Members Meeting - November 2020
Jane Austen Adaptations
Scribbles, scratches, and blotches
‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a good book in possession of a large audience, must be in want of an adaptation.’ Thus, "Austenlit" was born---and is thriving! It's also called Austenesque, Austenalia, Janeite books, prequels and sequels.
So---what is your favourite? Our Zoom Tea Party was an opportunity to share our favourite picks with other members and discover their own choices.
Our member Janice lead us in a lively discussion of the latest, favourite, and in some cases, hated Austen adaptions whether in book or film form.
Did you miss the meeting? Luckily our moderators compiled the list of recommendations.
Not a member yet? Reach out via our contact form to join us.
Love It
Georgiana Darcy’s Diary by Anna Elliott
Diary when Elizabeth comes to Pemberley; quite humorous
Also addresses PTSD when Colonel Fitzwilliam returns from war
Lady Catherine reconciles and gets a boyfriend
The Trials of the Honourable F. Darcy – Sara Angelini
Feisty lawyer and judge F. Darcy
The Darcy Connection – Elizabeth Edmondson
Continuation of Mr. Collin’s life
He is the Bishop
Entertaining
Northanger Abbey – Val McDermid
Modern interpretation
Longbourn – Jo Baker
Story of those below stairs
Quite humorous
Servants have lives of their own, dreams, aspirations
Emma – Alexander McCall Smith
Modern interpretation
A Cure for all Diseases – Reginald Hill
Was originally published as “A Price of Butcher’s Meat”
Expectations – Samantha Adkins
Recognized as previous member of JASNA Calgary
Many titles of interest including Banff Spring Abbey and Suspiciously Reserved: A Twist on Jane Austen’s Emma
Master of Longbourn – Leenie Brown
Compassionate look at Mr. Collins
The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet – Colleen McCullough
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman Series – Pamela Aidan
4 works seen through the eyes of Darcy
Not But You (Frederick Wentworth, Captain #1) – Susan Kaye
Through the eyes of Captain Wentworth
Additional title: For You Alone
Not But You (Frederick Wentworth, Captain #1) – Susan Kaye
Through the eyes of Captain Wentworth
Additional title: For You Alone
Leave It
The Mysteries of Udolpho – Ann Radcliffe
Summary on Wikipedia is plenty
It was one of the very first novels
It didn’t help that Ann Radcliffe had not visited any of the places she was describing in detail in the novel
It does get better by the end; it turns out differently than one would expect
Death Comes to Pemberley – PD James
After Elizabeth and Darcy have settled in Pemberley
Find the body of Captain Denny
Feels long (but not as long as The Mysteries of Udolpho)
Persuasion film version by Andrew Davis
Depressing and not attractive
The Austen Project
Val McDermid (Northanger Abbey) – not scary enough
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies
Didn’t keep the essence of the book
Written by someone without a love of Jane
The movie is better than the book
Emma – Alexander McCall Smith
Started out funny
Sanditon (mini-series on PBS Masterpiece)
Tedious
Novel written by Jane Austen and Another Lady is better
Memoir of Jane Austen – James Edward Austen
Insightful but not terribly exciting
Non-Fiction Recommendations
The Lost Books of Jane Austen – Janine Barchas
A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter – William Deresiewicz
Camp Austen: My Life as an Accidental Jane Austen Superfan - Ted Scheinman
Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom – Deborah Yaffe
Jane Austen at Home: A Biography – Judy Worsley
Jane Austen, The Secret Radical – Helena Kelly
Miss Jane Austen’s Guide to Modern Life’s Dilemmas: Answers to Your Most Burning Questions about Life, Love, Happiness (and What to Wear) from the Great Novelist Herself – Rebecca Smith
Recommended Films, Mini-Series & Videos
Bride and Prejudice (movie)
All A&E (BBC) Jane Austen mini-series
The Jane Austen Book Club (book and movie)
Lizzie Bennett Diaries (YouTube)
Bridget Jones’s Diary (book and movie)
Lost in Austen – British mini-series (available on YouTube)
Clueless (movie – modern interpretation of Emma)
Christmas at Pemberley (Hallmark TV movie)
Emma Approved (YouTube)
Recommended Audiobooks
(kindle app; Overdrive from the Calgary Public Library)
The Jane Austen Society Audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage
Special mention to ANY audiobook narrated by Richard Armitage
Audible has recently released a “Complete Novels of Jane Austen” which is a series of adaptations of the novels with very excellent voice actors and high quality production values. Highly recommended if you like radio-drama style audio adaptations.