First, I want to assure LeftCoast that Ivanhoe is
now on top of the pile and I will start to read it
today.
Second, I just finished Sense and Sensibility for
the 20-somethingth time. It wears very well. There
is one sentence in it that bothers me though. Every
time I read it this very un-Jane Austiny combination
of words I am irked. It is near the end of the book.
Thomas, the Dashwood's man-servant, is just beginning
to tell them of meeting Lucy (Steele) Ferrars who is
newly married. And now for the sentence itself...
Marianne gave a violent start, fixed her eyes upon
Elinor, saw her turning pale, and fell back in her
chair in hysterics.
Compare that with this combination of sentences which
were randomly picked out of the middle of the book.
Lady Middleton was equally pleased with Mrs. Dashwood.
There was a kind of cold-hearted selfishness on both
sides, which mutually attracted them; and they
sympathised with each other in an insipid propriety
of demeanor, and a general want of understanding.
The above is what makes me read Austin time after time.
She wears very, very well.
5 comments:
Thanks for the comment Mom!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you'res to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You crack me up ;) I hope you enjoy Ivanhoe.
Just re-write the sentence & make it Jane Austen-Y -- you know, even our favorite authors can disappoint us -- I will never forgive Louisa May Allcott for the marriage of Teddy to Amy.
I forget the exact quote, but someone said that character is not shown in what we read, but in what we re-read.
Oh, I like that LC.
I'm with you LC on the LMA issue. In Jo's Boys, when Jo and the Professor are struggling so much I am always reminded about the unfairness of Teddy marrying Amy...though I do love the Professor.
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