Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2024 discussion

Starting this year off with something from Jane sounds just the thing. Perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to read all her completed novels or you want to dive into her minor works or letters. Maybe you want a re-read...or enjoy in a new format like audio. All are welcome.

Make your pick from among her fiction and non-fiction writings then leave a comment here with your choice. Spend the month of January immersed in Jane Austen's writing.

Feel free to choose an incomplete novel or one of the completed versions by Austen and another author.

Hmmmm.....

I've got a paperback of a “completed” version of Sanditon that’s been gathering dust for a while, so I'll plan on reading that.

Does watching a movie count - ROFLOL!!!

I may try mansfield park. Have not read that one in many many... years. I hope I can find a good audiobook version.

Sam wrote: "Does watching a movie count - ROFLOL!!!

I may try mansfield park. Have not read that one in many many... years. I hope I can find a good audiobook version."

My favorite audio is the Naxos version with Juliet Stevenson narrating.

Thanks Sophia!

Sophia wrote: " My favorite audio is the Naxos version with Juliet Stevenson narrating."

That’s a fantastic audio version of MP! Worth spending a credit on.

Actually I eas also thinking of Mansfield Park as I have only watched the movie and didn't like Edmund enough to read the book. Maybe, I'll try it this year.

abmom wrote: "Actually I eas also thinking of Mansfield Park as I have only watched the movie and didn't like Edmund enough to read the book. Maybe, I'll try it this year."

Oh neat! In the book, you get more of Jane Austen's humor. Fanny doesn't see the Bertrams and their behavior as funny, but as the reader, I always, do. :)

I have narrowed it down to The Annotated Persuasion (text only) Original edition by J. Austen,D. M. Shapard by David Shapard or Jane Austen's Juvenilia

I think I will listen to P&P audiobook in a language that I am not fluent in so I will hit two flies in one slap, so to speak. A bit of language practice and enjoyable to boot.

Katja wrote: "I think I will listen to P&P audiobook in a language that I am not fluent in so I will hit two flies in one slap, so to speak. A bit of language practice and enjoyable to boot."


Well done, Katya! My language skills are rubbish, putting it mildly. No way could I listen to any audio in any language other than English.

Katja wrote: "I think I will listen to P&P audiobook in a language that I am not fluent in so I will hit two flies in one slap, so to speak. A bit of language practice and enjoyable to boot."

Double the challenge and I love your fly slap expression!

I'm thinking of either Love and Friendship, Lady Susan, or The Watsons.

I think I've read Lady Susan before, but am pretty sure the other two are both new to me.

the fly thing is a Finnish expression that means accomplish two things at once. I couldn't think of an English equivalent. I'm sure there must be one... we get a lot of language instruction at school because nobody speaks Finnish lol. Swedish was compulsory and English semi-compulsory, and I also learned some German and French at school. And I've learned some Italian and Spanish as an adult. I think it comes more easily once you've had to learn one foreign language because there are patterns.

but I'm not gonna lie, I probably couldn't follow an audiobook in most of those languages if it's something completely new to me. But Austen audiobooks are pretty easy to figure out because I already know what happens and you don't have to understand every word to make sense of it.

Katja wrote: "the fly thing is a Finnish expression that means accomplish two things at once. I couldn't think of an English equivalent. I'm sure there must be one... we get a lot of language instruction at scho..."

I'm a typical American mono-linguist so my mind is blown by all the languages you have at least a passing familiarity with, Katja. :)

i'm feeling like such an accomplished lady now that I figured it's to kill two birds with one stone :=)

i should have known but it's only taken me three days

Katja wrote: "i'm feeling like such an accomplished lady now that I figured it's to kill two birds with one stone :=)

i should have known but it's only taken me three days"

;-)

Katja wrote: "the fly thing is a Finnish expression that means accomplish two things at once. I couldn't think of an English equivalent. I'm sure there must be one... we get a lot of language instruction at scho..."

In English, the expression is kill two birds with one stone, but I like killing flies better than birds!

The Grimms recorded a tale "Seven in One Blow" where a tailor swats seven flies together and brags about it. Troubles and Advantages follow.

I will go for Lady Susan, I never read that one before

Nina wrote: "I will go for Lady Susan, I never read that one before"

Oh my, she's an interesting heroine. I'll look forward to seeing what you think of your first go with Lady Susan.

I keep adding Northanger Abbey to my reading list and then forget about it so I'll try that.

Katie wrote: "I keep adding Northanger Abbey to my reading list and then forget about it so I'll try that."

And its not that long, but Catherine is fun. :)

@17 Katja, I recently learned that PETA, the animal rights group, has tried to introduce animal-friendly idioms into English, including "feed two birds with one scone" instead of "kill two birds with one stone." Though I honor the sentiment of protecting animals, I must admit that I laughed when I read that! (Another one that made me laugh: "bring home the bagels" instead of "bring home the bacon.")

@21 Nina, you'll have to let us know what you think of Lady Susan. I read that novella for the first time this past year, and yeah, Sophia's right: she's definitely an interesting character!

@23 Katie, I think Northanger Abbey is such a funny novel. Hope you enjoy it!

Last year, someone gave me the Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen collection, so I'm going to try and read The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen: Volume VI: Minor Works volume. I've already read Lady Susan, but the volume also includes the juvenilia, the fragmentary novels (Watsons and Sanditon), a plan of a novel from 1816 (that should be exciting), collected opinions of Mansfield Park and Emma, some verses, and several prayers. We'll see how far I get. Just around the New Year, I always have such grand plans for how much I'll read! :)

Christina wrote: "Last year, someone gave me the Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen collection, so I'm going to try and read The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen: Volume VI: Minor Works volume. I've already r..."

The plans for the 1816 book does sound intriguing among all the other bits and parts. However far you get with it will be time well spent. :)

I have never read Lady Susan, so will most likely listen to it in January.

I just looked back at 2023's Going Classic. It seems I eventually listened to some of Austen's early works, three unfinished books and all the published novels except P&P.

Therefore, this year, I will listen to Rosamund Pike reading about Bingley being discouraged from pursuing his love and Darcy being his own enemy lover-wise.

I'm going to start 2024 with Northanger Abbey. I have been eyeing up a few variations on this less popular one and like to start with canon firmly grounded in my mind.

Craftyhj wrote: "I'm going to start 2024 with Northanger Abbey. I have been eyeing up a few variations on this less popular one and like to start with canon firmly grounded in my mind."
I'm doing Northanger Abbey too!

Emma, anyone? I'll be listening to the audio and reading along. Goes faster that way.

I'll be reading Northanger Abbey. I've never read it, so I'm looking forward to it!

I treated myself to a rare print (rather than Kindle) book a few weeks ago: an annotated Pride and Prejudice. Haven't re-read P&P in a couple of years, and I've never read one that was annotated, so this is an easy choice - I was already planning on reading this even before I saw this month's challenge!

Oooh, I just looked at the previous comments to see what others have chosen...

Sophia, the P&P I have is "Annotated and Edited by David M. Shapard." Published 2012. So if you choose to read his Persuasion, I guess my book is its sister!

Debbie wrote: "Oooh, I just looked at the previous comments to see what others have chosen...

Sophia, the P&P I have is "Annotated and Edited by David M. Shapard." Published 2012. So if you choose to read his Pe..."

Hehe, good one! I like that.

I chose Mansfield park and figured I would start 2024 listening to it.

I listened to 2 different dramatizations first. I have an old school audiobook from years ago to listen to later.

Question - why was Edmund so enamored of Mary Crawford? Was it merely her looks, with added physical attraction once she set her eye on him and subtly seducing him?

And in regards to Mr. Crawford, what was he really doing with Fanny. Was it a game/challenge? Because she never kowtowed to his charms and flirts? He certainly couldn't hold the line and ran after fun with Maria fast enough.

Aunt Norris was a mashup of Mrs. Bennet and Lady C!

I also can't help but feel Miss Crawford pushing Fanny towards her brother is in some part due to a connection she sees between Fanny and Edmund. He might not be rich enough for her to marry, but she still wants him in her power. And I don't think she likes how highly he admires and respects Fanny.

Sam wrote: "I chose Mansfield park and figured I would start 2024 listening to it.

I listened to 2 different dramatizations first. I have an old school audiobook from years ago to listen to later.

Question -..."

I have always thought that Mr. Crawford's initial plans for Fanny were a flirtatious game and then later because she didn't succumb that she became a bewildering challenge to him.

As to Miss Crawford, I thought she had the same instinct to flirt and treat love as a game, but then saw that Edward was too genuine to play games and it made her really stop and think.

For his part, I figured she was a beautiful, witty woman and he fell for it.

Aunt Norris is worse than both those ladies in my mind. I've always seen her as a true villain.

Great discussion questions, Sam!

I’m going to try to listen to the original Pride and Prejudice since it’s been a while.

Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "I chose Mansfield park and figured I would start 2024 listening to it.

I listened to 2 different dramatizations first. I have an old school audiobook from years ago to listen to later...."

Aunt N was certainly mean.

Another point I noted was Edmund's 'falling' for Fanny after being disillusioned by Mary Crawford, almost as quickly as Elizabeth does for Darcy after reading his letter.
It is so similar in that once the fog of prejudice has been lifted, the good of the person they affect shines forth and they can't help but fall in love.

Sam wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "I chose Mansfield park and figured I would start 2024 listening to it.

I listened to 2 different dramatizations first. I have an old school audiobook from years ago to l..."

I can't remember the exact quote, but it was when Elizabeth told Wickham that in essentials Darcy was as he'd always been and it was just her perception that changed. This is similar. Good point!

Thanks for listening Sophia! ;)
I read MP decades ago and didn't like it. That was exacerbated by the really bad tv series done in the 80's?
Refused to read it again.

But it is actually REALLY good. lol

Sam wrote: "Thanks for listening Sophia! ;)
I read MP decades ago and didn't like it. That was exacerbated by the really bad tv series done in the 80's?
Refused to read it again.

But it is actually REALLY g..."

I've always loved the humor in it. :) Enjoy your re-listen, Sam!

Loving this discussion about MP, Sam and Sophia!

I also didn't like MP when I first read it in my 20s and then came to love more and more each time I reread it.

Mrs. Norris is, in my mind, one of the meanest, more spiteful characters in Austen -- and yet she's so funny (not intentionally, but Austen makes her laughable because we can so clearly see her hypocrisy). Everything she thinks and says turns out to be wrong in the end, right? I guess that is the ultimate punishment for a fictional antagonist in Austen!

As for Mary Crawford and Edmund, I always thought he was so enamored with her because she was exactly what he claimed he didn't want: style, rather than substance. He's not honest with himself about what attracts him -- and then ends up being completely fooled, both by Mary and himself. Like Mrs. Norris, what he says ends up being quite different from what he actually does. (Still, I like him so much more than Mrs. Norris!)

Every main character in MP except Fanny suffers from the flaw of claiming some kind of superiority that they don't, in fact, possess. It's Fanny who, in the end, knows herself best, or at least well enough to hold fast to her convictions when it counts.

I wish I could say I was like Fanny. Alas, I'm much more like Edmund! (Just don't let me be like Mrs. Norris!)

Persuasion for me! Haven’t read it before though I have learned the story through some modern JAFF.

Laugh at myself....surprise....HISTORY OF ENGLAND!!!!! :) reread #8 billion!

Very short, fun, and a delight! Oh PBS.....where is my one hour special?

Christina wrote: "Loving this discussion about MP, Sam and Sophia!

I also didn't like MP when I first read it in my 20s and then came to love more and more each time I reread it.

Mrs. Norris is, in my mind, one ..."

I like your thoughts Christina.

What you say about the characters vs Fanny is interesting. I
Seems like it's not so much honest with herself, but her values are spot on. Meaning the character of people is what's important, following a g-dly life, and not being focused on the more physical aspects of society - money, connections and standing. She likes to know she is of use in the world, (even to those who treat her badly)

I think in the past I thought her a doormat. And she does have some self esteem issues - for good reason, but when she begins to compare herself with all the people around her, constantly making bad decision, I think that shifts and she sees herself is a better light.
As the others do when they begin to compare her with all the surrounding fools!

I love Mansfield Park too. Fanny Price has the most remarkable depth of inner strength, oh for just a fraction of it!

I think perhaps one of the reasons Mansfield Park is not a popular Austen is the lack of a pleasing romance for our 21st century sensibilities. Austen didn't write romances she wrote about the life she saw around her and the people she knew. The romantic element of her books reflects the general romantic element that is always present in life.

I think the Mansfield Park variations are some of the best I have read.

We all need more Fanny Prices in our lives!

Are there any good ones? I admit to have never even thought of looking.

Great thoughts on MP, Sam and Craftyhj!

As for variations on MP, I really enjoyed A Contrary Wind by Lona Manning.