Continuing the challenge with Northanger Abbey

"It was a dark and stormy night..." begins each story from the top of a doghouse. Who knew Snoopy was a Gothic writer?

Gothic novels and those who read them are one of the centerpieces of this month’s Jane Austen challenge, Northanger Abbey. Now, to clarify upfront “Gothic” carries a different meaning today than 200 years ago. Today when someone says “Gothic” or “goths” we think of young people wearing black, lots of eyeliner, and piercings. Two hundred years ago, “gothic” described a form of novels with dramatic storylines, usually involving the supernatural, set in spooky castles (on dark and stormy nights!), involving often a women in distress, a powerful and impulsive man, and forbidden romance.

Catherine Morland, the heroine of Northanger Abbey, is a young women submerged in gothic novels. She enjoys the mystery and drama of dark mansions with secret passages usually haunted by the ghost of a long-dead mistress of the manor. Catherine is a tomboy, the oldest daughter of a country parson, who is straightforward but immature and always sees the best in others.

When she is invited by her neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Allen to go with them to Bath to enjoy the winter society, Catherine’s social naviety gets her into trouble. Because she doesn’t know anyone in town, she is quick to take up with the first young woman she meets. That young woman is Isabella Thorpe. She and Catherine quickly become inseparable. Catherine believes they are best friends, however, she cannot see Isabella’s self-centered manipulation and truth-twisting. Isabella believes Catherine and her family are wealthy, and she puts herself in the right place to meet Catherine’s brother, James, who is also visiting Bath. Isabella also goes to a great effort to connect Catherine to her own brother, John, a foul-mouthed braggart.

Through all these manipulations, Catherine mostly misses Isabella’s insincerity and cannot find the inner confidence to stand up to John’s aggressive attitude - until she meets Henry Tilney. In contrast to the obnoxious John, Henry is intelligent, forthright and very funny. He gently teases Catherine for her unsophisticated views and reading choices while admiring her fresh attitude and honesty. Henry’s dry commentary on the social scene of Bath, relationships, and even the quality of muslin (!) is definitely the humor highlight of the book.

As Catherine and Isabella spend more time together, Isabella catches James’ eye. He falls in love with her and they become engaged. At first, Catherine is thrilled that Isabella will become part of their family. She begins to see her differently when Henry’s older brother, Captain Frederick Tilney, arrives in Bath. With James away to buy an engagement ring, Isabella flirts openly and often with the charming Captain. Catherine becomes very concerned and begins to realize the insincerity of her “best friend”.

Catherine also meets Henry’s sister, Eleanor. Eleanor becomes a kind and mature friend to Catherine - a sharp contrast to Isabella. Catherine quickly is attracted to Henry and takes every chance to spend time with him and his sister. When they invite Catherine to spend time with them at their family home, Northanger Abbey, she quickly accepts.

Not only is Catherine thrilled to spend time with Eleanor and Henry, but she is also very excited to see the old abbey. Finally, she will see the dark corners and the halls full of whispering ghosts of her beloved novels.
“And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors that a building such as ‘what one reads about’ may produce? Have you a stout heart-nerves fit for sliding panels and tapestry?”

During her visit, Catherine becomes better aquainted with Henry and Eleanor’s father, General Tilney. He is a harsh and angry man who keeps everyone in the house quiet and subdued. Only when the General leaves for a visit to London can Catherine, Henry, and Eleanor really enjoy their visit.

At first, the abbey appears to be a disappointingly average, huge, historical home. Then Catherine begins to talk with Eleanor about her late mother and the suite of rooms belonging to her. These rooms are off-limits since her death - a mysterious death, in the opinion of Catherine. Her gothic fueled imagination begins to create the story of a murdered wife (possibly at the hands of her husband!) and of dusty rooms holding the secrets of the family.

What Catherine eventually does discover about the Tilney family - and about others in her life - teaches her that the truth often is not as exciting as gothic fiction, but many times is just as tragic.

So far, this is one of my favorites in our Jane Austen challenge. The hilarious asides between Jane and the reader, the innocence of Catherine, the intelligence and gentleness of Henry, are all wonderful. Henry Tilney is the most interesting and well-written hero, in my opinion.

Drop everything and read this one.

Which has been your favorite book so far? With which heroine would you most like to spend a girls’ weekend?

And one movie note: I watched the Northanger Abbey film version released in 2007, starring Felicity Jones as Catherine and J.J.Feild as Henry. This one I found on Youtube. Really, really good.

The screenplay is very close to the book. Felicity Jones plays the naive Catherine with just the right touch - not too ditsy or dimwitted. And J.J. Feild is dry and witty without arrogance. Watch it this weekend.


Next up: Sense and Sensibility

“A few years before, Anne Elliot has been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had vanished early; and as even in its height, her father had found little to admire in her...”

"... was nobody with either father or sister; her word had no weight; her convenience was always to give way; she was only Anne." 

Meet Anne Elliot, the heroine of our next Austen challenge, Persuasion. She is the middle daughter of Sir Walter Elliot -  a disappointment to her snobbish father, no longer a beauty, and unmarried in her declining years (she’s twenty seven).

Many years before, Anne was in love with Fredrick Wentworth, a naval officer just beginning his career. They planned to be married, but because he was not well-connected and without income, Anne’s family (and her godmother Lady Russell) persuaded her against it. She broke off the engagement and Wentworth went to sea.

In all the years since, Anne watched her younger sister, Mary get married and move away, and her conceited father and older sister (Elizabeth) squander the family fortune. Now debts must be paid; to raise income Sir Walter, Elizabeth, and Anne must rent their manor home and move to a smaller house in Bath.

This move upsets Anne for many reasons: first, she tried to set her father and sister on a more frugal financial plan, but they would not change their lifestyle; also, Anne would rather live quietly in the country than in the noisy social scene of Bath; but worst of all, the new tenants to their family home are the sister and brother-in-law of her old flame, Mr. Wentworth.

So, long-suffering, soon-to-be-spinster Anne must go to Bath with her father and sister. But first, she spends some time with her sister, Mary, and her family. While on that visit she takes care of hypochondriac Mary, settles squabbles between Mary and her husband, Charles, and takes care of their rowdy children.

Through all this we get a picture of Anne as the martyr - always giving way to others and pushing down her own wants and needs. She takes the last and the least. But rather than painting this as a totally negative character trait, Austen seems to, at least in parts, show this as Anne’s strength. She, like Fanny Price in Mansfield Park, quietly builds strength by self-denial. Anne rejects the superficial lifestyle of her father and Elizabeth and the selfish whining Mary uses to manipulate those around her.

Her strength is tested, however, when Mr. Wentworth returns to their social scene. He becomes friends with the Charles’ parents (the Musgroves) and with their two daughters, Louisa and Henrietta. Anne, together with Charles and Mary, spend quite a bit of time with the Musgroves and Captain Wentworth.

Through this time Anne’s feelings for Captain Wentworth progress from dread at the thought of their first meeting (Wentworth was cold and mannerly), to a mix of regret and despair in realizing that she is still in love with him, while now he seems to be moving toward engagement to Louisa Musgrove.

In typical Austen style there are rumors of affections, misunderstood conversations, and mixed motives as Anne separates herself emotionally from her family and tries to find her own way.

But unlike the typical Austen story, this one lacks the humor of her other novels. Sir Walter and Elizabeth are portrayed with biting clarity - no irony or sarcasm hides their elitism. Austen includes very few funny side remarks about the social life of Bath or the gold-digger Mrs. Clay.

Throughout the story Anne meets several characters who carry pain and loss: Captain Bentwick, a friend of Captain Wentworth, who is grieving the death of his fiancee; and Mrs. Smith, a widowed and poor school friend of Anne’s.

In both Captain Bentwick and Mrs. Smith, we see the growth of Anne’s character to reach out to those who are hurting and alone. They share the loneliness and heartbreak together.

This mix of sadness, loneliness, and underlying anger mirror Austen’s personal struggles as she wrote this story. While she was writing Persuasion Austen became sick with the illness that would eventually take her life. Poor health is likely the reason this story is shorter than her other novels and the characters are not as fully developed. I believe she was tired mentally, emotionally, and physically - her illness brought to the front her disappointment in and frustrations with the social limits of women and the class society in the England of her time.

But even with these darker tones, Jane comes through with an interesting twist in the lives of a few characters and one of my favorite endings of all her stories.

Because of the tone and development I would not recommend this as a first Austen novel. Read Emma or Pride and Prejudice first - then give Persuasion a try. Then let me know how you would compare them.

Do you think Anne’s sufferings and growth empower her to be less vulnerable to the persuasion of those around her? What do you think of the title of the novel, Persuasion? This was not Jane’s title; her brother gave the novel its name when he published it after she died.

Brief movie comment: I only was able to watch one version of Persuasion. The movie I saw was released in 2007 and is available on YouTube (with Italian subtitles for the bilingual!).

Of course the scenery and costumes are wonderful. The screenplay is very well written and brings some feeling and character development to the story without sacrificing much of the original novel. The casting and acting is fabulous (I did enjoy the Borg Queen as Lady Russell - my geekness collided there for a minute!). Sally Hawkins plays the part of Anne with a perfect mix of dignity and regret.

My only problem with the movie is that the ending feels rushed. The romantic finale in all Austen novels is something we fangirls have come to expect - but the best parts of the novel are run through quickly (and literally) to get to the end.

With that aside, I recommend that you see the movie before you read the book (gasp). I think you will be more clear on Anne’s perspective and Captain Wentworth’s motivations going into the novel with the movie in your mind.

Make a note. I can only think of one other novel that I will recommend seeing the movie before you read the book...but that’s a blog for another day...

We are half-way through our Jane Austen challenge! Next up: Northanger Abbey.

The Second - Emma

Let's play "Guess Who?" I'm thinking of a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family who spends her days dealing with high maintenance family members and pursuing her favorite hobbies – mostly matchmaking and gossip. Well, any guesses? Paris Hilton? Kim Kardashian? Nope!

The answer is... Emma Whitehouse - the main character of this month's Austen challenge book Emma. From the beginning of our story we see Emma: "doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's (her governess) judgments, but directed chiefly by her own. The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself...."

Emma lives with her widowed hypochondriac father on the highest rung of the social ladder of their country town outside London. Unlike other Jane Austen heroines, Emma is comfortable in her wealth and standing, so she does not feel the need to get married. Instead, she fills her spare time in imagining matches for her friends and relatives. The story opens with the wedding of Emma's governess, Miss Taylor, a match Emma claims to have envisioned and brought to being.

Fresh from this victory and confident that she is an excellent judge of character and romantic attachments, Emma hunts for a new project. She finds it in Harriet Smith, a simple, sweet young woman who attends the local boarding school. Harriet comes from questionable parentage and has no income, but Emma is certain that under her guiding hand, she can rise to marry a gentleman. Emma takes Harriet as her close friend, convinced that she would be the perfect match for Mr. Elton, the parson.

Mr. Knightley, the brother of Emma's brother-in-law (did you catch that? Emma's older sister is married to Mr. Knightley's brother), disagrees. He sees Mr. Elton as opportunistic and selfish; he believes that Mr. Elton is more motivated to marry a woman of means, despite Emma's work to improve Harriet.

As Emma maneuvers on behalf of Harriet, we meet several of the people of importance in town. Austen has great fun introducing us to Miss Bates and her mother, Mrs. Bates. Miss Bates, one of the most verbose characters I have ever met, is the spinster daughter of the elderly and hard of hearing Mrs. Bates and the doting aunt of Jane Fairfax, the mysterious newcomer to town who seems to best Emma in grace, manners, and music.

We also meet Mr. Weston, the husband of Emma's former governess, Miss Taylor (now Mrs. Weston). Mr. Weston has a son from a previous marriage, Frank Churchill, who breezes into town for frequent visits, bringing gossip and intrigue. Frank and Emma have a lot in common – both privileged, intelligent, and handsome with too much time on their hands.

As Emma plots on behalf of Harriet, takes care of her father, and banters with Mr. Knightley, we are treated to some of the most intelligent and, frankly hysterical, dialogue of all Austen's work. One of my favorite aspects of reading Austen is her respect for her readers. We, the reader and Austen, are in on the joke together. We give each other a knowing look as we listen to Emma complain about waiting for an invitation to a party or as we watch her instruct Harriet in decoding a note from Mr. Elton.

For that reason alone I can put up with the self-centered and annoying Emma Whitehouse. Emma, my least favorite heroine of all of Austen's work (maybe because she is too much like me?) is redeemed by Austen's genius in making what so many call a novel about nothing into a novel about secrets and social climbing and fear for the future and honesty and fidelity. And Jane Austen can accomplish all this in a conversation during a picnic after an afternoon picking strawberries or in the way a daughter loves her complaining old father.

Emma's work on behalf of Harriet turns in parts cringe-worthy and surprising, with results that neither one could have imagined. The ripples touch all in their circle and end with a satisfying romantic twist. Put this one on your "To Read" list if you haven't already (or "Reread"!).

What did you think of Emma? Would you like to have her as your friend? Would you trust her with romantic advice?

I did watch two movies based on this book. There are quite a few available, but I picked these two for simplicity because they are both on Netflix. The first, "Emma" casts Gwyneth Paltrow as the lead. This movie is gorgeous for costumes, scenery, and screenplay. The casting is very good, especially Mr. Knightley and Mrs. Elton. Highly recommended.

The second movie I watched was "Clueless", starring Alicia Silverstone. Really! This is a very clever retelling of Emma set in the 1990s in a Beverly Hills high school. The screenplay is very close to the book; I loved the ways they found to adapt the story and characters to modern (sort of) times. However (and this is a big However) just because this movie is about teenagers and set in a high school it does not mean it is appropriate for teens. I would recommended that you screen it first if you plan to watch with a tween or younger teen.

Have you seen either of these movies? Do you think they captured the story well?

Have you read Emma? It's absolutely worth your time.

Up for May: Persuasion

Can't wait to hear what you think!

Our Journey with Jane, Part One - Mansfield Park

How far would you go for something you believe in? How long would you hold on to a dream?

For Fanny Price, the heroine of Mansfield Park, standing by firm convictions might mean losing the respect of family and friends and endangering her future financial comfort and place in society.

Wow! We picked an interesting one to begin, didn't we? If you are looking for the typical plucky heroine of Jane Austen and a dashing hero, we don't have them here! The book begins with a young girl, our Fanny, who is taken in to to their home in Mansfield Park by her wealthy uncle and aunt to escape her poor family and a house full of brothers and sisters. Fanny's mother is sister to this Uncle and Aunt (Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram) and also sister to Fanny's Aunt Norris, a frequent visitor to Mansfield Park.

The "kindness" of her uncle and aunt is muted by their constant reminders of her place in their family as the unfortunate cousin. Aunt Norris is the worst for these bits of constructive criticism: "People are never respected when they step out of their proper sphere. Remember that, Fanny."

Fanny is also snubbed by the most of the children of the house – her cousins, Maria and Julia, and their older brother, Tom. Only Edmund, the younger brother, is supportive of Fanny. He wins her trust by bringing her paper and ink to write a letter to William, her favorite brother she left behind when she came to live at Mansfield Park. From that kindness, Fanny and Edmund develop a friendship that naturally for Fanny, turns to love.

While all the others in the family remind Fanny of all she is not, only Edmund helps her to see who she is. She idolizes Edmund, even to the point of overlooking his faults and shortcomings. One of the shortcomings of Edmund arrives in the person of Mary Crawford.

Mary Crawford and her brother, Henry, come to visit their sister, the wife of the parson of Mansfield Park. From London they bring with them progressive social views that up-end the morally conservative society of the country. Along with opinions about marriage for position (Mary says, "A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.") the brother and sister have all the glamour and intrigue of the big city. Edmund becomes infatuated with Mary, even as she criticizes his choice to enter the ministry.

Edmund's attentions toward Mary are a "torture" to Fanny. Edmund, oblivious to Fanny's feelings for him, confides in her all the ins and outs of his conversations, thoughts and plans for his future with Mary. Fanny watches as Mary strings Edmund along; Mary befriends Fanny, and Fanny has further pains as she also hears all about Edmund's attentions from Mary herself. But through all this Fanny holds to her love for Edmund and hope that they may have a future together.

Henry Crawford, bored with country life, amuses himself by flirting with both Betram sisters, ignoring the fact that Maria is engaged to Mr. Rushworth – a man oblivious to the world around him and low in social skills, but very wealthy and connected in the community. Henry succeeds in causing both sisters to fall in love with him and to turn on each other.

Fanny watches all this romantic intrigue from the sofa in the corner, put there by her frequent headaches and reminders of her place by Aunt Norris. But when Sir Thomas leaves England for business overseas and the group decides to amuse themselves by putting on a play, Fanny turns from the observer of the group to their conscience. She will not join the play and scolds them for being involved in it.

Here many readers turn against our brave Fanny. Why would she become so upset with the idea of putting on a play? In Austen's time, acting was an inappropriate activity for a lady of position in society, especially in a romantic play like the one chosen by the group. The actresses would have put themselves in compromising situations with men who were not their husbands! I have read many reviews online that complain about Fanny's outdated views, but sometimes I am so tired of "nothing left to the imagination" in Hollywood, and I think Fanny may have a point.

Sir Thomas also believed Fanny had a point. When he returns home suprisingly early he orders to dismantle the stage, and all the preparations for the play are discarded. The group splits up.

Without the play to amuse him Henry Crawford becomes bored with Julia and Maria. He takes up the challenge of Fanny Price. He decides to make Fanny fall in love with him.

This is the most interesting section of the book. Henry continually visits Fanny with claims of love and undying devotion. Even though Fanny openly tells him she doesn't trust him, he romances her with promises to wait for her, to coax her into love and marriage.

When Henry tells Sir Thomas of his plans to marry Fanny, Sir Thomas all but insists that she accept the proposal. Even Edmund and her aunts encourage her to marry Henry. Though everyone agrees he is a player, he is a well-connected one, and Fanny's good heart and moral lifestyle will reform his playboy ways.

With all this pressure from those she admires and those she fears, Fanny tries to hold to her principles. But constant visits from Henry and Edmund's persistence with Mary seem to wear down Fanny's protests. Will she choose the wealthy untrustworthy Henry, or will she hold out for Edmund even while a future with him seems more and more unlikely? The twist at the end is a good one, I think, but I will leave to you to decide if you think Fanny makes the best choice.

Many reviewers criticize Fanny for being judgmental or backward. But considering Fanny's life and viewpoint, I understand her firm convictions. From an early age she had nothing of her own. Her home, her possessions, even her social connections were all given to her by her wealthy relations. All she had were her observations and her opinions. And when the time came when the whole world was forcing her to give even these up, she hung on to them and refused to compromise. You may not agree with all her opinions, but you have to admire her strength.

So, did you read the book? Do you agree with Fanny's choice? 

Did you see any Mansfield Park movies? What did you think? Here's my (very) brief run-down.

-The Netflix version: a miniseries

This one had the screenplay closest to the book, if that sort of thing is important to you. The costumes are wonderful, but the hair and makeup are distracting. Horrible wigs on most of the actors. Many of the characters are spot-on in their casting and acting, but the actress who plays Fanny is terrible! Painful to watch her frozen expressions and wooden mannerisms.

-Mansfield Park (1999)

You can see this one on YouTube. This version has the best cast and acting, but the screenplay is VERY loosely based on the book. It is annoying that the writers placed 21^st century ideas and understandings on this story. The screenplay writers didn't get it at all (or maybe they didn't care. Surely not!). And there are some very disturbing scenes at the end of the movie. Yes. In a Jane Austen story. You have been warned.

-Mansfield Park (2007)

Also on YouTube. Could not get through the first ten minutes of this one. Billie Piper is cast as Fanny Price. Really? I could not watch Rose Tyler as Fanny. (Google Rose Tyler if you are not a Whovian.) Please watch it and tell me what you think.

Do you agree with my movie reviews? Which is more important for a movie adaptation of a novel – good acting or a screenplay closest to the book?

Are you ready for your next challenge? How about Emma for April? Ready, set, go!

The "Plus" Bit

Hello all, and back to the blog…

After taking a year plus off for other work opportunities, family responsibilities draw me back home and set me down at the computer.

When I read early in 2013 that this year marks the 200 anniversary of the publishing of Pride and Prejudice the book nerd in me rose up and smelled a challenge.  I searched the internet and read blogs suggesting celebrating the anniversary by not only reading Jane Austen’s works, but also commentaries about her writing, listening to audio books, even traveling to sites where she wrote and lived! Feeling overwhelmed, I was tempted to push away from the computer and go back to folding the laundry.

But then I stopped…This blog is called “One Hundred Books Plus”, and I cannot let the “Plus” part of the blog title hang neglected. New positions and life situations call me to readjust my focus. Why could we not have our own scaled-down version of our own Jane Austen challenge in our little gathering?

I set as a personal goal to read all of Jane Austen’s works this year. They are: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey.

Would you like to join me? Of course, for research and the sake of comparison, I also will be watching at least one movie adaptation of each of these books (can’t get enough of Mr. Darcy striding across the moors in that puffy shirt!).  

I’m starting with Mansfield Park. For those of us who are checkbook challenged you can download this for free to Kindle or pop by your local library. I have found three Mansfield Park films: one mini series on Netflix and two on You Tube.

Let’s plan to meet with a favorite beverage and our thoughts, rants and raves the end of March.

Have fun!

And don’t worry, we’ll pick back up with the 100 Books List very soon!