Happy belated Birthday, Jane Austen! You are decidedly one of my heroes, (or heroines?) and I admire your writing very much.


In honour of Miss Austen's birthday, Miss Dashwood at Yet Another Period Drama Blog is hosting a sort of event. Go over to her blog to see what she's got planned!

Now, for the questions.


1 - What was the first JA novel you ever read, and who introduced you to it? The first Jane Austen novel I ever read was Pride and Prejudice, which I decided to read after watching the 2005 version. Because I was naive in the ways of proper Jane Austen film making and liked it a lot. I still like it, just less. Although I still think Rosamund Pike is the best Jane Bennet.

2 - Which is your least favorite JA novel, and why?  (Everybody posts about their favorites... I want to know what's at the bottom of your list!) Mansfield Park, definitely. For one, I found it rather boring, and for another, I didn't like Edmund. For me, part of what makes a book so nice is a good, strong hero. Edmund is a wimp.

3 - Who do you think is the funniest character JA ever created? Probably Emma. She cracks me up, although Mrs. Jennings comes close second.

4 - Which JA villain[ess] do you love to hate? Caroline Bingley, maybe. Or possibly Lucy Steele.

5 - What's your favorite JA quote? The infamous Pride and Prejudice opening line. "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife."

6 - If you were to "start" someone on JA, which book would you recommend to them first and why? That's a hard one. Either Pride and Prejudice, or Persuasion. I love Persuasion. Because they're such lovely stories, and I'd be able to justifiably cut off all communication with the person if she didn't like them.

7 - What is your absolute favorite JA film adaptation and why? Hm...probably the Northanger Abbey with JJ Field, although the Sally Hawkins Persuasion is a lovely one as well.

8 - If you could authorize a new film adaptation of one of JA's novels, which would it be and why? Most likely Pride and Prejudice. In my opinion, they have yet to pull up a perfect Mr. Darcy. I'm sorry, I'm just not a Colin Firth fan.

9 - Which JA character do you most identify with? Lizzy, I think. I tend to judge people easily, and am overly critical.

10 - If you could have lunch with JA today, what question would you most like to ask her? I'd like to ask her why she cut off her engagement the morning after it happened. I'm very curious about that.

11 - Is there any one thing that you think could have been improved upon in one (or all) of JA's books?  What is it and why? I think I would have made Willoughby (in Sense and Sensibility) and better, more honourable man. He and Marianne seemed like a match made in heaven.

12 - If you could have lunch with one of JA's characters today, who would it be and why? Lizzy, for sure. I'd like to chat with her, and just get to know her. Actually...I'd really like to get to know Anne Elliot as well!

13 - (optional) Why is Miss Dashwood so fond of asking "why"? She's a curious woman, I suppose!