Jane has been much on my mind lately, not because it's her birthday (December 16), but perhaps because I've been reading some bad romantic novels that always leave me wanting to reread hers instead. I wish that more authors knew that less is more. Graphic sex scenes do not a romance make. Jane knew it well.
My favorite of her novels are Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, followed fairly closely by Northanger Abbey. I'm not as fond of Emma, I don't care for the heroine or Persuasion, again it's the heroine. Northanger has a rather silly heroine, but I found her likeable anyway, as opposed to the other two. Of course I love Lizzy, and not just because of the movie.And speaking of the movies, I've only seen the Jennifer Ehle/Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice, and I've seen it many times. Though I like Keira Knightley as an actress, I refuse to see a remake of something that was perfect already. One day I'll write about my favorite Pride and Prejudice film variation----Lost in Austen, but that's a blog in itself.
As to Sense and Sensiblity I own two versions of it, the Emma Thompson/Kate Winslet 1995 version and the Masterpiece Theatre Charity Wakefield/Hattie Morahan version. I like the first because of Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon, whereas I thought Greg Wise was all wrong for the part of Willoughby. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet were too old for their parts too, but they're so good I forgive them. The actors in the Masterpiece Theater version were much closer to the right ages, and Dominic Cooper made a much better Willoughby, but I missed Alan Rickman. It was a little racier than the Emma Thompson version, but in other ways more faithful to the novel. I saw the Gwyneth Palthrow 1996 Emma, but actually liked the Alicia Silverstone 1995 Clueless, an updated version, much better. I've seen a version of Persuasion but remember very little about it.
The piano sheet music is fairly simple, some day I'll have to order more complicated versions, but right now they're perfect for me. I play the music frequently and never tire of it.
So that's a bit about my Jane Austen obsession.
Ditto to everything you said. (Don't ever waste your time on the Keira Knightley version of P&P - not worth it. As you say, the Jennifer Ehle version is perfect already.)
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh when you mentioned S&S and the ages of the actresses. Every time we watch it I look at the 38-39-year old Emma Thompson playing a 19-year old Elinor and think "What the heck?" But she does do a superb job, and Alan Rickman is fantastic. That sultry voice!
I never saw the other version of S&S. Are Lady Middleton and Anne (Lucy's sister) included in it? They were left out of the Emma Thompson version.
I do enjoy the Gwyneth Paltrow Emma - not least because of Jeremy Northam (hubba hubba). I think all the characters were very well cast, except perhaps Polly Watson as Jane Fairfax - she's simply too old for the part, and the wrong kind of beauty. And they used a lot of original dialogue, which is something I'm really picky about.
I love Persuasion - I think it's the whole comeback theme that appeals to me. There's a very fine movie adaptation of it with Ciaran Hinds.
Oh dear, I could talk about the divine Miss A. all night, but I'd better stop now.
Agree with everything you say about less being more in relation to romance.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'm a fan of old Keira Knightley but there we are. I agree that both versions are most excellent
(except for Donald Sutherland as Mr Bennett! He was quite wrong).
I have to say I love the P&P with Jennifer Ehle and although Emma Thompson and Kate Winslett were too old i S&S I still love it and the music!
ReplyDeleteAs for the Keira Knightley film...awaful...except the music which I have and enjoy listening to.
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