Wrapping It All Up: Jane Austen Month.

Well, my Jane Austen month was pretty much a bust, lol. But I should have spent more time on it. Maybe next year I'll have another one, and I'll have a better starting point. :) I hope you all at least liked Mr. Darcy Week. That was fun to explore his character a little bit more like that.
I wish I could have gotten to posting my (four, soon to be five) reviews, but the holidays were just too distracting. But that wasn't the whole point in me having this Jane Austen month. My real goal was to see if my fandom for her could grow, and I am so happy to say that it did indeed. I also really discovered just how much I really like Mr. Darcy and Lizzy Bennet. I am anxious to discover and get to know more of her characters, I even bought this book which I can hardly wait to dive in to. I have four books here staring at me, waiting to be finished, and started. Plus three more coming from the library - & I am quite excited about them. So there is probably going to be a lot more Jane Austen talk next month as well. But of course, I will try to put a break in between all the Jane-related reviews.
So, thanks for following my Jane Austen month, what there was of it, anyway!

Mr. Darcy Week (7)

Mr. Darcy Week, day seven: A Letter to Mr. Darcy.

Dear Mr. Darcy,

I first really got to know you in a film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I became rather fond of you in that first viewing. I then got to know more of you from the book. Unfortunately I was not fond of the book much at all. I was a little disappointed, to be honest. But it did not lessen my liking for you at all, only the author's writing. For a long time I ignored, or avoided her books, until recently. When I decided to give Jane Austen another chance, I came across a mountain of Mr. Darcy books, all about you, and you know, I was rather...amused and surprised at just how many there are out there. On my venture to learn more about Austen's appeal to so many people, I thought it might be a little fun, and helpful, to read some character & story continuations of her work. (It has been very helpful.) While I'm sure her other works are appreciated, I have realized that your story is indeed the most popular. & I can see exactly why, well, mostly.
From the continuing books I have read related to you, half of those authors have stated their characters in basically saying that you are a most ideal, desirable man. I cannot help but agree to that in general. I say in general because you are the most popular amongst her male characters. The books are out there to prove it. Right now, for me, you are the one I like best because yours is the only story of hers I have read. I hate to say my opinion might change in the future, but of course it could. I adore finding new literary heroes to love and villains to love/hate alike. But as Pride and Prejudice being the first one of Austen's to have read, you will always be at least near the top amongst her characters. And certainly right now you are very near the top, with many other literary heroes I have come to know and love.

I wish I could express myself more clearly, but my problem is that, I've simply read too many versions of you recently. I think I should probably go back and re-read Pride and Prejudice before I write any more to you, it was quite a while back since I did read it. But I will clearly say this, from the movie point-of-view that is, I found you rather handsome, a little confusing in your demeanor, but in the end, quite commendable and romantic. I am glad to have met such a character as yourself.

- Victoria.

Mr. Darcy Week (6)

Mr. Darcy Week, day six: If Mr. Darcy were Supernatural...

Right now I am reading Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy, Vampyre - I'm only seventeen pages in, and he hasn't revealed his secret yet to Lizzy, but still, it got me thinking: What kind of a supernatural creature would Mr. Darcy be, and would he be a good one, or a bad one? A bit hard for me to say, but after some thought, I think he'd be a Werewolf. Not just because I prefer them to Vampires and other creatures, but I've never heard (read) of a Vampire quite like Mr. Darcy. I think his personality is closer to that of a Werewolf's. Those that I've come across in literature-land are usually on the brooding side of things, serious and seeming to carry the world on their shoulders in some way or another. That, I think, is definitely closer to Mr. Darcy. As for good or bad, I of course choose good, he is a gentleman after all. I think he'd be fiercely protective though, territorial even.
I don't think he'd make a very good Vampire. (But who knows, by the end of the above stated book, I might be swayed, a little.) I hate to think of him as a cold, unfeeling, able-to-turn-off-his-humanity; Vampire. Not to mention actually being dead, yet alive via drinking human blood. (Really, is it truly a pleasant thought picturing Mr. Darcy as totally blood thirsty - at least in the beginning? Not for me, it isn't.) Especially after giving the worst proposal ever, and then doing everything he could to make things right, just for Elizabeth, the woman he loved. I like to think those are closer to Werewolf traits, than Vampire traits. Of course I know there are some exceptions to Vampires, such as Stefan Salvatore, and...hmm. He's the only one that comes to mind right now. Anyhoo, that's basically my take on Mr. Darcy as a supernatural being. How about you all? Any takes on Mr. Darcy as a supernatural, or, any other classic fiction character for that matter?

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen.

“Indulge your imagination in every possible flight.”



Read more about her.
 

Mr. Darcy Week (5)

Mr. Darcy Week, day five: Other Mr. Darcy's.

 

You know, I was going to post some pictures of other Mr. Darcy's (other than Matthew Macfadyen), but while doing my search, I came across this rather intriguing picture of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I have to admit, after staring at this picture for a good five minutes, contemplating what his look could be saying, I don't care to post any other Mr. Darcy's. As I'm rather anxious now to be able to buy the version with Colin Firth after Christmas. & Possibly watch it, over and over again. Just by this picture alone I think I can understand the appeal the BBC version has, within (almost) all the Darcy novels I've read so far, that mention it. Oh, enough of all that though, here is the photo:

 

 

There is just something about it that makes me want to let out a Regency type giggle I'm always reading about. One worthy of being done behind a beautiful fan, no doubt.

 

Mr. Darcy Week (4)

Mr. Darcy Week, day four: My Favorite Mr. Darcy Quotes.

I hoped to find more quotes by Mr. Darcy that I liked, but, I only found one that I really loved. He is speaking to Elizabeth on when he fell in love with her:

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

If you would like to read more quotes from Pride and Prejudice, you can click here.

Mr. Darcy Week (3)

Mr. Darcy Week, day three: My Favorite Scene from the (2005) Movie.

 I wish I could have found a better picture, this one will have to do for now. It is the scene where Mr. Darcy confesses his love for Lizzy, and then she turns him down. I think it's really a turning point in the plot, and for both of them as well. (Watch the clip on Youtube.)

Mr. Darcy Week (2)

Mr. Darcy Week, day two: My Favorite Mr. Darcy Novel.

If you haven't looked them up before, as I hadn't when I first started searching for Jane Austen character related fiction, you may not believe just how many Mr. Darcy novels there are out there. There are dozens upon dozens of them. Obviously, he has made quite an impact on many female readers and authors out there to have so many to choose from. I am pleased to say I managed to find a couple of decent ones (and some not so decent ones) that I rather liked (and disliked). But I digress, my favorite one, so far, is Amanda Grange's Mr. Darcy's Diary.
I don't want to say too much about it before I've gotten a chance to review it, but so far it is the only one that seemed original enough to stand on it's own two book feet. Even though I had read it right after another Darcy's-viewpoint story, it was a refreshing take on Pride and Prejudice. Offering a pleasing viewpoint from Mr. Darcy's take on things. So if you're looking for a good place to start in this area of Austen-related fiction, you might want to consider starting with this read.

Mr. Darcy Week (1)

Well, my review week was a bust, but it's not too late for Mr. Darcy Week. :) (Which was actually supposed to start yesterday.) Anyhoo, here is day one: My Favorite Mr. Darcy.

 

To be honest, I have seen only one other movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which was the 1940's version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. I didn't really care much for that one. When I saw the 2005 version, I was very much hooked to that movie. It is definitely one of my favorites. I love the way it was filmed, and obviously, I loved Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy. I really loved that version of the character. I was sort of impressed when I found he had never even read Pride and Prejudice before playing Mr. Darcy, and only basing his character off of the script, I thought that was pretty good. Because it was almost exactly how I pictured Mr. Darcy. It was a good difference, because he seemed more like a real and more likable person than book Darcy. For me, anyway.
I do plan to watch the BBC version with Colin Firth (one of my favorite actors) - it seems like every other Darcy book I've read refers to that adaptation, so of course it has become a must-see for me. So who knows, my favorite Mr. Darcy might change. But right now, it is definitely from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice; Matthew Macfadyen.

Understanding Jane Austen.

Well, it's December already - and to be honest, I am so behind. Sorry this took so long everyone, but: WELCOME TO JANE AUSTEN MONTH! :)

I was a little worried about this when I first decided I was going to do it. I was going to read Jane Austen's work and other author's Jane-related work if it killed me. & It sort of has - in a good way. I can't say exactly that I understand her work any better, because to be honest, I haven't gotten to any more of her books yet. I did read Pride and Prejudice a while back though, after seeing the movie I just had to read that book. I don't really know what happened, but I just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, as much as I hoped I would. Since then I hadn't been tempted to pick up another Jane Austen book again.
Until, they showed my favorite movie version of it on television. (With Keira Knightley.) So I decided to give it all another chance, instead of ignoring her books in the library and bookstores, and titles from other authors that adored her so much they were enthralled to write their own Austen inspired stories. So there I was last month, checking out books from the library trying to get a head start (it didn't help, my reading habits of late are horrifying), and, even buying the lovely Barnes and Noble leatherbound edition of Jane Austen's complete works. (A happy purchase.) Sadly though, for me and my said reading habits, I only managed to make it through two of those non-Jane written books. Not that I hated them, I really liked them. I think the Darcy factor had something to do with it. Even though he is the only Jane hero I know, I think he will always be my favorite. He and Lizzy Bennet have always outshone Lady Chatterly and Oliver Mellors, even Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester; as a favorite literary couple. And I am not alone in that, after seeing how many "Mr. Darcy" books there are out there I feel sort of safe saying he could easily rank number one if a poll were ever taken. But of course, to each their own.
I think I already do understand what has made her work so appreciated for so long, and much longer to come. It's still a little hard for me to explain right now, but there definitely is a Darcy factor in there somewhere, for my appreciations of it all. Maybe I just needed the right story on the right day...
Anyhoo, here is what I have planned for this month:

• Wk. 2: My Reviews. (Sorry, there are only two. So far.)
• Wk. 3: A Mr. Darcy Week.
• Wk. 4: Guest Bloggers.
• Wk. 5: The Wrap-up.

So, I shall make this the end of my unexpectedly long post, and say that I hope you like this month of blogging if you choose to follow it. :)

Calling All Jane Austen Fans!

Hey Everyone, in December I'm going to be doing a Jane Austen month since that was the month she was born in. It's going to be reviews of her books, and books related to her characters and which have her name in the title. Here you can find my Jane-Related bookshelf on Goodreads to be a little more clear. I'm also looking for some guest bloggers if anyone is interested, or knows anyone who might be interested. (Just please direct them to this post!) If you are interested, please just leave a comment. :)
Also, if you happen to have any of the same books on my Jane shelf, that you are planning to read and review soon (or have already done so in the past), then let's talk! (Or if you would like to suggest anymore for me to read, please do so in a comment.) I know that I will not be able to read all of the books I want to for December, so it would be really great if anyone would be willing to let me post your reviews here, of course with your full credit and a link back to your blog/website.
The "theme" will be called "Understanding Jane." Not to imply anything bad about her work, because I do admire her, and Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite stories, but I just could never seem to fully get on with the whole Jane Austen fanwave. And I'm hoping that once I truly delve myself into more of her books and take the time to get to know more of her characters, that I will understand better of how she managed to last through the ages, and see how much more my little fandom for her can grow.