Are you a Jane Austen lover? Or a mere acquaintance? [ Edited ]

[EloisaJames]

Hi everybody!

My new romance column is up on the Review page, and this time I wrote about romances with connections to Jane Austen's novels -- everything from a hilarious P&Prejudice game/book (read the column and if you don't understand I can explain), to a lovely modern rewriting of Persuasion, to a Jane Austen "diary".  The author of that diary is coming to the book club later this week to chat!

Here's the column:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bn-review/feature.asp?PID=21939&cds2Pid=17617&linkid=1140089

I talk about discovering Jane Austen as a young teen...when did you first discover Jane?  What's your favorite novel, if you have one?  And here's a fun question -- what current romance writer do you think has a real Jane flavor (I'm exempted from the list--I know I don't have the flavor, and it's OK!).

Eloisa

Message Edited by EloisaJames on 03-24-2008 10:55 AM

[KimCastillo]

Eloisa--great column! That game sounds quite fun. It reminds me of the "You decide" books I used to read as a kid.

For me, I'd have to say Julia Quinn. She reminds me of Jane Austen the most.

This is really embarrassing but I didn't discover Jane until about 3 years ago on Squawk Radio. Everyone used to go on about P&P and Mr. Darcy. Finally one day after asking sheepishly what P&P was, I rented the A&E version from my library. And then I was hooked. While I adore Mr. Darcy, I would have to say that Persuasion is my favorite.

[Melanie_Murray]

Is there a better topic than dear Jane? Great column, Eloisa!

I first read Jane Austen in college, and Pride & Prejudice was the novel. The first sentence was a revelation; I think I read it twenty times before moving on to the rest of the book. And I remember thinking that characters like Mr. Bennet were more alive than any you saw in modern movies or television shows or even most books for that matter. So I was hooked. I read everything she wrote within a year of my first P&P read. Persuasion is my favorite. It just gets me. But Pride & Prejudice is definitely the one I've read the most. I pull it out time and again and just read a few chapters, not necessarily from the beginning. On a blue day, I'll think to myself, "Let's read about Lizzie's visit to Pemberley." I'll pull my worn copy from the shelf and read for an hour, and then my day won't be so blue anymore!

[Anna_Adams]

Wonderful column, Eloisa! I also enjoyed the image of your father with spaghetti dangling from his ear as he argued poetry. ;-)

I don't remember the first time I read Jane Austen, or how many times I've read each book. I love EMMA best, because I don't love Emma for many pages, and then all of a sudden, I do. I'm not sure how an author makes an unlikeable character suddenly lovable, and I firmly believe only Jane could do it. ;-)

I can't think of a current author with an Austen tone, but I'm going to investigate the books you mentioned in your column. I'll admit I've always been leery of reading the Austen-related books because I felt that her characters and her real life were sacrosanct, but you've intrigued me.

Anna

[santasmbslt]

I am a rabid Jane Austen lover and have been for the past five years. Yes, I am late to the game but it's okay. I came to her not by reading but by watching those BBC movie versions of her books. My adoration of Colin Firth coincides with ador I feel for Jane Austin books.

My favorite Jane Austen novel is 'Persuasion' and that letter at the end gets me every time. I consider my copy of 'Persusion' to be both a good luck anulet and inspiration.

I have not ventured into reading the many books that are being written as off-shots, if you will, of her stories. However, Syrie James may be the one to change my mind about that. As Amy stated I feel that Jane and her characters are sacresanct in this respect.

I'd also add that further proof of Jane Austen's influence in readers' lives are the number of fanfic sites where Austen fans can create their own Jane Austen infused worlds. Up and coming author Tessa Dare recently blogged about her participation in those fanfic sites.

And, finally, I am going to go out on a limb in answering your question of what romance writer's work brings to mind Jane Austen. In a sense, Jane Austen was a contemporary romance writer. She wrote about what she knew. So I'd have to say that Jennifer Cruise reminds me of Jane Austen in her work. Much like Jane Austen's heroines and heroes, Jennifer Crusie's are also at odds with their feelings for one another. I find that Jennifer Crusie's wry wit in her writing does bring to mind Jane Austen. What do you guys think? Am I off my rocker here?

[EloisaJames]

Santa,

That is a fascinating thought!  And I definitely see what you mean: like Austen, Crusie writes with a very small canvas.  Her men aren't CEOs or presidents, and her heroines are often entirely normal women with less-than-perfect lives.  That's a real difference, now I think of it, between her work and Susan Elizabeth Phillips's -- SEP's heroes are generally hot-shot athletic stars, or movie stars, and her heroines are brilliant at something.

What do the rest of you think?  I'm thinking this is a great comparison!
Eloisa

[dhaupt]

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EloisaJames wrote:

Santa,

That is a fascinating thought!  And I definitely see what you mean: like Austen, Crusie writes with a very small canvas.  Her men aren't CEOs or presidents, and her heroines are often entirely normal women with less-than-perfect lives.  That's a real difference, now I think of it, between her work and Susan Elizabeth Phillips's -- SEP's heroes are generally hot-shot athletic stars, or movie stars, and her heroines are brilliant at something.

What do the rest of you think?  I'm thinking this is a great comparison!
Eloisa

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I would have to agree with the exception of maybe Ain't She Sweet with the heroine Sugar Beth Carey and the hero Colin Byrne I think are pretty normal and mal-adjusted people like the rest of us. But in the majority yes Ms. Phillips characters are larger than life and Jenny Crusie's characters are usually small town misfits who you have no choice but to love and commiserate with.

[Alyx]

My first Jane Austen book was Sense and Sensiblity--When I was in Middle school.  I had to do a special project and my teacher would not let me do it on a Johanna Lindsay book--So she said if I loved romance I had to read Jane Austen and this was the beginning of my love of her books.  After that I had to read all her books.  My favorite is Emma.  Mr, Knightly is devine. 

[Janga]

Santa, what a wonderful insight! That's a thesis/dissertation topic just waiting to be written. You made me want to go back and read Austen and Crusie together.

Eloisa, I have enjoyed all of your columns, but this one is my favorite. How could it not be with Austenmania and an inside look at the lives of major American poets all in one?

I started reading Austen the summer I turned ten, and I have read or reread at least one of her six novels every year since then (and that's more years than I am willing to admit to). I love P & P. It was the first Austen I read, and I have taught it more times than I can count, an experience that always allows me to see it in new ways. But Persuasion is my favorite. I am always moved by Anne's second blooming, and I agree with San that Wentworth's letter is one of the great moments in romance history.

[Deliciouskiss2u]

I loved your column, for me i have always loved Jane Austin she is by far my favorit author, the first time i read one of her books i think i was about 8yrs old, still to young to fully understand much of what was going on but then i again remember reading it when i was just gettin into high school, i'm 22 so for me its not to far away hahaha. But i love the elegance in her writing and i one day woud love to write something as lovely as her books are. I think they give young woman hope for love and adventure. I still read her books from time to time... i think Jane Austins books inspire so many readers even today.

[becke_davis]

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santasmbslt wrote:
I am a rabid Jane Austen lover and have been for the past five years. Yes, I am late to the game but it's okay. I came to her not by reading but by watching those BBC movie versions of her books. My adoration of Colin Firth coincides with ador I feel for Jane Austin books.

My favorite Jane Austen novel is 'Persuasion' and that letter at the end gets me every time. I consider my copy of 'Persusion' to be both a good luck anulet and inspiration.

I have not ventured into reading the many books that are being written as off-shots, if you will, of her stories. However, Syrie James may be the one to change my mind about that. As Amy stated I feel that Jane and her characters are sacresanct in this respect.

I'd also add that further proof of Jane Austen's influence in readers' lives are the number of fanfic sites where Austen fans can create their own Jane Austen infused worlds. Up and coming author Tessa Dare recently blogged about her participation in those fanfic sites.

And, finally, I am going to go out on a limb in answering your question of what romance writer's work brings to mind Jane Austen. In a sense, Jane Austen was a contemporary romance writer. She wrote about what she knew. So I'd have to say that Jennifer Cruise reminds me of Jane Austen in her work. Much like Jane Austen's heroines and heroes, Jennifer Crusie's are also at odds with their feelings for one another. I find that Jennifer Crusie's wry wit in her writing does bring to mind Jane Austen. What do you guys think? Am I off my rocker here?

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Interesting you should say that about Jennifer Crusie.  Check this out:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Flirting-with-Pride-and-Prejudice/Jennifer-Crusie/e/9781932100723/?...

[Anna_Adams]

Wow, Becke--you're amazing. I've never seen that before, but I'd love to read these authors' views. Great find!

(Hope you're well!)

Anna

[EloisaJames]

Fascinating link, Becke!

And DeliciousKiss -- you were reading Austen at 8 years old?  (Eloisa holds a moment of silence for her 9 and 13-year-old who are -- ahem-- not exactly ready for Austen.)  That's wonderful!

Eloisa

[Deliciouskiss2u]

What can i say my mother has great taste hahaha, my mother is the one that introduced me to Austins books, i started reading at an early age and the teen books just didnt seem to do it for me. but i must say i didnt truely understand the novel untill i was older. When i did then learn to appreciate a good novel.

[dulcinea3]

Thanks Eloisa, I enjoyed your column!

I have been tempted by Lost in Austen, but reading the reader reviews put me off a bit, and one of them echoes a bit what you say about it, because they complained that they were always being told that they were a failure.  But some years back I read a series of science fiction books in a similar format, and found them challenging and fun, so maybe I'll try this one someday.

I believe that my first exposure to Jane Austen was studying Persuasion in high school.  I guess I was not ready yet, because I wasn't all that impressed; I still preferred the Brontes and Dickens.  And yet, today I love Austen's works, and Persuasion is my favorite!  The next time I studied one of her novels was as a freshman in college, when we did Emma.  Once we were well into it, the instructor asked us how many actually liked Emma herself, and he and I were the only ones!  Yes, she can be infuriating, but she means well.  At some point in time I bought a paperback of Northanger Abbey to read just for fun, and that quickly became my favorite because of its wonderful humor.  I saw some of the novels as adaptations before I read them, but I finally bought a complete set of Austen and read them all!  That's when I was finally ready for Persuasion, which supplanted Northanger Abbey (although that is still my second favorite).  Right now I have finally gotten around to reading the final volume of my Austen set, entitled Minor Works, which includes juvenile compositions, unfinished pieces, poetry, prayers, etc.

[santasmbslt]

Lol, Becky.  I own a copy and the essays by various authors such as Jo Beverley and Teresa Mederios give wonderful insights to various perspectives on Jane Austen's books and our modern day.  It's a great compelation.  Thanks for posting the link!

[EloisaJames]

Dulcinea,

You must have been your professor's dream student!  That would be like me discovering that one of my students had not only read, but liked, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.  I would be so happy!

Eloisa

[dulcinea3]

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EloisaJames wrote:

Dulcinea,

You must have been your professor's dream student!  That would be like me discovering that one of my students had not only read, but liked, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.  I would be so happy!

Eloisa

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LOL - it was a bit embarrassing when I realized that I was the only one with my hand up, but then the professor said that he liked her, too, so I felt a bit vindicated!  He later became my major advisor (for English), so perhaps I was his dream student for a while, but I'm not sure he was so thrilled when a year later I switched my major from English to Spanish (once I had been exposed to Spanish literature)!  Just kidding - he wished me well.

A couple of years later I took a course on 19th-century British novels, and the Austen for that class was also Emma.  I was a bit disappointed; I would rather have had the opportunity to study a different Austen novel.

[Lilyfleur]

My First Jane Austen was Pride and Prejudice. In college I took a class on her works and learned so much! It's amazing that these books still resonate with readers. She truly was a great writer.

[bmbrennan]

I am a Jane Austin lover.  I first discovered Jane Austin in high school, every summer I was given a reading list from school to be read and her books were frequently listed.  It may be the reason  I love reading historical romances today.  My favorite authors reminding me of Jane Austin,present company excluded,  are Julia Quinn(The Bridgerton Series) and Stephanie Laurens(The Cynster Series).  Their characters are so rich you easily become addicted to them and eagerly await the next installments. 

Matter of fact,  I first heard of you(Eloisa) through Julia Quinn's website where she give recommendations of her favorite books.