Jane Austen discussion

Emma Thompson, known by many of us for her beautiful screen portrayal of Elinor Dashwood and for her scriptwriting of that same film version, reads a new audio edition of The Turn of the Screw (Henry James). I am looking forward to listening to this, as I am sure Thompson has done a wonderful job. And excerpt is included at this link.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/22/boo...

Has anyone seen Love and Friendship yet? It seems to be meeting with critical acclaim but I want to know what the Janeites think! It's not out here yet but I hope when it's out in wide release it will come to one of the theaters here.

It doesn't come out here until next week I think, I really want to see it though I'm always dubious about adaptations.

There are some reviews of Love and Friendship on The Republic of Pemberley. I am supposed to see it with friends this coming week.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Has anyone seen Love and Friendship yet? It seems to be meeting with critical acclaim but I want to know what the Janeites think! It's not out here yet but I hope when it's out in wide release it w..."

*waves hand* just saw it a few hours ago. Coming in with a 4.25 out of 5. Posted a hopefully non-spoiler...and somewhat vague...review on AiB.

I can't wait to see Love and Friendship! There's a good indie theater not too far away from me which usually gets these types of films so I hope to see it in a week or two.

Rachel wrote: "I can't wait to see Love and Friendship! There's a good indie theater not too far away from me which usually gets these types of films so I hope to see it in a week or two."

Crossing my fingers that you see it soon! I think it's coming to some kind of Amazon platform(me = luddite) soon after the theater run. And I have the "companion" book out from the library and hope to get to it soon.

Seeing it tonight!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07cyfnf

BBC Radio has a new post by Sarah Dillon on Jane and Persuasion.

http://flavorwire.com/588554/janes-ad...

I found this article today -- the intro describes it as a monthly column by Sarah Seltzer. Well written.

Caught Bridget Jones's Baby last night. Loved that it brought back most of the original cast and the subtle hint at end of climax, wrap.

Though I liked the movie enough, I (without spoiling) I pref'd the earlier Bridget. Alas, we do change life paths so her becoming a mom is realistic.

Can't wait for Girl On the Train with favorite, Emily Blunt as lead. Counting the days!

Tina, does she mature a bit in this one? I haven't read the books but didn't enjoy the other movies. I keep wondering if I'm missing something, because my friend's love them. Maybe it's because they keep trying to compare it to Pride and Prejudice, but it's missing everything I love about the original.

Hannah, I haven't enjoyed the Bridget movies a lot either. I do love Zellweger and I like the character.... and I know it is a comedy, but she doesn't seem very realistic for an independent woman these days. I do hope the current one goes better.

Hannah, She does mature a bit but still maintains a bit of a mischievous side. Comparing Bridget to Pride & Prejudice I'd say she resemble Lydia more than Lizzie but then what do I know. ;-) But yes, she does mature a bit.

Sarah, I liked the first and 3rd about the best of the three. The 2nd installment did not work for me at all.

I haven't seen any of these "Bridget" movies.

I may be "alone" in that regard.

Tina, The Girl of the Train is based on a novel? Have you read it? Emily Blount is always interesting to watch, so I might try it when it comes out.

Andrea, I fall into the category of not having read the Bridget books, so I may be alone too. I did like the first Bridget movie, and I would like to actual try any films/novels that carry that same level of comedy, focused on women's stories. Does anyone have any recommendations?

SarahC wrote: "Tina, The Girl of the Train is based on a novel? Have you read it? Emily Blount is always interesting to watch, so I might try it when it comes out.

Andrea, I fall into the category of not having ..."

Sarah, Yes, Girl/On Train is based on bestselling novel of same title. I loved it and recommend it but then my tastes in mysteries may be different than others. I will see the movie...twice. ;-)

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I haven't seen any of these "Bridget" movies.

I may be "alone" in that regard."

Andrea, a 180 from Austen's masterpiece but with Colin Firth as lead, it's fun to see contrast of the two Mr. Darcy's. ;-)

SarahC wrote: "Tina, The Girl of the Train is based on a novel? Have you read it? Emily Blount is always interesting to watch, so I might try it when it comes out.

Andrea, I fall into the category of not having ..."

I never read any of the Bridget books but have seen all three movies.

I'd almost say skip the 2nd in series and go straight to 3rd. but then a bit of connecting material may be lost. However, I think they all do well as stand alones.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I haven't seen any of these "Bridget" movies.

I may be "alone" in that regard."

You are not entirely alone, I started to watch the first one and couldn't get through it.

A local theater is putting on the play Acadia It's set partly in Regency England and sounds like something Jane Austen would have enjoyed. The plot sounds very improbable- with a young girl being tutored in science and mathematics, but it's supposed to be funny. My mom and I may go next Sunday.

QNPoohBear wrote: "A local theater is putting on the play Acadia It's set partly in Regency England and sounds like something Jane Austen would have enjoyed. The plot sounds very improbable..."

It looks like you will be seeing a wonderful play. It sounds like it can't miss being a great experience.

I met one of the young ladies who appears in the play. (She said the modern part but the picture shows her as one of the Regency ladies). She seemed knowledgeable about Jane Austen's books and said if I love the time period I should see the play. The Regency part is set in Derbyshire! My dad is going to see his favorite (American) football team so my mom and I may go to the play if I don't have to switch work days with someone.

Good luck on your schedule working out. I love interesting plays like that. I like going to theater even more than ever. We don't have lots to choose from in my local area, but I am always on the lookout these days. We are fairly close to larger cities too, and in the Fall it is nice to take a day trip and go to something like that. Hope your dad has fun at football too!

QNPoohBear wrote: "A local theater is putting on the play Acadia It's set partly in Regency England and sounds like something Jane Austen would have enjoyed. The plot sounds very improbable..."

Oh, I hope you enjoy the play! We read the script in one of my university classes, and I remember enjoying it immensely.

I love Tom Stoppard’s plays! You’re lucky to get a chance to see Arcadia, I’ve never had the good fortune. Please let us know what you think!

I actually saw "Arcadia" years ago at a local theater. I remember enjoying it.

I'm glad to hear a good recommendation from other Janeites. I will report back with a review.

Love the theater. Arcadia sounds wonderful. Enjoy. :-)

Quick notes on Arcadia
It was funny but went on a little too long about algebra YUCK. It could also be trimmed and remove some of the details about landscape architecture NO ONE (except me) understood LOL! The author has clearly read Jane Austen because there are specific references to the gothic novels and even a joke about the ha-ha (no one got it but they laughed because it was witty).

Most of the 19th century content dealt with amorous liaisons, Lord Byron, Newton's principles and mathematics I didn't understand. The modern content deals with modern scholars trying to figure out what happened in the 19th century and Lord Byron's connection or lack thereof.

I think the author got confused between Humphrey Repton and Capability Brown's styles.

The costumes were really nice. The 19th century costume designer looks like he got the costumes right. They were beautiful!

The acting was good but they talked way too fast and were continually shouting at each other so it was hard to understand in parts.

More details later. I have to go to sleep now!

Quel scandale, QNPoohBear—confusing Humphry Repton and Capability Brown! I would’ve been howling right beside you. Thanks for the report.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that Humphrey Repton was the picturesque designer who added gothic ruins, follies, hermitages and grottes to estates while Capability Brown was the anti-Repton. Brown's landscape design was a more natural picturesque style. Both men worked in the 18th century and I thought that gothic romanticism fell out of popularity in favor of Brown's more natural designs. After all, Elizabeth Bennet quips she first fell in love with Darcy after seeing his beautiful grounds at Pembeley, and his grounds are the more natural style favored by Capability Brown. That was my biggest beef with the play but it wasn't a huge part. It did inspire the name "Arcadia".

My long winded review can be found on my blog.

You can see some pictures on the theater's website

It sounds like an interesting play but that it was hard to look past the sticking points! I will read your review. I did a paper in college on the 18th century English country house long ago, so I don't remember the exact details enough to comment. I do remember the ha-ha and Capability Brown..of course coming from a Southern girl who had never seen a ha-ha in my life...I was hooked on the idea....I get caught up with unusual details (unusual to me!) Love your comments.

No one except Jane Austen scholars knows or cares what a ha-ha is LOL! I studied mostly American history but I did just read In the Garden with Jane Austen and a blog post about Capability Brown so it stuck out in my memory, otherwise I probably would have just dismissed it. I did pick up on the fact the play was written before the Jane Austen explosion of the mid-90s. It was first produced around the same time. The play is worth at least reading. It was expensive to see and if my parents hadn't paid for it, I probably wouldn't have gone.

You'll find some familiar names on this periodic table:

http://ebookfriendly.com/periodic-tab...

I disagree that Lady Catherine De Bourgh is a villain.

I don't think that she had any power to prevent Darcy and Lizzie from getting married.

It does seem technically the wrong word for Lady Catherine. She was an intimidator I would say. And her favorite people were those whom she could control. So in the modern world where we have more set legal protections, the person in our lives, especially a relative, who tries to work through more subtle emotional tactics....I can see how see how she was welcomed to this elemental chart :)