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Monday, September 5, 2011

I Heart....JA

I don't think I've discussed this nearly enough on my blog, but I really REALLY heart Jane Austen novels, especially Pride and Prejudice. Persuasion is a close second (if you haven't read, you really need to--it's one of the most transformative, sweet stories I've ever read) but nothing beats the good 'ol classic P & P.

My favorite version is, of course, the classic one with Colin Firth:)

The Kiera Knightley one isn't too bad, but I think the problem is that it misses the humor in the story. I'm not really laughing in that film, and laughing is a big part of the Pride and Prejudice experience for me.

I'm also deeply in love with an old black and white version of P & P featuring Laurence Olivier.


It has a wonderful, elegant, old Hollywood charm to it. Check it out, you won't regret it:)


And to add a fun twist, this is a great adaptation of the story set in India:

I love Indian movies and I obviously love Jane Austen, so when my friend Kathleen saw a trailer for this film, she said "it's like someone went in your head and made a movie!" So true. The Bollywood feel can be a little much if you're not used to it (think 400 people in matching outfits suddenly breaking into song and dance in the middle of a supermarket scene), but the story is wonderful and translates well!

So there you have it--some gut-spilling from a Pride & Prejudice fanatic.

Are YOU a Jane Austen fan, too? Come on, don't be shy!
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24 comments:

  1. JenniferSanbornSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    I've tried! I own, or used to own, one of them but I can't remember if it's P&P or Sense & Sensibility. I struggle with classics...not sure why.

    BUT!! That Bollywood edition looks fun! I was devastated when XM Radio cancelled the Bollywood channel...I listened to it all the time!!!

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  2. Valerie MSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    I'm definitely a fan - when I first saw Sense & Sensibility I was hooked! DH calls them my 'English accent' movies :)

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  3. jamie longSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    I am indeed a fan of English literature all together. My son stayed up late with me one night to watch Jane Eyre, at the end he said that was really sad...why do girls like sad movies? lol. I totally agree about the Keira Knightly version, I mean I get it they wanted to do something different. Emma is my favorite Jane Austen book.

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  4. LynseySeptember 5, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    It took me most of my life to come around to being a fan of Jane Austen. My sister loved the books when we were "tweens," but I just couldn't get into them (and I'm an English major!). When I first purchased my Nook from Barnes & Noble last year, I discovered Pride & Prejudice was pre-loaded onto mine. Being broke and having lost my library card, I realized I had to read that or re-read something I already owned. I chose P&P and fell in love!

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  5. LeoraSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    You got me curious about the Bollywood version.

    My mother was a huge Jane Austen fan. She once wrote a paper (when she was already retired and taking a college course) about mothers in Jane Austen's novels.

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  6. PamelaSeptember 5, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    I am such a P & P fan! But I actually LOVE the artistic feel and use of colors and sunlight in the Kiera Knightly one. Because I like that one best, I am often told that I am not a true P & P fan. :) I've actually never seen the old one though...definitely need to watch that one!

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  7. UnknownSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I am an enormous Austen fan... my DH teases me regularly (I didn't drag him all over England like I did over Prince Edward Island so he can just HUSH.) My favorite is P&P but closely followed by Mansfield Park.
    I love the Laurence Olivier version!!!

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  8. Ursula SchneiderSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    I am sooo with you on this. Love me some Jane Austen, though I have to say that I like the Colin Firth and the Keira Knightly versions equally but for different reasons.

    I love older English literature in general. I love the language. When I'm reading any of it, my vocabulary takes a giant leap!

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  9. CurlywigglesSeptember 5, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    I used to, but then I had to study Mansfield Park at college and after picking it to pieces I kind of went off them. I enjoy the movies and tv adaptations though. Oh, and I live in 'Jane Austin county'. It literally says that on all the signposts for Hampshire, ha! I have visited her house. I just finished Jayne Eyre, you would probably enjoy that, I liked it a lot.

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  10. Kimber-LeighSeptember 5, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    i love all jane austen's novels. (english major, here!) as for movies, colin firth and jennifer ehle have my heart when it comes to movie adaptations. and i do love persuasion. right now, i'm hooked on emma again...have you seen the romola garai movie version that came out in the last couple years? really really good. i love my mr. darcy ... but i think mr. knightley might be my favorite austen gentleman. :)

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  11. Sara RossiSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I have to confess: I have never read a JA book. **hanging head in shame** But have been interested lately...

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  12. JillSeptember 5, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    I've been wanting to watch "Bride and Prejudice." I will one of these days when I can remember to update my Netflix queue. BIG P&P fan here. HUGE.

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  13. tirzahdawnSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    I am a HUGE fan. I will have to check out the bollywood version. :)

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  14. UnknownSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    I will never disclose how many times I have watched P&P. It is fun ;) Bollywood would be fun too!

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  15. Denise PriceSeptember 5, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    Ooh, that Indian version looks intriguing!

    Have you seen the movie _Lost in Austen_? It's about a 21st century Londoner going back in time and getting mixed up in the storyline of _Pride and Prejudice_. It's sooo cute and funny. Definitely recommend it.

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  16. nancySeptember 5, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I love me some Jane Austen! Emma is my favorite book. I just love the relationship between her and Mr. Knightley--it's real and full of challenges. He doesn't let her get away with anything!

    And I fell in love with Colin Firth when I was 14, watching the A&E classic. Big crush!

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  17. j.leijaSeptember 5, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    Love love love me some Jane Austen!! My flatmates and I were obsessed with P&P and of course Mr. Darcy. I scrapbooked it :) http://paperheartproject.blogspot.com/2010/07/darcy-fanclub.html

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  18. LeaSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Oh, I love Jane Austen novels!!! Pride and Prejudice is my favoirte.

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  19. fafunaSeptember 7, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    ooooooooh, loved this post! You should definitely tell us more often about the non-scrapbooking things that you love, too!! :)

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  20. Pegg SSeptember 8, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    I love Colin Firth P&P too!! I should watch the Laurence Olivier version - never knew about it!!

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  21. Rebecca Einstein SchorrSeptember 8, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Yes -- Lost in Austen is a must for JA lovers!!!

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  22. loriSeptember 10, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Oh absolutely love Jane Austen! I'm not sure I have a favorite. I haven't watched any in a long time - now I want to get them out and enjoy!

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  23. Jennifer LarsonSeptember 10, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    You should read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Absolutely hysterical.

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  24. Tiffany HeardSeptember 14, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    I love Jane Austen! Pride & Prejudice is my favorite. I like the Kiera Knightley version the best (but I think that's mostly because I have a huge crush on Matthew Macfadyen).

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