T2 and Penguin have joined forces to release book boxes that contain a classic novel, a cup (designed with the book in mind) and tea. Obviously I had to get the Pride and Prejudice one.
The three types of tea in this box are; French Earl Grey, New York Breakfast and Green Rose (all favourites of mine)
The other options are:
Filed under Miscellaneous, Pride and Prejudice
I am not sure where I first saw a mention of this article – Instagram perhaps?
Why was Jane Austen sent away to school so early?
https://jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol26no1/walker.htm
Essentially the girls (Cassandra and Jane) were sent away to school to create space for paying students. But this article is full of information about the houses that could be Steventon (there are two possibilities), number of students at any time, number of servants (because some of them have to be housed too) and number of family members (remember two of the boys were also sent off to the naval academy).
I have read a lot of Austen biographies and I have never noticed the two different Steventon houses.
Both of the below images are from the article.
Filed under Biography, History, Miscellaneous, Recommended
It is always interesting what you find when clicking links indiscriminately while browsing the internet.
I came across this interesting article Jane of Green Gables: L. M Montgomery’s Reworking of Austen’s Legacy by Miriam Rheingold Fuller, which links my two favourite authors.
I found this article via Sarah Emsley and I find her through the janeites email list ( it is worth being on the list for all of the controversy about shadow stories and conspiracies).
Filed under Criticism, Miscellaneous
I have set my self the task of watching the adaptations in the order Austen wrote the novels :- Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion. I have several versions of each so this should keep me busy for sometime.
First up this version of Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey BBC 1987
This one has Katharine Schlesinger as Catherine Morland and Peter Firth as Henry Tilney. This film is an interesting mix – period costumes and settings, but modern music.
It is quite faithful to the story – except for this character
New Character
who is General Tilney’s ‘friend’ – she apparently gives him all of the gossip.
Catherine Morland – looking very fetching
Henry Tilney
Isabella Thorpe (on the left)
John Thorpe – suitably repulsive
Miss Tilney
General Tilney
Although this adaptation is a bit dated (and a bit strange at times), it is still worth watching.
More reviews …
https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2008/04/06/the-three-northanger-abbey-films/
Filed under Miscellaneous
Sense and Spontaneity – Esther Longhurst and Jessica Messenger
I saw the last performance of Sense and Spontaneity (I know no good if you then write a review, but now I don’t feel so bad about taking so long to write this review!)
This show was hilarious – the two actors were brilliant (so quick witted). With a series of hats and bonnets they created various different characters – you know a Miss Bates, a Mr Darcy, a Mr Collins, etc. There was much tea drinking and Austen-like dialogue. I would say the plot and action owes more to Austen film adaptations than the novels, but who doesn’t love an Austen adaptation? This was a fast-paced romp, which the actors seemed to enjoy as much as the audience and I would definitely see it again (well a different version as it is improvisation after all).
Filed under Miscellaneous
2014 in Review
It is summer holidays here – which means super hot weather and school holidays – so not a lot of time to get anything done.
For me the highlights of last year were Val McDermid’s remake of Northanger Abbey (much more successful than either Emma or Sense and Sensibility) and Austenland – I know other people hated this, but I thought it was fun and didn’t take itself too seriously.
Currently I am reading Deidre Le Faye’s Jane Austen’s Country Life – this is a beautiful book, but I wish there was a map rather than a wordy description of where things are in relation to Steventon. For example,
To the west of the lane running from Steventon to Dean was the village of Ashe …
A map, even a very simple one, would make it all so much simpler.
Filed under Miscellaneous
Jane Austen’s Sewing Box – Jennifer Forest
I didn’t realise how long it was since my last post! This book, as you probably know, came out a while ago and I was strong and didn’t buy it. However, I like craft and I like Jane Austen, so it seemed the perfect book when I needed a bit of cheering up. It is a beautiful book with lovely pictures and illustrations. There is a brief introduction describing the regency era (with quotes from Austen’s novels) and a description of ‘women’s work’. Then it is into the projects: Letter Case, Linen, Workbag, Paper Flowers, Purses, Huswif, Carpet Work, Muff and Tippet, Pin Cushion and Thread Case, etc. There is historical information about each project as well as more beautiful images.
In the Letter Case Section
Ms Forest has found images that suit the project. The above image is included in the section on making a Letter Case.
Cravats!
Although, I can’t imagine ever making a cravat I liked seeing all of the different styles – very helpful for anyone who reads Georgette Heyer novels! You can make your own work bag.
Workbag
Or a carpet work cushion. 
And finally someone knitting – it looks like socks.
I am not sure I will make any of the projects, but it is beautiful and inspiring and I am glad I gave in to temptation.
Filed under Jane Austen Craft, Miscellaneous
Image from candicehern.com/regencyworld
I came across this site (candicehern.com/regencyworld) while meandering around the web. There are lots of fashion images (like the one above) and more information on the regency period including things like a timeline and famous regency people.
Filed under Miscellaneous
2013
Only 12 posts last year! I must do better next year. I have a few ideas, but, as you know, life can sometimes can in the way.
The big finds for this year were The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and Emma Approved. I came to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries late and watch it all in two long marathon sessions. I’m watching Emma Approved as they are released – and I am finding the January hiatus sad – I liked my biweekly updates.
I enjoyed reading Among the Janeites and A Jane Austen Education.
Filed under Miscellaneous
The kindle version of Jane Austen and Food by Maggie Lane is free at the moment (19th December 2013).
Filed under Miscellaneous
