Baja Janeite found a couple of dolls that might be of interest to Jane Austen fans.

UneekDollDesigns has a, well, unique Jane Austen doll for sale at Etsy.

The auction is closed, unfortunately, for a very pretty Regency gown for an American Girl doll (at least, that’s what we think it is–we’re not up on those particular dolls.) It should be pointed out that the doll was not included–the auction was for just the gown and bonnet. Perhaps the artisans and doll enthusiasts amongst our Gentle Readers will be inspired by these two listings.

Alert Janeite Karen2L sent us an article from the New York Times with a passing mention of Jane Austen–or more properly, Janeites.

Some of their complaints sound a bit like those of Jane Austen fans who decry adaptations that miss the essence of their beloved author’s canon. Except that instead of lamenting, say, the way the filmmakers behind “Northanger Abbey” completely misunderstood the importance of the humorous references to Anne Radcliffe’s masterpiece, “The Mysteries of Udolpho,” they excoriate Mr. Boll for shifting the story of “BloodRayne” from Nazi Germany to 18th-century Romania.

Oh, wait.

Some of their complaints sound a bit like those of Jane Austen fans who decry adaptations that miss the essence of their beloved author’s canon. Except that instead of lamenting, say, the way the filmmakers behind “Northanger Abbey” completely misunderstood the importance of replaced the humorous references to Anne Radcliffe’s masterpiece, “The Mysteries of Udolpho,” with sniggering references to Matthew Lewis’ much inferior “The Monk,” they excoriate Mr. Boll for shifting the story of “BloodRayne” from Nazi Germany to 18th-century Romania.

There. Fixed that for you. You’re welcome!

We are on record that such isn’t needed, but the upcoming stage production of Pride and Prejudice at the Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY, sounds intriguing nonetheless.

Computer-controlled projections of vintage British dcor and landscapes will add period flavor to 49 fast-moving scenes. A cast of 24 weaves between these images and mobile props, as tightly choreographed as a Masterpiece Theatre dinner party.

“This is no 19th-century museum piece,” says Geva Artistic Director Mark Cuddy, who wrote the adaptation with Resident Dramaturg Marge Betley. “We hope the cinematic style will make it feel very new.”

We’re hoping for a report once the play opens!

Alert Janeite Loredana let us know that “The Complete Jane Austen” is being broadcast in Italy on Fox Life (Ch. 111 on SKY) on Saturday nights. Last week, the Kate Beckinsale Emma was broadcast; next Saturday, Mansfield Park (2007) starring Billie Piper will be shown, followed on subsequent weeks by Northanger Abbey 07, Persuasion 07, Sense and Sensibility 08, Pride and Prejudice (we guess 1995?) and Jane Austen Regrets. Goda di questo dolce en Italia! (hopefully we didn’t mess that up too much)

From an article about quiz night at the local school:

I came roaring out of the starting blocks and mopped up in the first round: first lines from literature. This is because I am a journalist, and all journalists start out adapting famous first lines into their own writing in what they imagine is a very clever and original way. So while my team mates heard “It is a truth universally acknowledged …” and said “Ooh, is that Jane Austen?” I knew full well it was Pride and Prejudice. I created numerous versions of that line to kick off my own articles until an editor took me aside one day and told me to stop trotting out such hackneyed rubbish.

Huzzah for that editor! Huzzah, we say!

The winners were announced at a ceremony last week in Bath. We are absolutely delighted for Patrice Hannon, whose excellent book 101 Things You Didn’t Know About Jane Austen won for “Best Know-How Book.” Congratulations also to Alexandra Potter, who won best new fiction for her book Me and Mr. Darcy.

And yes, we’re purposely ignoring everything else.