Lost in Austen

I have recently embarked on another reading spree…this time with a Jane Austen theme.  In addition to reading “Pride and Prejudice Illustrated by Hugh Thomson” (the illlustrations really were quite enjoyable), I have also indulged in “Price and Prejudice and Zombies” by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame Smith and “Jane Austen Ruined My Life” by Beth Pattillo.

As a fan of not only Jane Austen and all things British but also of vampire and zombie flicks, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” was, well, a no-brainer.  This re-telling of the classic includes the original dialouge with some additions (usually in reference to the undead and how to kill them).  Not to worry though, Dear Reader, Darcy and Elizabeth, Bingley and Jane are NOT zombies – they are merely the instrument of their demise.  This novel is witty and the addition of zombies or “unmentionables” as they are referred to, in no way detracts from the classic’s enjoyability.

“Jane Austen Ruined My Life” is another in the genre of applying the circumstances and lessons imparted by Jane Austen in all her novels to modern day life.  In this case, the narrator is an Austen scholar whose love of the novels leads her (as is always the case) to seek the impossible – Mr. Darcy (or Mr. Knightley as well), reincarnated as a twentieth century man.  As we all know, Darcy is too good to be true….however, the narrator does recognize her true partner in life by the end of the story.

So, three great summer time reads if you choose to become “Lost in Austen”.

Ah, Summer

Ah, Summer…..that sweet time of year when we return to our favorite pastimes. Or, at least fool ourselves into thinking we will have time to pursue our favorite pastimes…After a long drought, I have dove back into the reading pool by indulging in a little “celebrity” reading. That is, books published by various celebrities in an attempt to either enlighten us regarding how really difficult it is to be a celebrity or an attempt to defend themselves from the vicious slurs and untrue stories the public reads (and therefore believes).

My first foray was into the world of Tori Spelling, who’s TV Reality show portrays her life with husband Dean and their (now two) children. Entitled “Storitelling”, Tori’s book reveals the trials and tribulations of being the child of “Hollywood Royalty”, the difficulties of having a successful career, despite your father being one of the world’s most successful TV producers, and the unbearable heartbreak of being estranged from the one woman you thought would always stand by you (your mother) over money (namely, Daddy’s money after he drops dead). Yet, despite all Tori’s “poor pitiful me” and “life is so rough” stories, I still feel – well – sorry for her. She actually seems pretty normal and really is just trying to make a living. A good, fun, non-brain-taxing read -perfect for the beach or pool.

The second book I read (in an attempt to read anything remotely interesting really) was Gordon Ramsey’s “Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen”.  Gordon is my favorite TV chef and I wanted to see if he really is the mean, sharp tounged, unfeeling jerk he seems to be on TV.  He is.  But it’s not his fault.  Gordon had a truly rotten childhood (unreliable, drunk father and all), had his early dreams dashed (football injury), discovered his true calling (cooking, not yelling), struggled to gain the opportunity to show the world how great he was, etc.  However, in the end, he triumphed with not only award winning restaurants all over the world but with several British and Amercian TV series.  And, Gordon knows he acts like a jerk so that makes it all right.  “Roasting” is a quick read and perfect for a Summer afternoon’s entertainment.

My third offering is “Why We Suck” by Denis Leary.  If you don’t know, Denis is a foul mouthed, loud, obnoxious comedian whose act consists of making fun of the rest of us. Offensive as he may be, he is absolutely correct 99% of the time.  “Why We Suck” offers a hard look in the mirror at ourselves as Americans and yet, at the same time, identifies all the blessings and bounties we enjoy as Americans.  I will admit, I had to skip around in some the the chapters due to Denis’ vitrolic writing (there is only so much well-intended abuse one can take) and some chapters I skipped altogether, but as I was reading this book, I kept saying (to myself) “Yes, you’re right Denis” but like most good Americans, I just accept the way we are and try to control my own interactions in an attempt not to make things worse.  If you have already been exposed to Denis, read the book.  If you have not, don’t read it – it will just make you angry (much as Denis warns in the foreword to his book in which he confesses he knows his writing will make everyone angry).

“The Collected Works of Jane Austen”

The published works of Jane Austen include several books, of which my favorites are “Sense and Sensibility” and “Pride and Prejudice”.  The other offerings are also charming and entertaining (especially “Emma”) but do pale in comparison with Austen’s two masterpieces.  I will confess, though, that I did not become a “Jane Austen” addict until later in life and only after I had seen the “most excellent” BBC version of “Pride and Prejudice” with the talented Colin Firth as the handsome, haughty and self-absorbed Mr. Darcy (still very sexy despite all his faults).

Reading the novels does lend some added depth and prespective which the mini-series (and all subsequent versions) could not possibly provide due to both the length of the novels and the ability to get a sense of what the characters are thinking and what motivates them.  The novels also provide you with a sense of what society was like and how the environment shaped the behavior of the characters, with the best clues coming from the language used and how the story is told.

My reading of Jane Austen has led me to purusing other classics, including “Vanity Fair” and “Middlemarch”, both of which provide more details of what life was like in that era.  Jane also has inspired my “Anglophilia” and attraction to truly historical novels and other literature written during that period.  I often think I was born at the wrong time.  The late 1800’s and early 1900’s may have been difficult periods for women to flourish but the public courtesy displayed and the well-defined social roles for each gender certainly would have made life a little simpler and Jane herself does provide proof that women were able to make their own statements in that society.

“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon

Two words:  Jamie Fraser (actually five words: James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser).  These two words sum up the absolutely best reason to read the “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon.  Jamie is headstrong, arrogant, stubborn, pig-head (all the best qualities in a man) and, above all, loyal and completely devoted to his wife, Claire and his daughter, Brianna.  Throw in the fact that he is (as described in the book) not at all hard to look at and Diana Gabaldon has pretty much summed up the man of your dreams.

“Outlander” is marketed as a novel about “time travel” but it becomes so much more than that.  It’s a romance, it’s a historical novel, it’s science fiction (the whole time travel thing), it’s a novel about love, loss and faith but most of all it’s a great read.

Claire, a World War II nurse, travels through time (by way of a Scottish stone circle) from 1945 to 1743, shortly before the Jacobite Rising.  Once she arrives in 1743, she falls in with a Scottish clan who are on a clandestine mission to steal cattle from a rival clan.  Circumstances require her to marry Jamie Frasier, a much younger man who is destined for an English prison if Clair does not become his English bride.  Needless to say, Claire (who is married to an English professor in 1945) and Jamie come to love each other deeply.  They have various (sometimes comical and sometime very touching) adventures while they try to change history and avoid the inevitable slaughter of many Scottish soldiers at the Battle of Culloden.  Despite Jamie and Claire’s intervention, the uprising commences and Claire if forced (by Jamie) to return to her own time through the “standing stones” to save herself and their unborn child.

“Outlander” is followed by five other volumes of the story with two more due to complete the series.  Each volume advances the story and introduces other characters such as Jamie and Claire’s daughter Brianna, her husband Roger and chronicle the families relocation to North Carolina where they become embroiled (naturally) in the early events leading to the American Revolution.

As other reviews have mentioned, don’t be intimidated by the size of these novels – once you start reading them, you can’t put them down.  They are entertaining and enlightening as well as some of the best written “new” fiction I have ever read.  But don’t take my word for it, pick up a copy of “Outlander” and get started….

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

“The Shell Seekers” by Rosamunde Pilcher is one of those books that I stumbled upon (happily) almost by accident.  Published in 1987, Pilcher’s much beloved novel is apparently out of print and not available.  If you are lucky, you either have your own dog-earred copy or your library has a copy to borrow.

This book is irrestible…even if you are not normally a fan of “romance” novels or romantic stories, which I normally never read.  Pilcher’s main character, Penelope Keeling, is widowed, independent and knows her own mind, much to the chagrin of two of her three adult children: Noel and Nancy.  Penelope’s daughter, Olivia, is a kindred spirit – level headed and pragmatic but also generous and loving, much like her mother.  The book revolves around a painting entitled “The Shell Seekers” which was painted by Penelope’s father, Lawrence Stern, an artist who works are appreciated only after he has been dead for years (in the novel, Penelope is in her sixties).  Noel and Nancy scheme to finance their ridiculous dreams of wealth by persuading their mother to part with her greatest treasure.  But Penelope, true to her character, has her own dreams for her father’s legacy and with strength and determination bring them to fruition while helping those people who mean the most to her.  In addition to “The Shell Seekers”, Pilcher authored many other novels set in England which are romantic but also believable and all of which leave you wishing you could meet each and every character.

“Gone With the Wind” – Margaret Mitchell

I know this is a daunting book to even consider reading…it is very big and there are a lot of pages…and if you’ve seen the movie, why bother reading the book?  I think that if you enjoyed the movie, you should always read the book.  Sometimes this backfires as most movies can never do justice to the written word (especially if it is a really good book) but in this case it works.  The movie is wonderful and full of memorable characters and scenes which the book fleshes out for you.

The best reason to read the book, though, is Scarlett.  Vivien Leigh’s portrayal of Scarlett is flawless – she embodies Scarlett’s fiery temper, flamboyant personality and heart-breaking vulnerability.  In the novel, we become even more aware of Scarlett’s flaws but we also see what drives her – her love of family, her love of Tara and her love of life.  Scarlett can be called an opportunist at best, but she truly is forced to take the road she travels – forced by circumstance, forced by family, forced to survive.  But, in the end, you either hate her or you feel profoundly sorry for her.  I took the latter view.  Scarlett is a product of her changing social circumstance and is forced to make the decisions she makes through necessity and need.  It is commonly held that Scarlett is a pioneer, living at a point in history where women’s roles start to change as a result of the Civil War.  Scarlett embodies one of the first examples of “Women’s Lib” as she is forced to take the man’s role in the O’Hara household and provide for her sisters, her former slaves and her community.

My only criticism of the book is also probably one of the reasons to read it if you want an authentic picture of the world Scarlett inhabits.  I could not get through the passages when Mammy is speaking. It was laborious to read Mammy’s “lines” when spoken in the vernacular.  So, I just skipped those parts – I figure this sin is far less that the sin of reading the last chapter or page!!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

To continue the discussion I began last week:

“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott is my absolutely favorite book. It’s one of those books I could read over and over and over…and still be heartbroken when Beth dies and still get weepy over the ending when Jo finds what she is looking for. But, believe it or not, there are plenty of people (women and girls even) who have never read this classic. Please, do yourself a favor and read it. When you ask other devotees of the novel to explain why it is so appealingly, the answer inevitably is “Jo”. Jo March is what all of us wish we could be…generous, loving, caring and devoted to her family and her ideals. For all the trouble Jo gets into due to her fiery nature and her deep seated emotions, Jo has an unquenchable spirit that we all love and relate to. Now, I have read Alcott’s other novels and have not liked a single one – at all. So, what it is about “Little Women” that makes it timeless, classic and such a great read?

Having already confessed my love for this story, you can’t imagine how I felt when I visited Orchard House several years ago. Orchard House was in the middle of some extensive renovations but when I was standing in Louisa May Alcott’s parlor, kitchen, bedroom and garden I felt a strong connection to the vivacious and deep feeling Jo and I could picture every scene from “Little Women” when I moved from room to room. Especially touching was seeing the desk where Louisa wrote her novel. Being in Orchard House was like being a member of the March family. If you have the opportunity to visit Concord, Massachusetts, be sure to visit this landmark and see if you can feel Louisa and Jo’s spirits within its walls.

If you were stranded on a deserted island…

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five books would you bring with you?  (Of course, if you knew to pack your five favorite books before you boarded your plane, wouldn’t you also know the plane was going down and would not get on it anyway?)  But, let’s suspend all logical thought and use that premise as a starting point…

If I was about to embark on a journey I knew would end in my being stranded on a sunny and lush Pacific island and also knew I could bring my five favorite books with me that would, in theory, sustain me on that deserted island while awaiting rescue, I would bring:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

The Shell Seekers by Roseamund Pilcher

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

The Collected Works of Jane Austen (it’s really just one big book!)

This premise is similar to a favorite party game intended to let people get to know each other while discussion which five DVDs they would bring with them, but let’s put a literary spin on it….So, let me know what five books you would cram in your duffle bag (along with the other necessities for survival… IPOD, clean underwear, bottled water, first aid kit……)  Then each week, I will share why the above five titles were my picks to keep my occupied awaiting rescue (in addition to finding fresh water, hunting food, building rescue fires….)

The Sisters Grimm

I have just had an experience most book lovers can relate to…I have discovered a new author and series to indulge in…and best of all, my local library has almost all the titles published to date!

The series is “The Sisters Grimm” by Michael Buckley and there are currently 6 volumes published of which I have read the first five. This is a delightful tale of the adventures of the many-times grandchildren of the original Grimm Brothers who fairy tales are actually case files from their detective agency.

Imagine if the descendants of the Grimm Brothers had been given the task of ensuring the safety of all fairy tale characters and creatures, which duty included keeping them relatively undiscovered from the rest of the world! The Sisters Grimm live with their Grandmother in a town called Ferrytown Landing and run into many of their favorite fairy tale characters while chasing giants, a deranged Little Red Riding Hood and other villains who are trying to run this sleepy little town without human intervention (or population). If you are a fan of fairy tales, fantasy or young adult fiction, this series is worth taking a look at.

“Monster Blood Tattoo”

I just finished reading “Foundling” by D.M. Cornish, a young adult fiction work that is the first book in a series subtitled “Monster Blood Tattoo”. This delightful book is about a young orphan boy with the curious name of “Rossamund Bookchild” who becomes an apprentice monster hunter. As Rossamund begins his journey to take up his new post as lamplighter, he runs into all kinds of mischief and ultimately reaches his destination, but only after making the acquaintance of a beautiful and mysterious monster hunter – thus the apprentice part. I can’t wait to order the second book in this series…