I watched a super cute flick over the weekend (no, not 500 Days, although that was tres cute indeed) - The Jane Austen Book Club. I adored this movie for several reasons (among which is Hugh Dancy - YUM), and I must confess, I watched it twice! It's one of those great background movies to have playing while you clean the house, do laundry, etc. Actually all romantic comedy's are great background movies, which is why I own so many of them. :)
Anyhoo, the movie is about 6 people (5 women + the adorable Mr. Dancy) who start a Jane Austen book club. Each is responsible for leading a discussion on a different book. It got me thinking about Jane Austen and the fact that I am probably the only woman I know who hasn't read Pride & Prejudice (and therefore who isn't obsessed with it). I tried to read it once, but got supremely bored a few pages in. Since then I have yet to pick up another Austen novel.
But after seeing this movie, I think it might be time for me to give Jane another chance. There has to be a reason most women adore her books, right? Some of the novels that I'm considering are: Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and Sense & Sensibility. I really don't want to read P&P (esp since I know the story already), but figure I probably have to.
What do you guys think? Are you Jane Austen fans? Which book should I start with? Is it weird that I didn't love P&P??
10 comments:
Sooo!?!?? How was 500 Days of Summer?? You left us in the dark! LOL
Ugh, I'm with you, i tried to read Jane Austen in high school but could never get through the books! I did watch the movie version of S&S and the BBC miniseries of P&P ( my mom and her sisters are obsessed!) I actually own the Jane Austen book club book but haven't had a chance to read it yet...
Love Jane! I liked this movie too. Just pick one and dive in. I recently read Persuasion and loved it. You can get them at the library usually.
Jane is fabulous! I would definitely try to read her books again. Some of them start a bit slowly, so keep trying for a bit longer to see if you can get into it. Sense and Sensibility is great! I'd read that if you don't want to read P&P. I've listened to a few on them on audio book and it's a great way to get into them. The language is beautiful out loud!
I've been thinking about revisting Jane Austen as well..I have found with some books that the first time I pick them up I am so not into them however if I happen to pick up the same book a couple of years later I love it..has that happened to anyone else? I loved the book "Jane Austen Book Club" and need to see the movie!
it took me a while to have my Jane Austen moment (& I teach her time period!). I think what did it for me was the uber cute James McAvoy in Becoming Jane--I think you might really like that movie.
As for books, I loved Sense and Sensibility. Read last winter during my many bubblebaths :) I loved Marianne and the writing was so lush.
PS~~thanks for letting me know about 500 days. If I get a chance, I may go. Maybe it'll get to my area soon!
I've been on an Austen kick for the past few days, with P&P on Tv Saturday, Jane Austen Book Club on Sunday(twice, once normally and once with commentary) I've just started re-reading P&P. I tried once last year but always wound up reading before bed, and falling asleep...therefore read the same page 4 nights in a row. It's going better this time around, because I read in the daytime and I imagine Mr. Bennett as Donald Sutherland which makes me smile.
PS: JABC is also a very nice book---gives a synopsis of all Austens books :-)
How wonderful you just posted this. I just bought a yummy compilation book a few weeks ago of all of Jane's novels. One of my August mini-goals is to read one of her books! I have read Pride and Prejudice in the past and love it...mainly bc of it being one of my fave movies.
I think I will read Sense and Sensibility after Revisionista's review...the word lush made my heart speed up and now I'm dying to read it!
I have so been wanting to see Jane Austen book club...thanks for the positive review!!!
Let me know what you decide to read!!!
I love Jane Austen - which is strange - because while I was in high school I couldn't stand her. I thought that I was too much of a feminist to give her books a chance.
Now, it's the feminist in me that LOVES her.
I would start with Sense & Sensibility.
I have never seen (or read) JABC - now I want to check it out!
I tried to read P&P when I was too young (like middle school), then picked it up a few years later and loved it! P&P is by far my favorite Austen book, but I also like Emma and Persuasion (haven't read Sense and Sensibility, but think it's now on my list).
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