[books] in praise of Jane Austen

[snugglekitty]

I have just finished reading, for the first time, Pride and Prejudice.



Somehow I managed to graduate from Smith College with a degree in English literature without having read any Jane Austen novels. (I think it may have to do with my having taken a seminar in the 20th-century novel.) All my friends in that era complained all the time about how much they disliked being forced to read her. And now, having read her myself, I am completely puzzled. I think she's hilarious, and it's suddenly very clear to me who is responsible for the "comedy of manners" tradition that I have so enjoyed in fantasy and sci fi. (A few examples of the inheritance: Sorcery and Cecilia, by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold, and anything by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. More on these last two in my next post.)

In a way, though, I'm glad I never read her in college, because I would have had to read a whole bunch of her books all at once rather than savoring them slowly over time, as I now intend to do. Also, my thanks to redjo, who recommended I try her. Wow. It's wonderful to find an author you love, whose books you haven't even started reading.

Comments

[ceelove.livejournal.com]

And now let me recommend that you watch the BBC series of Pride & Prejudice. Very well done.

I'll vote you try Emma next, which is possibly my favorite. Also, Clueless was based on it. :)

[buxom-bey.livejournal.com]

Ah, enjoy the bitter and the sweet and savour it all.

[redjo.livejournal.com]

Yes, *savour* them ... I had an English Lit prof who bemoaned the fact that he'd read all seven novels, and envied those who still had them in their future. I completely agree. There's a couple I still haven't read, and I'm parceling them out slowly. Glad you liked it! :)