading this.
6. I rewatched the 2007 Northanger Abbey and it's high up on my list of best adaptations.
7. Ruby in Paradise - It was an enjoyable movie. However, I didn't find many similarities to Northanger Abbey.
Thank you, Katie, Marissa, and Claudia, for a great month of Jane Austen! I have some unfinished business as you can see bellow, so I'll extend Jane Austen July to a Jane Austen Summer. :)Jane Austen July 2023 - (not so) final Wrap-up
1. Read one of Jane Austen’s six novels:
⚠️work in progress Northanger Abbey. I started reading it but stopped when I got to the Mysteries of Udolpho stuff. I really want to read that book first. I ordered Udolpho, but it arrived only last week. Hence I'm postponing NA for now.
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels:
✅The Watsons
✅Juvenilia in The Beautiful Cassandra
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time:
✅Tea with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson
✅The World of Jane Austen by Nigel Nicolson.
⚠️work in progress A charming place: Bath in the life and times of Jane Austen by Maggie Lane
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time:
✅A Hazard of Hearts by Barbara Cartland
✅Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen:
✅The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book:
✅Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical by Paul Gordon (2020)
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book:
✅Nesmrtelni: Lubi Nelubi (2010 TV Movie). A modern Slovak adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.
trailer: https://youtu.be/FB6t1tfIfeM
Other Austenesque activity: I deep-dived into Jaineites' YouTube. Every day, I watched a couple of JA related video - documentaries, video essays, reviews, you name it - I tried it. Here are some memorable vids I can recommend:
-Full movies/ Stage Adaptations:
Pride and Prejudice: Lasting Impressions - 2006 BBC documentary on the 1995 miniseries: https://youtu.be/Iz7_Fc7h5LQ
Hazard of Hearts (TV Movie, exquisitely cast Regency Romance): https://youtu.be/etdrBKw3v1o
Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical by Paul Gordon: https://youtu.be/sZC6-u13-dM
Jane Austen's "Evelyn" by Adam F McCune (stage adaptation): https://youtu.be/fel-zBz8y8M
-Video Essays/Fan-made documentaries/(Video-)Lectures by fans and/or scholars:
"Pride & Prejudice: A Novel, A Literary Analysis" by Mauintainsofbooks: https://youtu.be/ScR2gCJzS8o
Why Do We Think Jane Austen Was Boring? Victorians Ruin Everything by Lizcapism: https://youtu.be/iDcnyu92VEQ
Regency Dance in Austen Adaptations (Dance on Film Series) by Dance the Past: https://youtu.be/4tt2nYrBZew
5 Things That Jane Austen Films Always Get Wrong About the Dancing by Tea with Cassiane: https://youtu.be/rwQPAhTBvXs
The Absence of Anne Elliot; Why Netflix's Persuasion Fails by The Fat Culture Critic: https://youtu.be/EpvF1n2hp1U
John Mullan on Mansfield Park: https://youtu.be/vi3lQz7d-dU
John Mullan on JA's Heroines: https://youtu.be/ZP_yIu_d6uI
-Podcasts:
What the Austen: The Covert Lovers of Highbury - Deep dive into the character of Frank Churchill: https://youtu.be/S2kqI1Nrwgs
The Thing About Austen (Spotify or another podcast platform) - anything from them, you can't go wrong, everything they put out is gold
I am so happy to have participated! Thank you for this wonderful initiative!1. Read one of Jane Austen’s main six novels
- Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
- Excerpts from her Juvenilia, Jane Austen
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
- Corpus linguistics in Literary analysis, by Bettina Fischer-Starcke
- Jane Austen the Secret Radical, by Helena Kelly (I had read these just before starting the JAJ)
- John Mullan, What matters in Jane Austen
- Tea with Jane Austen, by Pen Vogler
- Jane Austen's Regency Times magazine (July-August 2023 issue)
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time
- Banff Springs Abbey, by Samantha Adkins
- Northanger Abbey, by Val McDermid (still reading)
- Jane Austen made me do it (still reading)
- Dancing with Mr Darcy (still reading)
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen (ie, published between 1775–1817)
- Not completed
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
- Northanger Abbey, 2007
- Pride and predjudice, 2005
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation/retelling of a Jane Austen book
- Rational Creatures
- Pride & Predjudice & Zombies
It was such fun! Sign me up for next year's edition!
It was great to follow along, thanks to the all host of hosting 😊!My Wrap Up:
Jane Austen July Wrap Up:
1. Read one of Jane Austen's main six novels.
- Northanger Abbey
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels.
- Juvenilia, Jane Austen
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time.
- None
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen's time.
- None
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen (i.e., published between 1775-1817)
- Read Frankenstein earlier in the year
6. Watch a direct screen adaptations of a Jane Austen book
- Northanger Abbey (2007)
- Pride and Prejudice (2005)
7. Watch a modern screen adaption/retelling of a Jane Austen book
- None
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Thank you, Katie, Claudia, and Marissa, for another great Jane Austen July! I can't wait for next July!!I finished four of the seven challenges, so I am very happy!
1. Read one of..."
Thank you so much, Michelle; I have put it on my TBR list. Maybe I will read it for Jane Austen July 2024! :)
Zuzana wrote: "Thank you, Katie, Marissa, and Claudia, for a great month of Jane Austen! I have some unfinished business as you can see bellow, so I'll extend Jane Austen July to a Jane Austen Summer. :)Jane Au..."
Thank you for sharing all these links to videos, etc. :)
Almost done with Jane's Fame. It's a lot of information in the beginning and needs to be updated but I am learning things I either didn't know or more likely had forgotten. I'm flabbergasted that that great-and great-great grandnephews and nieces SOLD their priceless family treasures! Even if Jane wasn't a famous author, you should still save them for posterity. It's your family history!It's funny that the Victorian MEN saw Jane as a model of saintly virginity while the WOMEN felt the stories lacked passion and feeling.
I finally finished Mansfield Park (1986) DVD. The quality was poor so it was slow going but overall, this is a great production in terms of faithfulness to the novel. It's well acted and the costumes didn't sear my eyeballs (unless you look closely at the fabrics used). It fills in some of when Austen left out at the end with Fanny and Edmund. It looks like Fanny and Edmund adopt Pug at the end because the poor thing is actually outside with his paws on the grass running around as a dog should. He's sooo cute and "Snuff" probably had the time of his life making that series. All he had to do was nap or be held by a human and occasionally snort or growl lightly at someone.
FinishedAyesha at Last
Very enjoyable as a rom com but not as a Jane Austen adaptation. When they start speaking the lines from P&P the story fails, especially when Kaild gives the "You must allow me to tell you..." speech. Totally out of character.
Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World
a little long and dense in spots and needs to be updated. More compressive and less fun than Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom
For my Jane Austen July I read:Pride and Prejudice
Northanger Abbey
Mansfield Park
Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sanditon and assorted juvenilia
For books from the time period:
Mysteries of Udolpho
Lover's Vows
For a book set in the time period:
The Late Mrs. Willoughby
For my nonfiction picks:
A Visitor's Guide to Jane Austen's England
Jane Austen: Her Home and Her Friends
101 Amazing Facts About Jane Austen (short)
Jane Austen's Little Book About Life (short)
Voices From The World of Jane Austen
I didn't manage to view anything except for one episode of Rational Creatures. I loved all of my reading this July and picked up some good books to read next year also.
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "1. Northanger Abbey, finished Pride and Prejudice, started 2 different annotated Sense and Sensibility editions 2. started volume the first of her juvenilia
3. read most if the ess..."
I also read Udolpho. I found that parts dragged, parts were very suspenseful, and at the end it switched to a whole new set of characters. I am glad I read it. I had so much more sympathy for Catherine Morland, as she read Udolpho and then went to a real life abbey. No wonder she expected dark doings!
Still on chapter 1 of Udolpho. struggling to make myself read it.
Did anyone reread a JA work and feel completely different about it this time? I reread (well, re-listened to) Pride and Prejudice for the fifth or sixth time…and Elizabeth drove me crazy. That has never happened before. I think we feel differently now about people who would laugh at those who are less intelligent or talented than themselves. Yes, the people might be ridiculous, but it’s not seen as kind to mock them. I just felt she was almost catty. Or at the Netherfield ball when Charlotte tells her she may enjoy dancing with Mr Darcy. She replies that it would be terrible to enjoy his company because she has decided to hate him. Something about how she states that she is determined to dislike him sounds very much as if against new experience with him, new evidence, she has already decided and won’t change her mind. I found Mr Bennet very frustrating too. While usually it’s Mrs Bennet i cringe from, this time I felt myself more sympathetic to her and blamed most of everything in the book on Mr Bennet. He is, after all, in charge of the family.
So, just me? Anyone else reread and have a very different reading experience than previously?
1. Read one of Jane Austen’s main six novels- Northanger Abbey
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
- Lady Susan
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
- Not completed
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time
- Miss Austen by Gil Hornby
- The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen (ie, published between 1775–1817)
- Not completed
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
- Northanger Abbey with Felicity Jones and JJ Feild
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation/retelling of a Jane Austen book
- Bridget Jones's Diary
I could have done better, but there's always next year!
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Karen wrote: "So, just me? Anyone else reread and have a very different reading experience than previously?"When I first read Sense and Sensibility I didn't pick up on Elinor being parentified by her mother. Elinor couldn't afford to act all selfish like Marianne, she had to keep everything together because her mother was utterly impractical and unwilling or unable to step up.
Good morning,Thank you for all those who encouraged me to read "Mansfield Park."
I enjoyed reading it and I did not find Fanny annoying or unlikeable.
I would love to know what happened to the other characters in the book.
Does anyone know of a continuation of "Mansfield Park?"
Mansfield Revisited a Jane Austen Entertainment is the only MP sequel I have read.AustenProse lists others
https://austenprose.com/category/aust...
QNPoohBear wrote: "Mansfield Revisited a Jane Austen Entertainment is the only MP sequel I have read.AustenProse lists others
https://austenprose.com/category/aust..."
Good morning,
Thanks. I will check that out.
Thank you, Katie, Claudia, and Marissa. Selling our house and moving (still unpacking) greatly interfered with my reading and Goodreads posting. Nevertheless, I managed to read 162 pages during Jane Austen July:1. JA main novel: The Annotated Emma edited by David Shapard X
So, no participation points for me!
2. Other JA: “Edgar and Emma” juvenilia √
Nice riff on the Sentimental novel
3. Nonfiction: 4 criticism essays about Emma From A Truth Universally Acknowledged ...√
Always interesting and informative
4. Retelling: the Forward and 3 short stories centered on Emma From Rational Creatures: Stirrings of Feminism in the Hearts of Jane Austen's Fine Ladies √
Nice, I will read more in the future
5. JA Contemporary: “Jane Austen” Walter Scott’s 1815 review of Emma √
Very interesting. I believe he enjoyed Austen’s books and recognized her talented writing. However, he could not separate his instinctive response from the standards of the day. The standards of the day are that poetry is the highest literary art and next is high Romance (think Arthurian Romances and his own Ivanhoe). Thus, Austen’s domestic settings for her social satires that do not overtly moralize cannot be fine art.
6. Direct Adaptation: Emma 1996 (Jeremy Northam is my favorite Knightly) X
7. Indirect Adaptation: begin watching Emma Approved Web series X
Edited for formatting.
Karen wrote: "Did anyone reread a JA work and feel completely different about it this time? I reread (well, re-listened to) Pride and Prejudice for the fifth or sixth time…and Elizabeth drove me crazy. That has ..."Elizabeth is the 'Prejudice' and Darcy is the 'Pride' for most people - at least at the beginning and on somewhat superficial readings. So you're right on the money when you find her determined against Darcy at the beginning.
The beauty of Austen is that you will probably turn and turn again, for and against her fully developed main characters.
Enjoy the ride!
Finally wrapping up today!How did I do? If we consider this a readaton to be completed in July, pretty bad. But I decided to take it slowly and savour my re-reading of Northanger Abbey, and I enjoyed it very much... so, not too bad :)
Meriyou wrote: "Finally wrapping up today!How did I do? If we consider this a readaton to be completed in July, pretty bad. But I decided to take it slowly and savour my re-reading of Northanger Abbey, and I enjo..."
Not too bad at all! Good to take time to savor Jane Austen
Meriyou wrote: "Finally wrapping up today!How did I do? If we consider this a readaton to be completed in July, pretty bad. But I decided to take it slowly and savour my re-reading of Northanger Abbey, and I enjo..."
Good for you! Better late than never and Northanger Abbey is a good read for October!
Jane Austen July 2025
Books mentioned in this topic
Mansfield Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment (other topics)Mansfield Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment (other topics)
Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom (other topics)
Ayesha at Last (other topics)
Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World (other topics)
More...
I'm pretty pleased with my reading and watching:
1. Read one of Jane Austen’s main six novels
- Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen
- Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
- Juvenilia, Jane Austen
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
- Behind Closed Doors: at home in Georgian England, Amanda Vickery
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time
- The Murder of Mr Wickham, Claudia Gray
- Just as You Are, Camille Kellogg
- Miss Elizabeth Bennet, A.A. Milne
- Ayesha at Last, Uzma Jalaluddin
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen (ie, published between 1775–1817)
- The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister
- The Rivals, Sheridan
- The Belle’s Stratagem, Hannah Cowley
- Belinda, Maria Edgeworth
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
- Northanger Abbey, 2007
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation/retelling of a Jane Austen book
- Rational Creatures
Highlight of the month - definitely Anne Lister's diaries!