Pride and Prejudice (And it only started there!)

“Pride and Prejudice” just the name still brings a smile to my face. That is one book I think I could read over and over and never get tired of. It started a few years ago when I was introduced to the 2005 version with Keria Knightly and Matthew Mcfadyen. Before then I had heard of Jane Austen (then again, who hasn’t?!?!) but I had never read any of her books or seen any movies taken off of them. Well I watched the movie…over and over and over! It wasn’t long before I had the book in my hand... It was only then that I heard of the 1995 version with Colin Firth and Jenifer Ehle. I really have nothing against the 2005 version (I mean it was that that got me started with all this in the first place!) but, after seeing the other and feeling like they were reading the book aloud to me, I had quite a time trying to watch any other version! Anyway, that’s when it started…my addiction to period dramas. After reading Pride and Prejudice I had to read all of Jane Austen’s books! They never got old! Thinking on it now, there are few period dramas that I do not enjoy, but the whole story of Pride and Prejudice, and that fact that it was that one that ‘drew me in’ will always have a special place in my heart. Pride and Prejudice was publish in January of 1813 though it was written long before that under the title, ‘First Impressions’. Only after it was rejected and modified was it published, ‘Pride and Prejudice'. (It’s rather scary to think that it came so close to not being published!) The book focuses on two heroines, Jane and Elizabeth Bennet (But, mostly Elizabeth!). The two sisters go through their youth being the older two children out of five girls. They marriage will determined how they spend the rest of their lives. They have no money or connections, “...We have only our looks to recommend us…” Elizabeth Bennet says. But perhaps they really do have more to recommend them. Jane Bennet’s sweet temper is quickly noticed by Mr. Bingley (a new resident in Hampshire) who, shall we say, “Doesn’t care if Jane does not have a penny on her for, he has more than enough for both of them!” But how will ‘prejudice’ Lizzie cope with the ‘prideful’ (and dreamy!) Mr. Darcy, (who makes TWICE as much as Bingly) who said himself, “She is tolerable but now handsome enough to tempt me!” Are the two really a ‘hopeless case’?

This isn't really a trailer but, I really like this video!





I must admit, I owe a lot to the '05 version of Pride and Prejudice. If it wasn't for them I might have missed out on a WHOLE LOT!

So, this is my tribute to it. Enjoy!

Under the Greenwood Tree

Written by Thomas Hardy in 1872, Under the Greenwood tree, takes place in a small village in the south of England. The quiet town is in a commotion as a young, beautiful schoolteacher, Fancy Day, comes to ‘teach the children’. Though, this ‘town beauty’ is a quick attraction to the young men! Dick Dewy especially wants the hand of Fanny Day but, that doesn’t mean the richer, better connected men aren’t ready to put up a fight for her as well. Will Fanny chose Dick over the others and, if she does, will her father allow her to loose her chances living a rich, comfortable life that she would have had with another man?

Thank you so much Ladyhawke87 for taking the time to make this beautiful video and for allowing it to be displayed here!

Jane Eyre

“Jane Eyre” was written by Charlotte Bronte and published in 1847.

I would call Jane Eyre a different kind of writing from the other ‘classic’ romances I so often enjoy. As an orphan, Jane was abusive, first by her aunt and cousin, then at Lowood Academy. As she gets older she finds herself working as a governess in Thornfield Manor. Everything seems to be going well until the gruff master, Mr. Rochester, makes an appearance. They seem to find each other a challenge as they discover each other’s virtues and vices. But will their pasts and secrets get in the way of their future together?

Emma

Emma was written by one of my favorite, if not my favorite, authors (can you guess?!), Jane Austen, in 1816. This ‘comic’ favorite of mine differs from the others, for the heroine is in no need of money, though she is sometimes in need of a little sense! Emma, after making a ‘lucky guess’, as her father and brother-in-law, Mr. Knightly say, with her governess and an old widower, decides that her call in life is matchmaking. “Just one more match” Emma promises, thinking of her friend, Harriet Smith. But, after a few ‘unlucky guesses’ and much misunderstandings, Emma can only hope it is not too late undo her ‘perfect match’ and get back the one she truly loves.

Thank you so much, Sariebearie08, for making this lovely video and allowing me to use it!



And, for those who prefer the 1995 version of Emma (which is also wonderful) here is a beautiful video for you made by ehrynL85. Thanks so much!

North & South

As the daughter of a middle-class clergy-man, Margaret Hale had enjoyed a privileged upbringing in rural southern England. When her father uproots the family to take work in the northern mill town of Milton Margaret is shocked by the dirt, the noise, and the gruffness of the people, but she reserves her highest contempt for the charismatic mill-owner John Thornton. Will she ever learn the ways of the North and will she find herself tolerating—-or even loving-—this rough, mill owner?

All I can say is: Well done Heather! and thank you so much for letting me use this video! This song is so passonate and don't even get me started talking on the movie! Anyway, see for yourself! I think this video shows North and South in three minutes better than anything else I have ever seen! If you love period dramas you have been derprived it you have not seen BBC's North and South.

Persuasion

"Persuasion" is another Austen favorite (wait, what other Austen book that I've read is not a favorite!?).

Written in 1817, it was unfortunately Jane Austen's last complete novel (she passed away before she could finish any other book). Many say she was 'racing' against time to finish the book before her health would not allow her to.

It begins before the book does...when Anne was persuaded to brake off her engagement with the heartthrob, Captain Wentworth, because of his lack of money and connections. But after the war, Wentworth is well...shall we say, 'well financed and well connected'. :-) Now, eight years after Anne (or shall we say her relations) broke off their engagement, their paths cross again. Is it too late for Anne to return to the man she truly loves, who is determined not to love a woman who does not know her own mind?