Diana Birchall

Author's posts

Anniversary Celebration: Revisiting the Eltons by Diana Birchall

It’s our anniversary, and we’re in the mood to celebrate! Throughout February, we’re commemorating the success of Austen Variations‘ first year by dropping in on some of our favorite Austen couples on their anniversaries. We started with the Darcys and the Bingleys on the 2nd. Today, we’re visiting the Eltons from Emma. I wonder how …

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Persuasion 200: Sir Walter Visits the Crofts by Diana Birchall

The visit of ceremony was paid and returned…  “Now, Elizabeth, you have your watch, dangling from your chatelaine, have you not?” said Sir Walter Elliot. “For we by no means wish to overstay this call. A quarter of an hour I deem quite sufficient to spend with such people as the Crofts.”  “I think ten …

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P200: Not in Front of the Servants! by Diana Birchall

It was ten o’clock. Could it be Mr. Elliot? It was long dark by ten o’clock, and the dinner had been eaten, when the knock on the door announced a visitor. In the servants’ room, every one had just sat down to eat the remains of the Elliots’ mutton and potatoes, along with a few …

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A Journey Through Jane Austen’s Januaries by Diana Birchall

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe it’s already 2015! What better way to start the new year than with Jane Austen! During the month of January, we are having a ‘Jane in January’ event, focusing primarily on “Pride and Prejudice,” with a few exceptions. (See the January 2nd post and the big giveaway associated with it! We …

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Persuasion 200: Elizabeth Writes to Anne About Mr. Elliot

Elizabeth’s last letter had communicated a piece of news of some interest. Mr. Elliot was in Bath. “My dear Anne,” Elizabeth’s letter began, “I have some news that will astonish you not a little. Be not alarmed, it is assuredly of the most pleasant variety. Mr. Elliot has presented himself at Camden-Place, and has become …

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A View from the Stage by Diana Birchall and C. Allyn Pierson

  After our “Austen Assizes” play in Brooklyn (at the 2012 JASNA Annual General Meeting) Syrie James and I, much to our delight, were commissioned to write a “behind the scenes” play-within-the-play in Mansfield Park for the Montreal AGM. We knew this would be even trickier to bring off, as Mansfield Park is arguably the least …

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Persuasion 200: Mary Has Something to Say

Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. As soon as Charles and Mary returned from Lyme, they drove over to see Anne at Kellynch Lodge, and to give her their report. Lady Russell was out, but …

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Persuasion 200: Louisa’s Firmness of Resolve, and its Consequences – by Diana Birchall

“As they drew near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk along it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so determined, that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found, would be no difference at all…”     They were to depart for Uppercross at …

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Persuasion 200: Which Will He Marry?

Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss Musgroves’ company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to which was the one liked best. Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for Henrietta, but quite agreeing that …

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P200: Little Charles’s Collar-bone

Captain Wentworth was visiting at Uppercross, and Anne must have seen him, but an accident occurred to prevent it…   Mary was feeling well enough for a walk to the great house, on a bright October morning; and Anne was looking forward to her enjoyment of the sweets of the season, the leaves gaining in golden colour …

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