Sunday 4 May 2014

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 268




'The Three Sisters' from JA Center UK
I have just found the pleasure of reading Jane Austen’s ‘The Three Sisters’ Juvenilia from Pemberley. The reading is light and pleasant. There’s a funny thing tho that I found out about Mary Stanhope, one of the three sisters (Mary, Sophy and Georgiana Stanhope). So a Mr Watts asked for Mary’s hand in marriage, but she was unsure whether to accept it or not. He was rich, but she was not very fond of him. Mary’s mother then (as many other mothers in the Regency Era) threatened her, saying that if Mary did not give a positive answer by the day after (when Mr Watts was scheduled for tea with them), he would address the proposal to Mary’s sisters (Sophy and Georgiana). Then, as Mary narrated to her close friend Fanny, 

 "The only thing I can think of, my dear Fanny, is to ask Sophy and Georgiana whether they would have him were he to make proposals to them, and if they say they would not, I am resolved to refuse him too, for I hate him more than you can imagine. As for the Duttons, if he marries one of them, I shall still have the triumph of having refused him first. So, adeiu my dear Friend --"


That is such a very girlish response to a marriage proposal from a girl who had almost zero attachment to the said person. I wish that Jane Austen had actually developed ‘The Three Sisters’ for a larger novel. I’d love to read more about the Stanhope Sisters.

Saturday 3 May 2014

Jane Austen Quote of the Week 267

I apologise for us being slower than normal recently, we have all had a lot on. We are now back though.


Over the past week I have read Tracy Kiely's Murder at Longbourn which I really enjoyed. The story is of a character called Elizabeth Parker who is planning New Year's resolutions after her boyfriend has recently cheated on her. She visits her Aunt Winnie's home who is hosting a murder mystery party on New Year's Eve. Rather predictably a party guest ends up dead and the rest of the story involves Elizabeth trying to solve the crime. The story is witty and had me laughing out loud in parts, many of Jane Austen's themes and characters are drawn upon and it is an engaging, fun read.


At the start of every chapter is a famous quote and there are some great choices used by the author.


Chapter 12 starts with Thornton Wilder's quote "It's when you're safe at home that you wish you were having an adventure. When you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home."
This stood out for me as I am always striving to have more adventure in my life, but when I do, I always think and long for the comforts of home.


From Chapter 28, a Pride and Prejudice line referencing Elizabeth Bennett talking to Mrs. Gardiner about the actions of Mr Darcy: "Is not general incivility the very essence of love?"


Finally Chapter 29 ends with the famous line from Pride and Prejudice: "That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate!"#


I think a lot of women out there can relate to this ...


Tracy Kiely Murder at Longbourn