This awful book just recently came out
Can I just ask? Why would one write Jane Austen paraliterature if one had, and I quote, "never been a fan of Austen's"?
I'm sorry. I don't get it. Mary Bennet's character fascinates you, sure. But writing a novel based on Pride and Prejudice, which assassinates the characterisation and charm of Austen's most well-known and loved characters? Seriously.
Also, there's the horrible misinterpretation of the central plot of Pride and Prejudice that really gets my goat. Elizabeth Bennet does not try to change Mr Darcy. He changes himself. She is a reason for the change but she doesn't expect it and ask it of him. Darcy is a self-made man.
But then my favourite Austen paraliterature is the Carrie Bebris Mr and Mrs Darcy mysteries (Pride and Precience, Suspense and Sensibility, North by Northanger - I love it!) What would I know?
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In other Jane Austen-related news, I watched Lost in Austen and it was excrutiating - except when it was actually very funny. I would like to see that cast act the novel, but it was unfortunate that such an obnoxious Mary-Sue (and I don't use that term lightly given that I think it's mostly inaccurate and horribly overused) was the lead character. Inevitable, I suppose.
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And Jane Austen strikes again. I have come to the conclusion that I will never fall in love with Mr Darcy, not properly, because he is far too much like me - in all the bad ways. Socially akward, judgmental, holds terrific grudges...
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Liz and I were talking a while back about The Jane Austen Book Club. I decided I was going to write The REAL Jane Austen Book Club - in which her seven heroines form a book club and read novels and poetry and stuff.
Emma coughed discreetly and a hush fell over the room. Next to her, Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Catherine giggled, covering her mouth with one gloved hand. "Shall we begin?" Mrs Knightly asked, although it wasn't really a question so much as an order.
"I adore Coleridge!" Marianne exclaimed. She brushed a curl from her face, cheeks flushed pink and eyes bright.
"'Christabel' is amusing," Elinor said, "But also ridiculous. Is it parody?"
"I think Coleridge intended it as parody," Anne said. "The line about the clocks striking time and the repetition of the toothless mastiff bitch are too heightened to be entirely serious."
"I love that he is writing poetry for the joy of it," Elizabeth said. "Wordsworth should do more of that."
"Wordsworth is wonderful," Marianne said, jaw tightening.
"You are disposed to love the Romantics," Elinor reminded her sister. "Not everyone feels the same way."
"Shall I call for tea?" Fanny asked. Emma sniffed: that should have been her task.
I think I shall always start the year with ridiculous Jane Austen obsessing.
Love Aimee
I'm sorry. I don't get it. Mary Bennet's character fascinates you, sure. But writing a novel based on Pride and Prejudice, which assassinates the characterisation and charm of Austen's most well-known and loved characters? Seriously.
Also, there's the horrible misinterpretation of the central plot of Pride and Prejudice that really gets my goat. Elizabeth Bennet does not try to change Mr Darcy. He changes himself. She is a reason for the change but she doesn't expect it and ask it of him. Darcy is a self-made man.
But then my favourite Austen paraliterature is the Carrie Bebris Mr and Mrs Darcy mysteries (Pride and Precience, Suspense and Sensibility, North by Northanger - I love it!) What would I know?
*
In other Jane Austen-related news, I watched Lost in Austen and it was excrutiating - except when it was actually very funny. I would like to see that cast act the novel, but it was unfortunate that such an obnoxious Mary-Sue (and I don't use that term lightly given that I think it's mostly inaccurate and horribly overused) was the lead character. Inevitable, I suppose.
*
And Jane Austen strikes again. I have come to the conclusion that I will never fall in love with Mr Darcy, not properly, because he is far too much like me - in all the bad ways. Socially akward, judgmental, holds terrific grudges...
*
Liz and I were talking a while back about The Jane Austen Book Club. I decided I was going to write The REAL Jane Austen Book Club - in which her seven heroines form a book club and read novels and poetry and stuff.
Emma coughed discreetly and a hush fell over the room. Next to her, Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Catherine giggled, covering her mouth with one gloved hand. "Shall we begin?" Mrs Knightly asked, although it wasn't really a question so much as an order.
"I adore Coleridge!" Marianne exclaimed. She brushed a curl from her face, cheeks flushed pink and eyes bright.
"'Christabel' is amusing," Elinor said, "But also ridiculous. Is it parody?"
"I think Coleridge intended it as parody," Anne said. "The line about the clocks striking time and the repetition of the toothless mastiff bitch are too heightened to be entirely serious."
"I love that he is writing poetry for the joy of it," Elizabeth said. "Wordsworth should do more of that."
"Wordsworth is wonderful," Marianne said, jaw tightening.
"You are disposed to love the Romantics," Elinor reminded her sister. "Not everyone feels the same way."
"Shall I call for tea?" Fanny asked. Emma sniffed: that should have been her task.
I think I shall always start the year with ridiculous Jane Austen obsessing.
Love Aimee