The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA), of which the Editrix is a proud member, is offering a 2007 Engagement Calendar for sale. The calendar is wirebound and features 52 quotations from Jane Austen’s novels and other works.

The calendar will be available for purchase in stores. Retail price is $13.95, but it will be available from JASNA for the reduced price of $9, with proceeds to benefit JASNA programs, including scholarships and the traveling lecturers program. It will be available in July; a fantastic gift for yourself or the Jane Austen fan in your life!

The Guardian reviews the new book Dressed in Fiction by Clair Hughes, including this rather tantalizing bit:

I’m unconvinced by the section on the significance of muslin in Northanger Abbey - Austen’s shrewdest fashion commentary is in her letters rather than her novels

Please tell us they didn’t take Da Man’s nonsense seriously! Even Catherine Morland knew better than that! (more…)

Heh. Bluegarter has a funny take on the upcoming production of Macbeth starring Jennifer Ehle as Lady Mac.

Shakespeare in the Park opens with the Scottish Play, featuring Liev Schrieber and my personal heroine Jennifer Ehle… the day after I leave. I am heartbroken. If I didn’t have a job interview (for a job I really do want) in Portland on Tuesday, I would absolutely change my ticket. Who doesn’t want to see Lizzy Bennet become Lady Macbeth? It’s like a twisted fantasy in which life at Pemberley goes horribly awry.

Awry indeed! (more…)

Anne Hathaway apparently is concerned that Janeites do not find her acceptable in the role of Jane Austen in BECOMING JANE.

She explains, “I’m even horrified that I’m playing Jane Austen! I’m like, ‘Really? Me? Kate Winslet isn’t available?’ Jane Austen’s been one of my favorite authors since I was 14 years old and I’ve always kind of felt a connection to her, so I couldn’t be more thrilled. And I’m sure I couldn’t have disappointed more people.”

Well, sweetie, actually it’s the Made Up Story that we’re exercised about. But thanks for playing!

Oh, and listen to Ang Lee. You couldn’t do better.

To the World Entertainment News Network, which syndicated this tidbit: once again, Jane Austen has no direct descendants. Collateral descendants, yes, but she had no children and therefore no descendants. Sheesh.