This review was originally posted on September 28, 2006, in reference to the hardback UK edition of the novel. It is now being published in trade paperback in North America. The cover at left is the proper one, NOT the odd-looking thing on Amazon.

The Editrix’s affection for the Rev. Mr. Henry Tilney is well-documented, but we must confess to an occasional fling with Mr. Knightley of Donwell Abbey (and have been known to sit adoringly at Captain Wentworth’s knee whilst he tells sea-stories, but that is neither here nor there). Conceive our delight, then, when we were informed that Amanda Grange has followed up Darcy’s Diary with Mr. Knightley’s Diary. Such anticipation for Austen paraliterature titles has been dashed in the past, but we are happy to report that in this case, our anticipation was not excited in vain.

The squire of Donwell Abbey is fond of his country life: looking after his estate with the assistance of the redoubtable William Larkins, attending his whist club, dining at every house in the neighborhood, teaching his nephews to ride their first pony; and his fondest enjoyment is visiting his neighbor Mr. Woodhouse and his daughter, Emma. For a crusty old bachelor, Mr. Knightley spends an awful lot of time thinking about marriage, and an awful lot of time thinking about Miss Woodhouse. With so many concerns to distract him, a generous public must forgive that it takes him half the book (and the intercession of a dispassionate friend) to realize that this is not a coincidence. (more…)

We have the pleasure of presenting Miss Lydia Bennet’s Weblog, with illustrations, for your reading enjoyment. It seems there also will be a book about Lydia written by Jane Odiwe. (We’ve redacted information about the publishers which we received elsewhere and are informed is incorrect.) We also are told that Jane Odiwe’s delightful illustrations will be used in a feature about Jane Austen’s life on the Jane Austen Book Club DVD.

We also are pleased to see that several bloggers are reading Jane Austen and reporting their experience.

The Literate Kitten read Northanger Abbey and enjoyed the Gothic parody.

Of course, it ends in typical Austen fashion, rather abruptly and neatly, with everyone happily married. But, after all, you’re on the Jane Train.

The Jane Train! Love it! (more…)

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has an article about Jane Austen today–the basic Perennial Appeal of Jane Austen type thing, but we found one line interesting:

“What people respond to in Jane Austen isn’t just the happy ending, but the difficulty of getting to that ending - the messy middle, when it doesn’t look as though the happy ending is going to be achieved.”

Very true! The publication also has an Austen Film Festival article (they’re not having one, but for making one of your own).

Alert Janeites Lisa and Laurel Ann sent us an article about Welsh filmmaker Peter Greenaway, who protests that modern films (including the many adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels and adaptations of novels that are related to Jane Austen’s novels) are simply “illustrating novels.”

He said, “Cinema is predicated on the 19th-century novel.

“We’re still illustrating Jane Austen novels – there are 41 films of Jane Austen novels in the world.

“What a waste of time.”

We submit that the best films, like the best books, are all about the stories they tell. Film and books become classics because the stories are timeless and universal. This sharing is probably why there is so much crossover between the genres.

Parenthetically, we wonder if Mr. Greenaway is any relation to the marvelous Kate Greenaway, whose charming drawings…illustrated books. Perhaps he has issues.

Alert Janeite Cathy Allen sent us a link to information about a “Pride and Prejudice Ball” at St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, on March 8, 2008. Tickets are £35, which includes supper an an optional dance practice during the afternoon before the ball. (If you’ve never danced before, we suggest you take it.) We would love to hear all about this if any AustenBlog readers attend!

Ashburn Library in Loudon County, Virginia, will be showing four adaptations of Jane Austen films in November and December.