Congratulations, Sally Hawkins!

Golden Globes winner and rising star Sally Hawkins won last night for her performance as Poppy in Happy Go Lucky. Persuasion fans will be able to see Sally Hawkins this season as Anne Elliot in a repeat of the ITV Jane Austen novel adaptation on PBS. This film adaptation of the novel was not the best, being too short and rushed, but Sally's performance as Anne was delicately nuanced (except for her dash through Bath) and Anthony Head's performance as Sir Walter Elliot should not be missed.


Read about Sally's Happy Go Lucky performance in these links:

• LA Times

• Rising Star Sally Hawkins

• Awards Daily

Image: Sally with her Golden Globe award, Sunday, January 11, 2009

• Read our other posts about Sally here.

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

"Why, thank ya'll for the honor!"

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Marriage With the Least Chance for Happiness

Last week Mrs. Palmer won silliest wife hands down. Mrs. Bennet has some heft to her personality after all. Now we turn to the "unhappily ever after." What happens when people marry for convenience, as in the case of Charlotte Lucas. Will she ever find happiness with someone she cannot respect? What happens when one marries improvidently for love, as with Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax? He must have felt great emotion for her, for penniless as she was, he was willing to marry her, but is his character all it should be? Can Jane ever be happy with a smooth-talking and careless man? You decide when you vote for

Marriage With the Least Chance for Happiness

Mr. & Mrs. Collins, Pride and Prejudice

Charlotte walked into her marriage with her eyes wide open. A plain woman, well into her prime at 27, and with no other prospects, she took the only opportunity open to her and married a buffoon of a man. Her decision affected her very close friendship with Lizzy, who could not understand Charlotte's reasoning. But we can. Living under her parents' roof, she had no other options open to her. When Lizzy visits Charlotte in her new home, she sees that she has made a cozy nook for herself and that she has found ways to be private. In Charlotte's own words: “I am not romantic you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home;…I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the married state.”


Mr. & Mrs. Frank Churchill, Emma

Yes, Jane Fairfax fell in love, but at the time she met Frank Churchill she had very few choices in life except to make a living, and the only position open to her was that of governess. Well bred, well educated, and talented, she faced a life of service and isolation. One wonders if she fell as much in love with Frank the man as with his ability to save her from poverty and servitude. Frank, though handsome and suave, played loose and free with the truth. He did not show proper fealty to his father and new wife, the former Miss Taylor, after their wedding, and he toyed with Emma's emotions as he hid the secret of his engagement to Jane. In the process he risked hurting Emma's heart in trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes. Thankfully Emma's affections were not engaged. They parted as friends, but upon reflection Emma realized that between Frank Churchill and Mr. Knightley there was no comparison, and that she "had never been more sensible of Mr. Knightley's high superiority of character."

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Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Marriage With the Least Chance for Happiness

Mr. and Mrs. Collins Mr. and Mrs. Frank Churchill

Get Your Own Mr. Darcy Right Here

The word on the wire is that Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy is for sale. Well almost, if you consider a portrait the closest you'll ever get to him!

Bonhams Auction House in London has announced the sale of the portrait of Mr. Darcy used in the 1995 mini-series Pride and Prejudice. Since Firth palyed Darcy, you can kill two birds with one stone and have two British icons hanging in your Manor House if you are the highest bidder on January 21st. In my humble opinion, it's not the most flattering likeness of the heartthrob actor making him look portly and too mature for his years.

There is a great story written by Firth behind the portrait and its evolutionary creation which you can read here.

It will be very interesting to see if they announce who gets to take Mr. Darcy home with them. One wonders out loud if he gets hung in the portrait gallery or the bedroom! ;) Either way, the lucky new owner will have the pleasure of his gaze all day or night long.

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Seen on the Blogosphere

The Jane Austen Society of America Central New Jersey Chapter has been featuring a series of links for Sanditon readers.

Click here and scroll down to find a map of Somerset County, Sanditon Background Information, Inspiration for Sanditon, Sanditon Residence of Sir Denham and a view of Jane's Sanditon Manuscript.



A new blog, Thoughts on Jane Austen and Other Cultural Icons, features charming Jane Austen inspired bracelets that you can special order. Click on the link and scroll down the sidebar to see Jean's selections.

Leading Men of Tess of the d'Urbervilles

There is quite a bit of eye candy in the new Masterpiece Classic production of Tess of the d'Urbervilles that premiered last Sunday on PBS. Part one featured two up and comming British actors in polar opposite roles emotionally. On one side we have the dark and seductive n'er do well Alec d'Urberville played by Hans Matheson, and on the other Angel Clare played by Eddie Redmayne who typifies his name, all angelic kindness and consideration. The two heros, or are they anti-heros, could not be farther apart in personality or intensions to our beautiful heroine Tess played sympathetically by Gemma Arterton. You can discover more about sultry dark eyed Scotsman Hans Matheson on his web site, and blue eyed boy next door Eddie Redmayne at his own web site too. Watch the finale of Tess of the d'Urbervilles next Sunday, January 11th at 9:00 EST on PBS.


You can catch up on part one at the Masterpiece website, and read reviews by Vic (Ms. Place) at Jane Austen's World & myself at Austenprose.

Don't forget to bring your hankies. You'll need them!

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Viewer Conflict Alert! Lost in Austen vs. Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Austenblog reports that Ovation Channel will begin showing Lost in Austen this Sunday at 9 PM, directly opposite the second installment of PBS's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, which means Amanda and Tess will be duking it out at the same time for a similar audience. Ouch. There are so few quality shows available, what's a woman of a certain sensibility to do?

Have no fear. PBS is offering videos for a full week after the broadcast on its site, and Ovation will be airing Lost in Austen segments throughout the week. (Ovation is available through Fios, I don't know about the other cable subscribers.) This conflict will extend through the airing of Masterpiece Classic's Wuthering Heights.

For our Lost in Austen reviews, click here.

• Vic (Ms. Place), Jane Austen’s World: Episode One, Episode Two, Episode Three & Episode Four

• Laurel Ann, Austenprose: Episode One, Episode Two, Episode Three & Episode Four

For our Tess of the D'Urbervilles reviews, click here.

• Laurel Ann, Austenprose, Episode One

• Vic, Jane Austen's World, Episode One

May We Recommend ... Jane Austen, An Illustrated Treasury

Jane Austen: An Illustrated Treasury, by Rebecca Dickson.

Now available at Barnes & Noble for the astonishing price of $19.98 (only $16.98 if you are a member), this elegant book, which I purchased with a holiday gift card looks and feels like a blog between covers. Opening this book is like clicking on Jane Austen's World, Austen Prose, or Jane Austen Sequels, where you can learn tidbits about Jane's life, annotations about the regency period and her novels, and read critiques, quotes, and sayings about her family and friends in relatively short and easy-to-read essays.

Moreover, this coffee table book is beautifully designed and offers pull outs of Jane's letters, portraits, and other memorabilia. If you know of a Jane fan in your family who feels uncomfortable surfing the web (hint: mother or grandmother), then this might be the perfect gift for a birthday or Valentine's day.

Did I gush enough to convince you? Good. At Amazon.com used copies of this book go for almost twice the price. Also recommended for gift buying by Austen Prose - Vic

Win Books from PBS

Oh, how exciting.

Click on this PBS link for a chance to win one of 10 sets of free copies of Wuthering Heights and Tess of the D'urbervilles. You will need to fill out an online form here and choose to receive a free monthly e-letter, or simply sign up for the free book set.

- Good luck!

Seen on the Blogosphere

Social Taboos: Regency Etiquette Rules Quiz sets up seven scenarios and asks you which regency etiquette rules were broken. The post starts with this phrase:

"It is November 17, 2008. "You" are a young woman, unmarried and under the age of thirty. During the course of your day today, you have done the following ..."

Can you anticipate what this person did wrong in regency terms? Click here to get started.

Image: "Admiration" from The Matrimonial Ladder

Posted by Vic, Jane Austen's World

Jane Austen Character Throwdown

We deemed the Musgroves worthy of a visit on New Year's Eve, although many of you were not put off by Sir John Middleton's and Mrs. Jennings vulgarities. We often have more fun at a raucous gathering and relish our guilty pleasures.

This week we turn our thoughts back to Jane Austen's characters. I have often debated over which wife is sillier: Mrs. Bennet or Mrs. Palmer. Oh, I know Mrs. Bennet has become the standard bearer for silly wives everywhere, but I suspect this is because Pride and Prejudice is so popular. Mrs. Palmer's perpetual smiles and cheer coupled with a lack of common sense must grate on all who know her. So think long and hard before you vote for

Silliest Wife

Mrs. Palmer, Sense and Sensibility

Mrs. Jenning's younger daughter Charlotte is as silly and good-natured a woman as was ever devised by an author. Perpetually in a good mood, she has only kind words to say about all and sundry. The problem is, she cannot distinguish good from bad or silly from sensible. Married to a churlish man, she chooses to ignore the fact that Mr. Palmer has no interest whatsoever in her constant chatter or vapid observations, pretending that she consults him on all matters and that he finds her plans equally as important and fascinating as she. Of course, we all know better, as evinced by this masterful dialogue in Chapter 20, Volume 1 of S&S.


Mrs. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice

With five unmarried daughters, one can forgive Mrs. Bennet's hysteria in seeing that they are well-settled and married. Her husband's estate is entailed to Mr. Collins, who was spurned by Lizzy. Unless Mrs. Bennet can arrange to have at least one of her daughters comfortably established, she faces the specter of living in relative poverty after Mr. Bennet's death, turned out of her home, and dependent on only the income that 5,000 pounds can provide. (About 200 pounds per year.) In addition, Mr. Bennet ignores her and makes fun of her at her expense. As I grow longer in the tooth I see that Mrs. Bennet is as much to be pitied as not, and I feel for her predicament. Be that as it may, Mrs. Bennet overreacts to everything, suffers from spasms and the vapors at the slightest provocation, has vulgar tendencies, and possesses a spiteful bent to her nature (witness her reaction to the Lucas family after Charlotte agrees to marry Mr. Collins).

pollcode.com free polls

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Silliest Wife

Mrs. Palmer Mrs. Bennet

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Coming to PBS Masterpiece Classic Sunday, January 4 and January 11 at 9 p.m. EST, this 4-hour adaptation of Tess of the d'Urbervilles, the Thomas Hardy classic of a "pure woman faithfully presented" will tug at your heartstrings. Tess Durbeyfield lived in an age when life was repressive for women of her station. Wronged by two men, she manages to survive the best way she knows how, trying to maintain her dignity despite horrific circumstances. Published in 1891, Tess of the D'Urbervilles was so shocking that Hardy had to withold selected chapters during its first appearance in serial form.

Laura Linney, Masterpiece Classic's new host, introduces the series in a warm and natural manner that viewers will find pleasing.

Gemma Arterton (Lizzy Bennet in Lost in Austen) plays Tess Durbeyfield.

Tess is the eldest daughter of a poor family. In the face of near constant adverse circumstances, she holds onto her pure heart and sensitive soul.

Click here for PBS character description; here for BBC description



Eddy Redmayne (The Other Boleyn Girl) plays Angel Clare, Tess's true love.

Angel is an intelligent and kind clergyman's son. Tess first sees him at a Mayday dance but he ignores her. Tess meets him again at a farm where she's working as a milkmaid and they fall deeply in love.

Click here for PBS character description; here for BBC description.



Hans Matheson (The Virgin Queen) plays Alec D'Urbervilles, Tess's obsessed tormentor.

The son of Simon Stoke and Mrs. Stoke d'Urberville, Alec d'Urberville is an heir to a fortune and the nemesis and downfall of Tess. After going to work at The Slopes - Alec's family home - Tess falls into his clutches. He is the "tragic mischief" and she is easily seduced by his apparent charm and generosity. PBS Character Description; BBC Description.


Tess Reviews:

• Vic's review at Jane Austen's World: Nice Girls Do Finish Last
  

• Laurel Ann's review on Austenprose
  

• PBS's Remotely Connected

• SFGate

Winners Announced in the 7 Jane Austen Naxos AudioBooks!

The Winners of our Jane Austen Birthday celebration giveaway of 7 unabridged copies of her novels are ...

Sense and Sensibility - Jen

Pride and Prejudice - Maria L.

Mansfield Park - Nan

Emma - JaneFan

Northanger Abbey - Deb

Persuasion - Bart

Lady Susan - Lauren

Congratulations to all of the winners. To claim your prize, please e-mail Laurel Ann at austenprose at verizon dot net with your full name and address by January 6th. Thanks to all 109 participants! We really enjoyed reading your reasons why your enjoy reading and viewing Jane Austen.

A big thank you to Naxos AudioBooks USA who have done such an great job with these recordings. The incredible reader response to our giveaway is a testament to your outstanding quality and commitment to Jane Austen. Thank you!

Winners, enjoy your great audio books!

Happy New Year to all from: Vic (Ms. Place), Jane Austen's World & Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Winner Announced in The Pemberley Chronicles Giveaway!

The Pemberley Chronicles Book Set Winner is ...

Congratulations to our lucky winner Lois, in our giveaway of the first five books of the The Pemberley Chronicles! To claim your prize, please e-mail Laurel Ann at austenprose at verizon dot net with your full name and address by January 6th. Thanks to all to who left great comments. I really enjoyed your opinions on why Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen's most popular novel.

Happy New Year from Vic (Ms. Place), Jane Austen's World & Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Final day to enter the giveaway for 7 Jane Austen audio books!

Don't delay. Leave a comment today!

Today, December 31st is your last chance to enter our giveaway contest to win one of seven Jane Austen audio books by Naxos AudioBooks. Just follow this link and leave a comment stating why you enjoy reading or viewing Jane Austen by 11:59 pm tonight. Winners will be announced tomorrow, January 1st, 2009.

Good luck to all.

Happy New Year from Vic (Ms Place), Jane Austen's World & Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Great New Regency Blog: An Evening at Almacks

Check out this new blog on the block entitled An Evening at Almacks. Devoted to traditional Regency novels, it features book reviews, author insights, and Regency historical facts written by five sharp ladies who love to read and chat about their passion. Their recent post highlights their Favourite Christmas Regencies and includes a list of Christmas themed Regency Romances such as A Christmas Bride by Mary Balogh, Once Upon a Christmas by Diane Farr, and Mistletoe Mayhem by Kate Huntington.

The blog is geared to new readers of the genre and since I have yet to venture into a Regency Romance, I will be following along and anxiously awaiting their insights.

Best of luck ladies. Love your blog title!

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: New Year's Eve

Our charitable impulses reached out to Mrs. Smith, who received our Christmas basket. Now our thoughts turn to a pleasanter topic: with which family would you prefer to celebrate New Year's Eve?

I'd Spent New Year's Eve With ...

The Musgroves, Persuasion:

Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove are the party givers in the neighborhood, always inviting friends, relations, and acquaintances over for gatherings. Yes, their daughter-in-law, Mary Musgrove nee Elliot, can be a pain, but her peevish voice is usually drowned underneath the din of laughter from the other members of the family. The Musgroves are kind and generous hosts and know how to treat their guests to a good time,including music. As far as this welcoming couple is concerned, the more the merrier. Besides, if you accept their invitation, you might meet Captain Wentworth and Admiral Croft and learn more about their voyages abroad.



Sir John Middleton and Mrs. Jennings, Sense and Sensibility

Sir John Middleton and his mama-in-law, Mrs. Jennings, might be a tad vulgar, but one has to give it to them: everyone and anyone is welcome at their houses all the time. They will spare no expenses, and will roll up their carpet for a dance at a moment's notice. Besides, one might have a chance to hear Marianne play at the piano and sing, or conduct a sensible discusssion with Elinor Dashwood or lawn bowl with Colonel Brandon. At the very worst, the group will eat a fine supper prior to an evening of cards. I also imagine there are scores of women who wouldn't mind meeting Willoughby despite his bad boy image.

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Jane Austen Character Throwdown: New Year's Eve

The Musgroves Sir John Middleton and Mrs. Jennings