One of the things I just love about Victoria Connelly’s Jane Austen Addicts Trilogy is how each heroine is obsessed with Jane Austen. They not only love Austen’s six novels, but she offers each of them a sort of comfort. In A Weekend with Mr. Darcy, Katherine Roberts finds Jane Austen is the only thing keeping her sane. Needing a break from her chaotic life, Katherine sojourns to Hampshire to attend a Jane Austen Addicts conference. Oh, the solace of surrounding oneself with other Janeites. After all, people who share our love for Jane Austen are some of the kindest people.
In Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, Kay Ashton decides moving to Lyme Regis is just the thing she needs to finish her book, The Illustrated Darcy. What better inspiration for painting the seafront and Cobb than being there? It is here Kay turns to Northanger Abby and Persuasion for comfort and discernment.
Last, but surely not least, are Sara and Mia Castle from Mr. Darcy Forever, who are more like Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Knowing this about themselves, the sisters are able to use Austen’s characters to help them through some difficult times. It is on their annual trip to the Jane Austen Festival in Bath that they realize the healing powers of Bath.
Listen in on Sara Castle’s thoughts on why Jane Austen is still so popular and what Austen means to her.
Just like Sara, I love how timeless Austen's characters are. Sometimes when I am out shopping or at the park with my children, I like to observe people (or even my friends and family members) and find various traits in them that Austen's characters hold.
I like the comment about how a 20 year-old & a 40 year-old person can both get something out of her novels. There are many books that I read at 20 that annoy me now - Austen doesn't do that. My experiences seem to only enhance the characters. I need these characters to grow with me. Luckily - they do!
ReplyDeletePS - LOVE the nails!!
Well put, Angie. The characters do grow with you, don't they?
DeleteYes, I painted Aubrey's nails for the first time and let her pick out the color. We just had to match! ;)
Very nice Vlog! I agree, you definitely will find something new each time you read a Jane Austen book. I do think your perspectives change as you get older but also your emotions at the time you read a book, play a big part in what you take away from it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Candy, that your emotions at the time of reading a book play a part in what you take away from the novel. Well put!
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