Category: Literary
Regency walking dresses and broken hearts in Persuasion
This is an 1815 print of “a young woman in an autumnal walking dress taken from La Belle Assemblee…” (123). It appears in an annotated edition of Persuasion that I have on loan from one of my students. This dress is described as a “jaconet muslin high dress… with a long sleeve, prettily and tastefully… Continue reading Regency walking dresses and broken hearts in Persuasion
An English Wedding at Sherbourne Park
“…you want to hear about the wedding; and I shall be happy to tell you, for we all behaved charmingly.” –Emma My husband and I were invited to a family wedding in England. The venue: Sherbourne Park, a Grade II Georgian house on a large estate dating back to 1730, just a few miles from… Continue reading An English Wedding at Sherbourne Park
Emily of New Moon
Last year, the L.M. Montgomery Institute blog held an Anne of Green Gables read-along; it was so popular that they decided to hold an Emily of New Moon read-along this year. It’s currently in full swing and readers from around the world gather to read a chapter and a related blog article each week. It’s great fun! I reread the entire Emily… Continue reading Emily of New Moon
41 Objects: Peacocks in Pride & Prejudice
This beautiful edition of Pride and Prejudice is one of the 41 Objects I saw at Jane Austen’s house museum in Hampshire when I visited last summer. I was curious about the peacock design, so I did a little research… The Jane Austen Centre in Bath has this to offer: “As a motif, the peacock… Continue reading 41 Objects: Peacocks in Pride & Prejudice
Jane Austen’s Childhood Home: Steventon Rectory
When I look at this view, with the lane twisting along out of sight, I think, “Jane Austen saw this.” Jane Austen’s childhood home (Steventon Rectory) was torn down long ago, but some things never change in the English countryside. There used to be an old pump that marked the spot of the Austens’ home… Continue reading Jane Austen’s Childhood Home: Steventon Rectory
Book Review: Top 7 Reasons You Should Read Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional
If you haven’t read Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional (or Mrs. OC), you’re in for a treat. Author Michelle Ule and I met through our literary agency, Books & Such, and I was honored to be part of her launch team for her book. It was a wonderful experience and… Continue reading Book Review: Top 7 Reasons You Should Read Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman Behind the World’s Bestselling Devotional
Love and Friendship
In honor of “Galentine’s Day,”* today, I’ve been thinking about my favorite friends (both real and fictional). I’ve learned a lot about friendship from Anne of Green Gables. In it, Anne Shirley says, “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them… Continue reading Love and Friendship
Book Review: Young Jane Austen
Looking for a quick, sweet read or for a way to introduce younger readers to Jane Austen? Then Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer by Lisa Pliscou is the book for you. Jane Austen’s nickname in her rather affectionate family was “Jenny” when she was young. This book takes a peek into what life may have… Continue reading Book Review: Young Jane Austen
Christmas with Jane Austen
Many Austen fans enjoy thinking about how Jane and her family celebrated Christmas. They wonder, did she give gifts, “deck” the halls, or have a Christmas tree? As most Austen fans know, many of the Christmas traditions we might picture actually became popular during the Victorian Era. However, there are plenty of Regency Christmas traditions… Continue reading Christmas with Jane Austen