The Novel Her heart (Fanny) and her judgment were equally against Edmund's decision: she could not acquit his unsteadiness, and his happiness under it made her wretched. The Narrator, Chapter 17 Quick Synopsis Edmund reverses his opposition to act based on concerns for Mary Crawford. Fanny is shocked, Maria and Tom gloat. Henry's flirtations with... Continue Reading →
Mansfield Park Chapters 1-8: Summation, Musings & Discussion: Day 2 Give-away
THE NOVEL "Do not let us be frightened from a good deed by a trifle. Give a girl an education, and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without farther expense to anybody." Mrs. Norris, Chapter 1 Quick Synopsis Ten year old poor relation... Continue Reading →
Mansfield Park: Current Editions in Print Roundup & Review
THE SCOOP Literary classics that are out of copyright can be a gold mine for publishers. With no living authors to negotiate contracts or pester them about marketing and promotions, they are at their leisure to do as they please, and do so, as is apparent in some choices of cover artwork! The competition in... Continue Reading →
Mansfield Park Madness Introduction: Day 1 Give-away
WELCOME "Depend upon it, you see but half. You see the evil, but you do not see the consolation. There will be little rubs and disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong,... Continue Reading →
Austenprose on holiday
Hello faithful readers. Austenprose is on holiday until August 15th. Please join us then for Mansfield Park Madness, as we attempt to discover the many mysteries and wonders of Jane Austen's oft maligned and misunderstood work through the novel, movies and critical analysis. Happy summer holidays to all. Cheers, Laurel Ann
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 →
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 →
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 →