Jane Austen Film Proposals Part 1

I’m going to do a short series of my favorite Jane Austen film proposal scenes.  There will be three.  Note:  All of the posts in this series will contain serious spoilers.

My first proposal scene will be…

Pride and Prejudice 2005!

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I love this scene.  It’s so beautiful – the sun rising and coming up between them (by the way, that was pure accident – but what a lovely accident!)  And the script is wonderful too.  Let’s compare the script and the book.

Script:

LIZZIE: I couldn’t sleep
DARCY: Nor I. My aunt?

He stops, looking wretched.

LIZZIE Yes. She was here.
DARCY: How can I ever make amends for such behavior?
LIZZIE: After what you have done for Lydia and for all I know, for Jane also, it is I who should be making amends.

Darcy looks at her for one deep moment.

DARCY: You must know – surely you must know, that it was all for you.

Lizzie is still as stone.

DARCY: (cont’ d) You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my Aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I had scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me forever.

Lizzie is silent.

DARCY: (cont’d) If, however, your feelings have changed. .

Darcy looks at her. Something in her eyes gives him confidence.

DARCY: (cont’ d) I could, I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me body and soul and I love and love and love you. And never wish to be parted from you from this day on.

Lizzie looks at him very serious, very simple.

LIZZIE: Well, then.

Darcy takes a step towards her, one hand stretched out. Lizzie takes hold of his fingers.

LIZZIE: (cont’d) You’re hands are cold.

Darcy nods.  Their heads touch as the sun rises behind them.

Book:

“Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding your’s. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not have merely my own gratitude to express.”

“I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,” replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise and emotion, “that you have ever been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.”

“You must not blame my aunt. Lydia’s thoughtlessness first betrayed to me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again, in the name of all my family, for that generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble, and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering them.”

“If you will thank me,” he replied, “let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you.”

Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. Myaffections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.”

Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eye, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings, which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.

*************

I think that both the book and the script have their undeniable merits and I like both of them very, very much.  (Although I must say the script was more romantic.)

The Guardian Duke – Review and Giveaway

Author: Jamie Carie

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 8

Type: Romance

Time Period: Regency

Main Characters: Alexandria Featherstone, Gabriel

My Review:  Duke Gabriel and Lady Alexandria Featherstone only know each through writing letters.  When Alexandria sets off on a dangerous quest to find her parents, her guardian, the Duke follows, trying to protect her.  But somehow, he is always one step behind.  This thrilling adventure/mystery is a must-read

My overall opinion:  This book is definitely on my favorites list.  I like the adventure and the characters and I would recommend it to anyone.

By sure to watch the live-action trailer for this book here.

A little bit about the author:

When she was six, Jamie’s parents met Jesus and soon after started a church. It changed everything.

Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.

The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.

As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.

Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.

Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.

If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”

Giveaway Rules:

For a mandatory entry you must leave a comment on this post.  The extra entries detailed below do not have to be completed in order to enter, but they will increase your chances of winning.  Giveaway ends March 15, 2012.  This means you can no longer enter.  This contest is open to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. only.

1. Subscribe to this blog.  (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
2. Subscribe to my writing blog.  (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
3. Like this blog’s Facebook page.
4. Like the Guardian Duke page on Facebook.
5. Share the link to this giveaway on Facebook.
6. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter.
7. Post about this giveaway on your blog/website.  When you comment for this extra entry, include the link.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

What I’m Watching

That’s right.  I’m watching Emma 2009 with my mom and sibs.  I watched the first part yesterday and am planning to watch the second today.  I really like it so far and I’ll def be posting a review when I’ve finished it.  If you want to check out a good review just go here.

The photo I used came from here.

Join the Revolution!

Pride and Prejudice 2005 is THE BEST P and P adaption.  However, many bloggers do not share my opinion.  ”1995 one is the best…Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth are the best…”  Whatever.  You and I know that P and P 2005 is the best, but until now we’ve kept it a secret, afraid to let the truth out and get bombarded by angry 1995 fans.  No more.

I am starting a revolution only for the stoutest and bravest of P and P 2005 lovers.  If you love the 2005 version display one of these buttons on your blog or website.  Tell the world that Pride and Prejudice 2005 is the best.

When you put one of these up on your blog please link back to this post or the page that I’m going to create to go with this post.  I want to see how many of you out there are brave enough to do this.

I got the photos for the buttons from here.

Please feel free to e-mail me your thoughts at kraftyhorselover@hotmail.com.

Lizzy

My favorite Lizzy!  I got the pic from here.

Sense and Sensibilty

Sense and Sensibility is a story about two girls – Elinor (sense) and Marianne (sensibility).  When they move to Barton cottage with their mother, Marianne is swept off her feet by a dashing stranger, Willoughby.  Meanwhile, Elinor must mask the love she feels for Edward Ferrars because it is impossible for them to marry.  When Willoughby leaves suddenly, Marianne is heartbroken and succumbs to her ‘sensibility.’  How the two sisters find their own true loves makes and interesting and enjoyable read for anyone.

This S and S graphic novel is not the best Jane Austen graphic novel I have seen.  On one hand, it stays true to the book – often directly quoting it in places.  On the other hand, the artwork is atrocious.  The characters heads swell out of proportion with warning, Elinor is unattractive to say the least, and the overall appearance is quite shabby.  However, it did follow the book closely.

I love Colonel Brandon’s Diary by Amanda Grange.  I have read all her ‘diaries’ except Henry Tilney’s and this one is the best one.  It goes far back into Colonel Brandon’s life and recounts how he fell in love with the first Eliza, lost her, found her, and how he took care of her daughter when she died.  It tells the story of S and S skillfully and believably.  I love reading this book over and over again.

Emma Watson: The Watsons Completed

Author: Joan Aiken

Genre: Regency Romance

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 8

Type: Romance

Time Period: Early 1800′s

Main Characters: Emma Watson

My Review: In this interesting and skillful completion of Jane Austen’s literary fragment, The Watsons, Joan Aiken brings again to life the trials and troubles of Emma Watson and her family members.  I was happily surprised at how easily the story blended right into The Watsons.  Emma Watson is palmed off to several family members after her father dies.  Where will she fit in?

My overall opinion:  An entertaining read with a surprising ending.

What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew

Sorry it's blurry

Author: Daniel Pool

Genre: ?

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 8

Type: Non-fiction

Time Period: A book about the Regency and Georgian Period

Main Characters: None

My Review: What Jane Austen Ate… is a comprehensive guide to all the puzzling factors of the Regency and Georgian Periods.  What does ‘franking’ mean?  How were you to address the King’s children?  What was the etiquette of calling cards?  This books offers these answers and many more.  A great book for any fan of those time periods.

My overall opinion:  I enjoyed reading this book.  It gives information in an interesting way and I would recommend it to anyone.

A REALLY Long Book Tag

I found this tag from safirewriter.

1. What’s your word count?  For my novella, Eleanor and Catherine, about 14,000 words.

2. How long until you finish? I have no idea.  I’m still in the throes of revising, revising, and more revising.

3. If you have finished, how long did it take you? I haven’t finished.

4. Do you have an outline?  I scribbled a few notes for E and C but never really had a firm outline (except in my head).

5. Do you have a plot?  I don’t even understand that question.

6. How many words do you typically write a day? As many as possible.

7. What was your greatest word count in one day? Hmmmm…Probably around 4,000

8. What was your least impressive word count in one day?  When I didn’t write a thing.

9. What inspired you to write?  Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility

10. Does your novel have a theme song?No

11. Assign each of your major characters a theme song.  No theme song for any of them.
 
12. Which character is most like you?  Catherine most likely.

13. Which character would you most likely be friends with?  Catherine would be a lot of fun.

14. Do you have a Gary-Stu or Mary Sue character?  No.

15. Who is your favorite character in your novel?  Eleanor

16. Have your characters ever done something completely unexpected? Not really, but a whole new character pushed her way into my story once.

17. Have you based any of your novel directly on personal experiences?  Never, my life hasn’t been too interesting.

18. Do you believe in plot bunnies?  What are they?

19. Is there magic in your novel?No.

20. Are any holidays celebrated in your novel?  No.

21. Does anyone die?  Once, but the person who died wasn’t a main character.

22. How many cups of coffee/tea have you consumed during your writing experience?  I don’t drink while I’m writing.

23. What is the latest you have stayed up writing?  10:30 p.m.

24. What is the best line?  “She could scarcely believe her own heart, being young and inexperienced in such matters, but she knew enough of her happiness and enjoyment of Henry’s company.”

25. What is the worst line?  I couldn’t say…
26. Have you dreamed about your novel or its characters?  Unfortunately, no.

27. Does your novel rely heavily on allegory?  No

28. Summarize your novel in under fifteen words.  I’ll try:  ’Two girls find happily ever after.’

29. Do you love all your characters?  Not my villains, e.g., Fanny Ashby, Robert Davrille.

30. Have you done something sadistic or cruel to your characters specifically to increase your word count?  Never, never, never!

31. What was the last thing your main character ate? I don’t concentrate on those details.

32. Describe your main character in three words.  I have two: Eleanor – Calm, Intelligent, Pretty; Catherine  - Cheerful, Friendly, Pretty.

33. What would your antagonist dress up as for Halloween?  They don’t celebrate Halloween.

34. Does anyone in your story go to a place of worship?  No

35. How many romantic relationships take place in your novel?  Two couples get married.

36. Are there any explosions in your novel?  Emotional yes.

37. Is there an apocalypse in your novel?  No!

38. Does your novel take place in a post-apocalyptic world?  Definitely not

39. Are there zombies, vampires or werewolves in your novel?  NO! 

40. Are there witches, wizards or mythological creatures/figures in your novel?  NO!

41. Is anyone reincarnated?  NO!

42. Is anyone physically ailed?  Definitely.

43. Is anyone mentally ill?  No.

44. Does anyone have swine flu?  No.

45. Who has pets in your novel and what are they?  Animals aren’t in my stories.

46. Are there angels, demons, or any religious references/figures in your novel?  No.

47. How about political figures?  No.

48. Is there incessant drinking?  Never!

49. Are there board games? If so, which ones?   No.

50. Are there any dream sequences?  No.

51. Is there humor?  I’m not the type…

52. Is there tragedy?  Um…sort of…

53. Does anyone have a temper tantrum?  No.

54. How many characters end up single at the end of your novel?  Two.  They are both villains so I think they would be good for each other.

55. Is anyone in your novel adopted?  No.
 
56. Does anyone in your novel wear glasses?  No.

57. Has your novel provided insight about your life?  No.

58. Your personality?  Reclusive about my writing.

59. Has your novel inspired anyone?  Not that I know of.

60. How many people have asked to read your novel?  I can count them on the fingers of one hand.

61. Have you drawn any of your characters?  No.

62. Has anyone drawn your characters for you?  No.

63. Does anyone vomit in your novels?  No.

64. Does anyone bleed in your novel?  No.

65. Do any of your characters watch TV?  They live in Regency times.  Enough said.

66. What size shoe does your main character wear?  I don’t have a clue.

67. Do any of the characters in your novel use a computer?  Same answer as No. 65

68. How would you react if your novel was erased entirely?  Just start rewriting it.  I would hate all that hard work down the drain though.  I have the story saved on my flash drive, my word processor, and the Internet so I don’t think it’s very likely.

69. Did you cry at killing off any of your characters?  None have died so far.

70. Did you cheer when killing off one of your characters?  Same answer as No. 69.

71. What advice would you give to a fellow writer.  Read, ‘Rite, Revise.

72. Describe your ending in three words.  Satisfaction, love, happiness.

73. Are there any love triangles, squares, hexagons, etc.?  No, but there is a slight misunderstanding.

74. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least stressful, 10 being the most) how does your stress rank?  1 – I don’t have any stress unless I can’t find the word I’m searching for.  I have experienced euphoria when my characters have a happy ending.

75. Was it worth it?  Yes, yes, yes…I could write that word over and over again.  IT WAS WORTH IT!