Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
  "And-oh yes-there was a Miss Bates; just an old maid runnin' about like a hen with 'er 'ead cut off, an' her tongue loose at both ends. I've got an aunt like 'er. Good as gold-but, you know." Humberstall, Janeites, Rudyard Kipling, (1924) Did any gentle readers catch My Boy Jack on Masterpiece Classic... Continue Reading →
"I, and only I, knew your heart and its sorrows; yet, to what did it influence me? -- not to any compassion that could benefit you or myself. -- Your example was before me: but to what avail? -- Was I more considerate of you and your comfort? Did I imitate your forbearance, or lessen... Continue Reading →
"Emma," said Mr. Knightley presently, "I have a piece of news for you. You like news -- and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will interest you." "News! Oh! yes, I always like news. What is it? Why do you smile so? Where did you hear it? Mr. Knightly &... Continue Reading →
NONSENSICAL In vain did Elizabeth endeavour to check the rapidity of her mother's words, or persuade her to describe her felicity in a less audible whisper; for, to her inexpressible vexation, she could perceive that the chief of it was overheard by Mr. Darcy, who sat opposite to them. Her mother only scolded her for... Continue Reading →
It was a union of the highest promise of felicity in itself, and without one real, rational difficulty to oppose or delay it. The Narrator,  Emma, Chapter 53 Jane Austen enthusiast were summoned to celebrate the delights of their favorite authoress at, "An Evening with Jane", at the Alderwood Barnes & Noble in Washington on Thursday... Continue Reading →
FORTUNE "Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately;"... Continue Reading →
 GENTLENESS The gentleness and gratitude of her disposition would secure her all your own immediately. From my soul I do not think she would marry you without love; that is, if there is a girl in the world capable of being uninfluenced by ambition, I can suppose it her;  Mary Crawford on Fanny Price,... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â "If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad." The new ITV/Masterpiece PBS adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey aired on PBS last night. After viewing a pensive Persuasion adaptation last week during The Complete Jane Austen, I was... Continue Reading →
"His name was Tilney. He seemed to be about four or five and twenty, was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance." In anticipation of the premiere on Sunday of the new adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey presented by Masterpiece PBS, I thought it helpful to introduce the hero Henry Tinley, and highlight some... Continue Reading →
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A JANE FAN A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing  anything, should  conceal it as well as she can.  The Narrator, Northanger Abbey, Chapter 14 Jane is everywhere these days. The media deluge continues daily about The Complete Jane Austen  presentation on PBS, and Northanger Abbey airing... Continue Reading →
ACQUISITIONÂ To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive.The Narrator on Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey, Chapter 1 This is our introduction to our young heroine Catherine Morland, and it... Continue Reading →
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:Â A new adaptation of Persuasion will air on Masterpiece PBS tonight. Based on Jane Austen's 1817 novel, its themes of patience, fortitude, and second chances ring true to today's audience even after two hundred years. The story of Anne Elliot, a twenty-seven-year-old unmarried daughter of an aristocrat who... Continue Reading →
