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Reading group letters | Letter from Anne De Burg Fitzwilliam to Mr. & Mrs. Darcy, one year after final events in the novel P&P

7/26/2015

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This is the next in the series of posting letters that members wrote and shared during the most recent reading group. The reading group theme was to write letters to or by the Jane Austen character of their choice. 

Enjoy, and please check out the rest of the letters!

Dear Darcy and Elizabeth,

Thank you for your kind inquiry after my health.  I feel yet unsettled by my mother’s untimely, grotesque demise. The moment of her horrible accident is forever locked in my heart, and the memory haunts me.  Indeed, these many weeks since her funeral I still dread receiving expressions of condolence, for the kind words arouse a terrifying spectacle of Lady Catherine’s death.

Suddenly I see my mother before me as she steps from the great front portico of Rosings. I shiver watching her cross the steps just when a thunderous crack splits the grand stone balcony above the portico;  it sways, then crashes down upon her, her desperate scream swallowed up in silence and dust.  She is entombed before my eyes---her beloved Rosings hurls her down into the shadowy realm of death.

Had I not my dear Colonel at my side, I should be overcome, quite unable to rise again.  He is the best, wisest, and finest of husbands.  And now the world acknowledges him the master of Rosings and all it encompasses. We are happy and look forward to quiet, peaceful days ahead.

I remain as always your affectionate cousin,
Anne De Burg Fitzwilliam
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Reading group letters | Emma to Isabella

7/25/2015

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This is the next in the series of posting letters that members wrote and shared during the most recent reading group. The reading group theme was to write letters to or by the Jane Austen character of their choice. 

Enjoy, and check back tomorrow for the next letter! You can also check out the rest of the letters!

Mrs. John Knightley
Brunswick Square
London
Hartfield
Highbury
12 July 1814
My dearest Isabella,

Your letter was a very agreeable surprise to me today, and I have taken a long sheet of paper to show my gratitude.  We so enjoyed our visit with you and John in London.  It was lovely to see the children.  They have grown so, and are terribly clever!  Everything was so very gay in Town, dining at the Watsons, and everything in such style, not to mention our evenings at Almack’s and strolling in Vauxhall Gardens, but it is a joy to be settled comfortably back home at Hartfield.  We had a dreadful storm of wind during our absence, which has done a great deal of mischief among our roses. And that is not all ~ our summer house has also blown down.  George assures me it will be put to rights before our ball in a fortnight.  The evenings have been so warm that I am certain it will be wanted. I look forward with great impatience to our ball.  I will wear my new green muslin, which I bought in Town and am having made up this week.  It will have the style of sleeves I admired in one of the shops on High Street, which you may remember, with the pleats and small buttons.  Mrs. Weston called on Wednesday, and we drank tea together for the first time since I returned home.  I was able to hear all that was interesting of Frank and Jane Churchill.  They are expecting another addition to their family this winter ~ at this rate they will soon catch up to you and John!  Mrs. Cole called this morning and left invitations to join them at a card party on Thursday evening.  We will be a small and rather quiet group as Miss Bates is unable to attend.  I am already looking forward to your visit at Michaelmas; and indeed I am now laying in a stock of intelligence to pour out on you as my share of conversation.  When next you make a trip to Twinings please let me know.  

I want to try a new tea I have heard about from Mrs. Elton with jasmine blossoms in it.  I hope you will bring a packet to me when you visit. George sends his love to all, and father wishes to remind you to be sure to wear your shawl when you go out of an evening. There is a sore-throat very much about this summer. I cannot write any more now, but trust I have written enough to make you very happy, and therefore may safely conclude.

Yours very affectionately,
     Emma
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Reading group letters | Letter from Harriet to Robert Martin

7/24/2015

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This is the next in the series of posting letters that members wrote and shared during the most recent reading group. The reading group theme was to write letters to or by the Jane Austen character of their choice. 

Enjoy, and check back tomorrow for the next letter! You can also click to check out the rest of the letters!

The Second Letter from Harriet Smith to Robert Martin (and the reason he proposed a second time.)

My Dear Robert,

      I feel it is necessary to write to you just one more time. I was persuaded to make my first response to your letter short and to the point. I can’t tell you how difficult that was for me at the time, and now I feel I must explain myself to you. For days now, I have felt sick with worry that I have caused you unhappiness. I cannot imagine what your mother and sisters must think of me. I can’t bear the thought of any of you thinking ill of me. My hope is that with this explanation, you will all be able to forgive me for my recent actions.

      First of all, the letter you wrote to me was a very good letter, according to my particular friend, and I was quite happy to receive it at first. In time, my friend persuaded me that your love could not be true, as you had not even begun reading The Romance of the Forest, as I had suggested many weeks ago. I told her how you had gone three miles round one day just to bring me walnuts and that you have always been so obliging and good-humored, but this did not seem to alter her opinion of you. In addition, she made it clear that if I were to marry you, she would not be able to remain my particular friend. We would no longer be able to visit each other in our respective homes. She also said that there is another gentleman who apparently feels much as you do towards me. My friend thinks that he would make an ideal husband for me. I can’t imagine this could be so, but I feel that my friend is much more experienced in this area than I am, and that I must heed her advice. This friend does me great honor in her attentions, and I feel quite sure that I must do what she deems best for my future.

      You must know that I have always been excessively fond of you, your sisters, and your entire family. I will always be grateful to them for all they have done for me. I will miss everyone, especially the little Welch cow, as I feel such a strong connection to her, and always thought of her as “my” special cow. Please tell your sisters that I will be very sorry to miss drinking tea with them in the summer house in your garden at Abbey-Mill next year. I am so grateful for their friendship and for their past kindnesses. I hope that you all can find it within your hearts to forgive me.

Always,
Harriett
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Reading group letters | Kitty Weston to Amazon.com

7/23/2015

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Fountain pen
For the next few days, we will be posting letters that members wrote and shared during the most recent reading group. The reading group theme was to write letters to or by the Jane Austen character of their choice. 

Enjoy, and please check back tomorrow for the next letter!


Dear Amazon.com,

     I have been looking all over the internet for a time transport portal machine like the one I saw used in the movie, Lost in Austen. I am desperate to have an adventure like that of my own. My bathroom is similar to the one in the movie with a nice large wall in the tub area to use as my portal. I also have Wi-Fi, although the connection is not always too good. If you can be of any help in this area, please reply to me as soon as possible. If anyone can help me, you can! 

     The truth is, I have been in love with Mr. Darcy for years now and my biological clock is ticking. I deserve a chance to win the heart of this amazing man. I would be much better able to fit into the early 19th century than the character, Amanda Price, in the movie. She was, honestly, a mess! I would at least dress the part before stepping through the portal. I have also been told that I have “bright eyes,” so am hopeful of making a love connection with my Mr. Darcy once there. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,
Kitty Weston


Dear Miss Weston,

     I am sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news, but the machine you speak of is actually not in existence. It is a fictional device, and was invented by the writer of the movie to create an entertaining chain of events. It did not really happen, and it will very likely never happen. I recommend the following novels for your perusal. They can all be purchased at Amazon.com. 
  • Me without You by Ralph Lazar and Lisa Swerling
  • Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood
  • Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior by Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg
  • Lost in Austen by Emma Campbell Webster. I highly recommend this interactive novel. Perhaps this will help you to come the closest to making your dreams come true. 

Sincerely,
Mr. Dashwood
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Tune in for a Jane Austen-inspired TV movie

5/15/2015

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A new film,  Love Finds You in Charm, will premiere on June 7, 2015 on the UP TV Network. 

The plot centers on a young Amish woman, Emma Miller, who is making the decision between staying with the Amish community, or leaving it behind to explore the world. She is caught between her conflicting emotions about the Amish community, and also between two men: Amish Noah and Englisher Andy. Emma is a big Jane Austen fan, going against the Amish community rules to even read the books. She quotes Austen's books in the film, and draws parallels between her life and that of Austen's characters.
 
The official website is here http://www.lovefindsyouin.com
 
You can view the trailer here https://vimeo.com/111052898

You can get updates and follow the TV movie's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-Finds-You-in-Charm/391117864393415
Facebook page for 'Love Finds You in Charm'
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Death Comes to Pemberley to air this fall

7/13/2014

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Dear Janeites, I just received this announcement and thought that most of you would be interested. We will be receiving copies of the novel to raffle off at an upcoming Reading Group meeting! 

~ Kim Higgins, Regional Coordinator of the JASNA Oregon/ SW Washington Region
Screenshot of 'Death Comes to Pemberley'
DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY -- Sundays, October 26-November 2, 2014, 9:00 pm ET on MASTERPIECE/PBS

Matthew Rhys (The Americans, Brothers and Sisters), and Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House, The Bletchley Circle), star in an adaptation of P.D. James’ witty and inventive continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. As preparations are being made for a ball at Elizabeth and Darcy's Pemberley home, the discovery of a corpse brings an abrupt and shocking halt to the proceedings — and a threat to all that the Darcys hold dear. 

Today's exclusive to Entertainment Weekly includes a trailer: http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/03/matthew-rhys-death-comes-to-pemberley-first-look/?hootPostID=68e5c5688e344552709b66690ef04d42
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'Northanger Abbey' re-imagined by Val McDermid

6/26/2014

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The second book in the "Austen Project" series has been released, Val McDermid's modern take on Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. The new release garnered a positive review in the New York Times Book Review, as quoted below:
"Val McDermid’s 'Northanger Abbey' is the second book to emerge from the Austen Project, in which Jane Austen’s published oeuvre is reimagined by 21st-­century authors...  It may be an adaptation of someone else’s novel, which itself is woven with references to other, earlier books, but nothing feels forced, nothing feels untrue. McDermid makes it very much her own, although any skeletons in the cupboards remain strictly metaphorical.

~ Review of Val McDermid's 'Northanger Abbey' in the New York Times Book Review 
Picture
The first book in the "Austen Project" was a modern adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, by Joanna Trollope. You can read more about the "Austen Project" online at http://theaustenproject.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/austenproject.
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Jane Austen at Cannes

5/17/2014

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Last August, we shared news that production had begun on a new Jane Austen documentary, "Jane Austen:  Overcoming Pride and Prejudice," by Fuschia Films. 

This year, some of the footage from that documentary is showcased in a short film entitled "In Love with Jane Austen," which is being screen at Cannes at this year's festival. Below is information about the short film, as well as details of its Cannes debut. 

So exciting! More news about the feature-length documentary is available here online at http://janeaustenproductions.com/1/production-news/ .
Picture
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Cozy Classics of P&P and Emma

2/7/2014

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"Cozy Classics" are a series of board books of classic literature, including Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Emma. The photographs capture creative felted illustrations and characters. The series was created by twin brothers Holman and Jack Wang -- and each board book is only 12 words long! 
Cozy Classics
For more info online:
  • Website, which includes character bios, images, a blog, here at http://www.mycozyclassics.com/
  • Facebook page, here at https://www.facebook.com/mycozyclassics
  • Interview with the artists, here at http://gimmesomeoven.com/reads/cozy-classics-artist-interview-and-giveaway/
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Reading group meeting in the new year, Jan. 12

12/24/2013

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Happy Holidays!

It is almost time for our January reading group meeting. We will begin 2014 with a discussion of the novel, Longbourn, by Jo Baker. We will gather on January 12th at 1pm at the home of Alexandra Guerra. Our discussion leader will be Katherine Lozano. 

Longbourn is a novel based on the timeline and events of Pride and Prejudice, but from the point of view of their servants. It is available in hard back and Kindle versions. Even if you are unable to read the novel in advance, you will still be able to participate in the discussion as you expand your knowledge of the Regency period and "read between the lines" of Austen's work.

To RSVP please send an email if possible (see our Contacts page).
Cover of Longbourn book
Click here for an NPR interview with author Jo Baker, as well as an excerpt from Longbourn

For more information on this and other upcoming events, please visit our 2014 Events page,
which has been newly updated!
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    JASNA ORSWWA

    Welcome to the web site of the Oregon & SW Washington Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA). We are a friendly and active group dedicated to the appreciation of Jane Austen's life and works.

    Please email for more info! Also, please let us know if you have interesting Austen-related news/tidbits to share with everyone here on the home page.


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JASNA Oregon & SW Washington Region

Welcome to the web site of the JASNA Oregon & SW Washington Region, a friendly and active group dedicated to the appreciation of Jane Austen's life and works.

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