It’s been a lovely 8 years ...

Dear Readers,


Since meeting online 8 years ago and starting this blog we have learnt a lot, we have certainly made many new friends and we have uncovered some fascinating things about Jane and Tom. One of our greatest achievements was putting together a timeline which gave us a foundation for reading, discovering and writing other things about Jane that are now close to our heart.

8 years is a long time and we are running out of quotes but more importantly each of us has little time these days and have therefore decided that we will not be continuing with our quote of the week. This is not the end though, we are still going to be committed to posting when we have something interesting to say about Jane, Tom or indeed any JA adaptations that we want to talk about and share with you all.

Icha is visiting Europe in June and we are hoping to meet up and visit Bath and Chawton together, something we have wished for since we started speaking in 2007 so we will definitely be updating the blog with our adventures then.

This is not goodbye as we will all still be very much linked to this blog and will still respond to any comments that we receive but we want to thank all of you for your contributions and for making this journey really enjoyable.

Until you hear from us again, enjoy the archives!

Love Rachel, Icha and Linda xxx

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Comment moderation

Ladies and Gents... I have to make this short announcement. Unfortunately, our blog is also targeted by spams... and I had to spend the last 20 min deleting more than 10 spam comments from our blog. There are some more that I forgot to delete in the past, and I have to do that soon.

Hence, I'm now setting the comment moderation in our blog. I hate to do that, for it limits the willingness for some people to post comment, and also takes my time (or Rachel's), but that's the best thing to prevent these spamming. Unless some of you who are more adept in IT can tell me how to filter unwanted spams from blog messages.

Until further notice, I hope it doesn't stop you from dropping by and saying hi.

Easter Wishes from Team Jane

Since Easter is upon us, I couldn’t help but wonder if Jane Austen had referred to it somewhere in her novels. So I went ‘hunting’ and found the following. From P&P, in Mr. Collins letter in Chapter 13:

My mind, however is now made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter, I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh, widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh, whose bounty and beneficence has preferred me to the valuable rectory of this parish, where it shall be my earnest endeavour to demean myself with grateful respect towards her Ladyship, and be ever ready to perform those rites and ceremonies which are instituted by the Church of England.

Elizabeth visits Charlotte in Chapter 30:

In this quiet way the first fortnight of her visit soon passed away. Easter was approaching, and the week preceding it was to bring an addition to the family at Rosings, which in so small a circle must be important. Colonel Fitzwilliam visits in Chapter 31: Colonel Fitzwilliam's manners were very much admired at the Parsonage, and the ladies all felt that he must add considerably to the pleasure of their engagements at Rosings. It was some days, however, before they received any invitation thither -- for while there were visitors in the house they could not be necessary; and it was not till Easter-day, almost a week after the gentlemen's arrival, that they were honoured by such an attention, and then they were merely asked on leaving church to come there in the evening.

There are two mentions of Easter in Emma, twelve in Mansfield Park, one in Sense and Sensibility, none in Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. What is so strange is that upon first readings, I never noticed “Easter” at all.

So Happy Easter to one and all from Team Jane!

Linda the Librarian

Pic 1: Jane Austen from: Express Night Out

Pic 2: Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett from: BBC

CHRISTMAS WISHES

I just wanted to wish everyone a very merry christmas from us here at the Becoming Jane Fansite.

Enjoy your time with your loved ones and cherish every moment.

Thank you for taking the time to support our blog.

Love to all.

Pic: wikipedia portrait of Jane

Jane Austen Mini Survey- Part 2

Icha and I started this site almost a year ago and we still havent revealed the origins of our Jane Austen Love. I thought it important to keep Michelle's theme running so I took it upon myself to offer my own particular favourites. I also became aware of Austen from a young age. I remember my mum having a set of her books at my Nans house and I used to look at them with wonder- when I was very young, my main focus was simply an appreciation of the smell and set of books. I read Sense and Sensibility when I was 12 and then was captivated with Andrew Davies Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth. I was then hooked and have never looked back.


Favourite Book: Sense and Sensibility



Favourite Character: This is really tough. I love Colonel Brandon for his constant devotion. But Emma Woodhouse wins it for me for her independence and intelligence.


Favourite Hero/Heroine: Mr Knightley and Elizabeth Bennet (We try to be unique in our views but we cannot help but love her!)




Today's Favourite Quote: "I abhor every commonplace phrase by which wit is intended; and 'setting one's cap at a man', or 'making a conquest', are the most odious of all. Their tendency is gross and illiberal; and if their construction could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago destroyed all its ingenuity." - Marianne to Sir John in Sense and Sensibility

Favourite Adaptation: I dont think that many will differ in their opinions for this one. Ang Lee's 1996 Sense and Sensibility stands out for me- Kate Winslet as Marianne and Emma Thompson as Elinor was for me a triumph. The sense and sensibility of their characters was depicted perfectly.

Andrew Davies 1995 Pride and Prejudice was also brilliant. I just adore the Mr Collins portrayal!!

I have to say that of the three recent adaptations, I really liked Persuasion- I really felt a chemistry between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth.



Thank you Jane for allowing my life to be more fulfilled from reading your words.

Any of you want to share your favourites....leave a comment below.


Pic 1 Sense and Sensibility site

Pic 2 Entertainment Site

Jane Austen Mini Survey

Dear friends – where to begin? I have just begun my first year at university, studying for my English degree (wohoo!) and until now had all but fallen off the planet, as Vikings and Beowulf sometimes have that effect … I’m so happy to be back in the Team Jane world, and look forward to becoming a regular on the scene again. But, enough babble. Earlier in the year Team Jane discussed “Mini Austen Stats” – and as Jane brought us together, it only seems fitting that we share our individual “Jane discovery”. Please comment with your own Jane experience – how did you discover her world?

I discovered the wonderful world of Jane Austen when I was twelve, courtesy of the BBC’s (amazing) adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. I laughed, and laughed and swooned (a little, or more) my way through the dvds – gosh, videos, they were then (!) and was won over by the unique characters, wit and charm. I read the book, and then Emma, and then every other novel, complete or otherwise, and after that there was no turning back. My bookcase has a dedicated Austen shelf (or three) and under sane circumstances I would be embarrassed to admit how many different editions I own of the same book – but not with Jane. You can never have too much Austen. Classic literature is more than art, or "just" books – to me these books are friends.

Favourite book: Emma and Pride & Prejudice.

Favourite character: I can’t choose. And it’s no easier to choose my least favourite character. This is Jane Austen!

Favourite Hero/Heroine: Knightley, Darcy. Emma, Elizabeth Bennett. (I can’t help myself!)

(Today’s) Favourite quote(s): This should be short and snappy, but hey! I think that would be totally out of character. I cannot think of a single Austen passage or quote that I love above all others. I can for Dickens and Bronte, but not Austen. There are too many gorgeous quotes in Austen that I love: hilarious, witty, tender, tragic as they may be. So I’ll share two favourites that never fail to make me laugh … badly.

But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way. - Northanger Abbey.

Are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted? – Pride & Prejudice

Favourite adaptation: The magnificent Pride & Prejudice 1995, followed by Emma (Kate Beckinsale) and Sense & Sensibility 1996. I adore these three adaptations. Pride & Prejudice is incomparable. It really is. A&E’s Emma was love on first viewing – I love the casting. Ang Lee’s Sense & Sensibility is just lush - gorgeous cinematography and soundtrack, wonderful casting, and most of all a complete emotional journey.

In summary, I credit Jane Austen with setting me on my life path through my love of classic literature and film. Among many other things. Long live the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen!

Pic 1: Jane Austen from: Eashant's

Pic 2: Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett from: BBC

Pic 3: Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Lady Catherine de Bourgh from: BBC