Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Milja wrote: "I finished watching the BBC Pride and Prejudice last night. I enjoyed it a lot, but I don't think anything can compare to the 2005 movie version...

I also listened to [book:Jane Austen's Bookshelf..."

Thanks for that update, Milja - and I've updated details to msg 81. (One thing the BBC do well is period dramas.)

Now that we're in March, those of us who are planning to read/read all the novels should be thinking about starting another book. Has anybody decided on - or even started on - another novel?

I plan to listen to 'Emma', once I am finished with my current audiobook.

Anybody planning to read 'Mansfield Park'? I see that it is still missing in the achievement list.

I listened to Pride and Prejudice in February.

This month, I've read Sanditon, the Watsons, and Lady Susan, and watched the film version of Love and Friendship (a film version of Lady Susan using a title gleaned from her juvenilia).

I'm also nearly finished Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley.

Lindenblatt wrote: "I plan to listen to 'Emma', once I am finished with my current audiobook.

Anybody planning to read 'Mansfield Park'? I see that it is still missing in the achievement list."

I've listened tp a collection of Audio dramas that included MP, I read this a couple of years ago

John wrote: "Now that we're in March, those of us who are planning to read/read all the novels should be thinking about starting another book. Has anybody decided on - or even started on - another novel?"

I've been a bit distracted with my other reads, in April it's between Sense and Sensibility and A Memoir of Jane Austen and Other Family Recollections

The History of England by a partial, prejudiced & ignorant historian (Jane Austen) 📖 ✅ 3.5* my review .

a short read but it's impressive Jane Austen was 15 when she wrote it.

Anisha Inkspill wrote: " The History of England by a partial, prejudiced & ignorant historian (Jane Austen) 📖 ✅ 3.5* my review .

a short read but it's impressive Jane Austen was 15 when she wrote it."

Thanks Anisha - you have to love her title! I'm looking forward to reading that one. I've added it to the achievements list, which for some reason is now msg 80 rather than 81. I imagine someone has deleted an earlier message.

Tomorrow I go to Edinburgh to hear historian Lucy Worsley's talk on Jane Austen.

I started my Jane Austen challenge with Sense and Sensibility. I'm doing an abridged audio collection of Jane Austen novels.

I was going to read Sense and Sensibility but then got distracted with the one by Joanne Trollope, which I'm currently reading and enjoying.

I enjoyed the abridged audio. It had music at the beginning and the end of chapters and also at certain interludes. It was a very pleasing experience.

I started Pride and Prejudice yesterday. I'm not too happy with Lizzy's voice in the audio.

Piyangie wrote: "I started Pride and Prejudice yesterday. I'm not too happy with Lizzy's voice in the audio."

A poor choice of narrator can often spoil an audio book for me. Its one of the reasons I don't listen to many.

Piyangie wrote: "I started Pride and Prejudice yesterday. I'm not too happy with Lizzy's voice in the audio."

Which edition are you listening to? I personally love the narration of Juliet Stevenson, who has narrated each of Jane Austen's and many Victorian novels, too. Of course, tastes are different. Hope it won't spoil the book for you.

Yesterday, I finished The Letters of Jane Austen, a selection of 76 letters written by Jane Austen between 1796 and 1816, mostly to her sister Cassandra. A delightful way to glimpse into JA's family life and her great sense of humour. She also mentions some of her novels. At the end, Cassandra's description of Jane's death was very moving. I can recommend the LibriVox recording.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Yesterday, I finished The Letters of Jane Austen, a selection of 76 letters written by Jane Austen between 1796 and 1816, mostly to her sister Cassandra. A delightful way to glimpse..."

thanks, sounds interesting

finished reading Sense and Sensibility (Jane Austen) 📖 ✅ 4* my review .

as I say in my review, this one means a lot to me, it got me started on reading, before then I didn't read much.

John wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "I started Pride and Prejudice yesterday. I'm not too happy with Lizzy's voice in the audio."

A poor choice of narrator can often spoil an audio book for me. Its one of..."

Very true, John. I always listen to a sample before I purchase an audiobook. But this is a dramatized abridged collection of all the Austen novels and there are multiple voices for characters other than the narrator.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "I started Pride and Prejudice yesterday. I'm not too happy with Lizzy's voice in the audio."

Which edition are you listening to? I personally love the narration of Jul..."

It is an abridged audiobook done by Audible that has all Austen novels. I couldn't reconcile to the voice of Elizabeth but I enjoyed it all the same.

And done with the BBC serie of Sense and Sensibility. It was more closer to the book than the Ang Lee's movie. I liked it a lot but still prefer the movie.

Sense and Sensibility, I didn't take to Joanna Trollope's adaptation as much as I wanted to

Sense and Sensibility (Joanna Trollope) 📖 ✅ 1.5* my review

started on Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice, funny opening, set in Cincinnati, opens with Chip Bingley

I’m reading Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters by William Austen-Leigh. I especially like when she describes the balls and other social activities.

Finished my re-read of Emma, narrated by Juliet Stevenson. I love listening to Jane Austen on long car journeys. It´s so soothing and, since I know all the novels, not a problem if I miss a word due to traffic.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Finished my re-read of Emma, narrated by Juliet Stevenson. I love listening to Jane Austen on long car journeys. It´s so soothing and, since I know all the novels, not a problem if ..."

I also like revisiting novels, if I get a chance I'm going to get to this one again

I just started Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. It is my least favourite Austen Novel. Let's see how I'll fair this time.

finished Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice (Curtis Sittenfeld) 📖 ✅ 2.5* my review .

as I say in my review, I enjoyed this but was crammed with too many issues

Piyangie wrote: "I just started Mansfield Park by Jane Austen. It is my least favourite Austen Novel. Let's see how I'll fair this time."

MP used to be my least favourite of Austen's novels as well, but then I fell in love with it on my second re-read. Suddenly she wasn't such an insufferable goody-goody anymore, but a principled, good person in a difficult situation. Maybe age and experience let me appreciate Fanny Price more than when I was younger. Looking forward to hearing your update.

Then again, one of the novels must be the least favourite 😊

I finished Mansfield Park. It improved on me this time. But I feel it might still be at the bottom of the list. I'll see if that changes after I read Northanger Abbey. My next read is Emma. I'm going in the order of publication.

I'm currently revisiting an audio drama, Emma, at the part where the carriage has stopped outside the vicarage after Emma and Mr Elton have realised a major misunderstanding, brilliant scene, always makes me laugh

after I finish this I may go on to Pride and Prejudice

Emma: the *BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation 📖 ✅ 4* my review (* A different production to the book cover here listing Eve Best).

and whilst reading Emma I also rewatched the stage musical and the movie Clueless. Every time I watch this movie it makes me laugh, Alicia Silverstone's parody of Emma is just very funny

Anisha Inkspill wrote: " Emma: the *BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation 📖 ✅ 4* my review (* A different production to the book cover here listing Eve Best).

and whilst reading Emma I also rewatched the..."

It seems that you have enjoyed your 'Emma' experience to the fullest, Anisha! Have you watched any other movie or TV adaptations than the one with Gwyneth Paltrow? I think that I like that movie more than the book, and in particular the scene you mentioned above!

I finished reading Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters by Jane's grandnephew William Austen-Leigh and William's nephew, Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh. It was originally published in 1913.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jane Austen's letters, which show her optimistic attitude about her life. She is as funny in her letters as in her books. Also included are letters from other family members and reminiscences by family members.

Lindenblatt wrote: "Anisha Inkspill wrote: " Emma: the *BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation 📖 ✅ 4* my review (* A different production to the book cover here listing Eve Best).

and whilst reading Emm..."

yes,very enjoyable how it all came together.

I haven't seen other movies of Emma, but I wouldn't mind watching the Gwyneth Paltrow one again.

I also came across one that was more recent - 2020, I haven't seen it but am interested, it's written by Eleanor Catton, on my tbr I have The Luminaries, nd I'm not familar with the director, Autumn de Wilde
but trailer looks interesting https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9214832/

Kathy wrote: "I finished reading Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters by Jane's grandnephew William Austen-Leigh and William's nephew, Richard Arthur Austen-Leigh. It was originally published in 1913..."

sounds interesting, if possible I wouldn't mind reading this -

I just started Emma. As it happens always, Emma is grating on my nerves. I have to endure her patiently till her characters is improved later on.

I watched the 4 episode Masterpiece TV show Miss Austen. I thought it was pretty good. I previously didn’t know anything about Austen’s family life.

I finally watched the 2020 movie of 'Emma' yesterday, which I had avoided for the past 5 years. It was not as bad as I had expected from the trailer. Emma herself was actually very fittingly portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy if you go for a harsher interpretation of her character. She really can be such a snob!

The new interpretation of Mr Woodhouse by Bill Nighy was refreshing, if unusual. The rest of the cast was utterly forgettable, I did not care much for Mr Knightley and I even objected to some of the other characters' behaviour. Almost everybody seems harsher in this adaption, which focuses much on the visuals. By the looks of Hartfield, you'd think Emma was an earl's daughter at least! And Donwell's picture gallery almost makes you believe that Mr Knightley is either related to some really famous people or lives in a museum...

It's definitely watchable, but I still prefer the Gwyneth Paltrow version as well as the 2009 miniseries with Romola Garai: https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt13663...

Piyangie wrote: "I just started Emma. As it happens always, Emma is grating on my nerves. I have to endure her patiently till her characters is improved later on."

yeah, if it's your first read, this can happen

Pam wrote: "I watched the 4 episode Masterpiece TV show Miss Austen. I thought it was pretty good. I previously didn’t know anything about Austen’s family life."

oh, that's good, for me the story did not quite gel, I will try and watch it again though

Lindenblatt wrote: "I finally watched the 2020 movie of 'Emma' yesterday, which I had avoided for the past 5 years. It was not as bad as I had expected from the trailer. Emma herself was actually very fittingly portra..."

now I'm really interested to watch this, and intrigued of what you say about Bill Nighy's interpretation of Mr Woodhouse.

If you borrow from Libby, there's a BBC audio drama of Emma, runs about 5 hours, you might be inetersted in that

Lindenblatt wrote: "I still prefer the Gwyneth Paltrow version as well as the 2009 miniseries with Romola Garai: https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt13663......"

That one is actually my favorite! The adaption is way more to my liking.

Hi everyone, my name is Zuzana and I’m new to the group. I’m a big fan of Jane Austen and excited to join in! Is it too late to take part in this challenge?

Also, I was wondering if books that are mentioned in Austen’s novels count for the challenge? For example, The Mysteries of Udolpho, which is so enthusiastically discussed by Catherine Morland and Isabella Thorpe in Northanger Abbey or Lovers' Vows, the play reahearsed by the company in Mansfield Park.

Welcome Zuzana!
It is Never Too Late to join in to the challenge since it is a year long read.

We did a Buddy Read of the Northanger Abbey books:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

We also did a Austen read:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

How are we doing with our Austen challenge?

I found this while just surfing Google:

The scenes Jane Austen never wrote: First anniversaries
Here is a free download if you like
https://austenvariations.com/wp-conte...

It is about We hope you enjoy this brief collection of
Anniversary Scenes from your favorite Jane
Austen couples. These were written by Jan
Austen Variation authors to celebrate the first
anniversary of Jane Austen Variation.

It is only 60 pages so a quick read! Let me know what you think.

Thanks for sharing, Lesle. This looks like a fun read and I'll put it on my list for Jane Austen July.

As for the challenge, I believe we stopped counting, but we are still on it! I myself am currently listening to Pride and Prejudice and some of the podcasts mentioned earlier.

Looks like March 27th was the last update: I will go back through and add to the list!! It is just awesome what we have achieved so far!! appreicate the sharing as well!

Record of Achievement to Date:


Emma…………………... Read……………………………….…........ John
Emma…………………... Watched TV Mini-Series…………. Lesle
Emma……………………. Listened to audio.......................... Anisha
Emma………………..…. Watched musical adaptation….... Anisha
Emma......................... Read............................................... Sanchita
Emma......................... Read............................................... KC
Emma......................... Watched Film adaption............... KC
Jack & Alice……………. Read…………………………………….....Luis
Juvenilia & Early Works. Read......................................... Laurel
Lady Susan................. Read............................................... John
Lady Susan................. Read............................................... KC
Love and Friendship. Read............................................... Luis
Northanger Abbey…… Read…………………………………….. Tati
Northanger Abbey…… Listened to Audio………………….. Anisha
Northanger Abbey...... Read.............................................. Lindenblatt
Northanger Abbey...... Read.............................................. KC
Northanger Abbey...... Read.............................................. John
Persuasion……….…….. Listened to Audio………………….....Jennifer
Persuasion.................. Listened to Audio.......................... Anisha
Persuasion.................. Read.............................................. KC
Pride and Prejudice... Read.............................................. Fannie
Pride and Prejudice... Listened to Audio........................ Catherine
Pride and Prejudice... Read.............................................. Sanchita
Pride and Prejudice... Watched BBC Series.................... Milja
Sanditon...................... Read............................................. John
Sense and Sensibility. Listened to Audio………………….. Kathy
Sense and Sensibility. Read Annotated Edition…………. Kathy
Sense and Sensibility. Watched musical adaptation….. Anisha
The Letters of Jane Austen. Read..................................... Laurel
The Watsons............... Read............................................. John
The History of England...Read........................................ Anisha

The Connell Guide to Jane Austen's Emma……….. Read…..…John
Jane Austen at Home, by Lucy Worsley...................Read........Anisha
Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors documentary. Watched. .John
The World of Jane Austen Jigsaw........................... Completed. Pam
Jane Austen's Bookshelf - audio version............... Listened... Milja
Pride and Prejudice - Sort Of..Theatre Show......... Watched..John

As of June 12th
The History of England by a partial, prejudiced & ignorant historian (Jane Austen)...Listened... Anisha
The Letters of Jane Austen... Listened... Lindenblatt
Sense and Sensibility... Read... Anisha
Sense and Sensibility BBC Series... Watched... Fannie
Sense and Sensibility... Read... Anisha
Emma... Listened... Lindenblatt
Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice (Curtis Sittenfeld) Read... Anisha
Mansifield Park... Audio... Piyangie
Emma BBC Radio... Listened... Anisha
Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters... Read... Kathy
Miss Austen Masterpiece... Watched... Pam
Emma 2020 Movie... Watched ...Lindenblatt
Jack e Alice . Amor e Amizade...Read...Luis
Persuasion 2022 Netflix movie adaption...Watched...Lesle
Abridged six novels by Jane Austen...Listened...Piyangie
Pride and Prejudice...Listened...Lindenblatt
The scenes Jane Austen never wrote: First anniversaries...Read...Lindenblatt

I think I caught our achievements up to date.
If I missed something or listed how you experienced it incorrectly please let me know.

Thank you everyone for your patience with this!

Lesle wrote: "I think I caught our achievements up to date.
If I missed something or listed how you experienced it incorrectly please let me know.

Thank you everyone for your patience with this!"

Actualization for what I've read already:
The Beautifull Cassandra
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
Lady Susan
Jack & Alice/Love & Friendship

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...