Introduction to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I admit that I am something of an Austenite, and so I am excited to have the chance to teach using Pride and Prejudice.  This novel is great to teach with because it is a classic in very formal English, but there are so many great adaptations of it that students are normally at least passingly familiar with it and therefore more confident as they begin to read. 

To view my Prezi introduction to Pride and Prejudice, click here.

If you enjoy Pride and Prejudice, you may also enjoy Austen fan-fiction, such as Dancing with Mr. Darcy.

"Lady Susan" by Jane Austen

I may not be in Austen country anymore, but the obsession with Jane Austen's writing remains. Having read her major novels, I have moved on to her more obscure literary offerings.

"Lady Susan" is an epistolary novel, meaning that it is written as a series of letters. It is not the best of Austen's writing. The characters are not as easy to identify with as her others. There's no Mr. Darcy to catch your fancy, and in fact you're left feeling rather blaise about all the characters. The social structure is not as subtly nuanced as in "Sense and Sensibility" or "Emma". it is less mature in handling.

And yet.... There is something captivating about it. I'm not sure what it is that makes you want to keep reading, but you do want to keep reading. It is part of Austen's development as a writer, and shades of this story show up in her better known works.

[I'm afraid that not only can I not take credit for the picture, I don't even know who to give the credit to. I borrowed it from a friend's Facebook post.]

"Dancing with Mr. Darcy" edited by Sarah Waters



Wolvesey Castle in Winchester near where Jane Austen lived at the end of her life

I've got a soft spot for Austen adaptations and fan fiction.  I admit it.  So the short story collection "Dancing with Mr. Darcy" was really interesting to me.  All of the stories have some relationship to Jane Austen and/or her novels.  I loved some of the stories, and I admit that I didn't really enjoy all of them.  Overall, though, it was an interesting way to engage with Austen's literary legacy and be exposed to new authors.

To read my review of "Dancing with Mr. Darcy", click here.

"The True Darcy Spirit" by Elizabeth Aston

Yes, I probably read too much Austen fan fiction.  I read Jane Austen's novels and now I just can't seem to stop.

My most recent visit to the world of Austen was "The True Darcy Spirit" by Elizabeth Aston.  Set about twenty years after "Pride & Prejudice", the children of Austen's novel take center stage.  I read it because of the Austen tie-in, it works on its own as an interesting historical novel.

Click here to visit author Elizabeth Aston's official website.

If you enjoy "The True Darcy Spirit", I recommend reading Elizabeth Aston's five other novels related to the Darcy family.  Obviously fans of Aston will enjoy reading (or rereading) Jane Austen's classic novel.  Other Austen fan fiction novels include "Jane Austen Stole my Boyfriend", "Dancing with Mr. Darcy", and "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict".

Jane Austen's Winchester

 I feel as though I've gotten to know Jane Austen over the past few months as I've read her novels, fan fiction, some critical essays on her work, and a few biographical bits.  Through Jane Austen I've gotten to know not only the extraordinary author herself, but her time.  One of the reasons that Austen's novels are still so popular is because they open up a doorway for us to experience life in a different time.

For me, it is life in a different time, but not a different place.  Austen was from Hampshire, England.  At the end of her life, Austen lived in Winchester.  She died in Winchester, and is buried in the cathedral there.  Before I was married I lived in Winchester for a year, and could hear the cathedral bells from my flat.  This week I was able to spend a day in Winchester with my children.  It was a spontaneous decision to spend the day there, and we enjoyed wandering around the city exploring together. 

At one point we happened to walk by Jane Austen's house (luckily I had my camera on me, so you can see pictures).  It struck me at that point how much of Winchester is the same as it was when Jane Austen lived there.  We had explored the Wolvesey Castle ruins, walked along the river and by the water meadows, and meandered around the cathedral.  These are all places that Austen would have been familiar with, and probably walked around the same way that we did.

Winchester is a beautiful town that is still very vibrant (there was a bustling market and fashion week events while we were there), but it's also a city deeply seeped in history.  Winchester still lives, but it is also still Jane Austen's Winchester.  If she could somehow visit now she would surely be shocked by many things, but I think she would still recognize and feel at home in Winchester.

"Emma" by Jane Austen

If you've been reading this blog, you already know that I've been reading (or re-reading, as applicable) all of Jane Austen's novels.  I left "Emma" for the last, and just read it.

There are a lot of ways that you could approach this novel.  I read a critical essay about "Emma" discussing it in terms of anthropological significance and the detailed, realistic portrayal of English country life during the period.  It would be easy for me to start analyzing "Emma" from a feminist perspective (especially regarding Mr. Knightley and Emma's relationship and his role as brother/informal tutor to her before being her acknowledged suitor).  Post-colonialists can have a ball with Austen's works.  I'm not going to dive too much into any of these, but you can click here for some good resources for a critical/academic approach to "Emma".

The thing is, Austen wasn't an academic.  She was smart and observant.  She observed not only life around her, but trends in literature and readership.  In fact, finishing the last of her books led me to notice some of the themes that have carried throughout her books.  They all have that classic Austen feel, and there are definite story and character similarities that carry through all of her works.  A less obvious thread, though, is the theme of reading that goes throughout all of the books.  Stuck into her novels are little discussions on reading and what we read.

In "Emma" there are many moments that embrace books: Emma always means to read more; Harriet recommends books to her friend/suitor; letters that are written, read, re-read and shared.  Austen encourages us--as we read--to consider why we read.  What role does reading play to us individually and as a society?  How do our reading choices both reflect and help to shape us?  In a very post-modern way, Austen inserts a gentle play of books within books and questions the nature of reality for her subject and readers.

I have to admit that I've enjoyed reading all of Austen's novels in a relatively short period, and it was a bit bittersweet to finish the last one.  There's still plenty of Austen fan fiction out there to enjoy though... look forward to "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" soon.  I checked it out from the library too.

"Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend" by Cora Harrison

I admit that there's been a Jane Austen theme to my reading lately, and I've been reading both Austen's novels and Austen fan fiction.  (It all started back in March when I won a copy of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict".)  So although I'd never heard of this book or the author (Cora Harrison), when I saw the title on the shelf at the library, it was enough for me to bring it home.

The title worked to grab my attention, but isn't completely accurate to the book.  It's more catchy than fitting, but it does capture the light-hearted tone of the book.  "Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend" is a fun romp through a story of teen romances and family dramas, society expectations and friendships, and--of course--it has a spunky teen Jane Austen.  It's not a biography, but the novel does have some basis in historical information.  It may not be the best novel you'll ever read, but it is a fun piece of fan fiction.  I enjoyed it for what it is.

For my full review of "Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend" by Cora Harrison, click here.

"Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen

If you remember, I set a goal to read (or re-read) all of Jane Austen's novels.  So far I've managed:
"Pride & Prejudice"
"Sense & Sensibility"
"Northanger Abbey"
and now "Mansfield Park".

(In case you're wondering about the order I'm reading them in, it's a simple system.  I just pick up whichever Jane Austen novel happens to be available at the library when I visit.  Next up are "Persuasion" and "Emma".)

 I'll just start out by admitting it.  "Mansfield Park" is my least favorite of Jane Austen's novels.  It is obviously Austen; you could pull out any single page, read it out of context, and just know that it is from one of Austen's books.  Yet it never reaches quite the level of the other books.

What is it that's lacking in "Mansfield Park"?  Or what is perhaps there that's not in the other five novels?

First of all, Fanny Price just isn't as good of a main character as Austen's other heroines are.  She doesn't have the wit or warmth of most of her counterparts.  When we think of Jane Austen, we normally think of strong women leads.  Fanny Price, however, is mostly characterized as being weak and sickly.  Yes, she has moral integrity, but she's also known for being "persuadable".

Also, the love story just lets the book down.  I know that in Austen's time it was acceptable for cousins to marry each other.  Even as a modern reader I could have probably handled that they were somehow related.  What makes the relationship between Fanny and Edmund disturbing is that they have grown up together like siblings.  They refer to each other in family terms, like "brother" and "sister".  Perhaps most disturbing to me is how completely malleable Fanny is to Edmund. 

Their relationship is not one of equals.  Although Edmund confides in Fanny, he is not actually influenced by her.  Proof of this is offered again and again (for example, when he takes part in the play after her confirming counsel that he should not; his continued high opinion of the Crawfords despite Fanny's better judgement).  Fanny, on the other hand, has formed most of her life and opinions around Edmund's advice, approval, and love.  Even when they are approaching marriage, this is how their relationship is described:
"a regard [Edmund's feelings for Fanny] founded on the most endearing claims of innocence and helplessness, and completed by every recommendation of growing worth, what could be more natural than the change? [from "warm and sisterly regard" to "wedded love"]  Loving, guiding, protecting her, as he had been doing ever since her being ten years old, her mind in so great a degree formed by his care, and her comfort depending on his kindness...what was there now to add, but that he should learn to prefer soft light eyes to sparkling dark ones..." -"Mansfield Park", Vol. III Chap. xxii

In the other novels, you really want them to get together.  Who doesn't savor every moment of misunderstanding in "Pride & Prejudice", for example, yet long for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy to have their happily ever after?  In "Mansfield Park", conversely, you just don't really care.  Or, if you do, it's because you don't actually want them together.

"Mansfield Park" is also the most moralizing of Austen's novels.  Many of them show the consequences of certain actions or personality traits, and even have almost fable type elements to them.  "Mansfield Park" is the only one that feels moralizing rather than just moral though.  In accordance with this, the novel is much less ironic than many of her others.  Yes, there are moments of irony in the novel (like Mrs. Norris constantly contradicting her words by her actions), but the tone is different.

I'm glad that I read "Mansfield Park", but it's not one I'll keep revisiting for pleasure reading.

"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen

I decided to continue my Jane Austen kick and read (or reread) all of Austen's novels.  I've recently read and blogged about "Pride and Prejudice" and "Northanger Abbey".

I tackled "Sense and Sensibility" next.  I had read it before, but not for probably a decade.  I've also seen several adaptations of "Sense and Sensibility" (my favorite is this one: Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition) ). Right now is a particularly good time to enjoy "Sense and Sensibility" as it's the novel's birthday.  The Jane Austen House Museum is currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of "Sense and Sensibility".

With Jane Austen novels, I know what to expect and I'm never disappointed.  I really enjoyed revisiting "Sense and Sensibility".  The novel is a story of parallels and we see how two very different sisters (Elinor and Marianne) cope with very similar circumstances.  There are many other parallels that are created in the novel, so that the story almost becomes a complicated set of mirrors with each event and character reflecting or echoing something else.  Because of this construction, the reader is constantly making comparisons and drawing conclusions.  No one exists as a stand-alone entity and no judgements are made on their own.  Instead we are invited to compare characters and events, and everything is judged in context or compared in reference to each other.  Indeed, sometimes we are shown how different things are, and sometimes this system shows surprising similarities.

If you're not familiar with the story line of "Sense and Sensibility", it's pretty standard Jane Austen stuff.  Two sisters fall in love (obviously not with each other), complications arise, and eventually they're both happily married (much to the delight of their mother). 

For me, "Sense and Sensibility" is not the most romantic of Austen's love stories.  I find far more satisfaction, for example, in the eventual union of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice".  However, the novel itself is a great literary creation.  It is subtle, carefully and beautifully crafted, clever, historically informative, and ultimately entertaining to read.

Austen's other novels are "Emma", "Mansfield Park", and "Persuasion".  In addition she wrote some shorter works (many of them pre-date her novels and are collectively known as her "Juvenelia"), some unfinished fiction, and many letters.  I'll read and write about more of Austen's works soon.

"Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen

Having recently reread "Pride and Prejudice", I've been thinking about Jane Austen.  Although I'm very familiar with her life and work, I realized that I had never actually read "Northanger Abbey". 

For some reason, "Northanger Abbey" seems to be the forgotten one of Austen's books.  I can't even count how many movies, plays, books and songs have been inspired by her more popular novels (especially "Pride and Prejudice"), but I can't think of any references to "Northanger Abbey".

In some ways, "Northanger Abbey" is classic Jane Austen.  We have a heroine who is good-hearted, but also realistically imperfect.  The novel is full of period information ranging from the fashionable areas of Bath to simple matters of propriety.  The story is focused on mainly domestic settings with a small group of characters.  As usual, there's a love story that includes a few misunderstandings but ends happily.

In other ways, "Northanger Abbey" is unique among Austen's work.  There is a self-conscious narrator.  At times the narrator (assumed to be the author) interjects and speaks directly to the reader.  There are also discussions inserted into the novel.  For example, there is a whole discussion on novels and readership (a theme that is continued through the story as well).

Reading it I can understand why it has not been received as enthusiastically as some of Austen's other novels.  The main character, for example, is slightly younger and more naive.  For most of the novel she is fairly passive and lets the other characters control the action.  Her main love interest is about a decade older than her (not surprising given the time period), but he seems intent on teaching rather than wooing her.  Indeed, one of her main attractions seems to be that she is eager to please him and agree with whatever he tells her (even if it's what her opinion should be).  Perhaps another time I'll go into a longer feminist reading of "Northanger Abbey" as there's plenty of interesting points to discuss. 

Despite not finding it her best novel, I did enjoy reading "Northanger Abbey".  The highlight of the novel, for me, was Austen's use of irony and sarcasm.  If you pay attention, the book is actually very witty and full of humour.

"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

I recently read some Austen fan fiction.  Reading the Austen inspired novels mostly just left me wanting to revisit the real thing.  I have a copy of "Pride and Prejudice" and hadn't read it in a few years, so I decided to read it. 

If I'm honest, I'm a bit intimidated to write a post about "Pride and Prejudice".  It is, after all, an absolute classic.  Everyone is familiar with it, and it's difficult for me to find something new and interesting or useful to say in a blog post about it.  I'll just tell you a little about my experience reading "Pride and Prejudice".

Exactly eight days ago I had the most beautiful baby boy ever born (no, there's no point debating this point...he's gorgeous).  It was a planned c-section.  This means that I had plenty of time to wait at hospital appointments before he was born.  "Pride & Prejudice" became the book that I stuck in my hospital bag, and I literally read it sat waiting on a hospital bed on the morning he was born until they started preparing me for surgery.  So "Pride and Prejudice" is now linked, for me, to the memory of my son being born.

If you're used to modern novels, then it can take awhile to really get into novels from this period.  However, once you get a few chapters in, "Pride and Prejudice " is completely involving.  For me, I sometimes found it difficult to read without automatically picturing one of the "Pride and Prejudice" films.  I really enjoyed rereading it though, and noticed things that I hadn't before.

Overall, what can I say?  "Pride and Prejudice" deserves it's place as a classic.

"Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler

I recently read and reviewed "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler.  I was disappointed with that novel, but I went ahead and read Rigler's next book.

"Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" is the companion novel to "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict".  I say companion rather than sequel because they go together as a pair.  They're taking place at the same time, rather than following on from each other, and you could actually read them in reverse order or read just one of them.

Although I still wouldn't class "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" as great fiction, I did think it was better written and more enjoyable than "Confessions".  If you enjoy fantasy fiction (of the switching time/place variety), romantic comedies, and if you are a Jane Austen addict yourself, then it's an entertaining enough read.  It's not particularly memorable or involving, but it's a decent diversion for a sick day at home, reading on a commute, etc.

To find out more about "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler, click here.
To visit Rigler's official website for the "Jane Austen Addict" books, click here.

"Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler

Publishing company Bloomsbury recently ran a competition on Twitter to win copies of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" and "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict" by Laurie Viera Rigler.  Although I wasn't familiar with the books, I love Jane Austen.  I entered and was thrilled to win copies of the books (and about 500 bookmarks for them).

My first impression of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" was good.  I love historical fiction and Jane Austen, and I enjoy fantasy fiction, so the basic concept of a modern woman being transported to Austen-ite England sounded entertaining to me.  Overall, though, the book was disappointing.  Although there were plenty of Austen references, they sometimes felt a bit contrived to me.  Also, the whole book was lacking in a bit of planning and clarity.  It was enjoyable for a bit of light reading, but utterly forgettable.  If you really love Jane Austen and Austen fan fiction, then you may enjoy this book as something to read during your commute to work or while lounging next to the pool on holiday.  Just don't expect too much from it.

For a longer review of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict", click here.

Look forward to a review of the sequel, "Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict".  I'll read and write about it soon.

You can follow Bloomsbury or me on Twitter: @ BloomsburyBooks and @KeriWithington .