It doesn't hurt that they are transformed into the most brilliant movies...
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| Toni Collette is just so sweet in Emma! |
I'm sorry Colin Firth, but I just can't even give the BBC's Pride and Prejudice a try... there is just NO WAY it's as good as this one is... NO WAY. I mean, just look at it! It is gorgeous!
But anyway, the book...
The book is so insanely delightful. Jane Austen just writes with such wit. She's so talented I want to stop here mid-sentence and just give up this task of writing because there is no way it will be good enough. Austen makes me laugh out loud. There is such sarcasm too it, but it doesn't read like satire. There are so many characters, but it still feels so personal. Elizabeth Bennet could be your best friend, you just read it and end up knowing her so well, and cheering her on.
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"I dare say you will find him very agreeable."
"Heaven forbid!--That would be the greatest misfortune of all!--To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate!--Do not wish me such an evil."
...
I feel like I don't really need to summarize the story for you. Frankly the quote above is a pretty good set-up for the entirety of it. Let me just say that if her prejudice had remained, the ending would be very evil, indeed... (By the way, if you've seen You've Got Mail, then you've pretty much seen Pride & Prejudice. I'm fairly certain it was adapted or inspired by the plot.)
If you are at all curious about giving Austen a try, this is definitely where to start. It's just so well done. I wish I had the words to sufficiently describe it, but I just don't know what to say. I love the characters, and the history of it, it's all so easy to imagine. There are moments of drama, and intrigue, and humor and satire (oh, I know, I just said it doesn't come across as satire...perhaps, literary caricatures, would be more accurate). It's just charming, all put together. It makes me want to time-travel, or visit some theme-park like in the movie Austenland.
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| How fun would that be?! |
I just find Pride & Prejudice to be so inspiring too. It's so smartly done, and their discussions are fascinating. The idea of the "accomplished" woman, and what that looks like... it's hard to imagine in this day and age. But I have decided to take Darcy's qualifications as a bit of a challenge. Maybe I'll start a new (seperate) blog for the new year about it. I'll think about it, and get back to you...
Maybe that's it. It's all Elizabeth. She's just a fantastic character in literature, so well-rounded and strong, even if she isn't accomplished. Stubborn, outspoken, smart, sharp, and witty. She's a beloved daughter, and compassionate sister, and dear friend. Who wouldn't want to be more like her? Oh, Jane Austen, please teach me how!
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| Oh snap. |
So, back to the movie! (Sorry, I can't resist!)...The movie itself is the perfect representation. I made my husband watch it with me when I finally finished the book (be warned, I love the story but it still took me months of intermittent reading). I must say, he laughed as much, if not harder than I did. A man liking Jane Austen?! I never would have guessed, but I'm so happy to be wrong!
And speaking of men, this time reading through Pride & Prejudice, I have to say Mr. Collins cracked my shit up. He is the most pompous ass in literature I may have ever read. Mr. Darcy, proud? Nay. He doesn't hold a candle to Mr. Collins. I think old-me glossed over his parts of the story originally, but this time he had me in stitches (that would be laughing AT him, not with him). If I haven't convinced you to read it yet, then do yourself a favor and at least read it for him.
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| Mr. Collins, obviously on the left... |
Enjoy!
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