“And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors that a building such as ‘what one reads about’ may produce? — Have you a stout heart? Nerves fit for sliding pannels and tapestry?”

If you’re in the mood for a quick read but crave something more substantial than brain candy, the Graphic Classics series is a perfect fit:

Graphic Classics is a series of books presenting great fiction in comics and illustration for contemporary readers ages 12 to adult. Each volume features the works of the world’s greatest authors, illustrated by some of the best artists working today in the fields of comics, illustration and fine arts. (from the Graphic Classics website)

Gothic Classics, volume 14 in the series, whets the appetite with a suprising little amuse-bouche from Jane Austen (which I’ll leave for the reader to discover), then serves up the darkly delectable Carmilla, J. Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic 1872 novella and a must-read for anybody serious about literary and cinematic vampires.

Next is Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho. As the £500 gorilla of Gothicism, any adapter would find it a challenge to do justice to this hefty tome without overwhelming the rest of the volume. I’m happy to report this is a fine condensation, capturing the imagery and suspense of the original novel in an approachable and very entertaining read. Udolpho especially translates well into a graphic novel because the sensational genre lends itself to classic comic-style sound effects and visuals. I highly recommend this adaptation to Udolpho newcomers and fans alike.

Time for a sorbet to clear the palate, provided by one of Edgar Allan Poe’s shortest short stories: The Oval Portrait. Not only does Poe allude to Mrs. Radcliffe and Udolpho, but this chilling little tale about an obsessed artist shows the danger of substituting art for reality. A fitting prelude to the next story …

And Northanger Abbey is delightful. Catherine, our unlikely heroine, does not disappoint. Anne Timmons’ illustrations are adorable; Catherine’s sweet, animated expressions are as irresistible as one imagines from the novel. As this retelling is set alongside Udolpho, it’s fun to flip between the two stories, comparing Catherine with Emily and observing how Jane Austen artfully manipulates Gothic elements to great effect. One tiny quibble: there is not much Henry in this adaptation, but his few scenes show off his humor and character to its best advantage. This is a charming version of Northanger Abbey which even Henry would have to admit is “nicely done”.

The volume closes with another surprise: the bittersweet At the Gate by Myla Jo Closser. This tender little ghost story nicely balances out the creepy “beyond the grave” motifs in the tales which precede it. The prepared reader may wish to have a box of tissues nearby in case some dust gets in the eyes while reading, because Janeites and their shriveled hearts of tar do not cry at silly little ghost doggy stories, no indeed.

Gothic Classics delivers a fine set of illustrated adaptations. Each classic work has been charmingly brought to life while preserving the spirit of its source. As a whole, the collection of stories is satisfying and memorable — and at their best when read in order. Enjoy!

Gothic Classics is available directly from Graphic Classics or several bookstores.

The Calgary Herald had a big feature last Sunday on Jane Austen and Janeites, referring to the recent and upcoming spate of films, books, and other fun for Janeites, including the upcoming JASNA AGM in Vancouver, BC. (Have you registered yet?) We loved this quotation from the AGM Co-coordinator, Keiko Parker:

“We are all sort of like a big family of friends,” says Keiko Parker, co-ordinator of the event. “We usually talk Jane Austen non-stop.”

A friend of AustenBlog (waves hello to Lorna) tells the story of her first JASNA meeting, and knowing that she “had found her people.” That’s it exactly! The fellowship is amazing: a whole roomful of people who laugh at your Jane jokes and will even make some of their own.

And what were we saying about the books being funny?

Besides, the books are just plain funny.

“That’s one of the things that makes Jane Austen so much fun to read. She always has an ironic gloss on what’s being presented,” (JASNA President Marsha) Huff says. “Her books are not romantic novels or romances, they’re romantic comedies.”

They’re funny, dagnabit!

And so the Jane-mania continues. As Huff says delightedly, “It’s almost like she’s alive today.”

We need another t-shirt: Jane Lives!

The Herald also had an article on Hollywood’s love of Jane and reviews of Austenland and another book. *cough*

Sullivan is the editrix of the fascinating Austenblog.com and has a huge knowledge of Austen and her time. She brings all that to the book, along with a cool wit that Jane herself would have admired.

Thank you, thank you very much.

Al at Synaptic Blue also has noticed the backlash against Jane Austen recently, and makes an eloquent defense against critics who say, for instance, that she didn’t write about the Napoleonic wars.

But for the critics who lament the absence of war, do they not realize that with every war, hundreds of years go by, and few people really care about the outcome, or can remember what it was all about. But the truths about human nature and society in the novels of Austen and others are even more relevant today than at the time they first knew publication. Characters and story lines never lose their complexity, and well written and well formulated humor and pathos will always be exactly what they are; funny and dramatic.

[. . .]

In my mind, Austen was not writing about misplaced and irrelevant issues, she was just simply very shrewd in her choice of subject. True, her novels were largely only about romantic love and family life. Interestingly, two of the few things that haven’t, to any great degree, really changed since she was alive. Both of these snippets of human experience still absorb us in equal measure. If Jane Austen had written detailed accounts of the Napoleonic Wars, I’m confident a large number of people would have never read her books.

Yep. The novels are about human nature, not so much period pieces. That’s why we’re still reading them 200 years later.

Alert Janeite Lisa sent us a link from the Metro UK stating that Kirsten Dunst wants to go to Austenland.

Spider-Man star Kirsten is apparently even trying to get boyfriend Johnny Borrell, frontman of the band Razorlight, to take her on a romantic walking holiday in the Cotswolds.

“Kirsten wants to go to Box Hill in Surrey because Jane Austen was inspired by the setting for many of her masterpieces, and she wants Johnny to take her to the Cotswolds,” a source told the paper.

Box Hill inspired “many of her masterpieces?” But the Cotswolds rock. Tilney country!