Does the Editrix have to Cluebat a duchess?
Came across something a trifle frightening whilst reading Miss Snark’s excellent blog…
I was Ladies Home Journal last night (I swear, I only subscribe for “Can This Marriage Be Saved?”) - when I read this interview with Fergie. As in The Duchess. She says, “Did you know I’m going to have my own radio show? Maybe on Sirius. And my own TV show! And I’ve just signed a deal with St. Martins Press to write a historical novel - the next Gone with the Wind. I sold it without one chapter written! It’s all in my head. My heroine is Lady Margaret, with red hair, and it takes place in the south of Ireland in 1759. I am Lady Margaret at the end of the day. It will be Pride and Prejudice meets 24!”
No idea if this is humorous hyperbole or an actual quote. Does anyone have a copy of the LCJ to look it up? Because if it’s true…
Fergie, there already has been a rumor whispered in our shell-pink ear (good thing for you that we cannot find confirmation) that your darling princess of a daughter said that she was happy that her birthday party will have an 1888 theme because she loves Pride and Prejudice. Don’t go there. Just don’t. Put down the Austen and back away slowly. Don’t make us go all Georgian on your ass.
(Lady Margaret indeed!)
July 4th, 2006 at 5:36 am
My partner called Jane a Victorian the other day. I am unsure whether I can completely forgive him for it.
July 4th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Its true, trust me I read it about a week ago. I was not sure if Fergie was joking or serious so i just let it sit.
~R
July 4th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Take comfort (very little) in the fact that she is a published author already. I know that’s not saying much…
July 4th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
I’m sure she means well. It was probably one of those unfortunate incidents of mouth over matter.
We should consider letting her off with a warning, but perhaps brandishing the cluebat menacingly to emphasize the point.
Question on a point of procedure: is it more effective go Georgian or Edwardian on someone’s posterior?
July 4th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Not sure which is more effective, but Georgian, in this case, is surely more appropriate. Going Regency could also be considered as a contingency plan.
July 4th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
A published author of children’s books which only sold because of who she was (I was informed by a child that they were boring) and the main concept for which was plagiarised - Teresa is right not to take much comfort. What an embarrassment the woman is.
July 4th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
Putting P&P (maybe she refered to the plot more than the era, but … well, let’s nnot go there) aside for a moment:
THIS is exactly what the world needs a “historical” novel about a redhaired Lady Mary Sue. Blech!
Where is Jack Bauer, when you need him to prevent a catastrophe?
July 5th, 2006 at 4:53 am
It seem that their whole family is extremly arrogant! Goodness, who died and made her God?
July 5th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
It’s referred to as historical fiction for a reason. It’s not expected to be truly historical.
One child says the books are boring. That doesn’t mean every child feels that way. I haven’t read them, don’t intend to do so. But really, aren’t some of us taking this a bit too seriously?
I hardly think that God would be claiming a similarity between his work and Jane Austen’s.
Silvia, you are right that the world does not need novels. The world has never needed novels, but they certainly are entertaining.
Tess, i.e. your comment about the royal family being arrogant…I must quote the movie “Ever After”: “…he’s royalty; they’re born like that.” I wonder…could someone really be comfortable as a royal without some level of arrogance? I would think that obvious insecurity would not be reassuring to one’s subjects.
July 5th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
soooo… does this mean anyone having such a party should be hit with a cluebat?
I’m having serious issues trying to find a theme to grow on for my daughter.. (her bdays dec 20th.. just a little “friendly” competition with a certain well-known messianic holiday. grrr)
of course was planning on doing alice in wonderland, but for those older days Austen would be fun.
July 5th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
I do wonder what “going Georgian” on someone’s posterior entails- sounds rather threatening in a very nerdy sort of way!
July 5th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Well, going *medieval* on her Weight Watchered butt would be out of the question, of course.
Which brings me to the mom wanting to do a party. An 1888-themed birthday party is a charming idea, as is a Pride and Prejudice-themed birthday party. They simply have nothing to do with each other. Jane Austen had been dead for 71 years in 1888. P&P had been written for 82 years and published for 75 years. See where I’m going with this?
It’s not the wanting to have the party–I think that’s sweet and sounds like fun, and you should go for it (send us photos!). It’s the cluelessness of lumping the 19th century all in one big bustles-n-corsets jumble. I also think it’s a real shame that a middle-aged Yank blogger has a better grasp on British history than a MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.
July 5th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Don’t worry, Mags, you are in great company. Didn’t Miss Austen have some “issues” with the monarchy.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Ah. Yes, recently I came across an author of historical fiction set in the Regency who said she enjoyed the period for its relaxation of morals as illustrated in Jane Eyre. Oh, how I did laugh.
July 9th, 2006 at 12:03 am
According to this website she’s not having a Pride and Prejudice birthday party. She’s having an 1888 birthday party with guests wearing Victorian era clothing.
“Ladies have been advised to wear full Victorian evening gowns, but without plumes or trains. Guests have even been given ‘administrative notes’ recommending suppliers of Victoriana, including an outlet where tailored Victorian-style dresses start at £700, and London’s famous Grays Antique Market for genuine antique jewellery.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=394642&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source=
July 15th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
[...] To recap, the original reports were that the party was to have a P&P theme. Then word got around that it was to be an 1888 theme, because Beatrice was born in 1988, and about which the young lady reportedly thought it was a great idea because she loves Pride and Prejudice. *twitch* [...]