In which I eat my words (alternatively titled) Emma: a modern retelling

I am a book snob. There, I've said it. I love to throw out that I love Jane Austen. I casually mention my reading choice of Les Miserables or The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Don't get me wrong, I love these books; I am not such a snob that I just read them for the sake of being able to say that I did; no, I really do enjoy the classics. But sometimes I don't give other books a fair chance. Anything labeled "teen?" Don't even try. A science fiction? Puh-lease. A romance novel? I don't read romance novels ....What about Jane Austen? You uncultured swine her novels are satirical social critiques.... right? 

I do not say all these opinions out loud, by the way. I am a kind person who knows when to be silent on the subject of reading material. (I hope.) 

So there is one thing that I dismiss very quickly: modern retellings and/or spinoffs. This is from experience, because I did try several of those types of novels and I was greatly disappointed. So I could take a hint, learn from past experience. I steered clear. Until I saw Alexander McCall Smith's Emma as I was shelving books at the library. (I work there, by the way, I don't just randomly shelve people's library books...) Emma?! I thought, of all the gall! There already is an Emma and she's very famous and the title is taken. Is the copyright worn off? After a certain amount of time is that just a given or something? So I took a closer look, and lo and behold, McCall knew there was an Emma and he was doing a modern retelling of it. 

This struck me as a novelty. I have tried several Pride and Prejudice spin offs, with less than spectacular results. But Emma? My favorite Jane Austen novel? I don't know, maybe I'll just read the flap.... the first chapter.... well, I guess I'll check it out, I can always return it unfinished if it is really dreadful.....

And now the post title makes sense, eh? Because I shall eat my words. Not all spin-offs are not for me. Modern retellings always make me a little nervous. But McCall kept Austen's characters true to her vision while making them modern and fun and his as well. He had the wit and dry humor that characterizes Austen (though not exactly of the same kind, because who could be Jane?) and as the New York Times review on the back cover states "[McCall Smith] evoke[s] a place and a set of characters without caricature or condescension."

Harriet is there in all her pretty, naive, and scatter-brained glory. Mr. Woodhouse, the loving hypochondriac I have always found extremely amusing, given my father over-worries about germs and danger (his favorite term might be "careful!"), was there too. Emma was deeply flawed, as always, evoking a "badly done, Emma" from both Knightley and the reader. But she is so lovable. I have always felt amiable toward Emma, even when she was making the worst mistakes.

I think McCall really hits the nail on the head when he writes the brilliant nanny Miss Taylor to say, "There's a big difference between a mistake, which is all about harm that you didn't intend, and a misdeed, which is harm that you did intend. A big difference.' Emma listened. 'Your mistake,' continued Miss Taylor, 'has been to interfere in the lives of others.'" (348).

Emma makes not one, but many mistakes, and it all comes to a head at the picnic. But all is not lost, as our heroine gets a happy ending with her Knightley, as she must in any self-respecting version of Emma. 

"I've never been very good at expressing my feelings; other people are so much better at that. But I want you to know that I've been in love with you, Emma, for a long time. I just have. Not a day, not a single day has gone past but that I've thought about you" (359)..... Swoon. Give me Mr. Knightley, past or present, and I will be a happy camper.

McCall Smith has a message here, one found in the original Emma, but he really tries to get the point across: "Emma was happy. She realised that happiness is something that springs from the generous treatment of others, and that until one makes that connection, happiness may prove elusive" (361).

This is such an obvious but hard truth to put into practice. Generous treatment of others, not for your benefit, not necessarily because their behavior warrants it, but because they are people and deserve respect just for that fact alone. 

Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul,  and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39). 

I don't know if others have experienced this, but sometimes I hear something, or see something, or think of something and then it seems to show up everywhere. I heard this message in McCall's Emma, I read a nonfiction book by Jen Hatmaker called For the Love in which she says, numerous times, "love God, love people." And now I am getting love in my third book in a row, Do Try to Speak as We Do: "It would never occur to me to say 'I love you.' And why not is what I wonder.... My mother says, 'I feel you say love with actions, not words'" (103).

Like, okay God, I get it! Love, love, love, love, love!.... Because that is really the Gospel, isn't it? That is the Good News. And it's so hard to grasp sometimes, so hard to give.

Love.

Wow, I did not mean for this post to go this way, but I think it works. To recap: I ate my book-snobby words and loved McCall's Emma. In case anyone hasn't picked up on this yet, I love flawed heroines with my whole being, and LOVE has been drilled into my head with my past couple readings and I am pondering it a lot lately (and hopefully putting it into practice. I have been trying to consciously make an effort at loving lately). That is what is new with me. Oh, and my senior year of high school has started, so there's that (yikes!).

Hopefully there will be a review of Do Try to Speak as We Do up sooner rather than later on this little blog. In the meantime, check out these two posts that I will link below to get an idea of what I thought of Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman, because I was just thinking "yes, yes, yes! That is what I thought" the whole way through both posts.

Why You Should Still Read "Go Set a Watchman"

"Atticus? I think I love you very much"

Until next time.... "Love God, love people."

Many Happy Returns of the day Miss Austen and Miss Rose

December 16 is here and it is a very special day.... Can anyone guess? It is Miss Jane Austen's birthday! Her 237th, I believe. And, may I humbly add, my own. Today I shall be, as Jane Austen would say, six and ten. (Isn't it funny how they say five and twenty instead of 25?)

So I wish dear Miss Austen many happy returns of the day and without further ado, I am here to share some fun facts about the acclaimed authoress that even some of my fellow Janeites might not know... I hope they prove to be interesting!

- In 1894 George Saintsbury coined the term "Janeite" to describe Austen fans. The term didn't become widely popular though until 1924 when Rudyard Kipling used the word in one of his short stories.

- Under "Manners for Men" which hero do you think fit the bill? Mr Knightley! It says that "The perfect example of a gentleman in Austen's novels is Mr Knightley in Emma. Mr Knightley always acts correctly, as we see when he behaves with condescension towards the poor Mrs and Miss Bates, when he walks and dances so well at the Crown Inn ball and because he also acts as a standard of moral good for Emma."

- During WWI British soldiers suffering from shell shock were advised to read Austen's novels. The hope was that the comforting images of idyllic English society would help speed up their recovery.

- In many television adaptations of Persuasion we see Captain Wentworth, acting for Admiral Croft, asking Anne if she is engaged to Mr Elliot , and whether the Crofts should leave Kellynch. Many readers of Persuasion  may assume this scene is inserted by the film company, but this scene was in fact Austen's original ending to the novel.

- The mother and daughter team of Mrs and Miss Bates is played by real life mother and daughter Phyllida Law and Sophie Thompson, the mother and sister of Emma Thompson.

I didn't know several of those little pocket facts and I found them of note. I got these facts from The Jane Austen Pocket Bible- everything you need to know about Jane and her novels by Holly Ivins.

I have had a very Austen birthday, receiving the beautiful Pride & Prejudice 2005 soundtrack and tickets to see Pride & Prejudice at a theater near me in March. I also received some yummy Downton Abbey tea and I LOVE it!

I also watched the newest installment of Emma Approved today on YouTube. At first I wasn't sure I'd like it, and it is nothing like the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, but I like it now. And I love snarky Knightley. I just don't think you can go wrong with a Knightley, period.

What is your favorite Austen book (if you can choose)? Who would be your swoon worthy hero?

As Austen said to her sister Cassandra, "Adieu, sweet you"

P.S. I found a free font of Jane Austen's handwriting so I decided to write a little bit... Jane and I share a birthday, respectively, the sixteenth of December.
I believe we are what Anne would call “kindred spirits” and what Miss Cornelia would call “the race that knows Joseph.”
-Maddie Rose

Jane Austen  

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

I know it is not Valentine's Day, but I've been planning this post for awhile. And just because I was busy on Valentines Day making homemade cards and having dinner with my family, I will not spoil my own fun. So I have decided to do what I originally planned. I decided that there is nothing better than some wonderful, romantic quotes to make people happy. So, I picked some of my favorites. (Not all because that would be too many to count, dear readers!) so now, without further ado, some Valentine's Day quotes:

"A man in khaki was standing on the steps-a tall fellow, with dark eyes and hair, and a narrow white scar running across his brown cheek. Rilla stared at him foolishly for a moment. Who was it? She ought to know him-certainly there was something very familiar about him...'Rilla-my-Rilla,' he said. 'Ken,' gasped Rilla. Of course, it was Ken-but he looked so much older-he was so much changed-that scar-the lines about his eyes and lips-her thoughts went whirling helplessly. Ken took the uncertain hand he held out, and looked at her. The slim Rilla of four years ago had rounded out into symmetry. He had left a school girl, and he found a woman-a woman with wonderful eyes and a dented lip, and rose-bloom cheek- a woman altogether beautiful and desirable- the woman of his dreams. 'Is it Rilla-my-Rilla?' he asked, meaningly. Emotion shook Rilla from head to foot, Joy- happiness- sorrow- fear- every passion that had wrung her heart in those four long years seemed to surge up in her soul for a moment as the deeps of being were stirred. She tried to speak; at first voice would not come. Then- 'Yeth,'said Rilla." -From Rilla of Ingleside

And anyone who's read that book will be sighing right now, for Rilla saying "Yeth" meant something very special indeed. It is a rather long quote, but I just had to include all of it.

"It came clearly and suddenly on the air of a June evening. An old, old call-two higher notes and one long and soft and low. Emily Starr, dreaming at her window, heard it and stood up, her face suddenly gone white. Dreaming still -she must be! Teddy Kent was thousands of miles away, in the Orient- so much she knew from an item in a Montreal paper. Yes, she had dreamed it-imagined it. It came again. And Emily knew that Teddy was there, waiting for her in Lofty John's Bush.-calling to her across the years. She went down slowly-out-across the garden. Of course Teddy was there- under the firs. It seemed the most natural thing in the world that he should come to her there, in that old-world garden where the three lombardies still kept guard. Nothing was wanting to bridge the years. There was no gulf. HE put out his hands and drew her to him, with no conventional greeting. And spoke as if there were no years-no memories- between them. 'Don't tell me you can't love me- you can-you must- why, Emily-'his eyes had met the moonlit brilliance of hers for a moment-'you do.'" -From Emily's Quest
Oh what a romantic, romantic thing! The old call! I got a teddy bear for Valentine's Day two years ago and I named it Teddy Kent. I just loved this ending.

"I have a dream,' he (Gilbert) said slowly. 'I persist in dreaming it, although it has often seemed to me that it could never come true. I dream of  home with a hearth fire in it, a cat and a dog, the footsteps of friends-and you!'" - From Anne of the Island Ch. 41 "Love takes up the glass of time"

Anne of Green Gables is one of my favorites, and I just love this whole chapter! Oh Anne and Gilbert! Need I say more? ;)

"'But I've been thinking, Betsy. The Plan has been twisted about to let you in. You're in it now, that's all. I wouldn't like it without you. I wouldn't give a darn for my old Plan if you couldn't be in it.'"...... "After Commencement Day, the World!' Joe said. "With Betsy." - From Betsy and Joe 

Betsy and Joe are one of those wonderful high school couples. They meet the summer before freshman year, but have misunderstandings once school starts. For Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior year Betsy and Joe are caught in a tangle of misunderstandings, but liking each other through it all. Senior year crowns Betsy and Joe's happiness, and need I mention, my own. :)

"That's the rose you put in the birthday cake, and next week we'll have a fresh one in another jolly little cake which you'll make me; you left it on the floor of my den the night we talked there, and I've kept it ever since. There's love and romance for you!" -Tom Shaw, From An Old-fashioned Girl

I love Little Polly and Tom's relationship! It's a beautiful little love story. And the way he changes, and goes West, and makes himself a better man....! And Polly's sweet, unwavering love. It's a wonderful story, all in all.

And we can't forget Jane Austen!

“I cannot make speeches, Emma...If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it.” -From Emma

 I simply love Mr. Knightley, with an "e." He is one of my favorite Austen heroes!

"“I come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be yours.” - From Sense and Sensibility

That part makes me have a smile cry, you know, when you're smiling and you have happy tears in your eyes? It made Elinor cry too. (At least, in the '95 movie it did...)

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” -From Pride and Prejudice

True, Mr. Darcy followed that up with, I know you are lower than me in rank, birth "et cetera, et cetera, et cetera;" but really, it's a wonderful sentiment.

That is all for now, I hope you all had a very happy Valentine's Day!

Period Drama Tag Answers

1. What period dramas have you watched in January?

I have watched North and South, Sense & Sensibility,  Cranford, and The Scarlet Pimpernel

2. Do you prefer period dramas peppered with humor or laced with dark emotions?
If I had to choose. I suppose humor. I love to watch Period Dramas that have both humor and dark emotions.

3. What was the first period drama miniseries (two episodes or longer) that you ever watched?

I think that would have to be the Anne of Green Gables movies. I just love those so much!

4. How many Jane Austen adaptations have you seen?

I believe I've seen 6: Mansfield Park ('98?,) Northanger Abbey '07, P&P '95 and '05, Sense and Sensibility '95, and Emma '09.

5. What period drama, that you haven't seen before, are you most looking forward to seeing in the future?

Bleak House, I think.

My Thoughts on "Emma"

Almost a month ago I read Jane Austen's classic, "Emma." I enjoyed it very much, as I enjoy all of Austen's novels. Now, this blog will not be all about Jane Austen, but I seem to be on a J.A. kick right now....

For those of you who aren't familiar with the novel, Emma Woodhouse is a beautiful young woman living with her father in their luxurious home, Hartfield. Mr. Woodhouse worries constantly, but Emma patiently waits and comforts him. He is worried Emma will marry and leave him, just like her "poor, dear sister," Isabella. Emma swears she will never marry. Instead, she takes pleasure in playing matchmaker and marrying off others. Emma thinks she knows everyone's heart, but, after a turn of events, she wonders if she even knows her own....

Let's start out with the characters, shall we? While I liked how kind Emma was to her father, and how she seems less perfect, and, I don't know, I find I can just relate more. Some things I could not relate to were her arrogance, vanity, and know-it-all attitude. I'm not saying I dislike Emma Woodhouse, but occasionally I would get annoyed with her throughout the book. The perfect cringe-worthy example would be the picnic at Box Hill. Poor, poor Miss Bates! I loved Miss Bates, with her silly, happy, almost naive ways- NAIVE, MOTHER!- I quite agree with Mr. Knightley (why is Blogger saying Knightley is spelled wrong, don't they know anything! ;) It was definitely "Badly done, Emma." 

Which brings me to Mr. George Knightley..... WONDERFUL! Absolutely, positively, undoubtedly  WONDERFUL! I love how kind he is to Emma and Mr. Woodhouse, how sincere, how wise! I fell in love with him from the very beginning. I wish he was a little younger, though. That was his only flaw- and it wasn't that big a flaw, either. He is one of my top favorite Jane Austen heroes. Shall I even mention chapter 49 (or, at least, I believe it was 49...) I was smiling a goofy, romantic little girl smile all the way through that one. I was so pleased that J.A. actually elaborated more on the proposal scene, and even ever so briefly mentioned the wedding. For, although Jane Austen is a romance writer, she doesn't seem to like going into detail on the actual declaration of love and marriage.

I love Mr. Woodhouse dearly. He has so many funny quotes and he reminds me a little of someone that I know and love. Some of the quotes I liked from him are: Mr. Woodhouse: Cake! Surely you're not serving cake at your wedding, Miss Taylor! Far too rich, you put us all at peril! Where is Mr. Perry, the apothecary? I'm sure he will support me! 
Mrs. Weston: Ah, he is over there, Mr. Woodhouse, having some cake. Mr. Woodhouse: What? 
and also, Then please, my dear, encourage no one else. Marriage is so disrupting to one's social circle. 
one that I also keep thinking of, that was definitely in the movie and possibly in the book, "Women are like delicate flowers." I don't know exactly why but I actually laughed out loud at that one. There were so many moments when I would read about Mr. Woodhouse and smile.
Now on to Miss Taylor- "Mrs. WESTON father!" I found her very nice and a wonderful friend and anchor for our Emma. I almost related to her more. She was so kind and gentle, *spoiler* I was so happy that she got a lovely baby girl at the end *end of spoiler*
Mr. and Mrs. Elton were simply, wonderfully atrocious they were so annoying. So amusingly "superior." I enjoyed it and was amused and annoyed at them by turns. The only time I was really mad at Mr. Elton was at the ball. How? How could he do such a thing! I know his wife is a fink, but for some reason he didn't seem as bad. Well, he mus ha've been, because I couldn't comprehend anyone doing such a thing otherwise. And Harriet was in hearing, too!
Ah, Harriet. I liked her, but I never really liked her. Do you understand? Well, if not, I'm afraid I can't explain it. Mr. Knightley was right, as always. Harriet was not a suitable friend for Emma, and visa versa. If they hadn't been friends, Harriet would have accepted Mr. Robert Martin. I loved poor, dear Robert Martin! I don't know exactly what he saw in Harriet, but if he wanted her, he should have her! I'm so glad they did get together in the end! It was about time Harriet got a backbone! I cheered for her as she made her own decision.
Jane was nice, but rather dull. Who wouldn't be reserved and quiet and, possibly even resentful. though in that circumstance? I couldn't have put up with it, that's all I know! Frank Churchill was nice at first, but I couldn't forgive him in the end. What can I say? I have a bad almost-Anne-Shirley- like way about holding grudges sometimes. :) The only thing that kept me from absolutely despising him was how much in love he seemed to be.

 
I liked the love, humor, and wit in this endearing novel. I love the movie adaptation. (the Emma 2009, I haven;t seen Emma 1996 because it is not on YouTube in its entirety.) I sincerely recommend it to anyone who loves classic novels in general and especially those who like Jane Austen in particular. This was the third book I have read of Jane Austen's. 
Now to finish off with some quotes: (these mostly take place toward the middle and end of the book, as I didn't start marking them until then.)"General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be." 
"No- Mrs. Knightley;- and, till she is in being, I will manage such maters myself."
"None of that upright integrity, that strict adherence to the truth and principle, that disdain of trick and littleness, which a man should display in every transaction of his life." (I love how Emma was unconsciously describing Mr. Knightley. :)) 
"It darted through her, with the speed of an arrow, that Mr. Knightley must marry no one but herself!"
"Oh God! That I had never seen her!" (a very relate-able quote)
"'My dearest Emma,' said he, 'for dearest you will always be, whatever the event of this hour's conversation, my dearest, most beloved Emma.'" (One of those Ch. 49 quotes!)
"Oh! I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other." (a very Emma-ish quote)
So, what are your opinions on the book? Who's your favorite character? What's your favorite movie adaptation? I hope you enjoyed this book review, as it's my first!