Austen on Film

Did everyone watch Mansfield Park last night? I’m undecided on my feelings. I think I need to watch it again.

If you ever need to see how many movie versions of the books there are the Jane Austen Society of North America has all of that on their website. You just click on the book title and there are all the movie versions. http://jasna.org/film/index.html

What are your feelings on Northanger Abbey? It’s only been made into a movie one other time. I wish they had all been mini-series. I liked Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park but I think they need to be longer to get the whole story. I would also love to see Persuasion done as a mini-series. One of my problems with the 2005 Pride and Prejudice is I don’t think you get a sense of how much time passes. I think it’s easier to accomplish when it’s a mini-series.

New favorite Austen heroine

My new favorite Jane Austen heroine is Catherine Moreland. How can anyone not love a gal who fancies herself a heroine in a gothic novel and keeps casting these romantic fanasies with herself and the gentleman du jour in the leading roles?

Last night’s KCPT presentation of Northanger Abbey was a frothy concoction with delightful characters, a likeable heroine and plenty of exaggerated drama to keep viewer interest.

Besides, the production opens with this musing by one of the older female characters regarding Catherine:  “I wonder if it can be good for her to read so many novels?”

Answer: Of course. All the most fascinating women read. 

How do you say?

Okay, folks. Settle a little debate here. One of my Jane obsessed fans insists the proper pronunciation of one of Jane Austen’s earliest novels, Northanger Abbey, sounds like this “north anger abbey.” I always heard it pronouned like this “northenjer abbey.” You know, a soft ‘g’.

So which is it?