The Austen Awards

Here is our final roundup of winners!

The main character we'd want to be best friends with in real life: Elinor Dashwood

The minor character we'd want to be friends with in real life: Jane Bennet

Most Uncomfortable Proposal: Mr. Elton to Emma

Biggest Rogue: William Elliot

We're going to sell shirts that say "I Punched Fanny Dashwood in the Face!"

No one wants to take a trip with Mr. Collins.

Congratulations to Fanny Dashwood, nominated in 2 categories and winner of both! She truly is the snobbiest rich person.

For the most swoonworthy leading man we have a tie! Mr. Darcy AND Mr. Knightley!

And finally the most romantic declaration of love, Mr. Darcy the second time!

Congratulations to all our winners! Some look shocked, others thrilled, and some smugly knew they had it coming. Thank you for participating in The Jane Event, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Embrace Your Inner Nerd

For those of us who actually like being quizzed on what we’re reading, the following are a few links to shmoop, the new Sparknotes, and their interesting (and timed) quizzes about Jane Austen books.

                                          

She’s thinking…thinking…dear oh dear, it’s on the tip of her tongue!

Pride and Prejudice
Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Persuasion
Mansfield Park
Northanger Abbey

Just click on whatever you’re reading and see how you do. They’re kind of tricky, I took a few already and got about half right. It’s been a while since I’ve read all the books. I suggest finishing your book and taking all the quizzes for that one.

This one is a really thorough Janeite quiz about her books(and movie adaptations) and her life. 50 Questions.

http://www.okcupid.com/tests/the-are-you-a-janeite-test

My result was "Heroine" with 92% for book knowledge and 75% Jane knowledge. I told you I have too much time on my hands. . Hurray for Nerds.

How did you score?

Happy Reading!

Jane’s House, Season Finale

This is my final collection of Jane related things. Some of it would actually be found in a regency household, others…I just want them. WARNING: If you are reading Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion and you’ve never read or seen them before and your friends have managed not to give anything away this post may contain spoilers. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

From Cupsofthepast

DadsTeacups

           

also DadsTeacups, Love the bright orange

    

PleasingToTheEye a beautiful lace tablecloth

           

From AshTreeMeadow

    

AnnasTrunk, I made the picture big so we could all read the quote.
    


MissEmilyGene, they are called “Love and Other Difficulties”, which I thought was appropriate for Austen. I love skeleton keys! She has a lot more in her store too.

     

Let me tell you about Brookish, I love her ideas. Everyone buy something from her! That writing on the scarf? That’s Mr. Darcy’s proposal! On a scarf!

This is not my favorite shirt style but I kept hoping she would do this quote, and she did! Persuasion/Captain Wentworth is my favorite after all.

          

But I would go for this shirt too. I love the style. And all the diehard P&P lovers will go for this one too I’m sure.

               

And that’s all I have to share for today. If anyone wants to get me a belated Christmas present have Brookish put Wentworth’s Quote on that last shirt style. I wear size Medium. Or get me some teacups and skeleton keys, that works too. Happy Reading!

The Austen Awards Poll 9

Hardest question ever: Which of the following is the best declaration of love?
Please note that for some of the actual novels there was no recorded dialogue, in which case the imagination of screenwriters will have to stand in. Also, don’t watch it if you haven’t seen the movie yet, unless you don’t mind spoilers.

A) Edward Ferrars (sorry the sound is off)
         

B) Fitzwilliam Darcy, the first time
           

C) Fitzwilliam Darcy, the second time (if you prefer the BBC version don’t pick this one)
          

D) Edmund Bertram
          

E) Henry Tilney
          

F) Captain Wentworth
          

G) Mr. Knightley
            

Happy Voting!

Cinematic Persuasion

We all know this is my favorite story. And I only have 2 versions to share with you. But today, unlike most days, I have no obvious bias, because I love them both. Each version is wonderful for different reasons. They are as follows:

Persuasion (2007) This is the first version I was able to watch. And then I watched it with my roommate Ashten almost every day. It’s very sweet, Captain Wentworth is very swoonworthy (we nicknamed him demi-god) and it’s fairly accurate when it comes to the story. The ending is a bit awkward (if you’ve seen it then you know) but still wonderful. Go watch it. Now. Even if you’re reading one of the other books.

                 

Persuasion (1995) I was able to watch this one just a couple of months ago for the first time and completely fell in love with it. Each character is portrayed to perfection. It’s a lovely, lovely movie. Watch this one too.
                  

Happy Reading!

Cinematic Northanger Abbey

Apparently, there is only one Northanger Abbey. I’ve seen it and I enjoyed it. Felicity Jones plays Catherine and Henry Tilney is played by JJ Feild. I quite enjoyed Catherine Walker’s performance, who played Henry’s sister Elinor.

                       

Liam Cunningham plays General Tilney. I’ve always liked him, too bad he's so mean in this one.

                                    

Bonus: Carey Mulligan (Kitty Bennet, 2005) is Isabella Thorpe!

                             

This adaptation really shows off the “gothic” romance and daydreams that Catherine is prone to, though they are highly sexualized, which I found odd. The castle used in the film very stately and the surrounding countryside is beautiful and green.

                    

It was actually filmed in at Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland. The castle is owned by the Duke of Devonshire (the same family who own Chatsworth).


Happy Reading!

What They Wore

For today, some eye candy. Enjoy!
                      

                        

I love the music too. Check out her other videos too, PiepMiau04 is very talented. I’m partial to Georgian and Edwardian fashions as well.

Happy Reading!

The Austen Awards Poll 8

Which CHARACTER is the most swoon worthy? (not actor, if we need to we’ll do actor another time)

A) Fitzwilliam Darcy, proud, kind of snobby, but will do whatever it takes to make up for his mistakes

                 


B) Fredrick Wentworth, he might seem a little resentful but when he falls in love, it will be forever

            


C) Colonel Brandon, yes, he's middle aged, has terrible taste in waistcoats, but he will go the distance, and wait out the competition, to win the one he loves

             


D) Edward Ferrars, a little on the shy side, a bit awkward, he keeps his promises and is loyal

           


E) Henry Tilney, charming, witty, infinitely nicer than most of his family, he'll steer you straight




F) Edmund Bertram, it may take him a little time to realize it, but once he finds a woman of true quality his love doesn't waver

          


G) Mr. Knightley, he'll tease you, chastise you, aggravate you, but he'll also be your best friend, and more

            
                                                                                           No you’re not seeing things…Jonny Lee Miller is everywhere!



Happy Voting!

Cinematic Mansfield Park

Mansfield Park used to be my favorite of the Jane Austen novels. I felt a kindred spirit thing going on with Fanny, who kept her mouth shut and waited for the guy she loved to realize they’re perfect for each other (even though they’re cousins). Okay, so I didn’t relate to the cousin bit, but the pining, silent type was totally me in high school.

Despite this I really like the 1999 version with Frances O’Connor and Jonny Lee Miller (he’s in everything). It’s not very close to the book (Fanny is sarcastic, opinionated, and somewhat feminist) but I can separate book from movie easier than some people. Unless they mess up Hunger Games like they did Twilight. Then we’re gonna have problems.

                   

Mansfield Park (2007) is the only other version I’ve seen and I have to say it’s quite accurate (the BBC is nothing if not accurate). Fanny is as demure as they come.

                                           

What do you think? Who makes a better Fanny?


Happy Reading!

Cinematic Emma

There are 5 versions of Emma that I’m going to propose. Starting with the one everyone has heard of.

Emma (1996) The one with Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s really good, accurate, funny, sweet, and bonus, it has Toni Collette before she was famous Toni Collette. And Rachel Portman did the music so there’s a lot of clarinets and upbeatedness and strings. Huzzah.

                                  

Emma (2009 mini series) This one is very good, and they made Emma and her relationship with her father more 3 dimensional, which I thought was interesting. Emma is played by Romola Garai and Mr. Knightley is played by Johnny Lee Miller. Bonus: Mr. Weston is played by Robert Bathhurst, who was Lady Edith’s pseudo-love interest in the first season of Downton. Alas, poor Edith, Miss Taylor beat you out.

                         

Emma (1996 BBC) This one is alright. Not my favorite but on the plus side, it has Kate Beckinsale before she was a vampire. She portrays a very young Emma, which is accurate but still…eh. It kind of got overshadowed by the Gwyneth Paltrow version. The 90s were a big time for Jane Austen.

                                        

Aisha (2010) The Bollywood version of Emma with Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol. It’s cute, the music isn’t typical Bollywood fare, and Sonam is very pretty. I couldn't find a trailer with English subtitles but you can pretty much understand what's going on.

                         

And last but not least, Clueless (1995), Like I said, the 90s were a big time for Jane Austen.

Bonus: knee socks and funky hats. And Paul Rudd before he was famous Paul Rudd.

           


Happy Reading!

Cinematic Sense and Sensibility

Believe it or not, there are more versions than just the one with Emma Thompson. That one just happens to be the best. So let’s start there.

Sense and Sensibility (1995)
                

Bonus: Music from Little Women in the trailer!


Sense and Sensibility (2008) comes in second. It’s really good and moves a bit faster than the 1995 version.
                    

Bonus: Cousin Matthew is Edward Ferrars!


I Have Found It (Kandukondain Kandukondain) In case you can’t read that original title, that’s because it’s the Tamil (South Indian) version of Sense and Sensibility. With the ever lovely Aishwarya Rai playing the Marianne character. I haven’t seen this one though I found it at my local library. But it’s Indian so I must include it.

                   

Bonus: Peacock feathers!


Prada to Nada (2011) This one is cute and fun. I’ll let the trailer speak for itself.
                     

There is another version (another mini series from 1981) but I haven’t seen it. Actually I think I saw part of it when I snuck into a Jane Austen class in college that I hadn’t been able to formally take. But all they were doing that day was watching this version and I found it boring and left again.

Happy Reading!

The Austen Awards Poll 7

Who is/are the snobbiest rich person(s)?

A) All the Elliots except for Anne, because they’re all vain, selfish, and unappreciative

                                

B) Lady Catherine de Bourgh, not MY nephew you wench!

                          

C) Emma (you have to admit, she’s pretty snobby), You can’t marry her friends unless you have enough money, otherwise she couldn’t come to your house for tea


                                 

D) Fanny Dashwood (Way to go Fanny, 2 categories!) we all know why

                           

E) General Tilney, who won’t like you unless he thinks you’re rich

                         


Happy Voting!