Postscript
Our thanks to Diane and Terry for a wonderful final meeting on Persuasion - the Swan Song for us and Jane Austen. It was so fun to consider all of the persuasions that went on in the book, and then to categorize the ladies. And many thank yous to all who participated in making this book group such a lovely experience. We have been amazed by the ingenuity and time spent by all of the presenters who have added to our knowledge of this beloved author.Thanks to the hostesses for the wonderful food and warmth of spirt, and to the attendees for your enthusiastic participation. And a special thanks to Scott for his technical and emotional support for this book group. It would not have been the same without his kindness and generosity. (and yes, you have to post this) I will never read Jane Austen again without fond memories of our time together - what pleasure we've had in these novels!
Thank you dearest friends,
Kate and Sharron
Our Final Favorites:
Book: Pride and Prejudice
First Line: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." (P&P)
Main Character: Elizabeth Bennet (P&P)
Austen Man: Captain Wentworth (P)
Setting: Pemberly (P&P)
Other Characters: Mr & Mrs Bennet (P&P)
Event: Captain Wentworth writes a letter to Anne while overhearing a conversation between her & Capt. Harville. (P)
Lesson Learned: True happiness comes from a balance of sense and sensibility. (S&S)
Quote: "We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be." (FP in MP)
Irony: Even though she is terrible at it, Emma loves matchmaking, but does not even consider the idea of making a match for herself. She is clueless. (E)
Poor Northanger Abbey did not make it into our favorites - so I vote it my favorite first Jane Austen book!!
Posted 21 October 2008 - by Kate & Sharron
Biographical Notice of the Author.
Preface to Persuasion and Northanger Abbey by Henry Austen
The following pages are the production of a pen which has already contributed in no small degree to the entertainment of the public. And when the public, which has not been insensible to the merits of "Sense and Sensibility," "Pride and Prejudice," "Mansfield Park," and "Emma," shall be informed that the hand which guided that pen is now mouldering in the grave, perhaps a brief account of Jane Austen will be read with a kindlier sentiment than simple curiosity.
Short and easy will be the task of the mere biographer. A life of usefulness, literature, and religion, was not by any means a life of event. To those who lament their irreparable loss, it is consolatory to think that, as she never deserved disapprobation, so, in the circle of her family and friends, she never met reproof; that her wishes were not only reasonable, but gratified; and that to the little disappointments incidental to human life was never added, even for a moment, an abatement of goodwill from any who knew her.
Jane Austen was born on the 16th of December, 1775, at Steventon, in the county of Hants...
Read the complete article here.