Persuasion - check!
Sense and Sensibility - check!
Mansfield Park - check!
 |
| "Persuasion" 2007 - BBC |
I've been reading Austen since the beginning of the year but I've only talked about Pride and Prejudice so far. Since my last entry, Colin Firth (Mr. Darcy), won an Oscar for his portrayal of King George VI in the King's Speech. It was awesome! He was amazing in the movie. ♥
Back to my book reviews. I had not read Persuasion before, but had seen the 1995 movie and the 2007 BBC production. Both movies are great, but the BBC impressed me a bit more. Reading the novel, was different because I was able to go deeper into the characters. It is a very sad love story, that has a happy ending.
 |
| "Persuasion" 1995 |
Anne's character was easily persuaded by her family and friend when she falls in love with a man that is not 100% suitable to her ranking. All to naught, as they end up losing their fortune and end up in almost ruins. She meets her old flame again, seven years later, as an "old maid", and one assumes that for sure, at that age she is surely destined for spinsterhood. But Austen decides to forgive Anne, and allows for Captain Wentworth to rekindle his love for her. Of course, there are lots of obstacles prior to them making up, but it is a lovely read.
Sense and Sensibility, on the other hand, was good as well. I don't know if I liked it as much as the others, only because at one point I felt that Elinor and Colonel Brandon should have ended up together, rather than him with Marianne. I loved how Austen makes you feel for Elinor and how being so proper can ruin your chance at love. As Elinor's love interest, Edward, left a lot to be desired. What a cad! Knowing full well he was engaged to another girl, but still pay all that attention to Elinor?! The scandal! I often wonder how Jane Austen got so good at writing such scandalous love stories. Love the 1995 movie directed by Ang Lee and Elinor and Marianne acted by two of my fave actresses - Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.
 |
| "Sense and Sensibility" 1995 |
Speaking of scandalous - how about Mansfield Park? How incestuous! I am sorry, but this novel made me feel uncomfortable at times. For Fanny to fall in love with her cousin, who has been made out as her "older brother" is just wrong. Why did she have to fall in love with one so close to a sibling figure? Not only that, but they are first cousins! Shocking, I say. It kinda reminded a bit of Wuthering Heights...
Of course, marrying a first cousin back in the day was not as big of a shock as it would be now. There is definitely more mischief in this novel, and it is a good read for those who think that Jane Austen was a prude. This novel showcases another side of her - one might even call it her naughty side. I have seen the 1999 movie version, with Frances O'Connor as Fanny and Johnny Lee Miller as Edmund - it was a nice version.
 |
| "Mansfield Park" 1999 |
What is your opinion of these novels? Have you read them? If not, read them and let's discuss. The movies are great too, so let's talk about them too. ☺
