Would Elizabeth Bennet Have Listened to The Staves?

In Sound Check, Marina Csomor conjectures that Elizabeth Bennet might have liked The Staves if she'd had an opportunity to listen to the trio's pretty soft voices. I think she might just be correct.

Jennifer Ehle: I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You, Colin Firth

When I espied that photo of Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, I could not stop myself from singing "I can't take my eyes off of youuuu!"

Jennifer Ehle, Tom Hooper (director) and Colin Firth, The King's Speech

They are lovely, aren't they?

Colin and Jennifer in 2011. Image from @Bonnets and Bustles

In 1995

Also see Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth 16 Years Later.

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Portugues

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth 16 Years Later

Geoffrey Rush, Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth in The King's Speech

Have you ever wondered how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth would look after fifteen years of marriage? Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle (Pride and Prejudice 1995) shared only a few moments together on screen in The King's Speech (she played Myrtle Logue, Geoffrey Rush's wife), but my heart rejoiced. My question was finally answered: How well would this couple fare in the looks department several decades on? Very well, as you can see.

Celebrity Look-Alikes Include Jane Austen Character Actresses

This post, Celebrity Look-Alikes, includes Frances O'Connor, who played Fanny Price, and Keira Knightley, who played Elizabeth Bennet. Some of the other comparisons are a bit closer. Nevertheless, the resemblances are uncanny.

Frances O'Connor and Mary Louise Parker

Keira Knightley and Natalie Portman, who is slated to play Elizabeth Bennet in the film version of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

The Elizabeth Bennet Omelet to Serve to Your Very Own Mr. Darcy

Inquiring Readers: XIMENA MAIER is an illustrator from Spain, who also blogs about food and drawings. Combining her passions, she came up with an Elizabeth Bennet omelet and drawing. Ximena kindly gave me permission to publish her post and fabulous illustration.


This is just a silly way to justify making the drawing above. There´s the famous omelette Arnold Bennet, a grand thing involving bechamel and hollandaise sauce, and smoked fish that must be poached. And then there´s a pared-down version in the book Cupboard Love, which the author calls Omelette Gordon Bennet.

And then there´s the even lazier way, which is really more of a frittata but none the worse for that; an omelette of smoked fish, dotted with cream and sprinkled with parmesan, then briefly grilled. It emerges puffed and pretty, and is just the thing for a quick lunch, with buttered brown bread and some salad.

I used smoked mackerel because it´s my new favourite thing, but salmon or trout would do just as well, and look even more girly and sweetly pink.
Etiquetas: quick

Click here to enter Ximena's blog, Lobstersquad

Thoughts About Jane Austen

Poking around the internet always leads to interesting new trails and information. Case in point, the Bookstove, a site that collects articles and reviews. Two anti-Jane posts caught my eye:

Going off Austen: This writer is considering taking Pride and Prejudice off her book shelves. Do you agree, disagree? Inquiring minds want to know.

Five Reasons Why Mr. Darcy Can't Satisfy Today's Woman is sure to get your goat. Or perhaps not if you are a Mr. Knightley, Colonel Brandon, or Henry Tilney fan. Enjoy the article, then let us know what you think of the author's opinion!

(Icons created for a 2007 Jane Austen Today contest)

Jane Austen Throwdown

Some of Jane Austen's heroines had terrible experiences in London. Think of poor Marianne, who came to the realization that Willoughby had been willfully ignoring her letters and avoiding her visit. We will consider the London experiences of two ladies who are more restrained than Marianne: Jane Bennet and Elinor Dashwood. Both ladies kept their anguish to themselves. In your estimation whose London experience is worse? Jane's or Elinor's?

Jane Bennet understood that Mr. Bingley had removed himself from Netherfield Park with no immediate plans for a return visit. Her heart was broken already when she visited her aunt and uncle Gardiner on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside, but little did she know how thoroughly she would be rebuffed by Caroline Bingley, who she still regarded as a true friend. For someone as gentle as Jane, unable to think ill of others, the insult that Caroline finally gave her (visiting her beyond the prescribed time period that manners dictated, failure to give a reciprocal invitation, and staying for such a short length of time as to be almost insulting) opened Jane's eyes to the situation. Mr. Bingley was meant for Georgiana Darcy, and Jane had no role as either friend to the Bingley sisters or as Mr. Bingley's romantic interest. Only Elizabeth understood how well Jane was able to hide her broken heart from her family.

Imagine how you would feel if Lucy Steele told you about her secret engagement to the man you are interested in and extracts a promise from you to remain silent about the relationship. Imagine Elinor's having to witness Edward and Lucy in the drawing room in her presence and then watch them leave together (reluctantly on his side). Not only does Edward choose to remain with Lucy when his mother finds out about their clandestine relationship, but Colonel Brandon asks Elinor to tell Edward about the living he is willing to give him. The scene is poignant and sad, and we feel for Elinor, who bears these events with fortitude as she supports Marianne in her grief.

Elizabeth Bennet's Feelings Had Undergone a Material Change

Interested reader,

Sometimes few words are needed for a post. I love when artists interpret Jane Austen's work with the same sense of fun and irreverence as her juvenile self had towards the literature she read in her day. Enjoy Palnk's drawings. This post was first published in "Jane Austen em Português" with kind permission from Palnk. (Click on images for details.)

• More Palnk's drawing: Austen Girls and Elizabeth Bennet.
• Palnk's site on Deviant Art

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Portugues

Jane Austen Movie Fashion Throwdown

Today I ask you to decide between Lizzie Bennet and Elizabeth Bennet, or Keira and Jennifer. Which actress's wardrobe best AUTHENTICALLY portrayed our favorite Austen heroine? The votes for Mrs. Bennet were hot and heavy and it wasn't until the 5th day that the tide began to sway towards Brenda Blethyn's side. This week I ask you: Whose wardrobe do you like best?

Jennifer Ehle or Keira Knightley dressed as Elizabeth Bennet?

Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet in P&P 1995

Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet in P&P 2005

Best dressed Lizzie
	Jennifer Ehle, 1995 Elizabeth Bennet
	Keira Knightley, 2005 Elizabeth Bennet
pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

During the Regency era, playing the piano forte was a a skill that all young ladies of quality were expected to acquire with some proficiency. Jane Fairfax was quite skilled, while Mary Bennet's playing was pendantic at best. Lady Catherine de Bourgh felt she would have been a proficient had she learned the art in the first place, and Emma lacked practice. Elizabeth Bennet, though she played prettily enough, felt that her playing was ordinary. Two other Jane Austen characters played piano beautifully: Georgiana Darcy and Marianne Dashwood. Their scenes in two films are among the most romantic in the Jane Austen ouvre. This week we ask you: Which scene is more romantic? Elizabeth gazing at Mr. Darcy (and he at her) as Georgiana plays, or Colonel Brandon hearing and seeing Marianne for the first time.

The Most Romantic Moment at the Piano

Colonel Brandon Sees Marianne for the First Time, Sense and Sensibility, 1995

Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) arrives late for a gathering with Sir John Middleton and guests. Seeing Marianne (Kate Winslet), he is immediately struck by her beauty and talent. From that moment on his interest in her never wanes.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet exchange glances as Georgianna Darcy plays at the piano. Pride and Prejudice, 1995

Mr. Darcy has introduced Elizabeth to his sister, and they spend an agreeable evening together. As Georgiana plays, he and Elizabeth exchange looks of longing. Without words, the scene sets the stage for Elizabeth's change of heart. Before long, Darcy springs into action to find Wickham and Lydia in London.

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Most romantic moment at the piano

First time that Colonel Brandon sees Marianne Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet exchange glances

Marriage to Mr. Darcy

After fourteen years of marriage to Mr. Darcy, Lizzy's still dancing on the furniture and swinging for joy.

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

Marriage to Mr. Darcy might not be what Lizzy anticipated in Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, coming out in mid-August by Source Books.



Original images: Worth 1000
Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Poll of the week: Who is your favorite cinematic Elizabeth Bennet? I am including three choices this week, because each actress has given widely different interpretations of the role. She is also a product of her time, so that in 1939 Hollywood thought it was perfectly acceptable for a 30-something actress like Greer Garson to play Elizabeth in Civil War era garb. For these reasons, I am not including her in the mix. Plus, I can never forgive the producers for changing the ending and turning Lady Catherine de Bourgh into a nice person.

Favorite Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Garvey, 1980 Pride and Prejudice

Ms. Garvey was for a long time my favorite Lizzy. A pretty and talented actress, her interpretation of a lady like Lizzy was wonderfully natural compared to the other 1980's BBC adaptations of Jane Austen's novels. When I think of her portrayal of Pride and Prejudice's famous heroine, I fondly recall her sparring conversations with Lady Catherine de Bourgh. There was fire in this Lizzy's eyes. Elizabeth, who is aging remarkably well, will be present at JASNA's annual meeting in Philadelphia. Lucky us.

Jennifer Ehle, 1995 Pride and Prejudice

A pretty and healthy looking Lizzy with the striking eyes so admired by her dashing Mr. Darcy, Jennifer was present in almost every scene of this 6-hour adaptation. One of Jennifer's more memorable scenes is when she is standing at the piano with Georgianna Darcy, who is playing. She and Colin Firth share a look that so perfectly captures their changing feelings for each other, that I very often use an image from that scene to represent her character.

Keira Knightley, 2005 Pride and Prejudice

A major film star today, Keira was just beginning to make her mark as an actress when she took on the role of Lizzy. Her interpretation of Lizzy is as a feisty and tomboyish young woman who prefers to dress in plain clothes. The rain scene, in which Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy proposes was made memorable by the crackling chemistry between the two actors. Even as her Lizzy is repelled by the way Mr. Darcy chose to propose to her, she is sexually atracted to him.

pollcode.com free polls

Favorite Elizabeth Bennet

Elizabeth Garvey Jennifer Ehle Keira Knightley

Original Portraits of Lizzy and Darcy Available

The very talented illustrator Carmen Keys has created these lovely original watercolor paintings of Jane Austen's characters Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Do you see a resemblance to any of the actors who have played the famous couple in any of the many movie or mini-series adaptations? I do. They are available for purchase on Esty, but do not delay. They will certainly not be available for long.

Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) tours the Derbyshire Peaks again!

“What are men to rocks and mountains?” is what Jane Austen’s character Louisa Hurst wants to know in the novel and movie of Pride and Prejudice. Good question! Austen actress Keira Knightley who played Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 movie might just know the answer after her filming in Derbyshire for the movie, and again for the new production Duchess which will be released on September 5th. Read this interesting article on the filming at Chatsworth, the palatial manor house where Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire resided and the movie was partially filmed. Here is an excerpt.

The Duchess, a sumptuous-looking costume drama about Lady Georgiana Spencer, wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire. Married at 17, this beautiful 18th-century socialite, fashion icon and compulsive gambler was painted by Gainsborough and Reynolds, but has only now been granted the ultimate cultural accolade: being played by Keira Knightley.

Posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Dances in Pride And Prejudice

Netherfield Ball! Who can forget Mr. Darcy's silence? Lizzy's teasing? Mr. Collins' clumsiness? Mary's excrutiating turn at the piano? And Mrs. Bennet's bragging about Jane and Mr. Bingley? Watch what happens as a result of the ball in Part 2 of Pride and Prejudice on PBS's Masterpiece Classic, Sunday, 9 p.m. EST.

Meanwhile, click here to learn more about my post on the etiquette of dances in Jane Austen's novels,
here for a synopsis of the Netherfield Ball by Laurel Ann, and here for a review of the Netherfield Ball sequence by Lisa Law.

Click on this site for images and screenshots of Pride and Prejudice Scenery: Netherfield

Find a listing of dances from Pride and Prejudice
on this site, and go here for an additional listing of English Country dances in Pride and Prejudice.

Posted by Ms. Place

Jennifer Ehle Speaks About Her Role as Elizabeth Bennet and Tracy Lord

In 2005 Jennifer Ehle spoke about her role in the Philadelphia Story at the Old Vic on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour, as well as her turn as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Listen to this 9-minute interview with Jennifer, whose American accent is somewhat surprising. According to Jennifer's fan site, she was only 24 years old when she created the role of Lizzy.

In June, Jennifer won a Tony Award for The Coast of Utopia, and as you can see from the photo, she looked blond, lovely, and sparkling during her acceptance speech. Watch Jennifer and Colin Firth (see post below) as Lizzy and Mr. Darcy in Part 2 of Pride and Prejudice 1995 tomorrow night at 9 p.m. EST. - posted Ms. Place

Elizabeth Bennet's 195th Birthday Party

Pride and Prejudice is 195 years old today. Happy Birthday Lizzy Bennet!

If you are lucky enough to have a first edition in your manor house library, treat it well, because to replace it will cost you a whopping $75,000.00. Or if you look hard enough you might find one just lying about the house!

Here are some interesting facts about the first edition of Pride & Prejudice.

• Payment: Jane Austen sold her manuscript for 110 pounds


• Author: By the author of Sense and Sensibility


• Publisher: Thomas Egerton, London


• Printing: First edition of approx. 1500 copies that sold out in 6 months


• Price: 18 shillings


• History: The novels initial title was First Impressions. It was submitted for publication in 1797 to Cadell & Davies who rejected it without reading it, returning it with "Declined by return post" stamped on the letter. It was later reworked and retitled Pride and Prejudice, after a line in the novel Cecilia, written by Fanny Burney, who Jane Austen admired.

If you are curious how Jane Austen's plucky heroine Lizzy Bennet would function in the modern world with a computer and Google searchabilities, then you might enjoy this charming article Elizabeth Bennet and a Laptop in which Lizzy has the ability to discovery all sorts of information about her prospective beaus and the dirt of the Meryton neighborhood on her laptop all from the comfort of the drawing room at Longbourn.

Posted by Laurel Ann