As part of my 101 list, I asked my best friend J which Jane Austen book I should read first. She said Pride and Prejudice and it just so happened that it was pre-loaded on my new nook that I got for Christmas!
So even though it took me WEEKS to read a 400 page book that should have been a breeze, I finally managed to get through it.
I must admit that it took longer to really get in to the story than I thought it would. Basically, I’ve chucked it up to the writing style. It’s like reading a story written in a different dialect – you know the words are in the same language but with a slightly different slant. I would have to read some sentences twice in order to understand what’s going on.
Another friend has said now that I’ve read it, we’re going to have to start on the six hour mini-series with Colin Firth. I think I’ll be ok with that! Although… I’m not quite sure what Elizabeth sees in Darcy. I may have to warm up to him…
My best friend looooovvvvveeeeesss Jane Austin but I have always found trying to read her novels feels l like AP English class assignment (that I probably got the spark notes to anyways....)
ReplyDeleteMaybe now that I am older I should give it another try?
Melissa, I think you should definitely try it again. But I found reading them when I had an hour or so to get into them very helpful. It's not a book to read in spurts.
ReplyDeleteSo- I was an English major in college. I took a Jane Austin course.... the professor killed it for me!!!! Now, I cannot look at Jane the same. :(
ReplyDeleteBeth - that would suck! I can't believe it's ruined for you. :( I'm sorry!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Austen fan. I have read every single one of her books. P&P is my favorite, but Sense & Sensibility is also quite wonderful. So is Northhanger Abbey.
ReplyDeleteBut you're right about it kind of being like reading a different language! And the culture was sooooo different back then!
Dr's Wife - I can't wait to pick up the next one. I just have to find a free version for the nook.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE Jane Austen! I never did get through Mansfield Park, despite my very best effort and multiple attempts. I couldn't even sit through a PBS movie of it!
ReplyDeleteBut I adore P&P and Emma. S&S is good, too. Maybe you missed this memo since you are just now getting to JA, but did you know Clueless is a modern-day Emma? Oooh! Read Emma, and then reward yourself with Clueless :)
You know, I've never been an Austen fan, though I only read one of her books, "Persuasion" in a college course (I was an English major), and decided from that text that she wasn't for me. Perhaps I should give one of her more famous books like Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice a try. (Oh and six hours of Colin Firth would be more than fine with me.) ;)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I have wanted to tackle jane austin for some time. on my nightstand I have Gone with the wind...it's HUGE but I really want to read it..lol we'll see how that goes!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering now if you ever watched the Colin Firth mini-series. If not I have it and we should totally make an afternoon/evening of it.
ReplyDeleteP&P is definitely one of the best, and S&S follows right behind. But if you're looking to mix it up a little, I totally agree with lawschoolwife about Emma!