Thursday, June 11, 2009

Austenolatry

It has been a very rainy day here in the Frozen North, just the kind of weather that encourages curling up on the couch with a good book and an apple. Or perhaps a laptop. Or better yet, an Apple laptop.

You would be surprised how many hallowed classics are on the internet for your perusing pleasure. One of my all time favorite authors, and, it appears, favorite of many others as well, is Jane Austen.

You would be surprised by the variety of Austentatious stuff that is available. Here are just a few of the many:

1. Forget ordinary cursive writing and download a free Jane Austen font here.

2. Find out which Austen heroine you are by taking this short quiz here. (I'm Elinor Dashwood of Sense and Sensibility--"You are practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see."

3. Visit the Republic of Pemberly, where you can read novels online and find all other sorts of things pertaining to Jane. My personal favorite are the quote magnets in the Pemberly Store: "I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant and spending all my money; and what is worse for you, I have been spending yours as well."

4. Join the Jane Austen Society of North America. I have a peculiar affection for this organization, no doubt based upon sharing a few particular letters of which I have become fond. (jas)

5. Check out a contemporary screenwriter's reflections on his adaptations for PBS, "The Men and Women of Jane Austen" on YouTube.



I leave you, gentle readers, with milady's own philosophy of writing,

"I have got so many things to say, so many things equally important, that I know not on which to decide at present, and shall therefore go and eat."