Jane Austen anyone?

[Jessica Guardado]

I have read almost all the Jane Austen novels, I have never read "Persuasion: which I believe was her last novel. Has anyone read that one? Is it any good? My favorite one so far is "Northanger Abbey" it is so overlooked but probably one of the best ones!

What's your favorite Austen novel and why? Or Austen related movie? =)

[April McMillan, CRR, RPR, CSR]

Jessica,
Of everything Ms. Austen (filmwise) my absolute favorite is "Persuasion." I have not read the book, though. I love any story where a woman can be loved and admired for her good sense, humor, and a kind heart. I like the film version w/Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliott (she recently won a Golden Globe for other work).
I'm a lover of all English chick-lit movies (and have an overflowing armoire of DVDs to prove it, too).
Maybe you'll get a chance to see it.
Enjoy :)

[dms]

I haven't read Persuasion either, but it is on the bookshelf. I enjoyed Northanger Abbey too. I'm still working my through Austen, having finally pretty much exhausted all my Trollopes.

My favorite Jane Austen movie is Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility. Sheer perfection!

Two other movies/books I can heartily suggest in the same vein are Mrs. Gaskill's Cranford novels (recently made into an absolutely magnificent miniseries starring Judi Dench and a host of other superb actors), and Galsworthy's Forsyth Saga. I read the Gaskill about eight months ago and loved it; saw the miniseries last week and loved that even more. It's very faithful to the novels and beautifully done.

I haven't read the Galsworthy, but the miniseries is amazing. I'm planning to read the Galsworthy novels as soon as I can find volumes that fit my rigid criteria (if I'm going to read Victorian/Edwardian stuff, I want to read it in those lovely little leatherbound volumes that all of Austen's heriones are always sitting under delicate parasols reading in garden nooks : )

[Leslie Johnson]

If you like Elizabeth Gaskell, try North and South. There's a movie too.

[dms]

Thanks for your suggestion, Leslie. It's nice to see you here in the group. I've read North and South and seen the movie. While I liked both, I don't really see them as comparable to Gaskell. Gaskell's book(s) is all about the women; there are very few men and they're very much sideline characters. North and South is much more about the men, as I recall. Am I misremembering North and South?

[Mary Ann Taylor]

Yes, please read Persuasion! I have read all of Austen's books and Persuasion is my favorite. P&P, of course, is second in line. But just to forewarn you, Persuasion does start off a little slow, but the ending more than makes up for its slow take off. The latest movie version of Persuasion by Masterpiece Theatre was also very good except for they ruined the ending. They had Anne, the horoine, running all over Bath and it just looked kind of ridiculous. Other than that, I would recommend the movie. After reading the book, of course :)
Have you read any of the Bronte sisters' work? If not, I would definitely recommend Jane Eyre or Villete.

[Michelle]

Persuasion is a must read! It's a great book, as are the other Austen novels, you'll love it.