The latest Jane Austen Mystery, Jane and His Lordship’s Legacy by Stephanie Barron, is scheduled for a March 1, 2005 release, though as of this writing it is not yet available on Amazon.com. However, the first chapter is available to read on Amazon and on Stephanie Barron’s Web site. Let’s hope it makes up for the ending of the last one, eh? *sob* The Austen ladies are moving into Chawton Cottage as the book opens:

The house’s position at the fork of Chawton’s two principal roads must be adjudged an evil – but outweighing this are the broad meadows to north and east, the stout wood fence and hornbeam hedge enclosing the grounds, and the delightful promise of birdsong from the thriving fields. Mr. Seward, the late bailiff, maintained a shrubbery and an orchard, but Mrs. Seward cannot have loved her flowers; the borders must and shall be worked. Syringas, and peonies, and the simpler blooms of mignonette – all these we shall have, and Sweet William too.

The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy by Elizabeth Aston, the sequel to Mr. Darcy’s Daughters, is available to order now (though we couldn’t find it in B&N a week ago).

The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy takes readers back into the imagined family of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Their musical daughter Alethea makes a disastrous marriage to a man whose charming manners conceal an unpleasant nature. Flinging caution to the winds, she flees her marital home, masquerading as a gentleman, and accompanied only by her redoubtable maid, Figgins, she sets off for Venice to take refuge with her sister Camilla. But events — always dramatic and sometimes dangerous — conspire to thwart her plans. Before she can meet up with Camilla, chance and her love of music lead her into the world of Italian opera, while her encounter with the aloof and difficult Titus Manningtree, in Italy to pursue a lost Titian painting, is to change her life — although fate has several more tricks to play before she can find happiness.

WELL! That sounds very…interesting, indeed. (We confess that Alethea was our favorite character from the first novel–and the most likely of the daughters to have sprung from the combined Darcy and Bennet loins. Many apologies for the tortured metaphor there.)

Recent press has two examples of journalists misappropriating Jane Austen and her writings for their own purposes.

First, the Memphis Flyer has a review of a play (not Austen-related) that contains the following:

The play’s best moments, however, go to Jo Lynne Palmer, a character with hysterical tendencies who seems to be plucked directly from the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Her comic bit involving the dearly departed’s ashes and a bowl of gazpacho nearly brought the opening-night audience to their feet mid-show.

We can only hope he means a comic minor character such as Mary Musgrove or Miss Bates, not one of Jane Austen’s heroines!

The second, much more egregious passage, is from the Guardian, in an article about pressure on modern teenagers:

When Jane Austen was 16 she wrote a short story entitled Catharine, or the Bower. The tale follows the adventures of a young penniless orphan, Miss Wynne, forced to marry a man twice her age ‘whose disposition was not amiable and whose Manners were unpleasing’. Austen’s own teenage years were not much better: they were spent looking after nephews and nieces, caring for a hypochondriac mother, assisting various female relatives during their confinement and then childbirth.
Her fate, like Miss Wynne’s, was not uncommon in the 19th century. Indeed, for generations of girls in Britain, their teens brought only a succession of arranged marriages, factory work, barbaric boarding school, pregnancies, poor nutrition, medicine, hygiene and dentistry.

Cinderella Austen: whodathunkit?

And as for this article, also in the Guardian, we can only paraphrase Catherine Morland and say: Oh! Who can ever be tired of Austen?

We hope our readers in the U.S. and Canada who haven’t seen the movie get to do so this weekend! Remember, the rhythm is going to get you! (Mr. Kholi said so!) Read on for the latest reviews, and then post your review in the comments.

The reviews are still coming in, and are mixed, but we do not entirely despair of the state of modern film criticism. (more…)

Can somebody please tell me why we’ve gotten a zillion hits from folks searching for the phrase “Jane Austen heroine” today? Is there a contest or something? I know that eBay Treasure Hunt thing is over, so that can’t be it…

The BBC’s digital station BBC7 is broadcasting a three-part audio program of Persuasion starring Juliet Stevenson (whom Janeites will remember as Mrs. Elton in Emma3) on Monday, February 28 and Tuesday and Wednesday, March 1 and 2. The program will be broadcast in three episodes (all times are GMT):

Mon 28 Feb, 09:00 - 10:00 60 mins

Old Friends and New Meetings: Anne Elliott is afraid that Wentworth will not find her desirable after many years apart. Starring Juliet Stevenson. Episode 1 of 3. [Rptd today 8.00pm, Tue 1.00am]

Tue 1 Mar, 09:00 - 10:00 60 mins

Accidents and Encounters: Anne Elliott is surprised by news of an impending marriage. Juliet Stevenson stars. Episode 2 of 3. [Rptd today 8.00pm, Wed 1.00am]

Wed 2 Mar, 09:00 - 10:00 60 mins

Friendly Persuasion: Anne Elliot begins to suspect that she was wrong about Captain Wentworth. Juliet Stevenson stars. Episode 3 of 3. [Rptd today 8.00pm, Thu 1.00am]

You can listen to the program online using RealOne Player. (Beware of spyware with this item! The paid version is okay, we think, it’s the free one you have to look out for.)

ETA: It’s most likely this version.

(via a posting to the Janeites mailing list)

Now this is the sort of thing for which AustenBlog was created: the marriage of pop culture with Austenian artistry. And what’s more pop culture these days than the iPod?

An article in the Independent (U.K.) discusses mp3 versions of audiobooks, which can be downloaded to a portable listening device such as an iPod. According to the article, Pride and Prejudice is a top-seller for mp3 audiobook CDs at Waterstone’s, a British bookstore chain. With the popularity of portable mp3 players, Watersone’s plans to provide self-serve audiobook download kiosks in its stores, and envisions such technology eventually replacing CDs and cassettes as the media on which audiobooks are delivered.

Significantly, however, it is the phenomenal success of the audio cassette (which has kept pace with the recent surge in book sales on the back of such initiatives as the Richard and Judy Book Club and The Big Read) that has alerted publishers and industry suits to the market potential of the MP3 audio book. Between 1999 and 2003 the audio book industry grew by 12 per cent, and by 2003 it was worth more than £70m. In America - always a good barometer of what Britain will be like in five years’ time - the same market is worth more than £1bn. Over here, the growth in UK sales has been particularly helped by big retailers, particularly Waterstone’s, whose buying manager, Scott Packer, has started to market popular audio books - and where possible, the MP3 version - in his stores in much the same way he markets the printed book. Jo Marino, a spokeswoman for Waterstone’s, believes that, these days, the audio cassette, and by implication its MP3 counterpart, increasingly complements the way we live our lives. “In the 21st century, time is of the essence,” she says. “We have more time to listen than we do to read.”

The article also points out that many audiobook consumers do not yet own iPods or other devices that allow them to listen to audiobooks during long automobile rides, for instance. However, we love the idea of digitizing audiobooks, so much so that we may be persuaded to purchase one of those devices at long last.

The wide release of BRIDE AND PREJUDICE tomorrow has spawned a new set of reviews, which, curiously, we found a great deal more enjoyable than the big-name reviews that preceded it. Perhaps because there is more thought going into these reviews (well, most of them) and less hipper-than-thou posturing. (Was anyone else reminded of Perpetua from the Bridget Jones books when reading some of the snottier reviews earlier? No?)

Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times (via the Monterey County Herald) tries very hard to be as hip and snobby as his counterparts (how Darcy of him), but there’s something about B&P that he can’t help liking:

Jane Austen comes from sturdy stock. She prospered in posh Beverly Hills in “Clueless” and survived a transplant to trendy London in “Bridget Jones’s Diary.”

Now it’s India’s turn, and Austen proves to be more than up to the switch in scenery in Gurinder Chadha’s lively and cheerful “Bride & Prejudice.”

We’re fairly certain that Mr. Turan is a Janeite; he’s certainly familiar with the story. It will be interesting to compare his comments on P&P3 when it comes out this year.

Phil Villarreal in the Arizona Daily Star is quite pleased with the film and doesn’t scruple to tell us so.

People complain that today’s movies don’t have enough romance, don’t have enough understatement, don’t have enough elegance.

No one gripes, though, that the movies don’t have enough “Pride and Prejudice.”

Jane Austen’s romantic comedy of prestige marriages and love jeopardized by misunderstanding is eternally up for movie treatment, now in Gurinder Chadha’s “Bride & Prejudice,” which joyfully infuses the story with the trappings of Indian “Bollywood” musicals.

Each revamp of “Pride” must work feverishly to differentiate itself from the pack. The Internet Movie Database lists seven adaptations of the book as films, miniseries and TV movies. And that doesn’t even count “Snide and Prejudice” (1997). Just last year there was a Mormon update of “Pride,” and Keira Knightley is starring in a British version due out this year. The only frontier left to conquer for the lovelorn Lizzie Bennet and crew is outer space.

Oh Lord. Don’t give George Lucas any ideas.

We were also vastly amused by the worldly-wise stylings of Shawn Patrick Green of the University of Arizona Daily Wildcat, who is very decided in his opinions for so young a person.

The novelty of this film, aside from it being a cheesy Bollywood musical, is that it’s based on Jane Austen’s book “Pride and Prejudice.” If you’ve read the book, (which I, being a guy, haven’t) you’ll recognize a lot of characters and situations that were present in the novel (according to Cliffs Notes).

We think that paragraph tells you pretty much all you need to know about this review. We also think the two previous reviewers, not to mention some of our readers, might disagree with Mr. Green on whether it is possible for men to read a Jane Austen novel.

Attention Janeites in the Tucson, Arizona and Plainview, Texas areas! There are some events of interest to Janeites coming to your area.

The Arizona Daily Star reports that the Southern Arizona Piano Guild will present a program of piano music related to Jane Austen film adaptations tomorrow night. Admission is free.

The Plainview Daily Herald reports that the South Plains Drama Club will present “Pride & Prejudice” March 5 at the Fair Theatre.

As always, we will be delighted to publish your review of your local Jane Austen events or shows.

Our Jane’s opening line of Pride and Prejudice is universally acknowledged as one of the most memorable in literature, but an article in today’s Guardian provides some pretty good competition:

George Bush makes an unlikely Mr Darcy.

(Oh Most Wonderful Editrix, can I please have Dorothy and a pot of hot tea? My nerves aren’t quite up to this particular comparison!)
The author of this article goes on to liken diplomatic relations between the United States, the EU, and NATO to one of Jane’s “English country dances,” and makes a reasonable, if not believable, case for President Bush resembling our own Mr. D. Lizzy, who isn’t one to be easily overlooked, gets the last word:

But after the ball, many differences will remain. As Elizabeth Bennett knew, it takes more than a twirl to build a lasting relationship.

What a Lizzy-esque way to finish things off!

An English professor at Butler University in Indianapolis is profiled in the student newspaper, including words of wisdom about studying literature in general and Jane Austen’s work in particular:

As a final note, Professor Hofstetter would like to forward some advice to all of the students of Butler University. “Take your English courses very seriously. Perhaps you may not thoroughly enjoy Jane Austen, but be aware that the skill it takes to analyze such texts goes beyond appreciating great literature. Such critical thinking skills are valued in every occupation.”

We say: Huzzah for the liberal arts!

The stage production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE that has been traveling the U.K. since last year makes its latest landfall at the Bradford Alhambra through Saturday, February 26. Scotsman.com has an article about John Leslie’s 40th birthday today, which the former party boy plans to spend quietly with his fellow cast members, though he has plans for something more elaborate later:

“I am going to have probably a summer party, maybe in a castle or with a marquee. I want something over the top and black-tie. I want to make it an event to remember. I know reaching 40 is quite symbolic, but I am quite positive about it. In terms of life-changing events, other events have changed life for me.”

Did we mention it is a slow news week?

Jane Austen’s famous, timeless opening sentence of Pride and Prejudice has been coopted for, of all things, an article about AMERICAN IDOL.

I believe it was Jane Austen who once observed that it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good voice, must be in want of an “American Idol” crown. So it is that 12 men gather on Monday (Feb. 21) night to begin the process of redeeming their gender after the disgraceful third season showing.

For the record, we’re cheering for Anthony.

There is still plenty of media attention on BRIDE AND PREJUDICE, since it is has not yet gone into wide release (that will happen this Friday, February 25).

Big Picture News (via the Chicago Sun-Times) has an article about Naveen Andrews, who plays Balraj, the Bingley character. The article is mostly about his new stardom related to the hit series LOST, but he also comments on his role in B&P.

He was also intrigued with jumping into the Bollywood film world. “Bride and Prejudice,” based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, is set in an Indian village where Mrs. Bakshi is trying to marry off her four beautiful daughters.

Andrews signed on because he liked the feel of the film.

“I thought it seemed like one of those ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ movies,” he says. “It had that raucous good feeling to it with a lot of joyful attitude.

“Let’s face it. It’s hard to be lighthearted in this day and age.”

The Toronto Sun (via canoe.ca) has an article about Gurinder Chadha.

Chadha is happy to report that one of the results of her film is a renewed interest in Austen’s novel, Pride And Prejudice.

“You do feel as if you want to go and read it again,” she says, noting that because of the movie, the Jane Austen Society of North America has now made her an honorary lifetime member. “I was nervous about that reaction, but they love it.”

Scripps Howard News Service (via the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette) has an article about Alexis Bledel, who plays Georgiana Darcy, and apparently shares some of her character’s traits.

The 23-year-old star of “Gilmore Girls” doesn’t like to do interviews. She feels uncomfortable answering questions about herself and almost never comments on her personal life.

Yet even as she politely makes those limits known, she is gracious about why. “It’s almost more natural to be in character on a set,” she says. “That’s a controlled environment where you know where the boundaries are. In a public situation with reporters, it’s more evasive.

“It feels evasive to me.”

We were amused by this tidbit:

Shyness got her into show business. Her parents encouraged her to try community theater when she was 8 years old, hoping it would help her overcome her shyness.

We expect some enterprising fan fiction writer to run with that one!

Alert AustenBlog reader Teresa sent us an article from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign student newspaper, the Daily Illini, about a class in chick lit.

Don’t think that Jane Austen has been relegated to the chick-lit category (we know that gets many Janeites’ hackles up, including our own, depending on the context). However, such modern works as theBridget Jones books and CLUELESS that reference Jane’s novels are studied.

Another section of the class studies historical British literature such as Jane Austen from a feminist viewpoint, and one of the students who took both sections found it an interesting comparison.

Tessa Oberg, senior in LAS, took both sections of English 281 last year.

“Combining (the chick lit class) with the historical section made me understand how the discourse of money, marriage, sex and feminism really evolved in the 200 years between Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Oberg said.

She added that although things have changed, women are still dealing with many of the same issues, such as inequality.

Thanks as always for the heads-up, Teresa!

We would be exceedingly displeased (and all astonishment) if any AustenBlog readers missed question 3!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Northlight Theatre in Skokie, Illinois will be staging PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as part of its 2005-2006 season. The play will be presented from October 5 through November 13, 2005.

Philippa Hawker in The Age points out that BRIDE AND PREJUDICE is not the only film to put a modern, multicultural twist on a classic tale–or even a classic Jane Austen tale.

In 2000, Sense and Sensibility was the basis for Kandukondain, a modern tale of two sisters and their differing attitudes towards love. It came not from Hindilanguage Bollywood, but from Tamil Southern India - popularly known as “Kollywood”. Its cast included Bride and Prejudice star Aishwarya Rai.

Ms. Hawker mentions the recent resurge in adaptations of Jane Austen films:

A decade later, the Austen appetite has still not been sated. In 2003, Pride and Prejudice received a Mormon makeover - in a smallscale Salt Lake City production, Elizabeth Bennet was presented as a college student and an aspiring writer dealing with college life and a snotty English guy. A bigger budget period Pride and Prejudice, with Keira Knightley (of Bend It Like Beckham and Pirates of the Caribbean), is due for release later this year.

…and also notes that Hollywood AND Bollywood love the formula of placing a time switch or cultural change on a classic story.

Among the classics, Shakespeare, too, appears to have a perpetual screenwriting credit, whether the films are made straight, tonguein- cheek, in another language, modernised or given dance numbers and songs: Kiss Me Kate and West Side Story; Baz Luhrmann’s hyperactive Romeo + Juliet, all musical numbers, guns and sartorial style; Othello as a college basketball star (O); The Taming of the Shrew as a teen movie (Ten Things I Hate About You); Ethan Hawke as Hamlet, Al Pacino as Richard III.

Mark your calendars! Universal Studios announced that BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON will be available on DVD and VHS March 22, 2005.

The somewhat breathless press release lists the following bonus features to be included on the DVD:

* Deleted Scenes, including Alternate Beginning: Introduced by director Beeban Kidron, the deleted scenes take fans further into the comic mishaps of Bridget Jones.

* Bridget Jones Interviews Colin Firth: A hilarious interview between serious journalist Bridget Jones and actor Colin Firth.

* The Big Fight: A comical look at the designing and planning of the infamous Daniel/Mark fight sequence.

* Who’s Your Man Quiz: Take a quiz while watching the movie and find out if Daniel Cleaver or Mark Darcy is your type of man.

* Mark & Bridget Forever?: Renee Zellweger and Colin Firth discuss the ups, downs and wobbly bits of their onscreen relationship.

* Lonely London: A look at how visual effects imagery was used to create the tone of loneliness against the sprawling London background.

* Feature commentary with director Beeban Kidron

Can hardly wait. Broody, simmering Colin is v. good.

The Free Lance-Star profiles children’s author Katherine Paterson, best-known for her Newbery Award-winning novels “Jacob Have I Loved” and “Bridge to Terabithia.” In the article, Mrs. Paterson reveals herself to be a Friend of Jane.

As an adult, she said she’s a fan of Ann Patchett, author of “Bel Canto,” Marilynne Robinson, who wrote “Gilead,” and Anne Tyler, author of books such as “Back When We Were Grownups” and “Breathing Lessons.” Jane Austen, who wrote in the late 1700s and early 1800s, is another favorite, as is Charles Dickens.

“But I think he needed a good editor,” Paterson said.

(Hmm, this Cub Reporter has made that same observation about another very successful author.)

Reuters has the weekend box office report, including the take for the limited release of BRIDE AND PREJUDICE:

In the limited-release world, “Bride and Prejudice,” a “Bollywood”-inspired update of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” opened with a strong $388,000 from 32 theaters. It was released by Disney’s Miramax Films.

In other B&P news, several of the Sunday papers had in-depth articles about Gurinder Chadha, the film’s director. The San Francisco Chronicle talks about how Ms. Chadha’s background as an Indian growing up in the U.K. affects the themes of her films. Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Inquirer talks with Ms. Chadha about the similarities between Jane Austen’s story and contemporary Indian culture. Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post tells of Ms. Chadha’s frustrations at being unable to make the films she wanted to make before BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM.