Jane Austen discussion
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Introduce Yourself Part Two
Mod
Your enthusiasm for Austen is great! Glad to have you join us!
Rachel wrote: "WELCOME, Edward!Your enthusiasm for Austen is great! Glad to have you join us!"
Thanks Rachel! I realize most Jane Austen lovers are women and it makes sense since its a book about a woman's world and her experiences.
Yet I think that many men do not give it a try because they think its a Romance. Which I would say it isn't at all. Sure there is love and the book is technically about falling in love. Yet I see this as a book in human behavior and almost as if you get to be part of some sort of social experiment.
I know I'm crazy but the way Austen writes her characters and how to interact is wonderful. It's not about this unattainable guy who the heroine falls for because he's (insert here). It's about real people with real flaws who are flawed together (like Sense & Sensibility) or that are perfect for each other without them knowing it (like Emma) or that are just opposite (Pride & Prejudice) and end up loving each other despite their own original judgements.
I can read and reread her books and they never fail to make me laugh and draw me into her story.
Edward you just summed up why I love Jane Austen! It's nice to get a man's perspective on the stories.
Edward wrote: "[...] Yet I see this as a book in human behavior and almost as if you get to be part of some sort of social experiment. I know I'm crazy but the way Austen writes her characters and how to interact is wonderful."
I don't think you're crazy at all. I actually wrote a paper about that very thing in college, "Jane Austen: Observational Psychologist, Or the connoisseur of human folly." I was a psych major taking a Jane Austen class. Psychology wasn't really a documented thing back then, but I noticed that her characters tended to adhere to the principles of psychology as we understand them today. If you read her letters, she was so observant of the people around her: their behaviors and interactions. She definitely used that in building her characters and stories. I think that is why they continue to hold up over time; even though the cultural norms are fluid, people haven't really changed much.
Hi everybody! I'm Halli, I'm 16, and my favorite Austen novel is Emma! I'm so excited to join this group, although I'm a bit shy so I can't say I'll be adding much- mostly just reading what all you lovely people have to say!
Welcome Halli! So glad you've joined us!
Hello Henna! I hope you like Persuasion! It is my favorite Austen. Finding time to read is always so hard. Thanks for joining us!
I'm Tina and I'll just say my birthdate is March 27...I forget the year. lol I'm a cozy author, screenwriter, producer and am in various phases of production of my 2nd mystery, Deadwaiter which is becoming a feature film. Wish me luck? I could use it. ;)
Hello and welcome Halli, Henna and Tina (btw, congratulations and good luck)!I am also new here.
I am Juliana, a Math teacher that would love to be a writer. Love Jane Austen and, as I wrote in other thread, my favorite book always change. Right now, it's Persuasion.
Nice to meet you, Megan and Juliana. And thank you for the warm welcome and best wishes!
Mod
Glad to have you in our group. We hope you like it here!
Greetings! My name is Naomi, and I live in the grand state of Missouri! I practically grew up with Jane Austen, as my sisters share the same obsession, and I knew the films very well before I actually picked up a book! I've read them all, including Lady Susan, and am excited to be part of a group that loves J.A. devotedly, and look forward to discussing! :)
Welcome Naomi! Glad you are here!
Mod
We look forward to discussing with you. Glad you are with us!
I live in Missouri too! Where in Missouri do you live?
Really! I live in the Branson area; what area are you from? :)
Hi all. I'm from South Africa, Indian descent. I live on the beautiful East Coast...All about sun and surf, although I'm one of those in a deck chair, under an umbrella, reading a book on the beach. Engineer by profession but currently Chief of Planning for harbours.
Welcome Nimi! Happy to have you join us!
Mod
Glad to have you with us!
Hello! I'm Francesca! I have just finished re-reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time in some years. I fancy Mr. Darcy. I anticipate neglecting everything in my life in favour of Ms. A's complete works over the next few days....
Hi Francesca! Sounds like a great plan!
Mod
We are happy to have you with us!
Hallo everyone. I'm Janet and the author of Darcy's Story and (much more recently) the sequel Dialogue with Darcy.What an interesting range of people in this group!
I originally wrote my first novel in 1996 as a result of one of my daughters wanting to know more about the hero's point of view of P&P. Five books (about the Regency period) later, I am still enjoying hearing more about other people's interest in P&P.
I find visual images/pictures relevant to the (historical) period stimulate my imagination - does anyone else agree?
Hi Janet! I love to see the clothes of the period- so fascinating!
I love the clothes too. I think clothes are so relatable.
Hi everyone, I have been shockingly remiss not to be in touch in so long - but I have an excuse - I've been setting up The Jane Austen Society of Ireland! We have now about 156 members, which is great and I wanted to let you know that we have enticed Jo Baker, author of 'Longbourn' - a version of 'Pride and Prejudice' told from the point of view of the servants - to come and talk to us here in Dublin in May. There will be a book signing, buns, and live music too from the period. Some redcoats from a Napoleonic re-enactment group will be there too, as well as the editor of The Regency Magazine from Bath, who will be speaking too.
We are always looking out for like-minded people to share ideas on Austen and her novels, so last month, we met for the first Austen book club, - focusing on 'Emma', in a lovely Georgian hotel in the centre of Dublin. It was great. So - here is a link, if any one wants more information. I hope to hear from you. Michelle (JASI President) :-)
http://www.thejaneaustensocietyofirel...
MyBookAffair: How exciting! I'm involved with the Jane Austen Society of North America. Sounds like you are having a great time!
The visuals are VERY important for one's imagination!
Thanks Megan - You guys are light years ahead of us, and a huge inspiration. I have been in touch with some of the organizers from your group and they have been so helpful already. We are growing, and our operation is small, but we are ardent Janeites and passionate about the novels. We just need to reach out to as many Irish fans as possible to spread the word. :-)
Mod
We're glad to have you spreading the love of Jane in different ways and to have you here in this group with us!
We hope you enjoy it here!
I am rather fond of the cover that I devised for my "Walking" book - http://www.janetaylmer.com/walking.htmlThis book cover was composed by taking a photograph of a print of Bath that my husband John had purchased, and then getting the printer's art director to "slide" an image from a clothes pattern magazine from the 1790s over it.
This was necessary because otherwise some gentlemen (in Jacobean dress) shown in the print walking on the field would have been visible.
The two ladies represent Jane Austen and her walking companion Mrs Chamberlayne. They took a walk in 1801 through the valley near Bath where we used to live! This walk was recorded by Jane in a letter that she wrote to her sister Cassandra, who had remained at their home in Hampshire.
HelloMy name is Debbie Cowens and I'm a English High School Teacher and writer in New Zealand. I've been a big Jane Austen fan since first reading Pride and Prejudice when I was a teenager.
I'm new to joining groups on GoodReads but I'm looking forward to reading and joining in the discussions.
Thanks.
Mod
Glad to have you with us. We hope you join in as much as you like!
Rachel wrote: "WELCOME, Debbie!Glad to have you with us. We hope you join in as much as you like!"
Thanks!
Megan wrote: "Hi Debbie! Welcome!"Thanks!
Hello everyone! I'm Ooha. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice introduced me to the genre of romance when i was 11 and I'm yet to find another author who could capture the everyday moments and every other day thrills of a budding relationship in the amazing way she could.
I have read all her books numerous times (my favorite being Pride and prejudice still) and all it does is increase my appetite for anything Austen.
Hello Ooha! It's a pleasure to "meet" you! (: you get along very well with everyone here, we're all friendly and we all share the same interests!
Hi my name is Fernando. I am 33 y.o. From San Juan Puerto Rico. Major in English and Spanish Professor of English and Spanish Language, writing and Grammar. Deeply in love with Jane Austen and her work
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We are happy you are here with us!
Hello. My name is Tammy, and I LOVE Jane Austen. My favorite male character is Captain Wentworth, (I can't resist a man in uniform) and my favorite female character is Fanny Price. Because of my love for all things Austen, I started writing both in her genre and with her in mind.
Hi Tammy! Welcome to the group! I'm Team Wentworth also!
Mod
I am so happy to hear someone's fave female character is Fanny! She is so underappreciated!
Happy to have you with us!
Hello Clara! Welcome to the group!
Jane Austen
Books mentioned in this topic
The Lord of the Rings (other topics)Emma (other topics)
Georgette Heyer's Regency World (other topics)
Pride and Prejudice (other topics)
Sense and Sensibility (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Angela Thirkell (other topics)D.E. Stevenson (other topics)
Georgette Heyer (other topics)
Katherine Reay (other topics)
Marian Devon (other topics)
More...
I know the dances look so nice and elegant. Although, dressing up in the middle of June to go to a Regency Ball might be a little dodgy for us (we like cool weather).
But going to Chatsworth House dressed in Regency style and dancing those old dances has to be an incredible experience (certainly in my bucket list).