2013 Jane Austen Challenge
Since this year is the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice, the lovely website that I just discovered a few hours ago, Austenprose, is hosting a Jane Austen challenge. You pick your commitment level, and then read/watch the corresponding number of P&P adaptations/sequels/movies throughout the course of the year.
Because I've been obsessed with this novel ever since I had to read it in high school, I'm aiming for the Aficionada level, which means 9 to 12 selections, or basically one per month.
I own four different film adaptations of P&P, with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson, Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, and the BBC version from the 80s that I've actually never seen before. The last two are brand new for me this year, and I'm excited.
I also own what was either a miniseries or a long LONG movie called Lost in Austen, which is about a modern day woman who manages to switch places with Elizabeth Bennet. It's excellent and I haven't watched it in forever. I'll even it up with six movies total, and add in Bridget Jones's Diary (possibly its sequel, though that isn't quite as good).
For books, though I'll read the original novel this month to start things off, I'd like to read as many new adaptations as possible. The author of the Austenprose website contributed to a short story collection called Jane Austen Made Me Do It, which looks fun. And I've been wanting to read Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James for some time now. I have a book on my shelf called Me and Mr. Darcy that's been sitting there for some time. And then there's Austenland, which is not a new read, but so much fun and it's been a while since I read it.
For the last book, I may actually do three. The P&P and Zombies trilogy. It's kinda cheating, but they really need to be read together, I think.
Anyway, those are my plans. I'll probably alternate books and movies each month. Beyond that, I don't think I'll plan. I'd at least like to finish reading the original by the 28th, since that's the actual 200th anniversary.
So fun!