Mr. Darcy’s Diary: A Novel, by Maya Slater – A Review

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: If Jane Austen thought that her novel Pride and Prejudice was too light, bright, and sparkling and wanted shade, then author Maya Slater has made up for any deficit by crossing over to the ‘dark side' in writing her re-telling of the story entitled Mr. Darcy's Diary. Not only are... Continue Reading →

In Memoriam: Jane Austen

Jane Austen: 16 December 1775 - 18 July 1817 Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower; We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind. William Wordsworth A sad day for Janeites. I will let other excellent pens dwell on the guilt and misery.... Continue Reading →

Jane Austen Illustrators: Isabel Bishop

Longbourn (frontispiece) Pride and Prejudice, Dutton (1976) Isabel Bishop (1902-1988) was an American Social Realist Painter and Printmaker, whose contribution of illustrations to E. P. Dutton & Company's 1976 edition of Pride and Prejudice are quite remarkable. She has been described as "the best female artist America produced aside from Mary Cassatt", and like Cassatt,... Continue Reading →

Jane Austen and the Modesty of Genius

I would not let Martha read First Impressions again upon any account, and am very glad that I did not leave it in your power. She is very cunning, but I saw through her design; she means to publish it from memory, and one more perusal must enable her to do it. Letter to Cassandra... Continue Reading →

New Jane Austen Website: JaneAusten.org

JaneAusten.org We stumbled upon this new Jane Austen themed website today called JaneAusten.org, and thought it quite lovely! It includes biographical info, a life timeline, quotes, movie info, online texts of the novels and other great resources. It appears that quite a bit of thought and respect have been put into the design and it is... Continue Reading →

Enthusiasm, by Polly Shulman – A Review

I had a blast reading Polly Shulman's novel Enthusiasm, her hommage to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice! It had been released in 2006 and was on my ‘to be read' list for quite some time until I felt the need for something summerish and light to read. Since it is classified as a young adult... Continue Reading →

Should Jane Austen’s Fans Save Mark Twain’s House from Early Demise?

Mark Twain House, Hartford, Conn.  "The wisest and the best of men -- nay, the wisest and best of their actions -- may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke." Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 11   The news on the internet is that the Mark Twain House... Continue Reading →

Mr. Darcy’s Diary: Interview with Author Maya Slater

Check out this interesting interview with Austen-esque author Maya Slater about her recently released first novel Mr. Darcy's Diary. If you think that the title seems familiar, you are quite right. It is one-in-the-same as author Amanda Grange's recent release. The difference between the two being that Slater's version has not yet been published internationally,... Continue Reading →

Mansfield Park 1983: I Know a Black Cloud When I See It

"South or north, I know a black cloud when I see it; and you must not set forward while it is so threatening." Mary Crawford, Mansfield Park, Chapter 22  I am currently watching the 1983 BBC mini-series of Mansfield Park staring Sylvestra le Touzel as the famously insipid Fanny Price. Poor Fanny. Traditionally, she gets... Continue Reading →

Oxford World’s Classics: Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen (2nd Edition) – A Review

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:  "Pray be composed," cried Elinor," and do not betray what you feel to every body present. Perhaps he has not observed you yet." Elinor Dashwood to her sister Marianne, Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 28  Sense and Sensibility can get lost in the limelight of Jane Austen's other "darling child,"... Continue Reading →

Me and Mr. Darcy, (not the book …)

"And that," said Mrs. Reynolds, pointing to another of the miniatures, "is my master -- and very like him. It was drawn at the same time as the other -- about eight years ago."   "I have heard much of your master's fine person," said Mrs. Gardiner, looking at the picture; "it is a handsome face.... Continue Reading →

Bookish on Jane Austen

"Oh! certainly," cried his faithful assistant, "no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her... Continue Reading →

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