I love Jane Austen, which I'm sure will come as no surprise to you. Most women I know love Jane Austen, especially if they are also interested in writing. There's something about her snarky tone, her flawed yet loveable heroines, and her delicious leading men that have captured us for centuries.
In fact, it kind of makes me wish there were still books like that: books with comic elements featuring flawed but loveable heroines who survived their circumstances by their wits, sometimes in the face of great personal pain and embarrassment, and had to deal with the often upsetting minutiae of social lives and family. Oh, yes, and found love with delectable gentlemen. Y'all should let me know if you can think of any books that fit that bill.
So far, my fiance and I have only seen Persuasion, which I think is my favorite of the novels. Anne Elliot, so hopeless and good and no longer persuaded. Oh, how I love her. My fiance was outraged on her behalf-- infuriated by her vain relatives, at one point even shouting at the screen. Score one for the power of Jane!
As far as the movies go, there's no competition, in my opinion. Of course, the Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle miniseries is the definitive version of Pride & Prejudice, but oh, that movie...
Sigh.
What about you? What's your favorite book, or movie adaptation?
22 comments:
Sigh....Matthew.
I loved the Northanger Abbey adaptation. Loved. It.
It was adapted by Andrew Davies - the same guy who adapted the Colin Firth P&P - as well as a billion other amazing projects.
And that JJ Feild as Henry Tilney? Bananas.
The Mansfield Park - feh. I can never get into the Edmund character, you know? And Billie Piper as Fanny Price- not so much.
I haven't seen the others yet, but I am SO excited for Northanger Abbey. I love that book so much-- all the talk about writing and reading and what women should read. SO good.
I hated Billie Piper when I lived in England, but loved her on Dr. Who with the glorious Christopher Eccleston. I'm fine with her as Fanny-- I just can't get into Mansfield Park because I hate everyone, including dull, self-sacrificing Fanny and ESPECIALLY that priggish and annoying Edmund, way too much...
I was okay with Billie Piper on Doctor Who - her spidery eyelashes were disconcerting, however. I am in the whole David Tennant Doctor Who, however....so, there's that.
Right?! Prudey Edmund just never does anything for me - I mean, is he supposed to hold his own with Mr. Darcy?!?! Or Henry Tilney?!?!
I mean - dare I say Henry Crawford is more compelling than Edmund - and Mary Crawford is far more arch than Fanny could ever be.
I just hate that everyone is so awful to Fanny. And that she's supposed to just fall down in ecstasy because Henry Crawford notices her. And that Edmund actually lectures her on this topic, and also about how fabulous Mary Crawford is. They all infuriate me. They all lecture her and lecture her, and get furious when she doesn't do as they think she should, like a proper blow-up doll. And they never, ever let her forget that she's the poor relation, despite the fact she waits on them all hand and foot.
Mansfield Park ENRAGES me, as a matter of fact...
If I heard another utterance of the word, 'grateful' I was going to shoot out the TV a la Elvis.
Oooh, I can't wait to watch it!
Did you see the movie version that was out a few years ago, complete disgusting sex scenes involving Edmund's father and slaves in the new world? It was upsetting. But I liked it, and the liberties it took, even so.
Totally - the whole Tom/west indian slaves spotlight always perplexed me. I liked that movie - love the Jonny Lee Miller - and the main girl was good, too.
I think the Masterpiece Theater one is quieter - better.
Although - now that I'm thinking of it - the Crawfords in the movie are pretty good, whereas in the MT one they're not as strong or something. Everything's just quieter in the Masterpiece Theater version.
Megan, it seems we have a few things to discuss...
1. FIANCE????? Did you just get engaged? Because I don't seem to remember the word "fiance" from you before now. Congratulations!
2. I looove Jane Austen.
3. And hand off Colin Firth, honey. He's all mine!
:)
Can Lauren claim Colin Firth???
I'm not sure that's allowed, since he played Darcy, and as such is pretty much the patron saint of chick lit heroes...
Don't we ALL claim Colin Firth?
You bitches can have Colin Firth - I'm alls about Matthew...
(and now Henry Tilney/JJ Feild)
Hey, I called Colin first. Which means, just like calling shotgun, that I get him. Sorry, babes.
But like Shotgun, you have to have the car in sight in order to call it.
So, are you looking at Colin Firth right now? If not - the shotgun rules do not apply.
(As the younger sibling, I have mastered the Shotgun - and will quote line and verse in order to achieve a little bit of Front Seat Eden.)
Um, yeah. What Liza said.
And also, Lauren, you can say what you like, but Colin and I have an understanding that goes back years.
Swoon and sigh!!!! Matthew, Colin, Christopher E., AND David Tennant! All in one place!!!!
I liked Billie Piper on Dr. Who, but, yes, her makeup was frightening. Anyone remember the "old" Dr. Who, with the really cheap sets and cheesy effects? I loved it as a kid, but like the new one even more.
I also love the film version of "Persuasion" that came out in the 90's, with Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root.
Ciaran Hinds...Captain Wentworth.
That movie...that movie is in a class by itself. I loved Amanda Root in that...she was unbelievable.
Have you ventured over into Torchwood territory?
Oh Yes!!!! Captain Jack!!!
And I have to say, I just read "Conversations With the Fat Girl" and absolutely loved it, and have been recommending it to everyone I know. I also just bought "Seeing Me Naked" and can't wait to read it!
Azusmom!!!
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!
(more for letting me think of Ciaran Hinds than the amazing compliments, I assure you!)
LOL! Yeah, that Ciaran Hinds, I'll watch just about anything he's in!
Don't we ALL claim Colin Firth?
Yes. I believe Colin Firth is like international waters or the moon. No one person is allowed to have any real sovereignty over him (regardless of what any "girlfriend" or "wife" may think).
So sorry I'm so late in commenting on this... But thanks for the heads-up about Masterpiece Theater! I drooled happily over Colin Firth's brooding Mr. Darcy for nearly two hours last night, unable to tear myself away even to flip over to the Grammys!
Perhaps 200 years from now, PBS will be airing the complete series of 5 Spot classics. You know: the Liza Palmers, Megan Cranes, Jane Porters and Lauren Liptons that are required reading for all high school children.
:-)
stretching definition of classics a bit, but...the thorn birds forever! rachel ward. richard chamberlain. priests being unpriestly. beasts being beastly. i love it!
Emma is my favorite book. Her character development of the mother is genius.
Pride & Prejudice with Firth and Ehle: storytelling just doesn't get any better. The pacing, the acting...what a potboiler!
I love that your fiance shouted at the screen. You've got a keeper, there. My husband loves P&P and also Emma Thompson's Sense & Sensibility.
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