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 …
Category: Diana Birchall
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Persuasion 200: Mary Musgrove’s Complaint
“Anne,” said Charles, “I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill.” Anne, who really thought Charles bore very patiently with his wife, disliked anything resembling interference, or being placed in the midst of disputes. Yet she felt decided sympathy for her brother-in-law, and so she resolved to try. A gentle …
Persuasion 200: The Musgroves Talk About the Elliots
The night before Anne’s visit, the Musgroves vent their feelings about the Elliot family. The Pooles, a very good family of old friends, lived two miles from the Great House, and so it was necessary for Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove to pick up Mary in their carriage for the dinner party on the Thursday evening. …
Persuasion 200: Sir Walter Departs for Bath
Sir Walter and the ladies depart for Bath while Anne walks up to Kellynch Lodge to stay with Lady Russell. Sir Walter examined the horses he was so soon to give up, with complaisant satisfaction. Their last office would be to draw him, Miss Elliot, and Mrs. Clay, to Bath. “We will make a very good picture,” …
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