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Post by Lady Idril on Nov 27, 2007 20:06:39 GMT -5
Ah, everyone has their differences of opinion, Ark. I don't take the scholarly view of Austen like most people do. I'm just in it for the story being told. This is why I skip the introductions in the books because it's usually someone whose college degree owns their universe, going on about one thing or another that I just don't have an interest for. I'm shite for it, I know. Gotta be different, I guess. Heh.
(P.S. sorry if I messed up the pretty green row of "Ark" going down the site's main page!)
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Post by Ark on Nov 27, 2007 20:14:26 GMT -5
I'm just a generally critical reader. i don't approach in a scholarly manner, I just look for the underneath.
My row's back.
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Post by Lady Idril on Nov 27, 2007 23:23:26 GMT -5
I can be like that with newer fiction (aka Harry Potter, no offense to anybody) but I just turn off my critical brain when I read classics. I don't know why, I mean there's nothing saying someone can't have an unfavorable opinion of a classic author, but I suppose it's just a personal inferiority complex or something strange like that.
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Post by Lady Idril on Jan 8, 2008 21:30:02 GMT -5
Just a reminder to any J.A. or costume drama fans, the Jane Austen Season starts this Sunday, January 13th, 2008 on Masterpiece Classic on PBS at 8pm CST. Here's the full schedule for the Season, from pbs.org: January 13Persuasion (2007)"Sally Hawkins appears as Anne Elliot, a woman destine for spinsterhood after a proposal eight years earlier. Then her spurned suitor reappears."
My personal favorite of the books I've read so far, and, as I've had the good luck to see this before it aired, it quickly became one of my absolute favorite adaptations. Ever!January 20Northanger Abbey (2007)In a medieval house that appeals to her most lurid fantasies, romance addict Catherine Moreland (Felicity Jones) begins a relationship with the younger son of the estate.
Almost done reading this book, and I adore it. I've seen clips from the film, and it looks lovely. I should add that JJ Feild plays Henry Tilney, and incredibly well from what I've heard.January 27Mansfield Park (2007)"After being sent to live at Mansfield Park, Fanny Price (Billie Piper) navigates a labyrinth of intrigues and affairs among its occupants."
I was fortunate enough to see this one as well, and liked it much more than I liked the book, actually.February 3Miss Austen Regrets (2007)"Courtship she knew well; only the last act eluded her. A film biography that dramatizes Jane Austen's lost loves."February 6, 17, 24Pride & Prejudice (1995)"Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle is Elizabeth Bennet in the definitive adaptation of the most-loved of all Austen novels."
An absolute classic; I love this miniseries so much!March 23Emma (1996; BBC)"Kate Beckinsale stars in the title role as the tireless matchmaker who professes no interest in matrimony for herself, only for her orphaned protege, Harriet Smith (Samantha Morton)."
Haven't seen this one yet, and I always hear it recommended among Jane's adaptations, so I'm very excited.March 30, April 6Sense & Sensibility (2007/8)"Though poor, levelheaded Elinor Dashwood (Hattie Morahan) and her impulsive sister Marianne (Charity Wakefield) attract a trie of promising gentlemen."
This one's been long anticipated. I don't think the UK got it much earlier than we do in the States.And there you have it. I've already talked one of my dearest friends into watching it, and we both talked our moms into watching it with us.
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Post by Lady Mage on Jan 13, 2008 22:40:09 GMT -5
So, what do you all think? I thouroughly enjoyed tonight's show, although I liked the older version of Persuasion better, and I look forward to the first ever adaptation of Northanger Abbey next weekend!!!
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Post by Lady Idril on Jan 14, 2008 17:10:24 GMT -5
Well, I've already seen it before, but I really enjoyed it. Persuasion is my favorite novel (so far), and I really loved Sally Hawkins's performance as Anne. Rupert Penry-Jones did a wonderful job as Wentworth, too, and though I haven't seen the '95 version with Ciaran Hinds, I think I'll be rather biased as to which Wentworth I prefer. I also can't say enough about Amanda Hale as Mary Musgrove. She makes me laugh! Henrietta and Lousia Musgrove annoy me more in this adaptation than I think they did in the book, with their spirits so high and endless flirtations. Again, my one complaint was that the letter was cut down and flipped about, which was absolutely painful. It was also somewhat unfortunate that poor Anne had to do a mad dash around Bath whilst the letter was being read; it took a little bit of focus off of the words, I thought, and we didn't get the full effect of its romantic force. Several scenes were cut from the PBS airing, and I've heard they'll be on the dvd (which comes out Tuesday; each of the shows will be released on dvd the Tuesday after they air). I know one that was cut, when the group is walking along the stones in Lyme and Mr. Elliot sees Anne for the first time. That's one of my favorite moments in the book, too: "Captain Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. He gave her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, 'That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again.'"Anyway. I'm excited for Northanger Abbey as well. Catherine Morland is a very enjoyable character, and I am very fond of Henry Tilney. He's slightly different from Austen's other heroes, I think (though I don't know of Mr. Knightley; I'm not familiar with Emma yet). Henry Tilney has a sort of relaxed confidence about him, a sort of comfortability of person that I find very refreshing. And I've heard nothing but wonderful things about JJ Feild's performance in the new adaptation.
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Post by Lady Mage on Jan 18, 2008 13:55:10 GMT -5
I still like the older version better although I agree that the Wentworth from the PBS Masterpiece theatre version was better. And yes, Mary Musgrove was wonderful although it was a bit odd that the actress was named Amanda Hale because I know an Amanda Hale quite well...
Anyways, absolutely excited for Northanger Abbey. Just a question though, Idril. Do you think it will be too 'gothic' or scary for my 10 year old impressionable sister? I don't want to advise that she can't watch it, but I think she may be too young? Let me know what you think- you've read the book more recently than I have.
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