Today I’m feeling a little Jane Austen.
My interest in Jane Austen’s world started last week while reading Shannon Hale’s Austenland. The book is about 32-year-old single Jane Hayes and her passion for Austen’s works and for one character specifically — Mr. Darcy. She is given the opportunity to bring this obsession to life when a great-aunt gives her an all-expenses-paid vacation to Pembrook Park, a resort where the guests dress, think, and act the way characters do in Austen’s books. Jane takes a chance to immerse herself in her fantasy, corsets, Mr. Darcy and all. Austenland is a lighthearted romance. While I wished it were longer and that there were more Austen-like activities incorporated into the stories, it was a pretty good read.
If Austenland did exist, how I wish I’d get to go there! I would love to get dressed in those corsets, open my parasol and stroll through the gardens with my Mr. Darcy. The setting is so romantic! Of course it was also a time when women were expected to be meek and submissive, needing to marry up to gain status rather than be recognized for their own accomplishments. At the Austenland world of course, such boundaries don’t really exist (save for some house rules…). It wouldn’t hurt to be whisked away to this fictional resort for three weeks and live the Austen way.
And this is why I’m feeling a little Jane Austen! I’m now reading The Jane Austen Book Club which is a great read. I’ve seen its movie version and I enjoyed it. And what about the actual novels? They’re on my nightstand — Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, etc. DVDs of Austen movies are lined up too!
I’ve been wanting to read Austen’s works for ages, but never felt motivated to do so. Now I am! Nothing like some chick lit to open you up to a world of classics. 😉
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
sheng
July 28, 2008 at 2:45 pm (16 years ago)Ok, so I will go get myself ready and look for a Jane Austen at the nearest bookshop, hehehe. I will grab any I can find, I will surely love it if i get myself Pride and Prejudice first.
Toni, the mag’s almost finished. I will send you a copy soon as the mag is out. Thanks!
shengs last blog post..What Happened at The Wedding
caryn
July 28, 2008 at 3:38 pm (16 years ago)loved loved pride and prejudice the movie. have you seen bride and prejudice, toni? the story still holds true 😉
witsandnuts
July 28, 2008 at 4:05 pm (16 years ago)The Jane Austen Book Club was one of the movies I saw while in flight early this year. I liked it and after that I got all the related e-books (I don’t have much space in the shelves right now, so many readables in queue) . I’m still not finished with Pride and Prejudice. We can have our own version of ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ online.
witsandnutss last blog post..James Batman, remember?
Gracey
July 28, 2008 at 4:51 pm (16 years ago)Check out the BBC series of Pride and Prejudice, if you can, it’s beautiful.
I have yet to read the Jane Austen Book Club. Keep seeing it in the bookstore but not so sure to get it.
At least now I know someone who has read it and liked it. So I’ll check it out.
Graceys last blog post..Camping Life – 27 July 2008
Sasha
July 28, 2008 at 5:40 pm (16 years ago)She’s one of my favourite authors. Pride & Prejudice is my favourite book (read it more than 5 times!). Other books I’ve read are Emma and Persuasion. I have both the 2-disc BBC version (where Colin Firth played Mr. Darcy!) and the new version of the Pride & Prejudice film in DVD. I also have Emma, Persuasion, and Mansfield Park in original DVDs. Plus, go watch the film based on her life, Becoming Jane, which stars Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. She creates wonderful heroines! You’ll enjoy getting to know all of them. 😀
witsandnuts
July 28, 2008 at 6:57 pm (16 years ago)@Toni: Oks. The Online Jane Austen Book Club sounds exciting. Let’s have Emma for a start.
Sasha: You’re so Jane-y. You should join the blog carnival.
evi
July 28, 2008 at 9:33 pm (16 years ago)it sounds like a good read. i’m still trying (almost taking me a century) to finish eat, pray, love.
evis last blog post..A Good Day
odette
July 28, 2008 at 10:03 pm (16 years ago)count me in the club!!!
i’m a big jane austen fan and P&P is tops for me.
Tin
July 29, 2008 at 12:09 am (16 years ago)Hi Toni! Been following your blog for a long time
I highly recommend PERSUASION, it’s my favorite book among all the Jane Austen novels 
jeanny
July 29, 2008 at 11:31 pm (16 years ago)I have that P&P book but haven’t finish it yet. I better be serious with my readings na coz havent finish a single book this past months.
and I want that Austenland too…
jeannys last blog post..Oreo Cheesecake
spanx!
July 30, 2008 at 12:59 am (16 years ago)birthday girl,
have you read the book “A BIG LIFE IN ADVERTISING”
by Mary Wells-Lawrence? it’s set in the same time frame
as the “MAD MEN” series, Madison Ave. in the 1960s!
galing galing! excellent history of the mavericks of advertising
and stories of some of the greatest creative campaigns ever.
tell me if you want to read it!
jeanny
July 30, 2008 at 1:14 am (16 years ago)ready sing….
Happy Birthday to you…happy birthday to you…happy birthday happy birthday…happy birthday Toni!
I know you’ll have a birthday blast!
enjoy your day sis! tc
jeannys last blog post..Oreo Cheesecake
sheng
July 30, 2008 at 8:45 am (16 years ago)Happy Birthday! I hope you have a fun day today and as you celebrate life’s addition to your age number, do remember that as they add, your friends add up too. You are very good person Toni, and I wish you all the best for your birthday!
God bless!
shengs last blog post..What Happened at The Wedding
witsandnuts
July 30, 2008 at 8:25 pm (16 years ago)Hi Toni! I already posted the announcement for our version of The Jane Austen Book Club here: http://witsandnuts.com/2008/07/30/calling-jane-austen/
I also included your site’s screenshot in this page: http://witsandnuts.com/the-jane-austen-book-club/
Christianne
July 31, 2008 at 2:28 am (16 years ago)Classics stood the test of time for a reason! I’ve been in a Dickens phase recently, but I read P&P and S&S a few years ago. I was inspired not by a chick lit book but by the prices – they were only P15 each at a Goodwill Bookstore sale. Beats buying a brand new book from Powerbooks for P500 😉