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EmersonRose (320 KP) rated By the Book in Books

Nov 20, 2019  
By the Book
By the Book
Julia Sonneborn | 2018
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I was very excited when I heard about this book as Persuasion is my favorite of her novels, thank you to Touch My Spine Book Reviews for turning me onto this book! I loved seeing these characters come to life in a new light. I thought the setting was interesting and worked very well in adapting it into a modern time. I must say though that my favorite parts of the book were where it diverged from its source material and made something new. It was certainly successful in taking its inspiration from Austen but also did a great job of creating something interesting and unique. This is a fun romance story that I would definitely recommend.
  
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Deborah (162 KP) rated What Matters in Jane Austen?: Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved in Books

Dec 21, 2018  
WM
What Matters in Jane Austen?: Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved
John Mullan | 2013
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is subtitled "Twenty Crucial Puzzle Solved". I'm not sure I quite agree with that - it's more a case of throwing some light on areas of the novels that may puzzle a modern reader but would have been plain to a contemporary audience.

For example, there is a chapter on the games played in the novels. No one (that I know!) plays at Speculation any more, but we can grasp both the fundamentals of the game ("I am never to see my cards and Mr Crawford does all the rest" as Lady Bertram puts it!) and read into it some further illumination of the participating characters. And of course understand why Sir Thomas thought that it might not amuse him to have wife wife as a partner in Whist!

There are sections on characters who have no reported speech (it had not occurred before that we never hear Captain Benwick speak, but it is quite true!), clears away the myth that there are no scenes where women are not present and wraps up with an important consideration of Jane Austen's place in the development of the novel. I think that as she is so very readable, and perhaps also because she is a woman writer, people in general are too apt to dismiss her importance, but her innovations in style are immeasurable. I don't think it is going too far to say that without Austen the novel would not have developed in the way it has. If you read Henry James, Flaubert, Kafka and a long et cetera, you best give your thanks to Jane Austen!
  
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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Eligible in Books

Feb 13, 2018  
Eligible
Eligible
Curtis Sittenfeld | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you thought a modern retelling of [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926]--set mainly in present day Cincinnati--didn't exactly sound like a page-turner, no one could exactly blame you. But, nonetheless, you'd be quite wrong. Sittenfeld's novel imagines the Bennet family in our modern times; Mr. and Mrs. Bennet live in a rambling Tudor home in Cincinnati: broke and somewhat clueless as their house crumbles around them. Mrs. Bennet spends her time clucking around her five unmarried daughters: Jane, Liz, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. The book revolves mainly around the perspective of Liz, a magazine writer in her upper thirties living in New York City. She and Jane, also in NYC, return home to their parents and younger sisters after Mr. Bennet has a heart attack, only to find the house and the family in a bit of a shambles.

The book is amazing. It's been a while since I read [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926], but even I can tell you that the novel does an excellent job of following the original plot without being annoying or cloying. It's [b:Pride and Prejudice|1885|Pride and Prejudice|Jane Austen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320399351s/1885.jpg|3060926] with lesbians and hate sex! The book comes across as familiar yet new, allowing you to ache, laugh, and rage at what feels like a group of old friends.

Mr. Bennet is a trip, even while having a heartbreaking sadness and sweetness at his core (though some of his zingers are priceless). The younger sisters are as (nearly) vapid as to be expected--truly awful at times--for much of the book. But seriously, Lydia and Kitty loving CrossFit? It's awesome. And Liz is wonderful; you will adore this surprisingly realistic and modern Liz, with all of her foibles and issues: a truly modern Liz struggling mightily to keep her family together and afloat.

As for Darcy, well he's as Darcy as ever. Somehow Sittenfeld has managed to truly capture the essence of Austen's Darcy and Elizabeth in her new characters. I don't know how, but it's funny and lovely all at the same time. (Side note: As a woman in her early thirties, will I ever be able to read about Darcy without picturing Colin Firth? I now have a desperate need to watch the BBC/A&E mini-series again.)

Overall, I found this book funny, touching, and compulsively readable. The characters are truly characters: they are fully formed within moments of picking up the book. The city of Cincinnati makes a great guest appearance, with the city playing a prominent role in many scenes (hi Skyline Chili!). If you loved the original, you'll find this updated version enjoyable and imaginative, with a surprising depth behind it. If you've never read Austen's work (and you should), you will still discover a funny, sweet yet weighty story of a family trying to make it in this day and age. Highly recommended (4.5 stars).

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available for U.S. publication on 4/19/16. You can check out a review of this novel and many others on my <a href="http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/">blog</a>;.
  
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Books&Football (34 KP) rated Pride and Prejudice (2005) in Movies

Jan 23, 2018  
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
2005 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
9
7.8 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Mr. Darcy - need I say more? (1 more)
I am sure if there were a class on romance, this would be required watching / reading
Elizabeth's sister's and mother make me crazy. (0 more)
Romance is not dead
This story makes me swoon and offers reassurance that romance is not dead. Even if you are not a fan of Jane Austen, this movie is beautiful. The scenery makes me ache to go to England and take in the countryside. The costumes are authentic and the score really adds to the music. But, above all, is the story of the Bennett Family. The Bennett's need to marry off their five girls and hopefully to wealthy men. Simple right? Not really. Mrs. Bennett and three of her daughters are.... embarrassing. They gossip, are loud and silly. Finally, there is good news on the horizon for the Bennett's, a new wealthy man has moved into the county.