My Continued Education in all Things Jane Austen

In my last blog post, I reported how I was beginning a journey into the work of Jane Austen.

I have to say not only have I found it very enjoyable (and no, not because of Colin Firth in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, but I shall expand on that later) but so REWARDING. So much so that I bought a Jane Austen journal to write the thoughts and feelings inspired by tales so wonderfully written they have more than stood the test of time.

So far I have completed Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and I’m in the middle of Northanger Abbey now. My thoughts? I’ve loved all of them. They are all different stories, but all woven together by independent-thinking heroines; intelligent, strong men; witty humor; and heart-thumping, swoony romantic moments.

Jane has written brilliant books that I can’t get enough of. I read in a sense of awe, of how incredibly talented she was and how I can’t get enough of her storytelling style. The film versions I have seen have been delicious adaptations of the books, and I loved the BBC Pride and Prejudice series (oh, you are rather swoony, Mr. Darcy and having Colin Firth portray him was perfection.) I knew what Mr. Darcy was thinking merely with the expression in his eyes, and it was beautiful to behold. Elizabeth was how I pictured her in the book, and her emotions were so real and raw when watching I couldn’t stop watching.

Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam was a delight and I have to say, I think George Knightley is my favorite hero so far. Mature, wise, and finding himself suddenly in love with Emma? As my heroine, Payton in Green Tea Latte to Go, would say, “All the feels!”

I’m already falling for Henry Tilney in Northanger Abbey and hoping Catherine won’t make a mess of things, but I know she will. However, I’m counting on Jane to give me that satisfying, happy ending I want for them.

Something tells me she will. 😉