Jane Austen Fest!

So, as some of you may know, I am a huge Jane Austen fan. To the extent that, when I read about the Jane Austen Society of North America last year (JASNA, for those in the know), I was all ready to plunk down my $30 and throw myself into the Regency world of Austen, dissecting her novels and attending social events designed to mimic those Jane herself would have enjoyed. Yep, I was READY! Then DH threw water on my parade gently reminded me that I hardly have time to do the stuff I have to do, you know, like parenting, housecleaning, bill paying, and such. And I pouted for a day or so but reluctantly admitted that perhaps now is not quite the best time to become ensconced in deep discussions of Austen's texts or contemplating how best to make my own c.1803 tea dress and obtain proper gloves.

I absolutely adore Austen's books. She had such an unerring eye for human social interaction. I wager she was the spinster neighbor whose knowing eyes missed little, for all that she was likely a wallflower after her own failed romance. Her text overflows with nuance and subtleties that encapsulate the mannerisms of her day and the intricate social dance between the classes of Regency England. For all that America pretends to be a class-less society (let us explore that irony on another day when I rant about the crap masquerading as entertainment, etc), there are very fixed social classes that have definite rules of behavior and social engagement. (As an aside, see the excellent book, "Class Matters" for a deeper discussion on this subject.)

For all that she skewers the peculiarities of social rigidity at times, she was also keenly aware of its protections to the more vulnerable members of that society, and the social expectations of charity and neighborliness are featured in all of her books. And, of course, she documented all too well the courtship enchantments and stumbles of her contemporaries and herself. For all that she herself was denied happiness in a successfully concluded courtship, she clearly held love and marriage in the utmost esteem. Her heroines for all their foibles are all plucky enough to insist upon a mutual respect and love that was often forsaken by those young women who sought only to establish themselves (for whatever the reason...I am not begrudging the security sought by so many, and neither did Austen, as I believe is clear from her treatment of such women in her books).

I am indebted to DH's patience, as he has watched the BBC's "Pride and Prejudice" 1995 miniseries with me so often that he has virtually the entire script memorized...a remarkable feat for a man who admittedly remembers next to nothing of a film he may have seen only one hour prior. Rather, perhaps it is a testament to my love of this treatment of Jane's perennial classic of the same name. I could not wish for a better or more perfect screen adaptation than that miniseries--the pinnacle of achievement for Austen fans.

And now I inform you, my motley assortment of readers, of an ongoing Austen fest on PBS. Masterpiece Theater is showing 16 straight weeks of Austen films and miniseries, and an original biography of Jane Austen. We are two weeks in, and I'm telling you...the films are GORGEOUS. The series started with "Persuasion", a new version with Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones...and it surpasses the Ciaran Hinds/Amanda Root movie, in my humble opinion. It was just perfect. I am halfway through "Northanger Abbey" and am thoroughly enjoying that as well. So if you are at all interested in Jane Austen, either passively or (like me) have visions of someday becoming a member of JASNA and attending a Regency ball at their general meeting, well, um, check it out. Because four months of Jane is not to be missed! Even if you're a guy. Really.