Collin Firth VS. Alan Rickman?

Who will be the Anglo Fan Favorite for 2011? Click on this BBC site to vote!!

"In one corner, we have Alan Rickman. As Die Hard‘s roguish Hans Gruber, he claimed ownership of the Accent of Evil, a prize he’s held for a quarter-century. He menaced a whole new generation as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter movies. But who knew the 65-year-old star commanded such a fervent fan following? If you didn’t know, consider yourself educated. The Rickmaniacs are not to be played with.

On the other side, you have Colin Firth, representing a far “nobler” breed of Britishmen. In 1995′s Pride & Prejudice, his quiet suffering and sopping wet underclothes got viewers hot and bothered, but his Oscar-approved performance as King George VI in 2010′s The King’s Speech signaled his arrival as the Fine British Actor of our time. For much of this week, his defeat at the hands of Doctor Who‘s David Tennant seemed assured, but a late surge lifted him into this week’s finals. Can Colin go Firth into the winner’s circle?"

No New Posts

Hi All, We survived Hurricane Irene except for the downed trees and power lines. There will be no new posts until electricity is restored. Thank you for your patience. Vic

Rococo Gown for Sale at Second Life Marketplace

Are you addicted to Second Life and to costume dramas? This rococo gown is for sale at the Second Life Marketplace for $1.58 USD.

I've tried Second Life several times. My avatar has gone through a few strange experiences, plus it is a memory hog and slows my computer to a crawl. Does anyone out there like this virtual world? And why?

Friday Follow: Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Jane Austen Made Me Do It, a compilation of short stories based on Jane Austen's novels and characters, won't be released for another few months yet, but you can follow its trajectory on the blog, Jane Austen Made Me Do It.  Laurel Ann from Austenprose, is its editor. Many Janeites will be familiar with the stable of authors who contributed their stories.

Jane Austen in Vermont offers more information about the blog at this link.

The book is available for pre-order at this link. 

Jane Austen Games and Activities

What did families do in the evening before television and electronic games? Why play card games and board games, of course. These links will lead you to the games popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Enjoy

A game of chess, Diana Sperling

Masterpiece Classic: This site describes 10 games that were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Card party

Bullet Pudding: Imagine Mr. Darcy's face covered with flour as he played this game with the Bennet sisters. Not! Still, it is similar to bobbing for apples - messy but fun.

Lottery Tickets and Gaming Fish - Austenonly describes the game played by Lydia Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Enjoy.

A riddle from Mr. Elton, Emma, 1996

Mr. Elton's riddles were easy for Emma but not easy for Miss Smith. Colleen Sheehan writes about the Riddles of Emma.

Miss Italy and Miss Austen

Here, in Brazil, we used to make a joke saying that the candidates to Miss Brasil and Miss Universe should read The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry.

Now, in Italy, the rules specify that the girls should read one newspaper a day and at least three books per year (LOL) and suggest Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and Pride and Prejudice by our dear Jane!

Contributed by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Colin Firth's New Film Projects

Colin Firth and Tom Hardy Encoded in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I can't wait for this film, as I was mesmerized by the novel.

Carey Mulligan (l) and Wendy Hiller and Leslie Howard in 1938

And how would you like to see our hero in My Fair Lady opposite Carey Mulligan (who looks so much like the young Wendy Hiller, who played opposite Leslie Howard in 1938's Pygmalian)? Colin has expressed a desire to play Henry Higgins. Be still my beating heart.

Colin as Henry Higgins?

Colin as Henry Higgins
	Yes
	No
	Unsure
pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Novel Throwdown

Which of these Jane Austen novels and novellas have your read? Vote for as many as apply.

Which of these Jane Austen novels have you read?
	Her juvenilia
	The Watsons
	Lady Susan
	Sanditon
pollcode.com free polls

Catherine Morland and Lady Sybil

The London Evening Standard writes about Felicity Jones (Catherine Morland, Northanger Abbey) and Jessica Brown-Findlay (Lady Sybil, Downtown Abbey.) Isn't this image striking of the two pretty actresses?

Felicity (l) and Jessica (r)

Felicity

Jessica

Jane Austen Fan Kit App

For 99 cents one can purchase a Jane Austen Fan Kit that provides her novels and writings, a quote for the day, quizzes, and trivia.

What a bargain!

Click here to learn more.

FABULOUS!!

Category: Books
Released: Aug 16, 2011
Version: 1.0.1
1.0.1
Size: 18.2 MB
Language: English
Seller: Nuno Fonseca
© 2011 Nuno Fonseca
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

Pride and Prejudice Arrives in Brazilian Theatres

Every weekend this past July the citizens of São Paulo had the pleasure of watching Pride and Prejudice on stage. As far as I am aware this is the first staging of a Jane Austen novel in Brazil. The Fora de Foco Group was formed in October, 2003 by members of several groups from the Drama Festival Cultura Inglesa, an English language school in Brazil.The group's goal is to present plays by British authors in Portuguese. Their repertoire consists of Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare and, now, Jane Austen, much to the delight of Brazilian Janeites.

Pride and Prejudice – Grupo Fora de Foco – Brazil

All the performances were lovely, including those of even the most minor characters, like Hill, Mrs. Bennet's maid, and Fosset, the Bingley's butler. Mr. Bennett had a book in hand during most of his scenes, and our dear Mrs. Bennet talked in her familiar shrill tones! Mary Bennet almost busted our ear drums with her recital, and Kitty acted a bit naughty. Lydia acted as coquettishly as ever. Knowing about Mr Wickham's charms, we can understand her behavior.

Mr. Bingley, I believe, must have been chosen for his smile – the clear and sincere smile we all know so well, and which is so very different from the smile of his beautiful and elegant but snobbish sister, Miss Bingley..

Guilherme Magalhães as Mr. Darcy and Alice Martins as Elizabeth Bennet

We recognized Lizzy instantly by her very fine eyes and Jane Bennet by her sweetness. And what can I say about Mr. Darcy? I can only confirm what his housekeeper said about him – that he is the most sweet tempered and generous-hearted man. Guilherme Magalhães, our Mr. Darcy – yes, now we Brazilians can say OUR Mr. Darcy! – also acted as the spokeman for the Group.He kindly gave us an interview and permission to publish these photos.

Jane Austen's characters have finally all arrived in Brazil, from the Bennets to the Darcys, the Bingleys, and the Gardiners. Even the militia was not forgotten, their presence reminding us about our love for Jane Austen!

Alice (Lizzy) (Alice), Guilherme (Mr. Darcy), Roger (my dear Mr. Collins) and me!

Click the image for larger images of full cast.

Click here to see the original post in Portuguese.

Photos © Yuri Pallaro

Submitted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

18th Century Back in Fashion: Video

Dear Santa, for Christmas, I'd like one of these gowns.

18th century back in fashion | Video of the day by deutschewelle

Jennifer Ehle: To Play a Ghost

CBS is billing its new fall show "A Gifted Man" as a show "in the tradition of "Ghost Whisperer" and "Medium." Guess who plays the ghost of the doctor's ex-wife, Anna: Jennifer Ehle - Elizabeth Bennet in 1995s Pride and Prejudice!

Jennifer Ehle and Patrick Wilson in A Gifted Man

"Jennifer Ehle, about two decades older than when she played Elizabeth Bennet in the classic miniseries of "Pride and Prejudice," plays the ghost. Since only people (like me) with two X chromosomes sat through all six hours of "Pride and Prejudice", CBS probably figures Ehle will be another female draw. I hate to admit it, but they may have lured me into watching the first episode because of all those associations, because I liked "Ghost Whisperer" and "Medium" - Minot Daily News.com

Another scene form A Gifted Man

Jennifer Ehle in A Gifted Man

In the hour-long medical drama that is set for Friday nights at 8 PM ET on CBS, Martindale will play the assistant to Michael (Wilson), a competitive surgeon whose life changes when his ex-wife (Ehle) dies, but comes back to teach him life lessons.

Jennifer Ehle, Patrick Wilson, and Margo Martindale

Ehle won the Tony Award in 2000 for her work in The Real Thing and again in 2007 for her performance in The Coast of Utopia trilogy.

The air date is September 23 on CBS.

Jane Austen Novel Throwdown

Today's question is simple: Which of Jane Austen's six completed novels did you last read?

My bedtime table. If you look closely, you can see
a younger me hugging my dog. 

Which of Jane Austen's completed novels did you last read?
	Sense and Sensibility
	Northanger Abbey
	Mansfield Park
	Emma
	Pride and Prejudice
	Persuasion
pollcode.com free polls

Georgette Heyer Books for $1.99 on August 15th in Honor of Her Birthday!!

Tuesday, August 16 would have been Georgette Heyer’s 109th birthday. In honor of this most beloved author, who many call the Queen of Regency Romance, Sourcebooks is discounting EVERY SINGLE one of the eBooks the publisher currently has available to $1.99 for one week, getting Heyer’s Birthday Party started a day early on August 15!

That’s 46 books by Georgette Heyer, plus the fabulous reader companion, Georgette Heyer’s Regency World by Jennifer Kloester, available for $1.99 from August 15-August 21.

This is the perfect time for everyone to read Heyer, and celebrate the woman who was such a prolific author!

Below is the full list of titles, separated by category: regency romance, mystery, historical fiction and non-fiction. And here’s a link with all of the info in this post, as well as a look at those gorgeous covers: http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/casavip/happy-birthday-ms-heyer.html . The eBooks will be available through Sourcebooks.com and major eBook retailers (and please give them some extra time if prices aren’t adjusted right away on Monday—this is a long list and a lot of data to update J). Sourcebook's Heyer celebration begins Monday, August 15th and ends August 21st!!!! Enjoy!!

Georgette Heyer

Hip Hip Heyer!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. HEYER!
eBooks Available for $1.99
August 15-August 21, 2011
Heyer’s Birthday: August 16, 2011

REGENCY ROMANCE

1. Arabella

2. Bath Tangle

3. Beauvallet

4. The Black Moth

5. Black Sheep

6. Charity Girl

7. The Convenient Marriage

8. The Corinthian

9. Cotillion

10. Cousin Kate

11. Devil’s Cub

12. False Colours

13. Faro’s Daughter

14. The Foundling

15. Frederica

16. Friday’s Child

17. The Grand Sophy

18. Lady of Quality

19. The Masqueraders

20. The Nonesuch

21. Powder and Patch

22. The Quiet Gentleman

23. Regency Buck

24. The Reluctant Widow

25. Sylvester

26. The Talisman Ring

27. These Old Shades

28. Venetia

MYSTERY

29. Behold, Here’s Poison

30. A Blunt Instrument

31. Death in the Stocks

32. Detection Unlimited

33. Duplicate Death

34. Envious Casca

35. Footsteps in the Dark

36. No Wind of Blame

37. Penhallow

38. They Found Him Dead

39. Unfinished Clue

40. Why Shoot a Butler?


HISTORICAL FICTION
41. The Conqueror

42. An Infamous Army

43. My Lord John

44. Royal Escape

45. Simon the Coldheart

46. Spanish Bride

NON-FICTION
47. Georgette Heyer's Regency World

The Trees in Jane Austen's Landscape

When I was in England, I loved visiting its forests with its bluebell carpets and ancient stands of trees. This article, Trees Scattered Across Jane Austen's England reminded me of my wonderful visits there. These images from Pride and Prejudice 2005, where Elizabeth and the Gardiners are nestled among ancient trees, absolutely took my breath away.

18th century women's clothing layers

This is a wonderful YouTube video that shows you exactly how women in the late 18th century dressed. The period would be during Jane Austen's mother's time and when Jane was a child.

Jane Austen Game Throwdown

Last night my family and I watched a movie on commercial TV. During commercials we talked, or I played Angry Birds, or checked my emails and comments on my blog. Jane's family would read to each other, play cards or games, like checkers and backgammon, play charades or act in plays that Jane might have written, sing and play at the piano for a family musicale, or roll up the carpet for an impromptu dance. If you could go back 200 years, which leisure time activity would you like to experience with Jane Austen?

which leisure time activiWould you like to experience with Jane Austen?
	A board game, like checkers or backgammon
	Act in a play she wrote
	Read to each other
	Card game, like whist or piquet
	A family musicale
	Impromptu dance
pollcode.com free polls

A Visit to Windsor Castle

A trip to Great Britain for the first-time visitor means a visit to wondrous Windsor Castle. I visited that grand edifice the year after QE2 talked about her annus horribilis in her Christmas message of 1992 after the fire at the castle and the disintegration of Charles's and Diana's marriage. In 1993 I saw Windsor Castle and was bowled over by the renovations that had been completed, for I saw very little fire damage. Tony Grant recently visited Windsor and graciously shared his photos with me. I was brought back to my visit and most intrigued by the Irish Wolfhound.

Changing of the guard

Irish Guards

Wolfhound

Marching past

Windsor Castle

St. George's Chapel

Interior, St. George's Chapel

Images submitted by Tony Grant, London Calling

Pride and Prejudice Actors Among Vanity Fair's Best Dressed

Vanity Fair's 2011's International Best Dressed List recognizes the sartorial splendor of Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy) and Carey Mulligan (Kitty Bennet and Isabella Thorpe). What good taste the magazine has exhibited. Include in the mix are H.R.H. the Duchess of Cambridge and President and his First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama.

Ever sartorial, ever splendid. His Royal Firthness

Spectacular.

Beautiful Carey Mulligan made the cover of Vogue this past year

Jane Austen would have given Mr. Darcy with more than a modicum of good taste, but Isabella? Thankfully, Carey has a sensible and gifted head on her shoulders.

Click here to view the list.

A Love Letter For You

I think most of us, whenever we read Captain Wentworth's letter, almost forget "Miss A. E.", to whom the letter is addressed. We think about the Captain and our feelings.

"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope..."

Amanda Root as Ann Elliot

After Miss Anne read the letter, Jane Austen tell us:

"Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from." 

Since we are talking about feelings I dare ask you, gentle readers: If this letter were for you, how would you describe your feelings in just one sentence?

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português