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Jane Odiwe | MR. WILLOUGHBY'S RETURN
Thank you so much for welcoming me to the blog and giving me a chance to talk
about Willoughbyโs
Return!
I loved writing this book. Sense and Sensibility is
one of my favourite Austen novels and I
enjoyed revisiting all the characters and places associated with them all.
Writing the plot and thinking about how the characters interact with one another
is one of the biggest joys-another is weaving in clues about what the characters
look like and how they dress. Itโs important in a historical novel to give a
feel of the costume and clothing. The fashion at this time was wonderful. Iโm
sure part of the success of the recent spate of Austen films and adaptations is
down to the accuracy and beauty of Regency dress. Who hasnโt imagined themselves
dancing at a candlelit ball in white muslin, silk slippers on their feet, and an
ivory fan to flutter?
When Iโm writing, I like to describe my characters by revealing what they are
wearing. It doesnโt have to be a list of items; I find it more fun to sprinkle
in the details. In the next passage I could envisage Marianne in a cloak to
match her passionate nature. This is the first glimpse we see of her so it is an
important impression. I wanted to establish her as an impetuous character, a
young lady who does not necessarily conform - she leaves her bonnet and is
inclined to run, practices that would have been frowned upon in Georgian
England!
Marianne Brandon was bursting with news to tell her sister and was so excited
at the report that her husband had divulged at breakfast before leaving for Lyme
that morning, that she did not consider there to be time enough to don her
bonnet. With her chestnut curls escaping from her coiffure to dance in the wind
and her scarlet cloak billowing like a great sail behind her, she almost ran
down the lane to the parsonage.
I love researching the fashion of the time. In this next passage Margaret is
described as ready to go out in a pelisse, a type of coat fashionably long with
an empire waist. Kerseymere is a type of fabric, a fine woollen cloth with a
fancy, twill weave.
Margaret had excused herself shortly after this exchange to make ready for
their expedition, returning moments later in a blue kerseymere pelisse with a
bonnet of the same, trimmed with ribbon. She made a pleasing picture. Margaret
was not as dark as her elder sister; she had a fair complexion and light brown
curls to frame her countenance. Her eyes were the blue of April forget-me-nots
but still there was something of her sisterโs spirit in them. The contrast,
however, was like ice and fire: against the black gypsy eyes of Marianne,
Margaretโs were frozen shards of sapphire
Menโs fashion varied depending on what sort of activity they were engaged in.
Here is Mr Willoughby at a local fair in Dorset. He is the epitome of an
athletic, handsome man and his clothes need to reflect his personality and his
pocket!
Mr Willoughby, she could see, was dressed for the country in a chocolate
brown coat, with buckskin breeches moulded to his legs, encased in expensive tan
boots to match his gloves and his waistcoat.
Here I describe a toyman or pedlar, a travelling man who sells goods. I found
pictures of men like this in books, though I enjoyed imagining what he might
have sold.
A toyman with a tray laden with all manner of trinkets and gewgaws strolled
past. He made a curious picture. From his shabby tricorne hat were suspended a
variety of goods on strings: lace bobbins, wooden spoons, buckles for shoes, and
bunches of ribbons. Snuff boxes, skeins of silk, candles and kerchiefs, dolls
and toy soldiers were all neatly arranged on his tray, suspended by straps
around the pedlarโs neck. A tumbler on a stick was lying next to a red-cheeked
wooden doll that was beautifully dressed in a piece of worked Indian muslin with
real black hair jutting out under a satin hat.
Finally, Iโm sure most of us have wondered what it would be like to attend a
ball. I probably do far too much research on ball dresses simply because I enjoy
it so much!
The entire room seemed to be plumed by tall feathers of ostrich and egret
waving above the ladiesโ heads; but none were more splendid or profuse as those
combined into a coronet on Mademoiselle de Fontenayโs gleaming coiffure. Her
slender frame was swathed in sheerest muslin, set with sewn pearls in motifs,
graduating in size toward an embellished hem. Margaret thought her rival looked
like a princess and though delighted by her own appearance in a simple,
tamboured muslin, felt she must appear as a country bumpkin in comparison
.
(All excerpts ยฉ Jane Odiwe, Sourcebooks Landmark, 2009)
If you could go back in time what would be your favourite kind of costume? Would
you prefer a ball gown, riding dress, a regency wedding outfit or something
else?
WILLOUGHBYโS RETURN-IN
STORES NOVEMBER 2009
A lost love returns, rekindling forgotten passions...
In Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, when
Marianne Dashwood marries Colonel Brandon, she puts her heartbreak over dashing
scoundrel John Willoughby in the past.
Three years later, Willoughby's return throws Marianne into a tizzy of painful
memories and exquisite feelings of uncertainty. Willoughby is as charming, as
roguish, and as much in love with her as ever. And the timing couldn't be
worse--with Colonel Brandon away and Willoughby determined to win her back, will
Marianne find the strength to save her marriage, or will the temptation of a
previous love be too powerful to resist?
About the Author
Jane Odiwe is an
artist and author. She is an avid fan of all things Austen and is the author and
illustrator of Effusions of Fancy, annotated sketches from the life of Jane
Austen, as well as Lydia Bennet's Story. She lives with her husband and three
children in North London. For more information please visit Janeโs website, http://www.austeneffusions.com/ and
on Twitter
Two lucky winners will receive a copy of WILLOUGHBY'S RETURN
just for leaving a
comment on Jane Odiwe's blog today.
Comments
27 comments posted.
Re: Jane Odiwe | MR. WILLOUGHBY'S RETURN
Your book sounds great. Thanks for visiting today.
(G S Moch 1:19am November 12, 2009)
Jane Odiwe: Thank you for your article.
I too love historical fashion. I appreciate it when an author takes the trouble to describe details such as clothing and accessories, and ties them to other aspects of the book. For example, a telling detail can reveal as aspect of a character, refer to a backstory event, or reinforce a theme.
But as for answering your question, well, I can't. There are simply too many styles covering too many periods for me to list my faves.
(Mary Anne Landers 1:34am November 12, 2009)
I love all things Austen!!! As for clothing it depends on my mood, I love too many periods to pick just one style. Thank you.
(Debra Czarnogursky 5:36am November 12, 2009)
I would have to agree that the Regency period was so lush with attire.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:34am November 12, 2009)
I love reading sequels to old
favorites! This sounds like an
interesting book.
Margay
(Margay Roberge 9:46am November 12, 2009)
Great idea for a plot to have Willoughby return into Marriane's life and test her love for Colonel Brandon. Would love to read this.
(Cherie Japp 11:03am November 12, 2009)
Your book "Mr. Willoughby's Return" has me hooked. I want to know the outcome. Your post gave great insite on how fashion helps define a character as well as a long ago historical period. Thank you!
(Rosemary Krejsa 11:18am November 12, 2009)
If I could go back in time I would love to have a ball gown. I love to read historicals and the gowns they discribe in them are beautiful.
(Gail Hurt 11:37am November 12, 2009)
I always wondered what would happen if he returned and now I can find out.
(Anne Clark 11:45am November 12, 2009)
Yes, the clothes were great during that time, but I'm glad we don't have to wear them today! I love my sweats and tank top!
(LuAnn Morgan 12:55pm November 12, 2009)
I think the long dresses, tight bodice, made women beautiful. Covering many flaws and highlighting assets. I think Scarlet O'hara gowns were beautiful, I think thats why movies about the bygone ages are so interesting.
(Theresa Buckholtz 1:47pm November 12, 2009)
I love Sense and Sensibility -can't wait to read this. I would want to wear a ball gown. I love the description of fabrics and colors during this time period. Although I, too, am grateful for sweatpants and jeans.
(Josie Roetemeyer 2:24pm November 12, 2009)
I really don't know. I love the grace and sweep of the dresses during the mid-1800s, but the thought of the corsets and the pure weight of all that clothing in the summer is somewhat off-putting!
(Carol Gowett 2:25pm November 12, 2009)
I love your books and my aunt always said I'm like her :)
Katie
(Katie Smith 2:25pm November 12, 2009)
I would wear a ball gown everyday if I could.
(Vikki Parman 4:12pm November 12, 2009)
To live back in historical days and wear those gowns. Well. maybe for a night or two. I'd miss my shorts and tank tops too much, let alone run bare food on the beach. Here's another book to add to my list.
(Evelyn Day 5:02pm November 12, 2009)
I always dust in my ball gown, don't you! Love this article!
(Lisa Glidewell 5:09pm November 12, 2009)
Definitely a ball gown! I love the covers of novels that show a beautiful gown on the cover.
(Cheryl Snyder 6:40pm November 12, 2009)
I love to ride, so my choice would be the riding outfit...but I don't think I would like riding side saddle.
(Mitzi Hinkey 8:57pm November 12, 2009)
Damn, I want to read this. I could practically recite Austen by heart & as for Willoughby - the cad & bounder - yes please!! A ball gown would be heavenly - so feminine & lady-like.
(Mary Preston 9:06pm November 12, 2009)
I'd really like to read this! It sounds very interesting!
(Melissa Cleaver 9:08pm November 12, 2009)
I love a ball gown! And Dancing in one!!
(Brenda Rupp 9:28pm November 12, 2009)
Sense and Sensibility is one of my favorite Jane Austen's book. It would be great to read a book which follow the same genre and humor that is Jane Austen.
(Kai Wong 10:47pm November 12, 2009)
I've always thought ball gowns look
magical!
(Sue Ahn 11:08pm November 12, 2009)
You have certainly done your research
which is good for us. Such detail
makes the stories so much more real.
I think I'd like a nice day dress and
wrap. Ball gowns are lovely, but I'd
like something more practical.
(Patricia Barraclough 2:16am November 13, 2009)
I love all things Jane Austen! I'm going to have to get a copy of this book!!!
(Holly Kinsey 1:25pm November 13, 2009)
I love historical fiction
(Allison Gardner 11:41am November 25, 2009)
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