Alright, I think most has been said and I really need to start writing a post the moment I finish the chapters, cause i think i read this like over a week ago. Shame on me.
I don't really get this book or it's characters, but I am enjoying the simple reading of it. I find the characters a little too quirky to be real, but Prudie and Grigg were my favorites so far. Prudie because I guess I got the thing with her student. :) Big surprise. Grigg because he seemed lovable and interesting, though I don't think we got into his head as much as we do the female characters.
And I don't think Grigg will end up with anybody, Sarah. I just don't think this is that kind of story.
I do want to know the end. If there is an end for this kind of book.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
My Thoughts
Okay, because this isn't school, and I don't have to have an order, here are some of my thoughts, in no particular order and devoid of elegant transitions.
1. A quote that I loved from the second chapter, "When happy, she was uncontrollable, when sad, inconsolable, until she changed--fast as a finger snap--long after you'd given up" (45). I just adore the rhythm; it reminds me of Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman."
2. Nope. Two-thirds of the way through the book and I still dislike the narrative structure. "Grigg didn't tell us any of this, because he thought we wouldn't be interested" (126)--awkward, awkward, and more awkward. Of course, if I was writing a paper on this, I'd probably argue that it was a failed attempt at something innovative, and potentially I'd identify a 3rd person narrator position at the outermost level of the story that gives us the character info, and the 1st person plural as a sub-narrator within that narrator that doesn't know the additional information, except that makes the quote wrong, and oh that's right--awkward!
3. I normally love 'fan' books and adaptations (Wuthering High is pretty fun), but this one isn't doing it for me. I'm curious what the author feels about adaptation and Austen. Her characters were rather narrow-minded about the film adaptation of Mansfield Park (if you won't be satisfied with anything less than the exact book, then read the book, don't go see a movie of it), yet Fowler's work is predicated on offering a modern critique of Austen's books, which is exactly what a good adaptation does--offers a reading of the text. She just has her characters talk about it rather than actually doing it (and as we've all learned the best writing shows rather than tells).
4. Some minutiae--I love Grigg's observation that Northanger Abbey was "very pomo" made me laugh, and then the pseudo-narrator's comment that "over at the university, people were paid to worry about such things; they'd soon have it well in hand" (138). I'm a big nerd for the academic fiction (or academic elements to other fiction).
1. A quote that I loved from the second chapter, "When happy, she was uncontrollable, when sad, inconsolable, until she changed--fast as a finger snap--long after you'd given up" (45). I just adore the rhythm; it reminds me of Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman."
2. Nope. Two-thirds of the way through the book and I still dislike the narrative structure. "Grigg didn't tell us any of this, because he thought we wouldn't be interested" (126)--awkward, awkward, and more awkward. Of course, if I was writing a paper on this, I'd probably argue that it was a failed attempt at something innovative, and potentially I'd identify a 3rd person narrator position at the outermost level of the story that gives us the character info, and the 1st person plural as a sub-narrator within that narrator that doesn't know the additional information, except that makes the quote wrong, and oh that's right--awkward!
3. I normally love 'fan' books and adaptations (Wuthering High is pretty fun), but this one isn't doing it for me. I'm curious what the author feels about adaptation and Austen. Her characters were rather narrow-minded about the film adaptation of Mansfield Park (if you won't be satisfied with anything less than the exact book, then read the book, don't go see a movie of it), yet Fowler's work is predicated on offering a modern critique of Austen's books, which is exactly what a good adaptation does--offers a reading of the text. She just has her characters talk about it rather than actually doing it (and as we've all learned the best writing shows rather than tells).
4. Some minutiae--I love Grigg's observation that Northanger Abbey was "very pomo" made me laugh, and then the pseudo-narrator's comment that "over at the university, people were paid to worry about such things; they'd soon have it well in hand" (138). I'm a big nerd for the academic fiction (or academic elements to other fiction).
Mr. Darcy makes #1
So I know this is a bit of a stretch, but since we are discussing a book in which Austen's works are discussed, Sarah and I agreed I ought to post this for you all to read. Sarah also suggested we should now read these seven books in order for our book club so we can study the ideal man. What do you think, Chris? :)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Chapters 3 and 4
I agreed with the general consensus that I liked chapters 3 and 4 better than the first two. Sad as it seems, I think Grigg is the most likeable character so far, but maybe this is true to Austen who tends to have more defects in her heroines than her heros. Not that I think Grigg is a hero. He just seems like a nice guy, and I also like that he likes science fiction. His chapter seems the most like Austen, since we never actually find out what happens at that party he went to when he was 10, what happened to his dad. Its a bit more suggestive than some of the others coming right out and stating things.
So, is anyone else having trouble finding corrolations between the book they are reading and the person's life described in the chapter? I read the comments on the back, and one was stating how Fowler took all of Austen's works and themes and made them very up-to-date, and I just don't agree with that view, thus far. I guess I can't really make the judgment until I have finished the book.
So, is anyone else having trouble finding corrolations between the book they are reading and the person's life described in the chapter? I read the comments on the back, and one was stating how Fowler took all of Austen's works and themes and made them very up-to-date, and I just don't agree with that view, thus far. I guess I can't really make the judgment until I have finished the book.
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Movie?
Did anyone else know this existed? Apparently they've made The Jane Austen Book Club the movie. I watched the trailer and I'm not sure if it gives anything away or just makes some stuff up, but if you don't want to risk any spoilers, I'd wait until after you have read the whole thing. They definitely took some liberties with it though, all the characters are younger and prettier than the ones in the book. You can see this just by following my link to the IMDB page. They also have all their stories happening simultaneously...I guess maybe they had trouble finding a way to make the book into a story with a point? Anyhow, once people have viewed this I'd like to know what they think. I almost feel like we should all see the movie so we can compare...isn't that what Sarah does for a living?! :)
Better than Before
Clearly the author is misguided in including so much sexual content in her book. If she is capitalizing on Jane Austen's name and literature to attract readers, she really ought to consider the audience who like Austen's books. Somehow I don't see many people who enjoy Austen being thrilled by a book full of unromantic and even inappropriate sexual encounters. She would have been better off going for witty banter and scandalous happenings.
Despite that I enjoyed chapters 3 and 4 much better than 1 and 2. Maybe I just liked Prudie and Grigg's stories better, though I think part of it is liking Grigg's character and empathizing somewhat with Prudie. I'm not a school teacher though I've been a sub with some rowdy kids and I haven't lost my mother, though she's been quite sick a couple times, but she draws me in other ways. I feel sorry for the little Prudie who never got to experience anything fun for real as a child, yet I understand so well about sometimes pretending ending up being better than reality. I think of all the times I've blown things up with grand expectation in my head, only to be disappointed by the actual event. There have been days that I look back at and wonder, "Did that actually happen or did I dream it?" My wedding day, which all of you were present for, is one of them, not unlike Prudie's own expereince. Sad as it actually is, I love the idea that reality and fantasy blend into a beautiful, romantic childhood that allowed a little girl with nothing to experience everything. Still, her mother definitely cheated her little girl and took fantasy beyond the limits where it belongs.
As for Grigg, how can you not love his character even more now?! Despite him being babied, I love his three sisters who clearly were better parents than his own. I love that he loves science fiction and Austen and is tasteful (cute little house and appetizers he serves), yet still a guy and that his favorite Jane Austen is Nothanger Abbey, and that he's actually read Udolpho! (Which, by the way I think we all ought to read for the fun of it!) In short, if this guy were real I think he'd be perfect for Sarah.
I'm actually eagerly anticipating seeing where the story goes (I honestly can't remember very much) in the last two chapters. I'm tempted to read them now, but considering I'm writing this post a day early (I'll save it and wait to post until Friday), I figure I should at least give others the courtesy of posting and predicting so I can add my two cents worth before diving into the end and finding out the answers to all of our questions.
Oh and my favorite quote has to be the one in chapter 3 when Prudie says she felt she could watch the kids for suicide and drugs and the like, but that asking her to teach them French on top of that was really too much!
Despite that I enjoyed chapters 3 and 4 much better than 1 and 2. Maybe I just liked Prudie and Grigg's stories better, though I think part of it is liking Grigg's character and empathizing somewhat with Prudie. I'm not a school teacher though I've been a sub with some rowdy kids and I haven't lost my mother, though she's been quite sick a couple times, but she draws me in other ways. I feel sorry for the little Prudie who never got to experience anything fun for real as a child, yet I understand so well about sometimes pretending ending up being better than reality. I think of all the times I've blown things up with grand expectation in my head, only to be disappointed by the actual event. There have been days that I look back at and wonder, "Did that actually happen or did I dream it?" My wedding day, which all of you were present for, is one of them, not unlike Prudie's own expereince. Sad as it actually is, I love the idea that reality and fantasy blend into a beautiful, romantic childhood that allowed a little girl with nothing to experience everything. Still, her mother definitely cheated her little girl and took fantasy beyond the limits where it belongs.
As for Grigg, how can you not love his character even more now?! Despite him being babied, I love his three sisters who clearly were better parents than his own. I love that he loves science fiction and Austen and is tasteful (cute little house and appetizers he serves), yet still a guy and that his favorite Jane Austen is Nothanger Abbey, and that he's actually read Udolpho! (Which, by the way I think we all ought to read for the fun of it!) In short, if this guy were real I think he'd be perfect for Sarah.
I'm actually eagerly anticipating seeing where the story goes (I honestly can't remember very much) in the last two chapters. I'm tempted to read them now, but considering I'm writing this post a day early (I'll save it and wait to post until Friday), I figure I should at least give others the courtesy of posting and predicting so I can add my two cents worth before diving into the end and finding out the answers to all of our questions.
Oh and my favorite quote has to be the one in chapter 3 when Prudie says she felt she could watch the kids for suicide and drugs and the like, but that asking her to teach them French on top of that was really too much!
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