a pan that has no notion of a flash, will not entertain such a notion, that's what you are! I'm pondering a reread of Mansfield Park, the one of the big six which I don't like and don;t get. But apart from that, I'm not planning a reread of any others.... I visited Jane Austen's house with my sister Clare (note spelling) in October and it was wonderful. The curation is delightful and it brought tears to my eyes.
When I say I'm terrible at choosing favourites, I can immediately concur on which is my sixth favourite out of the big six! 😂 There are moments and details of MP I love (the play!), but Fanny and Edmund ... meh, really not the stuff dreams are made of! Oh thank you for sharing about your Austen's house visit, I will definitely get there one day, and I totally get that emotional reaction ... absolutely me walking into the Brontë Parsonage in 2023. The 'weight of history' and magical power of creativity held in those tiny rooms just takes your breath away. Also love your appreciation of the curation, Charlie! ❤️
😂 In this week's post on the readalong I mentioned, comparisons were made between red-flag sibling duos the Thorpes and the Crawfords. I have to say (and again this could definitely be adaptation influenced), but there is something rather enticingly glamorous about the Crawfords. I mean I wouldn't like to be actually ensnared by them, but to watch them perform their magic would be mesmerising ... like high-end con-artists! I definitely think I'd get a lot more out of MP if I'd studied it and I'm looking forward to rereading with a closer eye on the detail this year.
Oh, I think you’re right! The Crawfords are great characters, that’s for sure, although I wouldn’t want to be in a position in which I needed to rely on them.
I’m still cross with my English teacher for taking a straw poll in class and asking who we’d most like a relationship with - I picked steadfast and sensible Edmund Bertram, whereas all the other girls chose either Henry Crawford or Edmund’s silly brother Tom. Not a single boy went for Fanny Price - they were all mesmerised by Mary Crawford or the decorative but useless Bertram sisters. Lost what little credibility I had right then, and I’m not sure I ever won it back! 🤣
Super post, Claire! I love Austen, too. I came across a super book called 'All Roads Lead to Austen' in a secondhand bookshop last year, and it was an utter delight. A university lecturer took the works of Jane Austen to South America and they were the catalyst for so much. Loved every page.
Two Holdens, both alike in Austen love! Glad you enjoyed this one, I loved putting it together. And thank you for the book recommendation, that sounds wonderful! I love stumbling across gems like that unexpectedly. I've not made it to Chawton yet, but you can be sure it's on my hit list! Off to read your post ❤️
Claire, it's so lovely to see you back! I've sworn off big reading projects for the time being (although Simon's A Place of Greater Safety readalong later in the year is a big temptation). But it would be churlish not to read some Austen this year. S&S is currently the frontrunner in my head...!
Oh thank you, it’s lovely to see you too and I must say I’m very happy to be back and writing (and indeed reading!) again! Simon is always there with a tempting readalong to test your resolve! 😂 And S&S is a brilliant pick for a reread … for me that’s the one where the film adaptation has become the more definitive version in my head, so the way the book is actually different somehow feels like a secret treat! If you go for it, keep me posted ❤️
Thank you so much for this - so happy to have you reading along, and very happy to find your Substack. Am subscribed and looking forward to hearing all your thoughts as we read! 💮🎉
Oh it's made my day that you've seen this! It's a wonderful thing that you've taken the time to organise, thank you, and I already know I've made an excellent decision in succumbing to the temptation! Looking forward to a wonderful year of reading ahead 💛
Ha! And a moustache for twirling ... or indeed very pointy Regency sideburns! Thank you (the 'you' is italicised in my head, but I can't make it happen in the text!), Simon – the W&P readalong was a brilliant idea, so well executed. It's been a joy to see it grow and grow over here on Substack. Huge well done!
a pan that has no notion of a flash, will not entertain such a notion, that's what you are! I'm pondering a reread of Mansfield Park, the one of the big six which I don't like and don;t get. But apart from that, I'm not planning a reread of any others.... I visited Jane Austen's house with my sister Clare (note spelling) in October and it was wonderful. The curation is delightful and it brought tears to my eyes.
When I say I'm terrible at choosing favourites, I can immediately concur on which is my sixth favourite out of the big six! 😂 There are moments and details of MP I love (the play!), but Fanny and Edmund ... meh, really not the stuff dreams are made of! Oh thank you for sharing about your Austen's house visit, I will definitely get there one day, and I totally get that emotional reaction ... absolutely me walking into the Brontë Parsonage in 2023. The 'weight of history' and magical power of creativity held in those tiny rooms just takes your breath away. Also love your appreciation of the curation, Charlie! ❤️
Well, I loved Edmund and Fanny! Much more dependable, both of them, than those foolish Crawfords!
😂 In this week's post on the readalong I mentioned, comparisons were made between red-flag sibling duos the Thorpes and the Crawfords. I have to say (and again this could definitely be adaptation influenced), but there is something rather enticingly glamorous about the Crawfords. I mean I wouldn't like to be actually ensnared by them, but to watch them perform their magic would be mesmerising ... like high-end con-artists! I definitely think I'd get a lot more out of MP if I'd studied it and I'm looking forward to rereading with a closer eye on the detail this year.
Oh, I think you’re right! The Crawfords are great characters, that’s for sure, although I wouldn’t want to be in a position in which I needed to rely on them.
I’m still cross with my English teacher for taking a straw poll in class and asking who we’d most like a relationship with - I picked steadfast and sensible Edmund Bertram, whereas all the other girls chose either Henry Crawford or Edmund’s silly brother Tom. Not a single boy went for Fanny Price - they were all mesmerised by Mary Crawford or the decorative but useless Bertram sisters. Lost what little credibility I had right then, and I’m not sure I ever won it back! 🤣
Another thing we can agree on, Charlie! X
Oh, I went last year! It was fantastic!
I did Mansfield Park for A-level English - it was a struggle, but I really loved the characters. 😊
Super post, Claire! I love Austen, too. I came across a super book called 'All Roads Lead to Austen' in a secondhand bookshop last year, and it was an utter delight. A university lecturer took the works of Jane Austen to South America and they were the catalyst for so much. Loved every page.
Have you ever visited Jane Austen's house at Chawton? This might make you laugh (the Austen part is in the latter half of the post): https://rebeccaholden.substack.com/p/133-the-museum-buffet
Two Holdens, both alike in Austen love! Glad you enjoyed this one, I loved putting it together. And thank you for the book recommendation, that sounds wonderful! I love stumbling across gems like that unexpectedly. I've not made it to Chawton yet, but you can be sure it's on my hit list! Off to read your post ❤️
Claire, it's so lovely to see you back! I've sworn off big reading projects for the time being (although Simon's A Place of Greater Safety readalong later in the year is a big temptation). But it would be churlish not to read some Austen this year. S&S is currently the frontrunner in my head...!
Oh thank you, it’s lovely to see you too and I must say I’m very happy to be back and writing (and indeed reading!) again! Simon is always there with a tempting readalong to test your resolve! 😂 And S&S is a brilliant pick for a reread … for me that’s the one where the film adaptation has become the more definitive version in my head, so the way the book is actually different somehow feels like a secret treat! If you go for it, keep me posted ❤️
Thank you so much for this - so happy to have you reading along, and very happy to find your Substack. Am subscribed and looking forward to hearing all your thoughts as we read! 💮🎉
Oh it's made my day that you've seen this! It's a wonderful thing that you've taken the time to organise, thank you, and I already know I've made an excellent decision in succumbing to the temptation! Looking forward to a wonderful year of reading ahead 💛
As I said this morning, you are so talented, your literary techniques outstanding. Xx
Thank you so much! As you can imagine, I had a lot of fun putting this one together xx
Wait! I'm infamous? I feel I need to work on my villainous Victorian laugh. Mwahahaha. Thanks Claire!
Ha! And a moustache for twirling ... or indeed very pointy Regency sideburns! Thank you (the 'you' is italicised in my head, but I can't make it happen in the text!), Simon – the W&P readalong was a brilliant idea, so well executed. It's been a joy to see it grow and grow over here on Substack. Huge well done!
Thanks Claire! On another note, it sounds like Plain Jane's read-along should be included in our big list of Substack book groups:
https://footnotesandtangents.substack.com/p/substack-book-group-directory
Maybe if Jane sees this, she can let me know if she wants it included. Sounds great!
Oh yes, brilliant idea!
Sure! Sounds great. The Substack books scene is so vibrant, I would be honored to be included.
Great, I'll make a note and get yours on to the next update. Thanks, Jane.