And yet there are those who are allowed to wander the world and publish articles despite Mr. Tilney’s wise words. How very curious!

Several Alert Janeites sent us a link to an article in the BBC’s News Magazine titled “Jane Austen–why the fuss?” practically jumping up and down in anticipation of the Editrix swinging the Cluebat of Janeite Righteousness. Happy to oblige. (more…)

Baz Bamigboye interviews James McAvoy, in which Mr. McAvoy admits that Becoming Jane is, indeed, a Made Up Story.

His Lefroy character is interesting in that, initially, he comes across as a bit of a braggart.

“You think he’s selfish, but he’s actually got a lot of integrity. He’s just one of those guys who wants to be seen as a baddass and sexy and dangerous,” James told me as we chatted in London this week.

The film suggests that Lefroy’s friendship with Austen informed her development as a writer.

James said there’s evidence that they went to dances together. “But we don’t know exactly what happened to them at the dances. A lot of what we depict in the film happened, but a couple of things we made up,” he confessed.

Take note, you Jane Austen bloggers (they’re unforgiving, those Austen fanatics). But remember: it’s a movie entertainment, not a documentary.

Why, Baz. We’re flattered you noticed, darling. *bats eyelashes* (But we think “badass” has only one “d.” See, Samuel L. Jackson’s wallet.) (more…)

We received a note from Branwyn, who makes soft sculpted and felt dolls, including two styles of Elizabeth Bennet dolls. The first is the sculpted doll, all dressed up for a ball (the doll pictured has been sold, but she can make another on request). The photos show in great detail the care that went into her costume–including her underwear! The felt doll is smaller and dressed for walking.

Branwyn can customize the dolls and give them different outfits (a walking dress for the first doll or a ball gown for the felt doll) and plans to do a complete line of Austen heroines. Looks like she’s working on Emma!

ETA: Branwyn has written to tell us that if you would like more information, leave a comment on her Livejournal and she will e-mail you, or e-mail her directly at hey.branwyn AT gmail DOT com. She is about to present her Elinor and Marianne dolls, so stay tuned.

Alert Janeite Allison sent us news of a tour of London and South England in October with emphasis on places of interest to writers and enthusiasts of the Regency era. Tour stops will include several days in London (including the Maritime Museum, the Fan Museum and the beautiful buildings in Greenwich–not to be missed, says the Editrix), Brighton, Portsmouth, Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, Cornwall, and Devon, with stops in several notable great houses of the period. The price of the tour is $2,690. The company offering the tour is Peak Travel; the tour is not on their Web site but contact Tessie at Peak Travel (dot com) for details.

Alert Janeite Rosa Cotton discovered a trailer for ITV3’s behind-the-scenes series airing Sundays. Looking through the trailer, there’s a ball (from Northanger Abbey?), a couple of scenes from Persuasion, and a couple of Mansfield Park scenes (including a wedding!). Thanks, Rosa!

Also, BBC Newsnight Review took a look at ITV’s Jane Austen Season. To watch the 30-minute archived program, click on “Latest Programme” (blue bar, upper right-hand side of page). The Austen Season review begins about eight minutes in, and includes clips plus commentary for Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey (sorry, no Persuasion). Spoilers follow after the jump …

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