I've thought a lot about why I keep returning to Jane Austen's novels to read and re-read, why I never get bored, and why I think her six novels constitute a complete library. For me, her books are timeless, despite all the period trappings I love (and actually, there are precious few of those trappings in the novels themselves; most of what I've learned about Jane Austen's world comes from other books about the period). Jane Austen is the keenest and funniest observer of human nature of any author I've read, and that's what makes her books timeless. After all, human nature hasn't changed in 200 years.

What makes you a Jane Austen addict? What do you consider the signs of addiction? Do you, like me, indulge in not only reading the novels again and again, but in acquisitions such as the Jane Austen Action Figure (I have three; two in the box, one outside the box). I welcome your thoughts and confessions!

Q: "What do you consider the signs of addiction?"

A: When I would imagine what kind of story would it be like if Jane Austen wrote "Desperate Housewives", or what would their child be like if Stephen King and Jane Austen get marry.

Edit: A: Refuse to refer to the book "Susan" as "Northanger Abbey", a re-titled book by her brother Henry after her death.

I have thought about this question for a number of days, "Why am I such an Austen addict?" and still can't come up with a satisfactory response. Yes, Austen was a great observer of human nature. But, then again, so were Shakespeare and Dickens and as much as I love them both, I don't compulsively re-read all their works, and secretly re-watch all the movies when everyone is gone. (Like any good addict, my Austen watching is done covertly).

Austen did have an incredible grasp of modern psychology, too, which I have really come to appreciate. The last time I read "Mansfield Park", I noticed that Fanny, who is so scared and timid, almost appears as though she suffers from post traumatic stress disorder. Then it dawned on me that she came from a troubled family and her father was an alcoholic. In modern psychological terms, Fanny's behavior is explained by her upbringing.

I also love that her characters are so comlplex, especially the women, and I love the fact that her narrative flows at a great clip, and that even when I want to hate some of her characters, on re-read, I see new dimensions to their personalities.

Very astute observation about Fanny Price. At last year's JASNA AGM in Tucson, there was a lively panel discussion with pro- and anti-Fanny contingents--and of course a lot of audience participation. Someone in the audience pointed about that Fanny exhibited classic signs of having come from an alcoholic and abusive household, which is certainly borne out when we see her in Portsmouth.

I too love Austen's psychological depth in her characterizations. And her tremendous compassion. It's why she will never go out of style and a great reason why I continually reread her works. I learn something about myself and the people around me every time I reread one of her novels.

Every time I think I have an original thought, it seems that someone has beaten me to the punch! (LOL) Although I don't know much about JANSA, you have me curious, because I completely understand why there would be a pro and anti- Fanny discussion panel and am very curious as to what that discussion must have been like.


This again brings up why I am an Austen addict: there is so much in her literature that can be discussed. Personally, I would love to have discussions on some of the following:

1) Would passionate Marianne really end up happy with stable Colonal Brandon? Can Marianne learn that character is more important than passion or is she is most likely Austen character to later have an affair?

2) Was "Mansfield Park" really a tribute to the pastoral English country life being encroached by urbanization as represented by the Crawfords? If so, why is there no really sympathetic character in that book?

3) Who is the worst Austen villian, and why? (My vote: Lucy Steele)

4) Was Mr. Knightly really a class snob, and was it possible for anyone of that time not to be a class snob given the clear demarcation between the classes?

OK, clearly, I could go on and on. And, honestly, I probably should join JANSA just so I could get imput from other Austen fans about Fanny Price, because my opinion of the character changes each and every time I read the book, which, in and of itself, is baffling.

Wow--lots of thought-provoking topics. I wouldn't worry about original thought, Nipsu; you've attained a meeting of the minds, which is much better. ;-) (And by the way, I don't think anyone at the conference actually used the words "post-traumatic stress disorder.") I look forward to coming back to your post later and writing down some of my thoughts. Thanks, Nipsu, for being what Anne Eliot would call "good company" i.e., "the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation..."

Just an FYI for all you Colin Firth fans-- you can bid on a private meeting with him on July1 in London including two tickets to see him in Mama Mia -- via ebay, expires Mar4, I think. Its to benefit one of his humanity causes in Africa. Its up around $2450 now. A bit rich for me-- but then again, if it were Matthew Macfadyen, I might need to break into my piggybank.

Bidding on that would definitely qualify for status as a true Austen addict. And you get to contribute to a good cause as well. What could be better than that?

I am an Austen addict because I love her style of writing, her humor, and her character study. I also like the fact that she had some great commentary on society and their morals in her day. I would like to say that I picked up your book to look at the book store today. I was excited to see a story that was about a modern day girl going back to Jane's time (I've often wondered what that would be like myself). I read about 2-3 chapters there in my cozy chair, but I had to stop. Unfortunately, I saw cuss words that just turned me off from reading it. I would like to know why exactly the modern day girl would have to use language like that in a book that refers to Jane Austen. I don't see that kind of Language in Austen's works. I just couldn't read past the language that Courtney uses and I don't think it was really necessary or added to the story in any way. I sincerely respect authors who try to tackle Austen and bring something new to the table for Austen fans. This just didn't do it for me.

Well I guess everyone is entitled to an opinion. My Austen sensibilities are not at all offended by modern day profanity-- especially when it is used in the context to illustrate the differences in Jane and Courtney. Granted not every modern woman uses bad language but this character does. I refuse to let my knickers get in a wad because this is a modern day book-- and not written in Regency times, although the people of that time were a bit racier than one would imagine. (Unlike the Victorian age which many people unfortunately often interchange.) I don't believe re-writing Austen was the intent of this author-- this story is wholly unique and unto her own. I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy the book as much as I have -- or you feel that your virtue has been sullied by reading a bad word or two. I enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel AND ALL THAT IT ENTAILS.

Hi, Sunflowergirl76, and welcome to my forum. Perhaps you might consider joining an online community of like-minded individuals who can recommend reading material that conforms to your requirements?

Sunflowergirl76,
My goodness...overlook that stuff and see what the story is truly about. Outside of reading books, life in gerneral consist of those that use profanity. One can't stop living because of that; they overlook it. Besides, this book is considred mordern, with a mixture of regency; two different characters. Courtney represents those of great majority who spew out cuss words in a mordern society such as ours today. Who is to say that Jane Austen and those in her time did not let loose a few cuss words here and there. Cuss words have been around since the beginning of time.

I loved the book. Thanks, Laurie!

Well, I for one think that your novel is perfect the way it is and I'm doing an official countdown to Spring 2009 on my computer for the sequel.
PS. I love the new website look!! Good job. Go Laurie!!

So happy you love the makeover, DKDC. I'm thrilled with it, too!

Someone is going to have to help me understand why I am so fascinated by Jane Austen's novels. Let me try and make a coherent response here.
1) Her command of the English language is without peer. Never have I read such perfectly appropriate descriptions of people, places, and things. Movies try but nothing can touch her writing mastery. Well, having widely-read Winston Churchill, perhaps he could give Jane Austen a run for her money.
2) Where on earth in the realm of God-given creative talent could any writer develop such superior characters and personalities?
3) Subtle and ironic humor - The Incongruencies of two people who think they are talking about the same subject but each holds a divergent thought. The "I wish I was a fly on the wall" statement comes to mind. In Jane Austen's writing style, we truly are let into that private window with such satisfying, delicate detail.
4) Emotion/sentiment/suspense - The last seven pages of "The road" by Cormac McCarthy was so full of tearful, heart-rending emotion. EVERY novel of Miss Austen's has, at some point, the same or superior level of emotion. I find myself urging the characters "For God's sake, SAY SOMETHING!" "Tell him!" "Tell her!" Miss Austen's use of delay and suspense is unparalleled.
This is not an exhaustive list but I'm sure there's much more and I have failed to scratch the surface. Maybe that's what is so captivating about her work is the confession that I truly DON'T know!

You have made a very articulate and insightful defense of Austen's work. And yes, there is so much more. The more I reread her novels the more layers I uncover. For example, I used to dislike Mansfield Park, and now I am in awe of its mastery, especially its suspense. This is a novel that truly could have ended differently and also worked quite well. In each of her novels there is such a keen observation and commentary on human nature that each of us who reads them sees people we know--and ourselves--in the characters. And not just the good characters, but the highly flawed characters.

So actually I think you do know why you're fascinated. It's all in your list, and you'll keep adding to that list as you keep reading those novels.

Well, Im not sure if I can be as analytical about why i love Jane Austens work. For one reason, just the plots alone I find captivating. And I guess I am just a hopeless romantic, but I love, love, love, how the two people always end up together in the end!!! Maybe thats because Im just young and naive?

I love them for that reason as well, MCK! And it's just as valid a reason as all the others.

MCK: "'bump" on your last post! I'm neither young nor naive but I do like happy endings and the satisfaction of reading about deserving characters who finally get their rewards. Miss Austen is master of that.

Thanks for your responses. Im not sure. It was just something about the way I stated it that seemed really corny or cliche.

MCK: Nothing corny or cliche about your posts; I have a problem getting my hands around Jane Austen's works too!

On my way to Little Rock on a business trip, who should I sit down next to on the plane but a fellow Jane Austen addict! She is a researcher for the University of Arkansas and is an English woman herself who grew up near London. Needless to say the flight went way too fast and I gleaned some valuable insights from her about Miss Austen.

You know what they say: like attracts like!

What is the difference between a Jane Austen addict and a lover of Jane Austen, who does not consider himself an addict?

It's not a riddle but a legitimate question.

Carl

I sometimes wonder if people confuse Austen's social satire with the Brontes' classic gothic romance.