We'd love to hear which of Austen's beloved books is your favorite, and why. Please comment below.
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Nov 1Meet Mother & Daughter Duo. Kathy Rogers & Anne Rogers Kathy Rogers JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN? Kathy Rogers: A girlfriend told me about some “strange” people at her work who belonged to a Jane Austen club. I was intrigued. After learning about the details and attending my first meeting, I was hooked. JASNA-MN: How long have you been a JASNA-MN board member and how did you get there? Kathy Rogers: I joined the Board as Treasurer in January 2019. As a recently retired accountant it seemed a natural fit. I have an easy job compared to the rest of the board. I am amazed by the skill and creativity that I see in the other board members. JASNA-MN: What is your favorite thing/moment about being a JASNA-MN board? Kathy Rogers: I just finished the year end financial reporting for the chapter, and it was fun to put my “green eyeshade” on again. I like presenting financial data in a way that helps people make decisions wisely. JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies? Kathy Rogers: Well, of course, I love the book and the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I also really like Mansfield Park. I know it is not as well regarded as some of the others, but the dialogue is so rich, and the characters are so dense. Mary Crawford is my favorite character in all the books. I have the audio book versions of all the main novels. I have three versions of Pride and Prejudice alone. I listen at night to lull myself to sleep. Over the years, I have probably listened to each book 20 times. Except for key parts (like the first proposal scene in Pride and Prejudice) I find them soothing. JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies, hidden talent, etc. Kathy Rogers: I am a news junkie (not always a good thing…) I also enjoy history and listen to a lot of books on European, World and Economic History. This is one of the reasons why I like Jane Austen so much. It is comforting sometimes, to take the long view. Anne Rogers – (Kathy Rogers’ daughter) JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN?
Anne Rogers: My mom was involved in JASNAMN prior to me. She told me about the group and brought me to the holiday meeting last year - a ton of fun! JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies?
Anne Rogers: A bit cliché, but I'm a sucker for Pride and Prejudice, book and series. A strong memory from my childhood is watching and rewatching the 1995 BBC miniseries on VHS (I blame my mom for starting this). I really connected with Jane and love how it portrays the different relationships between the sisters. JASNA-MN: What was your favorite meeting/event so far? Any idea what fun stuff we should do?
Anne Rogers: I really enjoyed the dance meeting - even though I have no rhythm! I would be in favor of any event/lecture around how life was back then (embroidery, etiquette, other topics around the culture). JASNA-MN: How long have you been a member?
Anne Rogers: I'm new! I just attended my first meeting as a member this month. JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies? hidden talent?
Anne Rogers: I love to craft and sew. My mom and I both created dresses for these meetings. JASNA-MN: Thank you Alicia & Anna for your times! See you at next meeting... *If you are interested to be our next featured member or would like to nominate someone Please email us at jasnamnmarketing@gmail.com
Pride & Prejudice is my favorite of Austen's books. It's a little predictable, but I offer no apologies.
It was the first that I read (thanks to my high school English teacher who insisted that I read it, even when there were other options/authors to pick from). It has flawed characters who, though silly and head-shaking, are still enduring and appreciated. And it has the romantic will-they-or-won't-they plots.
A close second would be Persuasion for it's tale of societal pressures separating but not breaking love, and the internal struggles Anne and Wentworth face when trying to appear indifferent.
Pride and Prejudice was my favorite for years. The plot was lively, Elizabeth was a person of worth and the comic touches entranced me. This favoritism was cemented with the Colin-Firth-in-a-wet-shirt-Darcy and so I continued on my enchantment for years. And then I watched Amanda Root/Ciaran Hinds in PERSUASION.......hmmm, what is this? Another novel of Miss Jane Austen was beginning to supplant P&P? Well, yes. It is a more mature love affair. It is more dangerous in that Anne has all to lose here if she fails to grasp the chance. Wentworth is torn himself---can he trust her? If he doesn't, will he lose again and regret it always? The persuasion comes from many sides and many people until finally Anne throws herself into life and love and discovers he was always just waiting to catch her.
Pride and Prejudice was my first love, but now, having read all of Austen’s work more than just a few times, I’ve come to the following conclusion:
Northanger Abbey is my favorite for when I want to be amused, delighted, and entertained, Persuasion for when i want a book to rip my heart out and show it to me. They are both my favorite for completely separate reasons. There is no reconciling.