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Sara Angelini | Imagining Myself In A Jane Austen Novel
October 15, 2009
I think Jane Austen
wrote about me. No, I’m not off my meds, and yes, I realize that dear Jane has
been dead for almost two hundred years (and no, I’m not that old).
Nonetheless, in my narcissistic view, I am Elizabeth Bennet .
The wonderful thing about Jane Austen’s characters
is that I’m not alone. Millions of women have turned the last page of Pride and Prejudice sighed,
and wondered "when will my Darcy come?" I believe that’s more than a wish for
the perfect gentleman (and don’t get me started on whether Darcy was actually a
gentleman!); I believe it’s an affirmation that the reader has become so
enamored of Elizabeth that she sees herself as Elizabeth. Who doesn’t want to
believe that they are pretty, witty, and saucy enough to knock the stockings off
the hottest catch in town?
And speaking of that infamous gentleman, what exactly is it about Mr. Darcy that
has had bosoms heaving for the last two hundred years? He is tall and handsome,
yes, but downright unpleasant. Such a snob! So willing to lower his standards
for our lovely Elizabeth. Well, at least she set him right. And that’s his
appeal; his willingness to admit the error of his ways and to change them. It’s
such a modern sensibility; I can almost imagine him stopping his curricle and
actually asking for directions.
I think that the appeal of Austen’s characters is
their applicability to our "real" world. Yes, they are dressed in Regency
costumes, but their worries and foibles are still relevant today. Will I ever
find true love? Where will my future lead? Does this pelisse make me look fat?
It’s as if Jane had a crystal ball into my life.
Austen painted her
characters with bright colors, but left the outlines smudged. We get a general
sense of what the character is like, but much is left to the imagination. We
fill in the holes with bits of ourselves. Thus while it’s never actually said
that Darcy had a sharp sense of humor, I prefer to think that he did. Some
people prefer to think his standoffishness was rooted in shyness; I happen to
believe that he was a snob. It makes his reversal that much more satisfying.
Mr. Bingley’s character is a mystery to me. Was he weak, or was he insecure?
Did he really believe that Jane had no feelings for him, or was he simply
unwilling to displease his sister and his friend? We never really know, for
Austen leaves that up to our imagination. I think him as a sort of man-child, or
maybe a golden retriever: bright and eager to please, appropriately downcast
when told he is a BADDOG, but able to bounce back with no hard feelings. I
happen to like dogs very much, so this is a bit of an endearing character for
me. I suspect cat people despise poor Bingley.
Which Austencharacter
do you identify most with?
The Trials of the Honorable
F. Darcy
in stores October 2009!
A sexy, bold adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that
re-paints favorite characters in twenty-first century colors Judge Fitzwilliam Darcy, a legal expert on both sides of the Atlantic, is ready
to hang up his black robe and return to the life of a country gentleman--until
he meets Elizabeth Bennet, a fresh-faced attorney with a hectic schedule and no
time for the sexy but haughty judge.
Tempers and sparks fly in Judge Darcy's courtroom--and outside, in a series of
chance encounters that give each of them pause--as the two match wits and try to
fight their overwhelming attraction. When they meet up in England at an
international law conference, they embark on a hot, heavy affair. Back in the
States, though, ethical considerations intrude, and each is subjected to a
torturous period of soul-searching before they can find their way back to each
other...
About the Author
Sara Angelini is an
attorney living in the San Francisco Bay area. After earning an MS in Animal
Sciences, she decided against becoming a veterinarian when she realized she only
liked her own pets and moved to California with her husband to pursue law
school. She is working on her third novel. For more information, please visitwww.judgedarcy.com
Comments
29 comments posted.
Re: Sara Angelini | Imagining Myself In A Jane Austen Novel
Elizabeth Bennet, was and is independent and strong. She would fit well in 2009.
(Barbara Ryan 12:13pm October 15, 2009)
How I'm looking forward to read this book !!! Congrats ;-)
(Joeelle Jappissont 4:06am October 15, 2009)
Great insight into such a classic! Thank you!
(Joanne Reynolds 6:18am October 15, 2009)
I think that is why Jane Austen's books are still popular today. She truly understood how people were and why they sometimes acted the way they did (well, after awhile in Darcy's case anyway!).
I'm not sure I identify with any particular character but enjoy the fact that all the 'heroes' and 'heroines' are not prefect by any means!
(Susan Davco 9:57am October 15, 2009)
I really enjoyed the blog today, thanks for being here. Penney
(Penney Wilfort 10:00am October 15, 2009)
I would love to read the book. Looks fantastic!
(Freda Mans-Labianca 10:05am October 15, 2009)
Look out Jane, here is Darcy!
Thanks!
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 11:14am October 15, 2009)
I identify with Lizzie.
(Vikki Parman 11:28am October 15, 2009)
I identify most with Elizabeth Bennett. I believe she was a forward thinker for a woman in her during her time, and certainly she was going to marry for true love.
(Armenia Fox 11:59am October 15, 2009)
I am almost afraid to admit I have never read Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice...my sister reads all these posts and she is going to yell at me so loud!To make up for it, I promise to read "The Trial of The Honorable F. Darcy". I like how it sounds.
(Patsy Hagen 1:09pm October 15, 2009)
I love Elizabeth & Darcy in P&P too. It's a grand escape to read Jane Austen's work. That is why they are all so popular & updated today. No recession or job losses, depressing news.
(Donna Petrilla 2:18pm October 15, 2009)
I think I probably identify with Jane. Shy, laid-back, unruffled. Im looking forward to reading your book.
(Theresa Buckholtz 3:01pm October 15, 2009)
Elizabeth, of course! Your book sounds wonderful.
(G S Moch 3:30pm October 15, 2009)
Great post! I identified with Elizabeth most because she was such a strong character. She was honest and loyal which are characters I admire greatly.
(Cherie Japp 3:47pm October 15, 2009)
I can identify with Elizabeth; she was certainly a woman before her time.
Thanks!
(Tracey Dent 3:59pm October 15, 2009)
For some reason Jane Austen is still really popular today!
(Brenda Rupp 4:04pm October 15, 2009)
I would love to imagine that I'm
like Elizabeth Bennett, but I
think I'm most like Eleanor
Dashwood.
(Margay Roberge 4:32pm October 15, 2009)
I identify with Elizabeth. Thanks for the great post - I've enjoyed reading about your book on the blogs.
(Cheryl Snyder 4:58pm October 15, 2009)
Congrats on the release of your book! I can't wait to read it and I love the cover. I always liked Anne Elliot. And really, most of Elizabeth's family was very interesting and had so many humorous touches.
(Julie Holden 6:16pm October 15, 2009)
Your book sounds Great!!
(Robin McKay 6:44pm October 15, 2009)
I identify with Elizabeth. She's feisty and independant. Just my kind of heroine.
(Shelley Munro 11:32pm October 15, 2009)
I love Elizabeth's sense of humor and independence and I can identify with her for that.
(Mona Cunningham 3:43am October 16, 2009)
I'd have to say Elizabeth as well because she was definitely a woman ahead of her time. Strong, fierce,loyal and I look forward to reading your book. Congrats on the release.
Carol L.
[email protected]
(Carol Luciano 8:16am October 16, 2009)
I am a dedicated 'Austenite'. Elizabeth Bennett is my favorite Austen woman. She gets Darcy after all.
(Mary Preston 8:46am October 16, 2009)
How life would be so simple-or would it really be- Just different-
(Mrs bernard Yavitch 11:24am October 16, 2009)
I guess Elizabeth - I like her spunk. I, too, wouldn't have put up wtih Darcy's snobbery. She definitely has some great comebacks.
Although I am also very fond of Anne Elliot in Persuasion (I love that book and the movie as well!) I think Anne had a lot of spunk as she got older (as I have found out I have). I especially like how she got her "voice" in the end and went for what she really wanted.
(Josie Roetemeyer 4:32pm October 16, 2009)
Sounds like a very creative premise. I'm an advocate of using bits of dreams, no matter how unusual - I once dreamt of Vin Diesel on a ladder, and I don't even like his movies. It turned into a scene.
(Maya Missani 10:02pm October 16, 2009)
I relate more to Elizabeth!
(Lisa Glidewell 11:51pm October 16, 2009)
I love Pride and Prejudice and I relate so
well to her characters!
Val Pearson
[email protected]
(Val Pearson 7:43pm October 24, 2009)
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