Author Ben Winters on Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

Well, at least he is having fun with the concept.

Jane Austen Actresses at Cannes 2010

Carey Mulligan and Kate Beckinsale played roles in movie adaptations for Pride and Prejudice 2005 and Northanger Abbey 2007 (above); and Emma 1996 (below). Aren't they lovely?

Carey is promoting Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and Kate is one of the Cannes Film Festival judges.

Follow Friday: The Republic of Pemberley

Perhaps I am stating the obvious, but a Follow Friday without mentioning this juggernaut Jane Austen site would be foolish in the extreme. I am sure that every Janeite has stumbled across this immense website while cruising along the ether looking for Jane Austen tidbits. Look no more. Click here and prepare yourself for a prolonged visit.

My favorite feature? The Benevolent Society for the Preservation of the Good Name of Mr. Woodhouse aka The Woodhouse Defense League.

Jane Austen Question Found Online. I've No Sympathy: Do You?

Student Question:
RE: Jane Austen. I know the best way to get an answer about an author is to read the author's books, but here's the DL. I have one night to write ten journals on Romeo and Juliet. One has to do with love at first sight. I can't read a whole Austen from 12:48 AM tonight until tomorrow when I have to write it. So, in your experience as a reader, do Austen's books have a common theme at least loosely related to love at first sight? BTDubs, I consider this news, for anyone who felt like mentioning that I put this under news & politics. THANKS!!! <3>

Answer (not mine, though I heartily agree):

Probably shouldn't have been procrastinating until the last minute to do your homework.

Mr. Palmer, Clips from Sense and Sensibility

Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer. Surely his performance as this man is unrivaled by other actors who have played the part.

Where Exactly Did Louisa Musgrove Fall?

When Alfred Tennyson visited Lyme Regis his friends wanted to show where in his rebellion in the 17th century, Monmouth had landed. But Lord Tennyson just wanted to know exactly where Louisa Musgrove had fallen:

"Don’t talk to me of the Duke of Monmouth; show me the exact spot where Louis[a] Musgrove fell."

To answer that question let's see what Jane Austen told us about Louisa's fall in Persuasion:

There was too much wind to make the high part of the new Cobb pleasant for the ladies, and they agreed to get down the steps to the lower, and all were contented to pass quietly and carefully down the steep flight, excepting Louisa; she must be jumped down them by Captain Wentworth. In all their walks, he had had to jump her from the stiles; the sensation was delightful to her. The hardness of the pavement for her feet, made him less willing upon the present occasion; he did it, however. She was safely down, and instantly, to show her enjoyment, ran up the steps to be jumped down again. He advised her against it, thought the jar too great; but no, he reasoned and talked in vain, she smiled and said, “I am determined I will:” he put out his hands; she was too precipitate by half a second, she fell on the pavement on the Lower Cobb, and was taken up lifeless! - Chapter 12

In the picture below we see the three movies with three versions of the different staircases.

Persuasion, the Fall – 1971, 1995 & 2007

When I read Persuasion for the first time I imagined a plain staircase and had no any idea of the shape of the Cobb. Finally, when I watched the 1995 and 2007 films I realized that the stairs were different, but certainly in the same place. The first, very rough, was made of steps embedded in the wall. The second wee finished in cement. I considered that the old staircase had been cemented at the time of filming in 2007, but then I realized that the steps were different and their positions were opposed.

Staircases - 1995 & 2007

Watching 1971's version, I saw the double staircase with woods in the background. I thought sincerely that they had filmed the scene in another place than the Cobb! I only believed that the locations were authentic when I discovered the Lyme Regis Pearl of Dorset's site and its webcam.

Staircases - 1971

Lyme Regis webcam screen shot

Now I changed the original question to: "From which of these three staircases did Louisa Musgrove fall?"

I believe I have found the answer in the book Jane Austen: Her Homes and Her Friends**, written by Constance Hill and illustrated by Ellen G. Hill (circa 1900), where the author describes her visit to Lyme Regis:

The Cobb lies on the further side of the harbour. It is a massive, semi-circular stone pier upon which are two broad causeways, on different levels, forming the Upper and the Lower Cobb. It has undergone many a repair since Miss Austen walked upon it in 1804 but, nevertheless, a considerable part of the old masonry still exists, which is marked by rough-hewn stones placed vertically. Against some of this old masonry, and about half way along the Cobb, are to be seen the identical “steep flight of steps” where the memorable scene of the accident in “Persuasion” is laid. [...]

The steps in question are formed of rough blocks of stone which project like the teeth of a rakefrom the wall behind. We can ourselves bear witness to the “hardness of the pavement” below, which Captain Wentworth feared would cause “too great a jar” when he urged the young lady to desist from the fatal leap.

Staircases by Ellen G. Hill

* Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892), 1st Baron Tennyson, much better known as "Alfred, Lord Tennyson," English poet. Among his most admired works are Idylls of the King and The Lady of Shalot.

** Jane Austen – Her Home & Her Friends by Constance Hill, illustrated by Ellen G. Hill. Richard Clay & Sons, Ltd., London, 1901.

- Submitted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Português

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Today is Mother's Day and I wish much happiness and joy to all the mothers who read this blog. In today's Jane Austen Movie Throwdown we ask you to consider the mothers in Sense and Sensibility, and to rank them from the best mother to the worst. I used the images from 2008 Sense and Sensibility, except in the case of Mrs. Palmer, whose image I took from the 1996 film. This week we ask you to

Rank the Mothers from Best to Worst

Janet McTeer as Mrs. Dashwood, 2008

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Mrs. Dashwood

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Rosanna LaVelle as Lady Middleton, 2008

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Lady Middleton

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Jean Marsh as Mrs. Ferrars, 2008

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Mrs. Ferrars

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Linda Bassett as Mrs. Jennings, 2008

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Mrs. Jennings

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Claire Skinner as Fanny Dashwood, 2008

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Fanny Dashwood

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Palmer, 1996

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Mrs. Palmer

Best Good Middling Bad Worst

The Winner of the Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict is ...

Christina from Book Addict! The random number generator landed on your comment! Congratulations, Christina. Please send me your address. Thank you all for placing such fun and creative comments. Laurie Viera Rigler and I enjoyed reading them.

What Dachsunds and Jane Austen Have in Common

Jane Austen and dachsunds? Makes perfect sense.

Follow Friday: Jane Austen Society of America

What could be more appropriate than to urge Jane Austen fans to follow the various Jane Austen Societies? They exist all over the world, but the one we will feature this Friday is the Jane Austen Society in America with all its affiliates, such as JASNA Central New Jersey or JASNA New York or in Vermont!

Click here to find a JASNA near you.

Modern Kitchen Based on the Georgian Model

For most of the 18th century, American architecture took its inspiration from English houses. This article from Old House Online showcases a modern kitchen with a contemporary take on Georgian kitchens that people from Jane Austen's era would have recognized and perhaps even liked. The difference is that:

"Georgian-era kitchens were very much out of sight and out of mind, a below-stairs warren of kitchens (cooking areas), sculleries (for washing and cleaning), larders, and pantries where, in the grandest houses, an army of cooks and servants worked over open fires (and the owners rarely set foot)."

The trick with this room was to create a space that looked like an old, traditional kitchen but that is the hub of the house.

Jane Austen Society in Brazil (JASBRA) 2nd Annual Meeting

Inquiring readers: Adriana Sardini, a Brazilian translator of Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, began the Jane Austen Society of Brazil in June 2009. This year, the organization will hold its 2nd Annual Meeting in beautiful Rio de Janeiro on June 3rd .

In Adriana's words: "We decided to create the society to study Jane Austen's works and to make friends too! This year, we're going to have our Second Annual Meeting in Rio de Janeiro! I think more people will come because it is easy for people to take flights or buses to Rio!

The Society's invitation says: "When Regency meets the Brazilian Empire." For the invitation, our organization used old pictures from Rio to connect with the lovely paiting of Jane Austen. In the 19th Century the Portuguese Court moved to Brazil, where Emperor Pedro I reigned. (The second and last Emperor of Brazil was Pedro II.) This explains why Adriana translated Jane's novels from English into Portuguese.

Watch Adriana and a fellow translator in an interview, which also features A Woman's Wit, the recent Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library. Click on this link to Jane Austen's World to view it. The second part of the interview will be showcased next week.

Jane Austen App for iPhone and iTouch

To my mind there can be no better app for my iTouch than an App for Jane Austen novels. A developer named Fee Tan is offering her 6 novels and two more manuscripts for free. Delicious! Click on this link to download the App.

3rd Annual Jane Austen Festival, July 10 & 11 at Historic Locust Grove in Louisville, KY

The 3rd Annual Jane Austen Festival will take place July 10 & 11, 2010 at beautiful Historic Locust Grove located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane, Louisville, KY (www.locustgrove.org)

Inside the Visitors’ Center a Regency Emporium will feature booths with beautiful silk shawls, fabric, bonnets, jewelry, antiquarian books, and you can even have your silhouette cut! There will also be a fantastic Silent Auction with Jane Austen books, movie memorabilia and tea themed baskets and much more. The four-course Afternoon Tea will take place each day as well and is $20 per person.

“The Shoppes of “Meryton” include five new vendors who will participate in tents outside: Taylor Rose Historical Outfitters, Bells Mill Clothiers, Marquette Trading Company, Spencer’s Mercantile and Kentucky Fine Tea Ware.

The log and stone buildings on the grounds will host the Regency men’s club called the “Hellfire Club”, as well as 19th Century physician. Common Stock Entertainment will entertain young and old alike with shadow puppets, old-fashioned, kid-friendly peep shows, and other 18th century entertainments.

A couple opportunities for workshops include How to make a Tussie Mussie (a hand-held nosegay) $15 per person and Silk Ribbon and Surface Embroidery to make a Reticule. $25 per person. (complete descriptions at the end of press release)

Featured author this year is Kim Wilson, member of the Jane Austen Society in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She will speak about her books, “In the Garden with Jane Austen” and “Tea with Jane Austen”. Her talk, repeated both days will take place outside under a tent at 11 a.m. where she will sign and sell her books.

Other talks and demonstrations to be held under the tent include “Dressing Mr. Darcy” and the ever-popular Regency Style show. While a display of Regency fashion will be located in the Grand Parlor in the house all day both days.

Also, Ed Maedor, the creator of the fabulous bonnets worn in the new PBS documentary about Dolley Madison will speak each day and will have the bonnets with him!

The Greater Louisville Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) was founded in July of 2007. They meet monthly at Historic Locust Grove. The Jane Austen Festival has become a very successful event with 1,000 attending from 15 states in 2009. For information about JASNA, visit www.jasna.org and to purchase tickets for workshops, the ball, afternoon tea and admission, visit www.jasnalouisville.com or call 502-239-8521, 502-417-9150.

More to come about the event in the next few weeks.

Photo credit of the couple: Laura Edwards. Thank you for the permission.

Carey Mulligan, an Unaffected and Rising Star

The tides are turning and American film producers are looking for natural, unbotoxed and talented actors and actresses. Whew. Finally. Unfortunately, they've had to look across the Pond, for too many of Hollywood's young elite are starting to resemble a cross between Barbi and Ken.

Stepping up to the plate is fresh-faced Carey Mulligan, already on a spectacular career trajectory with an Oscar nomination and BAFTA for her performance in An Education. This article from the Daily Mail describes her meteoric rise and why she is the real deal. It describes in great detail how Carey landed her first role as Kitty Bennet in Pride and Prejudice 2005.

Carey has been signed to play Eliza Doolittle in Emma Thompson's remake of My Fair Lady. She is also a heartbeat away from getting the lead role in The Girl With the Dragoon Tattoo. Click here to read The Miseducation of Carey Mulligan.

Regency Beauty Fashion Show

Gentle readers, I will be mixing Sunday's polls up a bit in the next few weeks, just for the fun of it. Today's poll asks you to be the judge of a regency fashion show. These three beauties have reached the final three. Which women wins points for face, form, hair, jewelry, choice of dress and attitude? Our beauty fashion contestant host this week is the inestimable Hugh Laurie.

Let the voting begin!

Jane Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford, 1797

Margaret, Countess of Blessington, by John Lawrence

Mlle Lopoukhina Vladimir, 1797

Regency Beauty Fashion Show
	Jane Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford
	Margaret, Countess of Blessington
	Mlle Lopoukhina Vladimir
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