Torch Under The Blanket Books

Everything Austen Challenge Task 3

Task 3 completed – finished reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and review at http://torchundertheblanketbooks.com/2009/07/28/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies/

Pride and Prejudice – Book Review

by Jane Austen

First Published: 1813

Pride and Prejudice is one of my more ‘well read’ books.  The dilapidated state of it is evidence of my love for it!  A book falling apart is sad for the reader but must be wonderful for the author, don’t you think?

Jane Austen creates such wonderful, believable characters, you never feel a moment of unease.  Without that distraction, you are free to immerse yourself in the storytelling.

Pride and Prejudice introduces us to the Bennett family of Longbourn, Hertfordshire and focuses mainly on Elizabeth Bennett, the 2nd eldest daughter.  As she and her family maneuver through the politics of an oppressive society, we are entertained by the absurdities of  ‘class’ and perception of respectability. The Bennett daughters are ‘out’ in society but none of them are married yet.  Their mother’s primary goal is to rectify this situation, and her efforts are a source of great embarrassment to the eldest two daughters Jane and Elizabeth.  Society changes dramatically for the girls when a single gentleman of great fortune moves into the shire manor, Netherfield.  After meeting at a public dance, Mr Bingley is enchanted by Jane and his attentions are welcomed by her and her family.  Mr Bingley brings with him into the country, his two sisters, brother in law and his closest friend Mr Darcy.  First Impressions of Mr Darcy leave the Hertfordshire residents very unimpressed and he insults Elizabeth, wounding her pride.  Mr Bingley’s arrival is also timed with the militia encamping in the shire, much to the ecstasy of the two youngest Bennett girls. Forming attachments with or correct opinions of  those gentlemen that now surround them, proves to be difficult when complicated by meddling family, devious intentions, misunderstanding and of course, pride and prejudice.

The adventures of the Bennett daughters explore the deficiency of first impressions and the art of getting to know someone in a society where manners and etiquette make intimacy a challenge. In fact, the book was originally named First Impressions but was rejected for publication in 1797.  Austen revised the text in 1812, renamed it Pride and Prejudice and had it accepted for publication in 1813.

In my opinion, Elizabeth is Austen’s best heroine and should be essential reading for any young woman.  Austen heroines have faults but don’t compromise themselves to achieve everything their heart’s desire.  Neither do they achieve their goals by thinking or acting like men. Despite the era , Elizabeth is a determined character.  She has a strong sense of social justice and believes women are capable and entitled to free thought, love, family and occupation.

I am an avid Austen fan but I feel confident in recommending Pride and Prejudice to anyone with an interest in historical societal structures and human behaviour.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – Book Review

by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

What word comes to mind after reading Pride an Prejudice and Zombies?

‘Hoot’ will suffice.

What a concept!  Due to my devotion to the classic,  I was a little concerned about reading this but am very glad I did.  More than once, I laughed out loud at the ridiculous notion of the prim and proper Bennett women vanquishing undead beasties.

Life for the Bennett family is plagued by the same challenges as any other family in the Hertfordshire district.  Maintaining a good standing in society, seeking out fair prospects for children of marriageable age and ridding the country of  zombies.  The unmentionable scourge of Satan are running rampant all over England.

Mr Bennett, to keep his family safe, has had his daughters trained in the Orient by a master of the deadly arts.    In the course of their lives, they encounter eligible but not always deserving young men.   Forming attachments, however, is not a simple thing when deceived by meddling family, men with malicious intent and constant attacks from the undead.

Despite their considerable skills in the deadly arts, the Bennett women are just the same as in Austen’s classic. Elizabeth, reasonable, Jane, resigned, Mary, zealotical, Kitty, easily lead, Lydia, unruly.  The characters were so familiar in fact, that I often imagined I was reading the classic only to be shocked when “…Elizabeth lifted her skirt, disregarding modesty, and delivered a swift kick to the creature’s head…” (Austen, Grahame-Smith, 2009, p.28).

I loved this book and I am certain I will be reading it again and again like the true fanatical Austen fan I am.

Here is a link to a great Pride and Prejudice and Zombie Giveaway

Everything Austen Challenge Task 2

Completed 2 of 6 – Watched Mansfield Park (1999) with Frances O’Connor playing Fanny Price. Love this version. Love this character. Out of all the Austen women this one I can relate to the most. Probably want to BE more like Elizabeth Bennet but definately AM more like Fanny Price. All the actors in this version are just as I see them in the book. This version takes me straight into the story especially the scenes back in her childhood home. You can almost smell it. Wish her brother had been included though.. an unfortunate character to drop. Mansfield Park, the book, wraps up too quicky for my comfort and this movie version is no different. Wish we had more time with Fanny and Edmund.

Note – Still reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Everything Austen Challenge Task 1

Completed 1 of 6 tasks – watched 1981 mini series Sense and Sensibility. It was a bit clunky in parts (like they’d forgotten their lines) and I really didn’t like Tracey Childs playing Marianne (too haughty) but the story is still wonderful. This version unlike the movie with Emma Thompson (which I love) ends a little more like the novel. Jane Austen’s endings can be a bit abrupt but Sense and Sensibility wraps up nicely. I loved the idea of Colonel Brandon and Edward being at the cottage at the same time at the end – the women surrounded by men that love them was satisfying. This version ends a little more like that.

Now on to task 2 – Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – should be a hoot.