Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World (2003)

This is one of those films that has been on my "to review" list for quite awhile now and I'm finally getting around to finishing this review as part of the 2016 Period Drama Challenge.

Before viewing Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World for the first time, I had debated watching it. I'm not a huge fan of "war films" and wasn't sure weather the content was appropriate. After reading a brief snipet on one of my favorite Jane Austen blogs that likened the hero Captain Jack Aubrey to Captain Wentworth of Persuasion I knew that I had to watch this film for myself.

What I found was a lovely tale, simply told, that takes place all at sea (with a brief jaunt across a deserted island). A film that swells the heart with fervor for the British navy and left me repeating Louisa Musgrove's words from Persuasion (1995): "I do admire the navy. These men have more worth than any other set of men in England!"

Story: During the Napoleonic War the navy represented England in the seas. Captain Jack Aubrey runs a tight ship, but when they meet up with the French ship The Acheron in the fog they are beaten badly. Captain Aubrey decides to follow chase, but the longer they sail the more his ship and crew fall apart physically and emotionally. Will they survive as heroes or die with no one to mourn?

Music: In the dramatic opening, scenes that show what life on board shop is like, music is used sparingly and this is very well done because you also get to hear the sounds of the ship. As the film progresses more music is heard, simple and fitting the Regency era. Captain Aubrey and Doctor Maturin play the violin and cello together in the evenings, mostly classical pieces like Mozart and Bach, but they sometimes break into more folk-like music. The crew often sings sea-shanties to raise their spirits and those are such good fun and show off the actors voices. Overall the music is wonderfully period appropriate and suits each scene perfectly.

Scenes: Shows the closeness of the ship but without seeming overly crowded. Horizons at sea are gorgeous. As they sail through South America they land on a small island with rocky terrain but the views are still remarkable.

Costumes: No fine Regency costumes are needed here since most all of the film is about sailors out to sea. The sailors' uniforms are well made and fit well, down to the youngest midshipman. No spotless sailors here, their uniforms and other clothing articles get wet, sweaty, dirty, bloody and all the rest like real clothing would have.

Language: Even for sailors their language is mostly clean and there is little swearing. The worst I hear was by a sailor they picked in a rowboat he does use the F word once briefly and I probably caught it because I had the subtitles on. There might have been a couple sh--s and da--s but I can't recall. Speech is mostly Regency era appropriate and fun to hear orders and such being given and sounding in every day use.

Inappropriate Content: Sailors might have a bad reputation when on land, but even pirates of their era were expected to behave with honor and under certain rules on board ship. No women are ever on board The Surprise and no sexual content is in this film. There is some drinking shown and spirits are high due to that but nothing lewd is shown or mentioned.

Violence: Scenes of war aboard ship are shown. Exploding cannons that destroy ship and wood, attacks from enemy ship, charging another ship, fighting with swords and clubs, a sailor receives lashes, sailors are injured, one young man has to have a limb removed, other men die through injury or being lost at sea, some vomit during rough seas and one man removes a bullet from his own gut but nothing too gross is shown. Overall not a lot of blood is shown and the Captain and crew are not brutal.

Familiar Actors: Many familiar actors from BBC period dramas do a fantastic job in their roles. Several actors have played sailors in other films or portrayed other Regency era characters. These are a few I recognized:

• Russell Crowe as Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey - Also in Robin Hood (2010), Les Miserables (2012).
• Paul Bettany as Dr. Stephen Maturin, Surgeon - Also in David Copperfield (2000),  A Knight's Tale, The Young Victoria
• James D'Arcy as 1st Lt. Tom Pullings - Also in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001), Poirot: The Mystery of the Blue Train, Marple: The Moving Finger, Mansfield Park (2007), The Making of a Lady.
• Lee Ingleby as Hollom, Midshipman - Also in Ever After, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001), Marple: Nemesis.
• Robert Pugh as Mr. Allen, Master - The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain, Marple: A Murder Is Announced, Bleak House, Poirot Cards On the Table, Lark Rise To Candleford, Robin Hood (TV series), Robin Hood (2010), Doctor Who, The Hollow Crown.
• Richard McCabe as Mr. Higgins, Surgeon's Mate - Persuasion (1995), Foyle's War (TV series), Vanity Fair (2004), Jane Eyre (2006), Cinderella (2015).
• Billy Boyd  as Barrett Bonden, Coxswain - The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

"Louisa, by whom she found herself walking, burst forth into raptures of admiration and delight on the character of the navy: their friendliness, their brotherliness, their openness, their uprightness; protesting that she was convinced of sailors having more worth and warmth than any other set of men in England; that they only knew how to live, and they only deserved to be respected and loved." - Chapter 11, Persuasion by Jane Austen

My Thoughts: Jane Austen's Persuasion is one of my favorite novels and Persuasion (1995) is one of my favorite period dramas of all time and this film really fits in with that story. Master and Commander show the nobleness and adventures of naval officers during the Napoleonic war, such as those experienced by Captain Wentworth, Admiral Croft, William Price or even Jane Austen's own brothers Francis and Charles Austen. Similar to the Horatio Hornblower films but with even less violence and questionable content. Master and Commander: The Far Side Of The World is definitely a new favorite period film in the Regency era and one that I would watch side by side with Persuasion film adaptations.

Recommendations: Rated PG-13 mostly for some military violence and brief language (most barely audible). I wouldn't recommend this for younger viewers but for teenagers on up it is quite alright. If you like the Horatio Hornblower films, Persuasion adaptations, Poldark (TV series) or military films in general you will probably enjoy this film.

Have you seen Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World?

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Poetry In Period Dramas Game - Answers

These are the answers to the Poetry In Period Dramas Game from last week. As promised along with the answers I am also telling what the title of the poems and who wrote them. Sorry these answers are up late, it's been an odd day. 

Poems Quoted In Period Dramas:

#1

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,

Heaven did a recompense as largely send:

He gave to Misery all he had, a tear,

He gained from Heaven ('twas all he wish'd) a friend.

Period Drama: Cranford (2007)
Poem: Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray

#2

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)

Poem: Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

#3

Like the dew on the mountain,

Like the foam on the river,

Like the bubble on the fountain,

Thou art gone, and forever!

Period Drama: Persuasion (1995)
Poem: The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott

#4

Ne is the earth the lesse, or loseth ought,

For whatsoeuer from one place doth fall,

Is with the tide vnto an other brought:

For there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)
Poem: The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser

#5

I have hid my feelings– fearing they should do me wrong,

Saying– doest thou love me? Weeping– I have loved thee long.

What is this? His eyes are heavy– think not they are glazed with wine,

Go to him, it is thy duty– Kiss him– take his hand in thine.

Cursed be the social wants that sin against the strength of youth!

Cursed be the social lies that warp us from the living truth!

Well–’tis well that I should bluster!– hadst thou less unworthy proved,

Would to God– for I had loved thee more than ever wife was loved.

Period Drama: Cranford (2007)
Poem: Locksley Hall by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

#6

 Is love a fancy, or a feeling? 

No.It is immortal as immaculate Truth,

'Tis not a blossom shed as soon as youth,

Drops from the stem of life--for it will grow,

In barren regions, where no waters flow,

Nor rays of promise cheats the pensive gloom.

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)

Poem: Sonnet VII by Hartley Coleridge

#7

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees.

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas.

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,

And the highwyman came riding--

    Riding--riding--

The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

Period Drama: Anne Of Green Gables
Poem: The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes

#8

No voice divine the storm allay'd,

No light propitious shone;

When, snatch'd from all effectual aid,

We perish'd, each alone;

But I beneath a rougher sea,

And whelmed in deeper gulphs than he.

Period Drama: Sense and Sensibility (1996)
Poem: The Castaway by William Cowper 

#9

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Through the wave that runs forever

By the island in the river

    Flowing down to Camelot.

Four gray walls, and four gray towers,

Overlook a space of flowers,

And the silent isle embowers,

    The Lady of Shalott.

There she weaves by night and day

A magic web with colors gay.

She has heard a whisper say,

A curse is on her is she stay

    To look down to Camelot.

She knows not what the curse may be,

And so she weaveth steadily,

And little over care hath she,

    The Lady of Shalott.

Period Drama: Anne Of Green Gables 
Poem: The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

#10 

Elizabeth Bennet: I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love? 

Mr. Darcy: I thought that poetry was the food of love. 

Elizabeth Bennet: Of a fine stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination I'm convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead.

Period Drama: Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Quote is from the book but is unfortunately not in the 1995 miniseries.

Players Scores:
(High Score was 110 points)
Melody - 90 points
Lady Eowyn - 80 points
Maddie Rose - 80 points
Rose P - 80 points
Emma Jane - 70 points
Sadie - 70 points

Hamlette - 40 points

Jane Austen Crossword Clues Answers!

These are the answers to the Jane Austen Crossword Clues - W game from last week.


Jane Austen Crossword Clue Answers:

1. Lieutenant _______ Price - Fanny Price's brother.
Answer: William

2. Sir ______ Elliot - Anne Elliot's father.
Answer: Walter

3. Captain Frederick ________ - Naval hero.
Answer: Wentworth

4. Colonel ______ - Mr. Elliot's gossipy friend.
Answer: Wallis

5. Mr. ______ -  Gentleman Miss Taylor marries.
Answer: Weston

6. Surname of Emma and her father.
Answer: Woodhouse

7. John __________ - Villain of Sense and Sensibility.
Answer: Willoughby

8. George _______ - Villain of Pride and Prejudice.
Answer: Wickham

9. The _______ - name of unfinished Austen work.
Answer: Watsons

10. Village where Charles Hayter lives.
Answer: Winthrop

11. Finish the quote: "Pictures of perfection make me sick and ______."  
Answer: Wicked

12. Finish the quote: "I never heard of such a thing. Dancing with open ______!"
Answer: Windows

13. Henry Tilney's parsonage.
Answer: Woodston

14. Catherine Morland's home county.
Answer: Wiltshire

15. Eliza ________ - Colonel Brandon's unfortunate sister-in-law.
Answer: Williams


Players Scores:
Melody - 120 points
Anonymous - 110 points
Scullery Maid - 110 points
birdienl - 100 points
Livia Rachelle - 100 points
Emma Jane - 90 points
Kelsey - 90 points
Kiri Liz - 80 points
Hamlette - 70 points
Sarah Jane - 70 points

Jane Austen Crossword Clues - W

Are there any crossword fans out there? Well the idea of this game is a Jane Austen trivia quiz where the questions sound rather like crossword clues. To make it interesting and a bit easier all of the answers are one word and start with the letter W!

 To Play: Read the clues below and guess the answers. All answers start with the letter W. Leave your guesses in a comment and I'll respond with your score. You may only guess once for each question so think hard about your answers before you respond! Answers to this game will be posted next Saturday.

Scoring: 10 points for each correct W answers. Highest possible score is 150 points!


Jane Austen Crossword Clues:

1. Lieutenant _______ Price - Fanny Price's brother.

2. Sir ______ Elliot - Anne Elliot's father.

3. Captain Frederick ________ - Naval hero.

4. Colonel ______ - Mr. Elliot's gossipy friend.

5. Mr. ______ -  Gentleman Miss Taylor marries.

6. Surname of Emma and her father.

7. John __________ - Villain of Sense and Sensibility.

8. George _______ - Villain of Pride and Prejudice.

9. The _______ - name of unfinished Austen work.

10. Village where Charles Hayter lives.

11. Finish the quote: "Pictures of perfection make me sick and ______."  

12. Finish the quote: "I never heard of such a thing. Dancing with open ______!"

13. Henry Tilney's parsonage.

14. Catherine Morland's home county.

15. Eliza ________ - Colonel Brandon's unfortunate sister-in-law.



Looking forward to seeing your answers! :)

Jane Austen Clergymen Quiz - Answers!

Here are the answers to the Jane Austen Clergymen Quiz from last week. Y'all did really well with this quiz! Thanks for playing! :)

Jane Austen Clergymen Quiz:

1. Which two of Jane Austen's brothers were clergymen?

a. James (her oldest brother)

b. George

c. Edward

d. Frank

e. Henry (two failed careers before joining the church)

f. Charles

2. In Emma, who was the vicar in Highbury before Mr. Elton took the job?
Reverend Mr. Bates (husband of Mrs. Bates, father of Miss Bates)

3. In Sense and Sensibility, who offers Edward Ferrars a living at the rectory on their estate?
Colonel Brandon (it's a small rectory at his estate Delaford)

4. What is the first name of Captain Wentworth's clergyman brother in Persuasion?

a. Charles

b. Henry

c. Edward (he was the curate at Monkford near Kellynch Hall back when Anne and Captain Wentworth were first engaged. When the story starts Mrs. Croft tells Anne that their brother Edward has married and found a parish in Shropshire.)

d. William

5. In Northanger Abbey, what is the name of the village where Henry Tilney serves as vicar?
Woodston (20 miles from Northanger Abbey)

6. Who was vicar at Mansfield Parsonage before Dr. Grant comes in?
Reverend Mr. Norris (husband of Mrs. Norris)

7. What time of year was Mr. Collins ordained as a minister in Pride and Prejudice?

a. Easter (he mentions it in his first letter to Mr. Bennet)

b. Christmas

c. St. Valentine's

d. Michaelmas

8. In Northanger Abbey, what is the name of the village where Catherine Morland's father serves as vicar?

Fullerton (in the county on Wiltshire)

9. What is the name of Catherine Morland's brother in Northanger Abbey who is studying to be a clergyman?
Mr. James Morland (oldest of the Morland children)

10. What is the name of Edmund Bertram's college friend in Mansfield Park who he stays with when they are ordained?  

a. Mr. Andrews

b. Mr. Rushworth

c. Mr. Owens (he also has two sisters that Mary Crawford fears will steal Edmund away from her)

d. Mr. Whitmore

11. In Pride and Prejudice what is the name of the village where Mr. Collins is vicar?
Hunsford Parsonage (not actually sure of the village's proper name)

12. What is the name of the small living reserved for Edmund in Mansfield Park?

a. Southerton

b. Enscombe

c. Coumb Magna 

d. Thornton Lacey (a small village not too far from Mansfield Park)

13. Which Pride and Prejudice character was "intended for the church"?
George Wickham (but after seeing Wickham's loose behavior at college Mr. Darcy is glad Wickham has not much inclination for the church)

14. What is the first name of Henrietta Musgrove's intended clergyman husband, Mr. Hayter, in Persuasion?

a. Henry 

b. Charles (he is one of six guys with the name Charles in Persuasion!)

c. Robert 

d. James

15. Why must Sir Thomas Bertram give the living of Mansfield Vicarage to Dr. Grant instead of giving it to Edmund as he'd promised?
Because of Tom Bertram's debts and the failure of Sir Thomas's plantations in the West Indies. (While Edmund wasn't ordained yet there wasn't much longer to wait but Sir Thomas didn't have the funds to support both of his sons so Edmund suffers from Tom's extravagance.)

16. Dr. Shirley is a clergyman mentioned in which novel? 

a. Persuasion (he's an elderly clergyman near Uppercross who Mr. Hayter and Henrietta hope will need the services of a young curate)

b. Emma 

c. Sense and Sensibility 

d. Mansfield Park

17. In Northanger Abbey, how many children does Reverend Morland have in his vicarage?
Ten children. ("A family of ten children will be always called a fine family, where there are heads and arms and legs enough for the number..." - NA, Chapter 1)

18. What is Mr. Elton's first name in Emma?

a. Peter

b. Philip (Philip. Philip Elton. Mr. creepy man.)

c. Andrew

d. Simon

19. What book does Mr. Collins read to the Bennet girls in Pride and Prejudice?
Fordyce's Sermons. ("Other books were produced, and after some deliberation he chose Fordyce's Sermons. Lydia gaped as he opened the volume, and before he had, with very monotonous solemnity, read three pages, she interrupted him..." - P&P, Chapter 14)

20. Which character in Mansfield Park tells Edmund Bertram he should go into the law instead of becoming a clergyman?

a. Tom Bertram

b. Mary Crawford (Mary: “I am just as much surprised now as I was at first that you should intend to take orders. You really are fit for something better. Come, do change your mind. It is not too late. Go into the law.”  Edmund: “Go into the law! With as much ease as I was told to go into this wilderness.” - MP, Chapter 9)

c. Julia Bertram

d. Henry Crawford

21. Who most likely pays a good portion of Mr. Elton's salary in Emma?

a. Mr. Weston

b. Mr. Coxe

c. Mr. Woodhouse

d. Mr. Knightley (Mr. Elton has to meet with him on parish business and as a magistrate Mr. Knghtley has a lot of responsibility for church business. If Mr. Knightley is Mr. Elton's "boss" then it shows how incredibly cheeky Mr. E is when he boasts to Mrs. E about "My friend Knightley"! Mr. Knightley also feels it his responsibility to help Mrs. Bates the widow of the former clergyman. Mr. Knightley is indeed the best of men!)

22. How did Catherine Morland's brother meet John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey?
They attend Oxford together. (James Morland and John Thorpe are both intending to become clergymen - can you imagine Thorpe as a minister?!?! James spent the Christmas holidays with the Thorpe family and that's when he first met and started liking Isabella Thorpe.)

23. In Persuasion who says that the curate "Mr. Wentworth was nobody"?

a. Elizabeth Elliot

b. Sir Walter Elliot ("Wentworth? Oh ay! Mr. Wentworth, the curate of Monkford. You misled me by the term gentleman. I thought you were speaking of some man of property: Mr. Wentworth was nobody, I remember: quite unconnected; nothing to do with the Strafford family." - Sir Walter Elliot, Persuasion, Chapter 3)

c. Lady Russell 

d. Mary Musgrove

24. In Northanger Abbey, how long would Isabella Thorpe have had to wait until Catherine Morland's brother could obtain the living as rector and have money enough to marry?

a. 2 months

b. 4 months 

c. 2 years (Actually 2 1/2 years. "Ah! my Catherine, you have found me out. There’s the sting. The long, long, endless two years and half that are to pass before your brother can hold the living.” - Isabella Thorpe, NA, Chapter 16)

d. 4 years

25. What was the name of Cassandra Austen's clergyman fiance who died as a military chaplain?
Thomas "Tom" Fowle. ("After graduating from Oxford University, in 1794, one former pupil [of Reverend Austen], Thomas Fowle, became engaged to Cassandra Austen. Fowle needed money to marry and went to the Caribbean with a military expedition as chaplain to his cousin, General Lord Craven. There, Fowle died of yellow fever in 1797. [Cassandra] Austen inherited £1000 from him, which gave her a little financial independence but, like her sister, she never married." - quoted from Wikipedia) 

Players Scores:

Melody - 210 points

birdienl - 185 points

Meredith - 180 points

Livia Rachelle - 135 points

Emma Jane - 95 points

Kiri Liz - 80 points

Jane Austen Clergymen Quiz

It's seems like some time since I've done a game that is Jane Austen related so here is a little quiz all about the clergymen in Jane Austen novels. The questions are an assortment of multiple choice and write-in. I tried to keep it simple but also add a challenge for my fellow devoted Janeites out there! :)

To Play: Answer the questions below to the best of your ability and leave your answers in a comment. This time you have only one chance to answer each question so choose wisely! I'll respond with your score. Answers will be posted next Saturday.

Scoring: 10 points for each correct answer. A high score of 250 points can be earned.


Jane Austen Clergymen Quiz:

1. Which two of Jane Austen's brothers were clergymen?

a. James

b. George

c. Edward

d. Frank

e. Henry

f. Charles

2. In Emma, who was the vicar in Highbury before Mr. Elton took the job?

3. In Sense and Sensibility, who offers Edward Ferrars a living at the rectory on their estate?

4. What is the first name of Captain Wentworth's clergyman brother in Persuasion?

a. Charles

b. Henry

c. Edward

d. William

5. In Northanger Abbey, what is the name of the village where Henry Tilney serves as vicar?

6. Who was vicar at Mansfield Parsonage before Dr. Grant comes in?

7. What time of year was Mr. Collins ordained as a minister in Pride and Prejudice?

a. Easter 

b. Christmas

c. St. Valentine's

d. Michaelmas

8. In Northanger Abbey, what is the name of the village where Catherine Morland's father serves as vicar?

9. What is the name of Catherine Morland's brother in Northanger Abbey who is studying to be a clergyman?

10. What is the name of Edmund Bertram's college friend in Mansfield Park who he stays with when they are ordained?  

a. Mr. Andrews

b. Mr. Rushworth

c. Mr. Owens

d. Mr. Whitmore

11. In Pride and Prejudice what is the name of the village where Mr. Collins is vicar?

12. What is the name of the small living reserved for Edmund in Mansfield Park?

a. Southerton

b. Enscombe

c. Coumb Magna 

d. Thornton Lacey

13. Which Pride and Prejudice character was "intended for the church"?

14. What is the first name of Henrietta Musgrove's intended clergyman husband, Mr. Hayter, in Persuasion?

a. Henry 

b. Charles 

c. Robert 

d. James

15. Why must Sir Thomas Bertram give the living of Mansfield Vicarage to Dr. Grant instead of giving it to Edmund as he'd promised?

16. Dr. Shirley is a clergyman mentioned in which novel? 

a. Persuasion

b. Emma 

c. Sense and Sensibility 

d. Mansfield Park

17. In Northanger Abbey, how many children does Reverend Morland have in his vicarage?

18. What is Mr. Elton's first name in Emma?

a. Peter

b. Philip

c. Andrew

d. Simon

19. What book does Mr. Collins read to the Bennet girls in Pride and Prejudice?

20. Which character in Mansfield Park tells Edmund Bertram he should go into the law instead of becoming a clergyman?

a. Tom Bertram

b. Mary Crawford

c. Julia Bertram

d. Henry Crawford

21. Who most likely pays a good portion of Mr. Elton's salary in Emma?

a. Mr. Weston

b. Mr. Coxe

c. Mr. Woodhouse

d. Mr. Knightley

22. How did Catherine Morland's brother meet John Thorpe in Northanger Abbey?

23. In Persuasion who says that the curate "Mr. Wentworth was nobody"?

a. Elizabeth Elliot

b. Sir Walter Elliot

c. Lady Russell 

d. Mary Musgrove

24. In Northanger Abbey, how long would Isabella Thorpe have had to wait until Catherine Morland's brother could obtain the living as rector and have money enough to marry?

a. 2 months

b. 4 months 

c. 2 years

d. 4 years

25. What was the name of Cassandra Austen's clergyman fiance who died as a military chaplain?

Book Review: Jane Austen Made Me Do It

JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT: Original stories inspired by literature’s most astute observer of the human heart, edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

I first heard about Jane Austen Made Me Do It when The Republic of Pemberley were holding a short story contest where the winner would get their short story included in this book. It sounded so interesting and I greatly looked forward to the release date. This Christmas my parents gave me my own copy and I got right to work on reading the 22 short stories by various authors. As I went along I jotted down some thoughts on each story that I will include here along with an idea of what each story is about. Some of my comments contain spoilers!

Star Rating: For fun I'm going to rate each story by putting "stars" or * asterisks next to each title. 1 star means it was tolerable, 5 stars means it was excellent and I highly recommend it.

Note: I haven't been a huge fan of Jane Austen fanfiction in the past so I can be rather critical of authors who mess with "My Jane". I'd like to say up front that I have the highest respect for my fellow Janeite authors and that this book would not be the same without any of these interesting stories!

About The Short Stories:

* Jane Austen's Nightmare by Syrie James - Jane Austen's characters tell her what they think about how she described them and wrote their stories. 
A silly mash-up of P&P, S&S, MP, Emma and Susan (later NA). A mistake was made in off-handedly mentioning characters from Persuasion (Sir Walter Elliot, Elizabeth Elliot, Mary Musgrove and Mr. William Elliot) before Jane Austen was supposed to have created and written about Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth. Story a bit half-baked with loose ends. Strong words said against sweet Fanny Price. Disregards some of the characters' Regency decorum and good hearts.

*** Waiting: A story inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion by Jane Odiwe - Captain Wentworth goes to ask Sir Walter for permission to marry Anne Elliot.
A very sweet tale! Waxed on a bit long about first meeting and proposal. Captures Sir Walter and Elizabeth's personalities perfectly. Wished she had cut some of the beginning story and told some of the Crofts' response on hearing their engagement news.

* A Night At Northanger by Lauren Willig - A ghost hunting television team spend the night at Northanger Abbey where they encounter that ghost of Jane Austen.
Some strong curse language. Unsure who the "ghost" is at first so the quotes don't make sense. Why would Jane Austen be a ghost at Northanger Abbey? Lady half dressed during her talk with Jane. Funny character names.

*** Jane Austen and the Gentleman Rogue: Being a fragment of a Jane Austen mystery by Stephanie Barron - An excerpt from Jane Austen's journal in which secret papers are stolen and Jane helps Lord Harold solve the mystery.
Though only a fragment it feels as if I've read a whole novel. Stephanie Barron's style of writing captures the imagination vividly transporting me instantly into the Regency era. The excitement is infectious and moved me to read faster so I could discover what would happen next! Presents a clever, witty Jane that perhaps drinks too much and is sometimes unladylike but is still enchanting. Those who know of Lord Harold can't help but swoon over him. Jane Austen becomes a bit of a Miss Marple in her way. Highly entertaining as always, I always enjoy Ms. Barron's work!

** Faux Jane by Diane Meier and Frank Delaney writing as F.J. Meier - Charlie's wife is an agent for a temperamental actress who may or may not have bought a first edition Jane Austen novel.
Initially thought I knew where the story was going by got lost two pages in, then caught the plot again. Story or actress is unfortunately entirely plausible and reminds me of Anne Hathaway or Keira Knightley. Ending is clever. Uncle Julius is very funny. Makes me wonder which author wrote what parts of the story.

**** Nothing Less Than Fairy-land by Monica Fairview - Life after Emma's honeymoon may not be as perfect as she'd hoped.  
Writing style is excellent, very thoughtful and written in the style of Emma (2009) so that I could see Romola Garai, Johnny Lee Miller and Tamsin Greig in their roles as Emma, Mr. Knightley and Miss Bates. It is not perhaps Jane Austen but is very sweet. Another author who comes to the conclusion that Miss Bates could marry Mr. Woodhouse, even if he lost his head so much as to ask her. Miss Bates father mentioned as having a "clerk" but her father was a clergyman. Sort of portrays Mr. Woodhouse as a fool, but he's not. Completely enjoyed it though.

*** Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane by Adriana Trigiani - A modern day Jane Austen writes advice to her niece Anna of the occasion of her engagement. 
Not sure I quite understand the premise of this story / letter. Jane Austen writing to Anna but as if they were living in modern day? Jane Austen about to die before Anna's wedding? A very nice letter in its sentiments and even in the wording.

**** Jane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss by Jo Beverley - Young widow Eleanor prepares to spend Christmas in Chawton with her three daughters where their landlord may not be what he seems. 
A very sweet and tender story. Jane Austen fits into it quite nicely. Well told and characters well developed for the shortness of the story. Not sure I like the idea of mother and daughter possibly marrying two brothers but it's Amy's first "love" so could come to nothing. Does feel a bit rushed at the end - should be more words and less kissing. Cute story!

***** When Only A Darcy Will Do by Beth Pattillo - Elizabeth is an American college student studying in England where she makes extra cash by hosting a Jane Austen tour. What will she do when a Regency clad gentleman decides to join her tour?
I'm in tears! Such a sweet story! So perfect because it's what every Janeite wishes would happen to her! Very well told and so charming. It was late at night but I couldn't put it down! Best story so far!

***** Heard Of You by Margaret C. Sullivan - Frederick Wentworth is a young midshipman when he receives letters from his sister Sophy. His commanding officer Captain Croft takes a keen interest in Frederick and in this sister he hears of.
Best story so far! Mags has done it again! Her style is so entertaining and she captures the characters perfectly, especially the gentlemen. Her love for Persuasion and Horatio Hornblower meld perfectly into a sweet and intelligent story of how the Crofts met. Kept thinking the whole time that my dad would love this story. Probably my favorite story of the lot!

* The Ghostwriter by Elizabeth Aston - On the night Sara's boyfriend leaves her publishers saying her latest work needs a lot of help. Depressed Sara cries herself to sleep clutching a locket containing a lock of Jane Austen's hair. When she awakes a strange ghostly visitor sits at the end of her bed demanding she get a grip on her life.
The plot was sort of pointless to me. Very depressing at the beginning and ends strangely. One of my least favorites. One questionable scene.

*** Mr. Bennet Meets His Match by Amanda Grange - The story of how Mr. Bennet meets the lovely Miss Gardiner. 
Title is quite literal and not figurative as I'd hoped. To me a boring idea for a story because it's one that has been done by many fanfiction writers. Clever of Austen Heroes Diaries author Amanda Grange to pick an older Austen gent to write about. Bored at first, took me a few pages to get to the more interesting bits. The elder Collinses were worse than could be imagined - very vulgar. Part with "liking a redcoat" could have been more serious. Disliked their names being John and Jane, her name should have been Mary or Catherine instead. (I'm such a name nerd! But you see Jane is feminine form of John.) Well written but not my favorite.

* Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! by Janet Mullany - It's 1970's England and school teacher Julie struggles with relationships and inspiration. The usually boring detention time turns into an interesting discussion of The Beatles and Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility which inspire Julie to make some life changes. 
1970's? Really? Smoking and sex mentioned very casually throughout the story. Ended up comparing Sense and Sensibility gentlemen to The Beatles members, rather confusing if you're not a fan. Teacher decides to ditch her guy. Well told but didn't like the story.

**** Letters To Lydia by Maya Slater - Part of Pride and Prejudice is retold through the eyes of Maria Lucas writing to Lydia Bennet.
Intriguing, good style, fits with story. Nor sure Charlotte would have told Maria about her suspicions that Mr. Darcy likes Elizabeth. Not sure Maria would ever be invited to Pemberley. Fun!

* The Mysterious Closet: A Tale by Myretta Robens - Cathy Fullerton gets more than she bargained for when she stays in the "Gothic" part of the charming British country inn. Flickering candles, secret passage ways and a handsome stranger who pops up at the strangest moments.
Some suggestible scenes. Used names and character ideas from Northanger Abbey but otherwise doesn't talk too much about Jane Austen or her characters at all. Sort of interesting but in a weird way. Doesn't explain "Henry's" popping in and out at all or how her closet changed so quickly. Most likely a ghost or figment of her imagination so leaves leaves her in a dangerous spot. Do like that Jack Thorpe is translated as a used car salesman.

***** Jane Austen's Cat by Diana Birchall - Jane Austen's nieces and their cat interrupt her quiet day's writing. She gives advice to Anna while entertaining Caroline with stories of Fanny Price, the kitten.
Very sweet! The stories told in "cat language" are hilarious! Lovely to hear the interaction between Aunt and nieces - all three of them. Melody would love this story! My second favorite story!

** Me and Mr. Darcy, Again... by Alexandra Potter - After a fight with her boyfriend Em visits London, with her best friend, where she keeps meeting up with Mr. Darcy. Are these the answers to her dreams or is her heart already claimed?
Haven't read the original so wasn't as special to me, but the author did a good job of making connections for you. Strange that Mr. Darcy kept popping up, not sure that a married Darcy would have met her late at night in a park. Like that she doesn't end up with Darcy after all.

**** What Would Austen Do? by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway - The highly entertaining effects of Jane Austen on a teen boy who's mom is a devoted book quoting Janeite. 
Funny to see his point of view on the kids in his public school. Loved seeing his blunders with English Country Dance and how it brought him an appreciation for the lives of all ages. Somehow know Cathy was "one of those". Would be very interested to read the full length book version they are writing - would read. Fun story, a bit about public school life.

**** The Riding Habit by Pamela Aidan - The new Mrs. Darcy struggles to live up to society's expectations and her husband's desire to ride in Hyde Park with her by his side. 
Sweet story in it's way, thankfully not what I expected. Darcy makes Lizzy a present of a horse which he must teach her to ride but it seems to me it would have better for him to have taught her at Pemberley. Colonel Fitzwilliam's first name is Richard!?!?!? Ugh!  Rather natural proceedings but a tad pointless and boring.

**** The Love Letter by Brenna Aubrey (short story contest winner) - Medical student Mark is sent a page from Persuasion anonymously and in reading it his thoughts are brought back to his old flame Justine.
Brilliantly written, mimicking the story of Persuasion in modern day but not in a cheesy way. Some mentions of the first time the couple "made love" but other than that not inappropriate  Sweetly told through the man's point of view and him reading Persuasion. Made me cry. "Jane Austen made me do it" indeed! :)

*** The Chase by Carrie Bebris - The amazing adventures of Jane Austen's brother Frank as he captains his ship off the coast of Napoleonic era France. 
Rather technical and a bit scholarly at times making it a bit hard to follow with the sailing terms, especially if you have no idea of ship sizes. Overall very cleverly told, not much about Jane Austen - only a letter from her - but the story deserves to be told in this way. Amazing tale!

**** Intolerable Stupidity by Laurie Viera Rigler - Jane Austen's characters are suing movie makers and Austen fanfiction writers for slander and making their lives miserable. 
Love Laurie's style of writing, reminds me of Margaret Sullivan a great deal! Highly entertaining courtroom drama and a brief romance to boot. Lady Catherine is vexing as the judge but her quotes are perfect. Mrs. Norris makes a great bailiff to assist her. Pure Austen fanfic and loved every moment!

Laurel Ann Nattress

About The Editor: A life-long acolyte of Jane Austen, Laurel Ann Nattress is the author/editor of Austenprose.com a blog devoted to the oeuvre of her favorite author and the many books and movies that she has inspired. She is a life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and a regular contributor to the Jane Austen Centre online magazine. An expatriate of southern California, Laurel Ann lives in a country cottage near Snohomish, Washington where it rains a lot. Visit Laurel Ann at her blog Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog, on Twitter as @Austenprose, and on Facebook as Laurel Ann Nattress.

Introduction & Extras: It's really lovely to read Laurel Ann Nattress's story of how she became a Janeite in the introduction! At the back of the book it was delightful to find a list of Jane Austen quotes that inspired the author's stories. Also a list of Reading Group Questions were very thought provoking.

My Overall Opinions & Recommendations: I tried to mention the stories above that might have inappropriate themes or scenes and have given them only one star. All the stories are very interesting and quite delightful in their way. My favorites are Heard Of You, Jane Austen's Cat and When Only A Darcy Will Do. The stories I marked with four stars are my next favorites. I highly recommend this book to all Janeites but if you're picky about what you read I suggest reading only the stories I've given 3, 4 or 5 stars to (1 star stories especially might have some questionable content).
It was interesting to me to see that two of the authors chose to write about Northanger Abbey as if it was a real place and put ghosts there and that three of the authors wrote about ghosts. Lovely to see three Persuasion related stories and not so many Pride and Prejudice related stories as I'd feared. Wish there was more about Mansfield Park and Emma. A good mix of modern day and historically set stories.
I really really enjoyed taking my time and reading each story! Most of the stories I would definitely read again, and soon! I also discovered a few authors that I'd be interested in reading more from.

Jane Austen Made Me Do It is available for purchase through Amazon.com in paperback and e-reader formats.


Have you read Jane Austen Made Me Do It? Which story was your favorite?

If you haven't read this book then which of the short stories sounds the most interesting to you?

Have you read any others of these author's works? Any that you'd recommend? 

Are you a fan of Jane Austen fanfiction?

Competition Winner and My Prizes

Not too long ago I posted about the Period Drama Trivia Competition BatZion was hosting at FHG Designs. Well, I entered the competition just for fun, never dreaming that I would win the grand prize! BatZion made this lovely prize button for me which I've been proudly displaying on my blog.  She also let me choose nine wallet size Period Drama Posters from. I was so excited when they arrived and asked BatZion if she'd let me post photos of them as I know all of you will enjoy these too! :)

These Period Drama Posters are just adorable! Well made, in pretty colors, laminated, each is a Keep Calm type saying from a different period drama. I had such fun choosing nine posters for my very own!

The Posters:

Sink Me! A poster that will make any member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel just melt! :)

Couldn't resist this delightful Return to Cranford saying!

There were several Pride & Prejudice (1995) sayings but this just struck my funny bone and I love the color!

"Oh my goodness! Everyone behave naturally!" (okay, okay, so that's from P&P 2005 but it's such a fun quote too!)

Advice from Marianne Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility (2008). 

"Can you play something else? Mama has been weeping since breakfast. ... I meant something less mournful dearest."

My sister loved this poster inspired by the Miss Potter movie! So cute! :)

Sounds like good advice to me! And Ever After is a long time favorite movie for me.

This lovely saying comes from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (which unfortunately I don't own on DVD), another long time favorite and the saying is just so much fun!

And I couldn't resist these two posters inspired by Persuasion (2007), especially the Captain Wentworth one! Much thanks to BatZion for getting these ready is a bit of a hurry when I inquired about them. :)

These little posters are just the right size to carry with you in your wallet or pocket for a little bit of period drama inspiration. The also fit nicely in a wallet sized photo frame for displaying in your room, office or on your refrigerator (get a frame with a magnet on the back). 
In short, I love these little posters! They are just the cutest things! 
Take a look at the whole line of Period Drama Posters at FHG Creations! BatZion has multiple posters from ten Period Dramas and will very soon have posters inspired by North & South (2004)!  Thank you BatZion for hosting the competition and for my lovely prizes! 

Which is your favorite Period Drama poster?

Austen & Anniversaries

Since my parents are celebrating their wedding anniversary this weekend I've been musing on the happily married couples in Jane Austen's novels, especially those couples that influence the hero and heroine's opinions of married life. 

Yes, there are happily married couples in her books! In fact we may say that although some couples are rather unsuitably matched most are reasonably content as to not make such disastrous end as Maria Bertram and Mr. Rushworth of Mansfield Park (their marriage ends in a permanent separation). 

In Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth Bennet thinks a bit despairingly of her own parents' marriage but her Uncle & Aunt Gardiner (though not married as long) are perfectly content and well matched with a very happy home where they invite their nieces to stay. It's also rather interesting that Elizabeth, in traveling with the Gardiners to Derbyshire, has daily opportunity to observe their married felicity before meeting up with her own future spouse at Pemberley. Might not the desire for a similar happy union have influenced her to think more softly about at alliance with Darcy? Perhaps. 

In Sense and Sensibility married couples like Sir John & Lady Middleton, Thomas & Charlotte Palmer and John & Fanny Dashwood cannot be called particularly unhappy in their marriages but they are rather poor examples for the young people around them. Indeed, we may go so far as to say that both Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars are influenced to not be looking for love before meeting certain young ladies (and we later learn Edward has already resigned himself to an unhappy marriage with Lucy Steele). The heroines have had a very different influence -  Elinor and Marianne's parents were married for love and inspire them to crave truly deep attachments of their own.  

In Emma the heroine has been rather addicted to romance since her older sister Isabella marries John Knightley and that addiction continues with seeing Mr. & Mrs. Weston's happy union. Both couples are truly attached and influence Emma Woodhouse's mind so that she later says to Harriet: "I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry. Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! ...And, without love, I am sure I should be a fool to change such a situation as mine."

In Mansfield Park, Fanny Price has few examples of married life outside of her own family. Her aunts Lady Bertram and Mrs. Norris both married to please their uncle and secure respectable positions in society (that isn't to say that Sir Thomas & Lady Bertram or indeed Rev. & Mrs. Norris are not fond of each other). Fanny's own mother married for love and it didn't turn out as perfectly happy as it could have. 

Mary Crawford recounts having so many examples of unhappy marriages from her aunt, sister and friends that she is disinclined to enter the married state herself. Mrs. Grant though seems perfectly happy with her daily tasks of arranging large meals and caring for her gouty husband.

In Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland does not have to look next door to the slightly unequally matched Mr. & Mrs. Allen for her example, for she has grown up in the home of a perfectly content and well matched clergyman and his wife. Her parents raised a large brood of ten children and worked together to home school them similar to how Jane Austen's parents raised their seven children. It is sweet to imagine that the production of a large and happy family will probably be duplicated by Catherine and her clergyman husband Mr. Tilney at their own parsonage.

In Persuasion we find that "old" happily married couples abound and many of the older characters (such as Lady Russell and Mrs. Smith) have been widowed from happy marriages and are still devoted to their spouse's memory.  For her example Anne Elliot has the elder Mr. & Mrs. Musgrove who love life and hate to be separated, also Charles & Mary Musgrove, who although they fight like dogs and cats seem contented to do so. 

Anne later comes into contact with married couples that are great influences for her future husband Captain Frederick Wentworth. His friends Captain & Mrs. Harville are so truly devoted and we catch just a glimpse of this in Harville's words to Anne about the attachments of men and women. But the best example of a perfectly matched and happy couple come from Frederick's own sister and brother-in-law. Admiral and Mrs. Croft's devoted marriage inspires others such as Louisa Musgrove who says: "If I loved a man as she loves the Admiral, I would be always with him, nothing should ever separate us, and I would rather be overturned by him than driven safely by anybody else."

With such good examples of loving marriages before them it is easy to presume that Captain & Mrs. Frederick Wentworth's true love will hold strongly through the high seas of life.

Persuasion is my parent's favorite Jane Austen story and to me they closely resemble Admiral & Mrs. Croft as well as Captain Wentworth & Anne Elliot. In my own story my parents are my example of a happily married couple. They are best friends who have been truly in love and married 28 years this October!

Thank you dad and mom for maintaining your marriage with that threefold cord that can't be easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). I love you both so much! Happy Anniversary! 

Do you have a favorite happily married Austen couple?

In your own life do you have married couples that inspire you?