The Best Reader:
everything austen

From Amazon.com...

"Amanda Price is sick of the modern world. She yearns for the romance and elegance found in the books by her favorite author, Jane Austen. But she's about to get a rude awakening as one fateful evening, she is propelled into the scheming 19th century world of Pride and Prejudice while that book's Elizabeth Bennet is hurled into hers. As the book's familiar plot unfolds, Amanda triggers new romantic twists and turns within the Bennet family circle as she clumsily tries to help the sisters nab husbands and even captivates the tantalizing Mr. Darcy herself. But what about Elizabeth... and what will become of one of the world's greatest love stories?"

When I first started this movie I thought it was absolutely ridiculous and I couldn't wait for it to be over! And then I realized that I was barely forty minutes into it. Once I finally sat down and started breathing slowly, I got into it, especially once things started diverting from the book. At first I felt as though Amanda was simply watching things live out — and then it got good.:)

I don't want to give too much away, but I ended up liking it — a lot. I love the Amanda's voice and I loved the words, it's a wonderfully written movie. I also loved how things were different than in the book — Wickham! Gah! He's so... wow. He was definitely my favorite part of the movie (ironic, I know). I loved how they redid his history and his story, I think (don't chastize me) I liked Wickham more than Darcy. (GASP!)

I'd definitely recommend it (I think I may even purchase it!). Just be prepared and expect some twists.

As part of the Everything Austen Challenge hosted over at Stephenie's Written Word, I am hosting a mini challenge about the male perspective. I am curious what spin off Austen books you've read from the male point of view for the Everything Austen Challenge and of those books, which is your favorite and why? Do you like the male POV books (such as "The Confessions of Fitzwilliam Darcy" or "Mr. Darcy's Diary")? Do they bother you? What do you think?

Comment and answer these questions in at least three sentences (the more the merrier) and you'll be automatically entered to win a copy of my favorite male POV spin off book — "Mr. Darcy's Diary".

For extra entries... look below. One comment is all that is necessary and please format it like I do below.

+3 Entries for writing at least three sentences addressing the questions above
+1 Entry for adding your email address
+3 Entries for following
+5 Entries for sending me a review of your favorite male POV spin off Austen novel to be used as a Guest Review — find out how.

Mini Challenge will end October 16th. Please, only US citizens. I'm sorry!

If you are interested, check out my progress!

Read this one in one sitting... maybe I should start saving these reviews for one a day so that I have some posts saved up for when school starts back up. Nah, I get too excited that I want to share it with you all right away!

From Amazon.com...

"To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips…conks her head…and wakes up in the year 1815!
There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily’s family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily’s cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant. But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex’s heart, before her time in the past is up?" At first, I won't lie, I was skimming the pages of this book. While I could relate to Callie with the TP on the shoe — the "pity me" tone of the book became exhausting after a page. So I skimmed probably the first three chapters (I know, I'm awful). Alright, I'll come clean — I skimmed most of the book. I read the dialogue and the interesting parts... but it was really hard for me to get into. And I don't think it's because it wasn't written well or is a bad book — I think it's because this book is clearly written for middle school and I don't have any experience really reading this level of book (well, you know, since I was in middle school). But despite the skimming, somewhere I got caught up in the book. I had to find out what was going happen (stayed up all night to do so!) The tone of the book got better as Callie grew as a character. I laughed out loud and gasped at surprise more than one occassion. I found myself drawn to the male protagonist — Alex. I wanted to know what his story was; my heart broke for Emily and Trent. When I got close to the ending I was so mad that it wasn't going to end right — I mean, really, livid. But then it did (end right, I mean). Sure, the ending left something wanting for the romantic in me. But for younger readers I feel like it ended exactly how it should. So, overall? I think this book is great for younger readers who are looking for a quick read that will bring them into the story from page one. For older readers who love Jane Austen — be prepared for the 'pity me' tone. But again, keep an open mind because the ending really makes up for it.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life — Beth Pattillo

From Amazon.com...

"Emma Grant, the heroine of Pattillo’s first outing, has a major beef to settle with her literary heroine, Jane Austen. Austen’s novels taught Emma, a college professor, to believe in happy endings, but her own happy ending goes up in flames when she discovers her husband, Edward, in the arms of her teaching assistant, after which the two have her professionally discredited by claiming she plagiarized a paper. Disillusioned and disgraced, Emma flees the U.S. for her cousin’s house in England after being contacted by Gwendolyn Parrot, an elderly woman claiming to be in possession of a stash of lost Austen letters. Rather than simply handing over the letters, Mrs. Parrot sends Emma on a succession of tasks that gradually reveal a secret about Austen’s life previously unknown to scholars. Along the way, Emma reconnects with Adam, her former best friend whom she fell out of touch with after marrying Edward."

Again, I've been lucky with literature lately. This book was phenomenal! It was so easy to relate to Emma and any English major would love to get their hands on Adam! This book was really — just great. I think I might have to purchase it!

It was a great journey following Emma through Jane Austen's life through locations. It even inspired me to finally start planning my own trip to Europe in three years (I told myself I wouldn't start planning until two years away — but I just couldn't help it!). Another fast paced novel, finished in one day in a couple sittings (had to take the dog out).

I could see how one would 'blame' Jane Austen — who wouldn't die for a Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley? The are a bit impossible to obtain, at least I haven't found one yet (who isn't married or gay).

I will say that I was disappointed in the ending — not in the way that it was written, but in the way it ended. I'm a sucker for happy endings (not that this ending wasn't happy — it was just 'practical'). But the ending is probably better than the one I'd envisioned for the book. This book was really about growing back into your own skin and bouncing back when it seems you can no longer go on. Really, a very inspiring read. Highly, highly recommended. I will definitely be reading more from Beth Pattillo.

Suspense and Sensibility – Carrie Bebris

From Amazon.com...

"In the spring of 1813, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy agree to sponsor Elizabeth's sister Kitty for a season in London along with Darcy's 17-year-old sister, Georgiana. In the course of their social rounds, Kitty meets Harry Dashwood — a younger cousin of the Sense and Sensibility Dashwoods — and the courtship begins. Mr. Darcy makes inquiries into Harry's character, fortune and expectations, but no sooner does he receive favorable answers than the suitor begins to behave most strangely. Harry gives a friend the "cut direct" outside Boodle's Club, and there are rumors of gambling and worse excesses. It's up to Darcy and Elizabeth to discover the cause of these aberrations, and, if at all possible, see Kitty happily established."

I have gotten lucky – the last two books I’ve read have been amazing reads. Today I started, and six hours later finished, “Suspense and Sensibility” by Carrie Bebris. Fast paced and captivating, I couldn’t put this down. And when I did put it down in order to eat dinner, I found my mind wandering to the plot and characters.

I’ll be upfront and honest – this is probably the worst adaptation or spin off of the Pride and Prejudice characters and Regency language I’ve read. Carrie Bebris writes a whole new Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, Kitty, etc. The language is unrecognizable as anything that Austen would have written. While this bothered me for all of two pages, once I accepted the characters and the book as a whole new and separate entity – I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I was immediately drawn into the characters and the plot. When I wasn’t reading I found myself wondering what would happen next and how the mystery would play itself out.

Unlike most other ‘spin offs’, I will definitely purchase this book and the first book for my classroom. The problem with spin offs is that they are almost ‘too’ good – the language and characters are so similar that people who read Pride and Prejudice just delve into it. But with struggling readers, it is often impossible to get them to read classical literature such as Pride and Prejudice. But if a student had only seen the movie, they would be up to speed enough to really get into this book. The language is extremely modernized so students wouldn’t be afraid of that. And it’s a riveting read! The suspense is perfect for struggling readers.

But for those readers who, like me, are in love with the original characters and language that is Austen – keep an open mind. I’d still recommend this book, but go into it knowing that this book is best if viewed as a separate entity than Pride and Prejudice (as always, in my opinion). I will warn you, it is weird reading about how Elizabeth and Darcy would deal with the paranormal – I think, realistically, living in the Regency era, they wouldn’t be so nonchalant about the supernatural (but that’s just me).

Over all, I loved it. Go into it with an open mind and expect something different than the beloved novel. But still, great read. I’m definitely going to interlibrary loan the first book – Pride and Prescience – I didn’t realize it was a series — and all the subsequent novels.

Today I finished my second book that I've read towards the Everything Austen Challenge.

From Amazon.com...

"When Elizabeth Bennett marries the brooding, passionate Mr. Darcy, she is thrown into the exciting world of London society. She makes a powerful friend in the Marchioness of Englebury but the jealousy among her ladyship's circle threatens to destroy Elizabeth's happiness. Elizabeth is drawn into a powerful clique for whom intrigue is the stuff of life and rivalry the motive, and her success, it seems, can only come at the expense of good relations with her husband. This novel also continues the stories of other favorite Pride and Prejudice characters including Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennett, each of whom have amusing adventures of their own."

This was a great read. Halstead imitates Jane Austen almost flawlessly. The characters were true to P&P and I loved the way the story flowed. I loved the deeper look into Kitty and Georgiana's lives. Halstead writes both Lizzy and Darcy with precision. As not to give any spoilers, I will just say that the scene between Mary and Darcy — wow... really, just WOW!

The only real 'negative' thing about the book that I could find was the plot. The plot was very nonexistent for 30 of the 36 chapters in the book. The first thirty chapters are about Mrs. Darcy being put into society and the other character's story lines. Because I enjoy all things Austen, this didn't really bother me. I sort of liked just being a 'peeping Tom' into the window of the Darcy's lives. But sure conflict wasn't introduced to the story until chapter thirty. In the last six chapters of the book it hit it's climax and was resolved and concluded in the last four pages.

One last thing to mention, I think Halstead, at parts, may have been trying too hard to portray Austen's thoughts on paper. There are certain sentences that I had to read three or four times and couldn't figure out her meaning before I just gave up and moved on. While they are few and far between — it is noticeably something I'll remember about her writing.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with "Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride". Now I am completely in the mood to move forward with the challenge. To gauge my progress — look at my blog.

SPOILER ALERT.

No really, stop reading.

Spoiler — You have been warned. It really bothered me that Lizzy couldn't bring herself to tell Darcy her feelings until the last pages. I don't remember her being so 'heartless' in P&P.

Also, after 'the incident' with Mary — I cried. Really just cried. How evil can a person be!

The second movie that I watched for the Everything Austen Challenge was "Emma". Now, I haven't read the book yet (I know, gasp) and this was really my firs introduction to all things Emma.

::Beware of mild Spoilers::

At first, I was annoyed. I found Emma to be a silly selfish little girl who has nothing better to do than be ridiculous. I was furthermore astounded to find out that she was 22! I figured maybe 14 — more around Lydia Bennet's age (and maturity)! The way that she would talk ill of absolutely everyone and assume that she was the epitome of everything high and mighty! Gr! I was just shaking with frustration and, yes, I'll say it anger! during the picnic scene!

I only really began to like her during the scene where Mr. Knightley scolds her for abusing Miss Bates. After that, I began to like her more and more. Or maybe it is that it was then that I realized what a good guy Mr. Knightley was and decided I loved him (almost as much as Mr. Darcy, again, gasp!). So whether it be my favor of Emma or Mr. Knightley — it all worked out well.

I loved seeing Emma in such turmoil when she thought Knightley loved Harriet. Serves her right I thought. I can be a bit evil sometimes.

Anyway, the rest of the movie was great. It took me a while to get interested because of my distaste for Emma right off the bat. I didn't really care who ended up with who until after the picnic scene — the suspension of disbelief really wasn't there until then.

I think I might have to read Amanda Grange's "Mr. Knightley's Diary" next. I love how Amanda Grange writes about the men of Austen.

Funny Fact: After I watched the movie, I went to the bonus features and saw that they had a theatrical trailer. So I watched it. Only then did I realize that Frank Churchill was Ewan McGregor. Wow. My bad. He looks silly with long hair.

I just finished reading "The Man Who Loved Jane Austen" and was delightfully surprised.

From Amazon.com...

"New York artist Eliza Knight stumbles across an antique dressing table that includes the added bonus of secreted letters, apparently between Jane Austen and a real-life Mr. Darcy. Caught up in her romantic notions about Austen's Pride and Prejudice and the possibility that Darcy may have been more than Austen's invention, Eliza enlists the aid of an eccentric researcher as well as a handsome and mysterious Virginia horse breeder, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Three years earlier, on a horse-buying junket to England, Darcy had a life-altering experience that makes him now anxious to buy the one letter written by Austen before it goes to auction at Sotheby's. For Eliza, the letter represents a possible fortune; for Darcy, it represents possibly requited love. O'Rourke alternates between the past and the present in this fascinating novel that pays tribute to Jane Austen's enduring ideals of romantic love."

I wouldn't call "The Man Who Loved Jane Austen" a 'quick' read. I wasn't very interested in it until a little past the halfway mark. But after that, I couldn't put it down. At first I was slightly annoyed with the sad attempt of parallelisms between "The Man Who Loved Jane Austen" and P&P — it was just a little too 'loud'. But as you learn more about Fitz and Eliza (coincidence?) the parallels become far and in between.

While Eliza's story annoyed me a bit — I really enjoyed all things Fitz. What a great guy! His character really made the story what it was. And at first I was a bit cautious about time travel and everything, but Smith O'Rourke pulled it off. The story about Rose Darcy in itself is such a great read.

What a creative story. It really took some thought so that readers wouldn't get confused in the whole time mess. And Smith O'Rourke was successful — it wasn't too simple but it wasn't so complex I had to stop and over think it.

So as long as you are prepared to wait a while for it to "get good," you are in for a treat. The last couple pages are so amazing — I squealed and laughed out loud. That alone makes up for the time spent 'waiting for it to get good'.

Quick Funny Note: It mentions a Rose Ball — all I could think of was the Rose Bowl. Took me most of the book to figure out they weren't putting together a big charity football game.

Image by elycefeliz via Flickr I've completed the first (out of 24) steps to completing the Everything Austen Challenge. This Fourth of July weekend I watched the Pride and Prejudice (1995) DVD. Prior to this, I had only ever seen the Keira Knightley (2005) version.

What did I think of the 'original', if you will?

Well there were aspects that I really enjoyed. I loved how it went more into detail about what exactly was happening, flash backs and all. I agree with all other Addicts — Colin Firth did an amazing job as Mr. Darcy (although I did have my reservations at the beginning). Jennifer Ehle grew on me as Elizabeth Bennet. I also found Mrs. Bennet much easier to loathe in this version than in the 2005.

However, I can still pick out a couple things that I disliked about the 1995 version. It was long, and while part of me really loved all the details (like stated before), the other part of me grew bored and was just waiting for it to be over with. Because of this, I can see why Joe Wright (director of 2005 P&P) felt that some things needed to be cut. Also, I did not sense the same kind of passion between Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

Over all, I thought it was good movie (obviously!). I will return it to the library and perhaps I might buy it for myself for my birthday. But I'm in no outrageous rush to go watch it again right away.

I'm going to begin reading my first book for the challenge this week — The Man Who Loved Jane Austen. If you want to see what else is coming my way for the challenge — here's a link to my initial post. How's your Everything Austen Challenge going?

Last year I participated in Everything Austen hosted by Stephanie's Written Word and had a blast! So when I saw the post for an Everything Austen II I just had to join in on the fun.

The six books I plan to read are:

• Willoughby's Return
• Rude Awakening's of a Jane Austen Addict
• Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart
• The Darcy's and the Bingley's
• Mr. Darcy, Vampyre
• Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy

I know I'm a little late with this. But I wanted everyone to know that I did complete the Everything Austen Challenge (my first challenge too!).

My list did change throughout the six months, I had to delete a lot (I think I started out with over 27 books/movies), but once school started I realized there was no way I was going to do all of that.

Big thanks to Stephanie's Written Word for hosting the Everything Jane Austen Challenge!

Here's what I accomplished:

1. Watch the BBC Version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth — Completed July 6
2. Watch Lost in Austen — Complete October 13
3. Watch Emma — Completed July 16
4. Read Prada and Prejudice — Completed July 31
5. Read The Man Who Loved Jane Austen — Completed July 13
6. Read Suspense and Sensibility — Completed July 26
7. Read Jane Austen Ruined My Life — Completed July 28
8. Read Mr. Darcy Presents His Bride Completed July 19

I had a wonderful time reading/watching "Everything Austen". I view this challenge as a success — despite changing things up a lot. I can't wait to start my next challenge!