Category:Blog, Editor's Corner

UPDATED: Hi, My Name is Esi, and I’m Not a Jane Austen Fan

By: Esi Sogah
January 12, 2011

*OK, there were some valiant efforts put forth here, on Twitter, and in real life. At the end of the day, I’m going with Tessa’s suggestion of Emma. While some of you (ahem*KeiraSoleore*ahem) made a valiant push for P&P, it just wasn’t quite enough to get me over the hump. I’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date on my foray into Austen. Thanks!

I know, I know. She’s the original queen of romance and blah blah blah. I’m not saying I hate Austen–although there was a time when I probably would have.

But lately, I’ve started to find my aversion to All Things Jane rather odd. After all, I’ve seen movies based on her books and thoroughly enjoyed them. I’ve read books inspired by her and her novels and absolutely loved them. But the Austen oeuvre–nada. However, in recent years I’ve found that decisions I made in the past aren’t necessarily true anymore.

After an unfortunate experience with Ethan Frome, I was certain Wharton was not for me. But a few years ago I picked up The Age of Innocence and it’s now one of my top ten favorites. I was never particularly interested in Jane Eyre growing up–but I devoured it this fall, just finished the 2006 miniseries, and was absolutely giddy when I saw a trailer for the new adaptation. Clearly, my taste can change.

So: Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to pick a Jane Austen novel and convince me to read it. Use the comments to make your best case. A few things to keep in mind:

1) I have tried to read Pride & Prejudice many, many times. I downloaded the ebook over Christmas and made it farther than I ever had before–all the way to chapter four. I’m not saying don’t pick it, but you’ll have to be extra convincing.

2) I have made it through one Austen novel: Northanger Abbey. I loved it. I’m told by Austen people that it’s the least Austen-y of her books. Do with that what you will.

3) Witty dialogue and/or high drama go a long way for me.

OK, do your best. I will read your recommendations carefully and let you know my decision Friday. And I promise to read whatever I choose all the way through. Maybe you’ll change my mind. Maybe I’ll continue being an Austen curmudgeon. Either way, it should be fun.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING IN BLOG Romance

  • KeiraSoleore says: January 14, 2011 at 7:11 am

    Esi: I have Amazon Prime. The super-easy, fast-to-read, utterly-engrossing book Pride and Prejudice can arrive at your doorstep overnight, or if you’re an eBook reader, the book can be made available for instant download. And think, how much fun you’re going to have this weekend! And also consider this: The book has been in print continuously since it was first pubbed. Societies have grown around it, because of it’s popularity. So many versions of the movie have been made, because it’s always been popular. However, there isn’t a play-version Broadway-style out YET. Consider reading this book as fodder for your future theatrical work.

  • KeiraSoleore says: January 14, 2011 at 7:06 am

    Lucia, shhh. We’re trying so hard to convince Esi here, so no mentions of the Brontes, please. Esi’s almost there. Just a bit more, and she’ll be there.

  • Lucia Macro says: January 13, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    OK full disclosure: I’ve edited a number of books about Jane Austen, I like Jane, but I love, love, love the poor, beleagured Brontes, what with their crazy brother, stern aunt, the wild moors and unfortunate clothes. I wrote papers about them in college. I once took a trip to the UK solely to go to Haworth. And my favorite Jane Austen book is the one everyone loathes: Mansfield Park, but probably for all the wrong reasons. Team Bronte.

  • Esi Sogah says: January 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Tessa is doing a hard sell on Emma in my office right now. :)

  • Esi Sogah says: January 13, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Keira is doing a good job…but I’m still not quite convinced. No one for Mansfield Park?

  • KeiraSoleore says: January 13, 2011 at 6:02 am

    Esi, continuing the discussion from Twitter…

    Have you not experienced the awesome hawtness that are Colin Firth and Matthew MacFadyen??? Imagine Firth coming out of the lake in wet shirtsleeves and being broody, broody, and ooh(!) broody. Matthew McFadyen does emotional very well, especially the first time he expresses his love in the face of her harsh refusal.

    The heroine of Pride & Prejudice, Lizzie, has four sisters but she isn’t the oldest. One sister runs off to be married, the other fusses over not having fun, one sister is bookish, one’s dazzling, and then there’s Lizzie: witty, smart, sensible…till she falls in love. Ah, not sure whose path to love is harder, hers or his. And who deals with being in love worse, she or he.

    I recommend seeing either the 2005 movie (McFadyen ) and/or the 1995 two-part miniseries (Firth). At the same time, I’d suggest reading the first chapter of a version that isn’t a fully annotated doorstopper. Both movies are available from Netflix. Order today, and the movies will be here on Saturday for weekend awesomeness.

    Here’s a link to the book:
    http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Jane-Austen/dp/1936594293
    Order today and the book’ll be here by Saturday, with Amazon Prime’s free two-day shipping, just in time for your weekend reading.

  • carly_m says: January 12, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    I would root for Persuasion. It’s wonderful: has well-drawn secondary characters (a hypochondriac sister, an impossibly vain father), has a great romance that just makes you sigh with pleasure, and a good dose of drama at the end to keep you on your toes. Even if you don’t read it, I recommend the Ciaran Hind/Amanda Root film. Just lovely.

  • Katy_Madison says: January 12, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    Kate Duffy always said you’re either a Bronte Girl or an Austen Girl–Only I’m the weirdo who loves them both. (Or all, I guess is more appropriate.) I reread Jane Eyre every so often and I reread P&P every so often.

    I do think it helps to remember the Austen’s humor is built on character and manners, so it takes her a while to get everything set up, especially with 19th century writing.

    I don’t think it is until Chpt. 6 until Darcy’s humor starts showing up and making him likeable. Until then he comes across as a complete jerk, but he gets humiliated enough in the end that I can like him.

    So, not certain I’m doing any convincing–Although I have to say, I never liked Emma until I “got it” from the movie Clueless.

  • Esi Sogah says: January 12, 2011 at 5:39 pm

    No dice, yet! But good on you for giving it a shot. And I’m still willing to be convinced. No one said you can’t pile on.

  • Evangeline Holland says: January 12, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    1) I have tried to read Pride & Prejudice many, many times. I downloaded the ebook over Christmas and made it farther than I ever had before–all the way to chapter four. I’m not saying don’t pick it, but you’ll have to be extra convincing.

    How can you not love a book about a strong, intelligent woman (Lizzie Bennett), who doesn’t require a makeover or lessons in seduction to win her man? Or a very honorable–if flawed–man, who will still do the right thing even if the woman he loves has rejected and humiliated him? Plus, sisters! I don’t have sisters, and I love P&P because of the relationships between the Bennett sisters.

    2) I have made it through one Austen novel: Northanger Abbey. I loved it. I’m told by Austen people that it’s the least Austen-y of her books. Do with that what you will.

    I’ve never read Northanger Abbey, but that could be because I love gothic romances and can’t bear to read any spoofs. *g*

    3) Witty dialogue and/or high drama go a long way for me.

    Jane Austen has a very sly wit (and a sharp pen) and her humor sneaks up on you, especially if you know the manners and mores of the Georgian/Regency era. She’s rather like Dickens for me, but without the rambling prose and storylines. As for drama, it derives from social situations, but it’s still just as engrossing as the doings on primetime dramas!

    Have I convinced you yet?


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