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Friday, March 26, 2010

Hazel-eyed Jane Austen


As a fan of Jane Austen, I am extremely pleased with the plethora of information about her on the web. It goes without saying that I spend hours immersed in Austen blogs and equally delightful related sites. There is one I want to focus on, and it is the source of my faves this week:

Sadish

Jane Austen's World
A classic party inside! I am drawn to this promise:

"This blog brings Jane Austen, her novels, and the Regency Period alive through food, dress, social customs, and other 19th C. historical details"

A good trait
Vic, the blog owner writes on "About Me"

"...If you would like to share a new site, or point out an error, please email me. (Yes, I am fallible. I'll own up to my mistakes and will make the corrections with a polite smile on my face.)"


A familiar word
It's an adjective but it's also my name. James Austen Leigh, the author's nephew describes his aunt's physical attributes -

“ ... full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed, light hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her face.”

Jane Austen: Christian Encounters by Peter Leithart
There are many Austen publications and reviews out there, but this is the first time I saw one of a book written by a christian pastor and Austen scholar at the same time. What magnets me to this review is Vic's closing comment which mirrors an inclination I have for someone with whom I have a volatile relationship: my own mother whose moral beliefs and practices often clash with mine -

"The references to Jane’s religion and Christian beliefs were interwoven into the narrative in an unobtrusive and restrained way. I had feared a lecture; what I received was enlightenment and a book I shall share with my Christian mother who is always asking me: “What is it about Jane Austen that makes you such as devotee?” Read this book, Mama, and you will understand."

Regency wedding dresses
I must be the only divorcee who is still crazy about wedding dresses lol! Ok, not exactly crazy but perhaps a better phrase would be 'like anyway and no matter what'. Admiring vintage fashion is high on my bucket. This Jane Austen's World post, as well as Social Customs During the Regency Era contain a rich list of links. Before I go hyper I think I should pause with this quote Vic included to celebrate a niece's wedding

"The handsome veil of Mechlin lace, A sister’s love bestows, It adds new beauties to her face, Which now with pleasure glows. Friends brothers sisters cousins meet, To attend the happy bride, And Queer’s joy is all complete, The nuptial knot is tied -"


Share what you love about your week with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story

13 comments:

  1. Sound great and very interesting
    I have never heard from her !!!!
    Thanks for telling us :-)

    (@^.^@)

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  2. I'll have to share this sight with my daughter who is a big Austen fan. For her high school graduation present we took her to England and we traced the places that Jane wrote about and visited. It was such a great trip!!
    Have a great weekend!

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  3. What a very fun post!

    I actually just received a copy of Leithart's book on Jane Austen and it's sitting here staring at me - waiting for my attention! I'm looking forward to it!

    Cool, cool post!

    Have a great weekend!

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  4. Awww! This is a sweet post Hazel! How cool that you found a site that you enjoy sO much! I'm sure Vic enjoys having YOU visit too!

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  5. I love Jane too, and find that period of time quite beautiful. I had no idea that there were sites dedicated to her as well as that time period. I am going to have to check them out. Thanks for sharing and opening my world.

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  6. Very interesting FFF, Hazel. I enjoy the Austen movies but can you believe I've never READ a Jane Austen novel (and my husband HAS!)? I must remedy that deficiency this summer!

    Have a great weekend!

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  7. I like Jane Austen too.

    Interesting post.

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  8. Very interesting FFF. Can you believe that I have never read a Jane Austen novel (and my husband has!)? I love the movies though. I will have to remedy this deficiency in my literary education this summer.

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  9. So you make me think I should read more Jane Austen! Maybe this summer I will do that...

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  10. I've read Leithart and always enjoy his enlightening perspective.

    I can't start to follow those links or I'll get lost in the maze and never come out...akin to my behavior in the library or bookstore...

    Enjoyed your list immensely! Happy weekend!

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  11. Anya, Jane lived not very far from you :)

    Ellen, what a perfect gift for a Jane Austen fan!

    Carrie, have fun with Leithart's book

    Melli, Vic's blog is such a joy to visit

    Willow, most of the time I seem to think women only read Jane Austen, but your husband has?! How cool is that!

    Lisa, it could be a great summer reading experience :)

    Laura, you better not, lol! I have lost several hours of sleep in them. I wish Leithart's book was as accessible here as it is in your part of the globe, but I'll check, somewhere.

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  12. Can you believe I have never read a Jane Austen novel in all my life? I really need to do something about that. You'd get along wonderfully with Sandra at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom. She is an Austen lover also!

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  13. Susanne :) I'll visit Sandra one of these days, thanks.

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