Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
To prime myself for Return to Cranford, the new Masterpiece Classic sequel to last year's award-winning mini-series Cranford on PBS, I wanted to read Mrs. Gaskell’s original novel that it was adapted from. Since I am always short of reading time, I chose instead to listen to an audio recording, my favorite pastime during my commute to... Continue Reading →
When I read the announcement in June of 2008 about Michael Thomas Ford’s new novel Jane Bites Back, my jaw dropped and I stared at my computer screen in astonished disbelief! Jane Austen is a now a vampire? No. What next? Darcy and Elizabeth on Mars? As I read further about his concept of Austen... Continue Reading →
Tuesdays in the book world are like Christmas. It is the official release day for many new titles. They arrive like presents to be opened and savored. Today, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily by Lauren Willig was officially released. It is the sixth book in the Pink Carnation series set in England, France and... Continue Reading →
The Masterpiece Classic season premiered last night on PBS with Return to Cranford. For those of us who loved Cranford, the award winning 2007 miniseries set in an idyllic English village populated by bustling bonnets and a bit of melodrama, this new two-part period drama was tagged as must see TV. Dame Judi Dench reprises... Continue Reading →
After years as a bookseller at Barnes and Noble, very, very little surprises me. Working with the public has its charms and delights *cough* but for the most part 99% of my customers are fabulous, very appreciative of my help and excited about the inventory that is stocked in my store. Every bookseller has a favorite... Continue Reading →
“A comparison (of Elizabeth Gaskell) to Jane Austen for its combination of humor and moral judgment in the observation of character and conduct is often made, not unjustly, though Mrs. Gaskell's canvas is larger than Austen's bit of ivory.” Edgar Wright Victorian-era author Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) has been said to have a “wit to challenge... Continue Reading →
Could Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice have been based on the courtship of Elizabeth Garrison and William Lacey, a Regency-era couple who appear to be the doppelgangers of the legendary Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy? The possibility is intriguing to Maggie Joyce, a 22-year old American working in England after WWII who hears... Continue Reading →
The Masterpiece Classic season premieres on Sunday, January 10th with Return to Cranford, a two part series based on the stories of Victorian-era writer Elizabeth Gaskell. Dame Judi Dench reprises her role of the compassionate Miss Matty Jenkyns, the heart and soul of the small insular Cheshire village resisting the encroachment of the industrial revolution... Continue Reading →
Another year – another plethora of Austen inspired sequels, re-tellings, mash-ups and nonfiction fare devoured! In 2009 we saw zombies invade Pride and Prejudice hungry for more brains and ascending the bestseller lists for months, Mr. Darcy go paranormal in a way we could never have imagined before with Mr. Darcy Vampyre, and Jane Austen... Continue Reading →
The encore presentation of Cranford concludes tomorrow night at 9:00 pm (check your local listings) January 3rd, 2010Â with the third episode on Masterpiece Classic on PBS. Here is a brief synopsis from the good folks at PBS. Dr. Harrison formally asks the Reverend Hutton for permission to court Sophy. Meanwhile, Caroline Tomkinson and Mrs. Rose,... Continue Reading →
I was quite excited when the news hit the blogosphere that the elusive 1971 mini-series of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility was being resurrected from the vaults and reissued by the BBC. It originally aired in the UK, but had never jumped the pond until this re-issue. Now, I think I know why. If you... Continue Reading →
So, I intimated that I had been a good girl this year and Santa listened. Even though the Pride and Prejudice Film Location tour did not materialize, books and DVD’s did, which I am happy to share. Not bragging here, just looking forward to many hours of reading and viewing enjoyment. And in this corner... Continue Reading →
