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Roofbeamreader, Austen in Austen is a month long celebration of all things Jane Austen. Books, biographies, movies, whatever. Anything Austen goes! I decided to start off my month of Jane Austen by reading
Lady Susan, mostly because it's the only Austen work I'd never read it before, and also because it's short--only 41 letters long. I've always enjoyed epistolary novels, and this was no exception.
Lady Susan herself was a bit of a surprise; she's such a contrast to Austen's other leading ladies. Known as "the most accomplished coquette in England", she still somehow manages to charm all the men around her. "...her countenance is absolutely sweet, and her voice and manner winningly mild. Unfortunately one knows her too well. She is clever and agreeable, has all that knowledge of the world which makes conversation easy, and talks very well, with a happy command of language, which is too often used I believe to make black appear white." Her sister-in-law despises her, and her own daughter is terrified of her. I found her to be almost a female version of George Wickham: eloquent in speech and lovely to look at, but deceitful, selfish, and scheming. And that's what made this novella so unexpected. And so much fun to read. My August reading Austen is definitely off to a good start.
Here are my goals for the rest of the month:
1. Reread Mansfield Park (because I haven't read it in quite awhile)
2. Check out Austenland on the Big Screen (to see if the movie is better than the book)
3. Read Jennifer Petkus' novel
Jane, Actually about Jane Austen in the afterlife (because the premise is so much fun).
What about you? Got any amazing Austen plans for August? I hope so!
Happy Reading!
Wow, she definitely sounds different from other Jane Austen heroines, although Emma isn't perfect either.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of your goals.
Thanks! I'm really looking forward to reading all things Austen this month.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing Austenland on the big screen too, for exactly the same reason as you! I'm just hoping it comes to a big screen near me.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!
DeleteI just reread Mansfield Park a few months ago and enjoyed it even more this time.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I love about Austen's books...they never get old.
DeleteI am halfway through Mansfield Park, and also have Northanger Abbey on my list. I am also hoping the movie "Austenland" comes to a nearby theater this month. Although the book "Austenland" isn't stellar, it has moments that make me laugh, and it always makes me crave the real thing!
ReplyDeleteIt's all good when it's Austen!
DeleteI've never heard of Lady Susan! I'll definitely be adding it to my wish list though... I have a love hate relationship with Austen if I'm honest, I absolutely adored Persuasion, but after 8 years of trying, I still can't bring myself to get past half way through Pride and Prejudice (I'm so ashamed :L) I'm planning to try again later in the year though :) your aims for August sound great, Mansfield Park is also on my to read list, is it good?? :)
ReplyDeletePlease follow me back! http://lucy-stuffedshelves.blogspot.co.uk/
A lot of people aren't fond of Fanny in Mansfield Park, but I've always liked her. And Lady Susan is really short...it wouldn't take you long to read it. Persuasion is one of Austen's best novels, but I love Pride & Prejudice most of all. Thanks for following!
DeleteThanks for replying and following! :) I really want to try and get into reading Austen so I'll definitely give all of these a try :) thank you! :)
DeleteI absolutely love Lady Susan, and am thrilled to hear it might be adapted (http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/07/whit-stillman-to-direct-adaptation-of-jane-austens.html). I can't think of an Austen heroine more diametrically opposed to Lady Susan than our dear Fanny Price--should be a nice contrast.
ReplyDeleteBTW, one of my pet theories about Lady Susan is that while many Austen scholars have suggested that Lady Susan might be inspired by Austen's cousin Eliza de Feuillide, I actually think that Austen modeled Lady Susan on Eliza's mother, Austen's Aunt Philadelphia.
Also, I see the comparison to George Wickham, for sure--charming, devious, deceitful, delightful!
I would love to see an adaptation of Lady Susan. Am now happily ensconced at Mansfield Park with Fanny and her cousins.
DeleteEnjoyed reading Lady Susan a yr or 2 ago.
ReplyDeleteTHis A in A I've read An Assembly SUch as This by Pamela Aidan,
have Jane Lapotaire reading P&P to me as I drive, and kindle reading Barbara Cornthwaite's George Knightley's story of Emma via Charity Envieth Not..
Luv A in A !!
Love your list. Happy Reading!
DeleteOoh, you've piqued my interest in Lady Susan. It's not on my list but sounds like an interesting read. Although, it's not very popular, I liked Mansfield Park. Are you enjoying it the second time around?
ReplyDeleteI am loving it: the foibles of the Bertrams, and Fanny quietly watching it all...Mansfield Park is such a great book. I think it's sad more people don't enjoy it.
DeleteI've been considering reading Lady Susan after I finish Emma. The more I hear about her, the more interested I get.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely give it a try. (And it's so short it won't take you very long to read.)
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