Vexed and the like...

I am what some folks might call a voracious reader. Every room in my home, with the exception of my bathroom (my towels have to go somewhere), have walls lined with fully loaded book cases. Even the kitchen has a row of cook books...not that I use them nearly enough.



With all my years of devouring literature (both great and poor excuses for story), I had never read Jane Austin. Sure, I like the movies made from Jane Austen books -especially Sense & Sensibility; but I think my desire to repeatedly watch Emma Thompson lose control of her emotions when she finds out Hugh Grant's character is not married is because I like Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant (even if I don't think they make a great couple). All that matters is that their characters - Elinor Dashwood & Edward Farrars - most assuredly belong together.



Earlier this week, Keira Knightly graced my television screen as Elizabeth Bennet, and I simply got a kick out of watching Mrs. Bennet lose control of her senses, as she put on extreme emotional tantrums whenever her expectations weren't met. It piqued my curiosity as to whether Jane Austen actually relayed such humorous scenes in her writing.

Finally! My Franklin Library volumes from my teen years came in handy as I promptly reached for my burgandy, gold leafed volume of Pride and Prejudice which had to date found its permanent home on my mantel.

By the end of chapter 1, I had become a Jane Austin fan, finding words like "vexed" and "fancy" (used as a verb not an adjective) come as easily to mind as modern colloquial verbiage.

So to Morgan - my daughter who has for years engulfed Jane Austin's writing - you have rightly chosen. Here is yet another topic we can joyously discuss. To my second daughter Meagan who would not voluntarily even touch a volume of Austin's work - you might actually find her writing quite funny as you are quite possibly the most entirely clever person I know. And to my youngest Michaela - you should expect to read and share Jane Austin as a school assignment. Please go ahead and pick your favorite title. Oh, and be prepared that our studies might possibly be shared in a very strong British accent.

So that is all for today. Now I must away, as I am certain I hear the Bennets calling.