Sunday, April 19, 2015

Undone Business by Rose Fairbanks

I am currently on holiday in the lovely Welsh countryside, and for my first holiday read, I chose Undone Business by the lovely Rose Fairbanks. And I am very glad I did! 

"Upon leaving Hertfordshire in early December, Darcy feels certain he provided reasons for Elizabeth to distrust Mr. Wickham. She, in turn, believes Darcy understands Jane’s feelings for Mr. Bingley. Disappointed in her attempts to see Bingley again, Jane despairs of ever finding happiness. Yet, the business of life cannot always remain undone. When Darcy and Elizabeth meet again in Kent, both couples must face the courses their lives have taken. Undone Business explores the cost of both opportunities missed and second chances seized."


This was a very interesting and very different twist on the story. I have never read anything like it, especially where Bingley and Jane are concerned, and I have read a fair few variations now! Because of the unique twists in this stories, this review is going to be so hard to write without giving away spoilers! I don't want to ruin it for you all! 



This is a story in two halves; first we follow Darcy and Lizzy, and then the second half we see what Jane and Bingley get up to! Here I will address an issue I read in another review, regarding the story feeling disjointed because of the switch half way and Jane becoming the main character in the story. I agree in that it was a quick change, but I personally think it worked. By this point, Darcy and Lizzy were happy, but Jane was yet to reach her happy ending so it isn't surprising that the story switches to Jane's point of view. Darcy and Lizzy aren't completely forgot for the rest of the story as there are some very sweet little scenes when we check in on the happy couple! 



Regarding the quality of writing, once again Rose Fairbanks doesn't disappoint. She is great with her historically accuracy, and her writing is pleasant to read and flows well. 



The story begins at the Netherfield Ball, and for a while the story is quite similar to canon, with a few small but important differences, and then it all changes after the disastrous proposal. I don't want to tell you how, because you should read it yourself to find out! Let's just say.... there is still a letter involved, and the letter does prove to be very important, but it is not in quite the same way as we know it! 



But back to before the letter though, it was interesting to see Darcy's thoughts building up to the proposal in this story, and seeing just how sure he is that she will accept him, which we know he was, but it was fun to read! Similarly, it was interesting, if sad, to have Darcy's point of view during the ill-fated proposal, as Lizzy spouts all her accusations at him. 



Another character who has a good part in this story was Anne de Bourgh! She turns into a bit of a meddler, but with good results! 



And so now I will say no more about Darcy and Lizzy, but take it from me, it ends happily and it is a very sweet!



Now to Jane and Bingley, and they are going to be even harder to say anything about! Well, we see what Jane really feels about the Bingley situation and how she is really suffering inside. It was upsetting to see Jane's point of view on the whole situation, especially as she has to put up with the pitying looks from friends and family. And that is all I can and want to say, other than that I have never read anything so unique where Jane and Bingley are concerned, and I don't believe this idea has ever been done before in JAFF. 



Oh, I do have one more thing I have to say, there is a very sweet little girl in this story, with brown eyes and thick brown hair, and a slightly mischievous air! Sound familiar? Yes, she is called Sophie! See, now you really have to read it! I am not going to say anything about who this little girl belongs to, but she is a cutie ;) 



So, that is all I will say! This is shorter than I usually do for a review, but I can't say anymore without giving it all away! And I don't want to spoil it for you, so you'll just have to read it! It is a well written and very original twist on a fantastic story! 




My thanks to Rose for coming up with this unique story - and for naming a character after me! I look forward to reading more stories from you!  




Your affectionate friend,
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Sunday, April 12, 2015

Ages of Characters in Jane Austen Novels vs. the Ages of the Actors who have Portrayed them

I was thinking the other day about the ages of Jane's characters, and then I wondered what sort of ages all the actors were when they played the character, and so I decided to look it up!

*KEY*
- If I have written 'about' before an age in the novel, I am guessing as the exact age isn't given in the book. I have used any information given about whether they are older or younger than another character to base my estimate on.  
- I have used the year the film or series came out to get the actors ages. 
- Obviously '(not in film)' next to a character name means the character was cut from that particularly adaptation.
- If next to a character name it says '(unknown)' it is because the birth year of the actor is not known.


Pride and Prejudice

1995

Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy

Novel - 28
1940 - 33
1980 - 32
1995 - 35
2005 - 31


All the actors were older, but not too much older, except Colin Firth, but Ehle was also older - and hey, Colin still looked great!







2005

Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Novel - 20
1940 - 36
1980 - 23
1995 - 26
2005 - 20


So 2005 was spot on and 1940 were very far off! 





1980

Miss Jane Bennet

Novel - 22
1940 - 29
1980 - 26
1995 - 30
2005 - 26

Once again, all older.






1940

Mr Charles Bingley

Novel - 22
1940 - 28
1980 - 29
1995 - 26
2005 - 25

I see a theme already, do you?





1995

Miss Mary Bennet

Novel - about 19
1940 - 23
1980 - 23
1995 - 28
2005 - 20

1995 was very much older!






2005
Miss Kitty Bennet

Novel - 17
1940 - 31
1980 - 25
1995 - 19
2005 - 20

The older ones were off, the newer ones did well!





1980

Miss Lydia Bennet

Novel- 15
1940 - 23
1980 - 20
1995 - 27
2005 - 21

All rather off, once again!







1940

Mr George Wickham

Novel - about 28
1940 - 36
1980 - 29
1995 - 37
2005 - 24

Quite a mix there!




1995
Mrs Charlotte Collins

Novel - 27
1940 - 31
1980 - (unknown)
1995 - 24
2005 - 31

I didn't realise she was younger in 1995!




2005


Mr William Collins

Novel - 25
1940 - 44
1980 - (unknown)
1995 - 41
2005 - 38


Poor Collins... He really gets the short straw! Considerably older than he should be, poor man!





1995
Miss Georgiana Darcy

Novel - 16
1940 - (not in film)
1980 - 22
1995 - 21
2005 - 18

A bit old, but not too bad.





Sense and Sensibility
 

2008


Miss Elinor Dashwood 

Novel - 19
1971 - 24
1981 - (unknown)
1995 - 36
2008 - 30

I knew Emma Thompson was much older, but I didn't realise Hattie Morahan was so much older as well!






1995

Miss Marianne Dashwood

Novel - 16
1971 - 26
1981 - 18
1995 - 20
2008 - 28


Again, 2008 was a lot older than I thought.






1981

Colonel Brandon

Novel - 35
1971 - (unknown)
1981 - 36
1995 - 49
2008 - 44


Wow Alan Rickman... 49! But he was still good!






1971
Mr Edward Ferrars

Novel - 23
1971 - 29
1981 - 32
1995 - 35
2008 - 26

Oh look, all older again! I think we have only had one spot on so far!




2008
Mr John Willoughby

Novel - 25
1971 - 25
1981 - 25
1995 - 29
2008 - 30

That's more like it!




1995

Miss Margaret Dashwood

Novel - 13
1971 - (not in film)
1981 - (not in film)
1995 - 12
2008 - 14


Pretty spot on.




1971

Miss Lucy Steele

Novel - about 22
1971 - 35
1981 - 25
1995 - 34
2008 - 31

Well I guessed her age, and I think the actresses were probably all older than she would have been.






1995


Mr Robert Ferrars

Novel - about 22
1971 - (unknown)
1981 - 32
1995 - 30
2008 - 28

Younger than Edward, so once again all older!






2008

Mrs Dashwood

Novel - 40
1971 - 53
1981 - 48
1995 - 53
2008 - 47

I guess it isn't overly important for the older parents, but still all older once again.





Emma
 
 
2009
Miss Emma Woodhouse

Novel - 20
1972 - 22
1996 (Beckinsale) - 23
1996 (Paltrow) - 24
2009 - 27

Aside from 2009, not too bad.





1996 (Paltrow)

Mr George Knightley

Novel - 37
1972 - 45
1996 (Beckinsale) - 33
1996 (Paltrow) - 35
2009 - 37


We actually have some younger for Knightley!






1996 (Beckinsale)
Mr Frank Churchill

Novel - about 25
1972 - 40
1996 (Beckinsale) - 28
1996 (Paltrow) - 25
2009 - 32

Another guess, but mostly older I would think!





1972
Miss Jane Fairfax

Novel - 20
1972 - 23
1996 (Beckinsale) - 28
1996 (Paltrow) - 30
2009 - 29

1972 was the closest this time!




2009

Miss Harriet Smith

Novel - 17
1972 - (unknown)
1996 (Beckinsale) - 19
1996 (Paltrow) - 24
2009 - (unknown)

I reckon the 2009 Harriet was quite young and close to the age of 17.



1996 (Beckinsale)
Mr Philip Elton

Novel - 26
1972 - (unknown)
1996 (Beckinsale) - 25
1996 (Paltrow) - 31
2009 - 31


Could have been worse.





2009

Mrs Isabella Knightley

Novel - about 23
1972 - (not in film)
1996 (Beckinsale) - (unknown)
1996 (Paltrow) - 32
2009 - 40

Another guess, but likely older actresses, as I don't think she was too much older than Emma.




2009

Mr John Knightley

Novel - about 34
1972 - (not in film)
1996 (Beckinsale) - 36
1996 (Paltrow) - 49
2009 - 41

Again, a guess but he is younger than Knightley, so once again the actors are older!






Mansfield Park

1983

Miss Fanny Price

Novel - 18
1983 - 25
1999 - 32
2007 - 25


Oh look, still older!




1999

Mr Edmund Bertram

Novel - 24
1983 - 28
1999 - 27
2007 - 29


That isn't too bad actually.





2007
Mr Tom Bertram

Novel - 25
1983 - 23
1999 - 35
2007 - 32

Another younger actor slips in in 1983!





1999

Miss Maria Bertram 

Novel - 21
1983 - 22
1999 - 28
2007 - 23

 Close other than 1999.






1999

Miss Julia Bertram

Novel - 20
1983 - 29
1999 - 24
2007 - (unknown)


A bit mixed for Julia.




Northanger Abbey

2007


Miss Catherine Morland

Novel - 17
1986 - (unknown)
2007 - 24


I didn't realise she was that old!






2007


Mr Henry Tilney

Novel - 25
1986 - 33
2007 - 29


Older once again!






1986
Mr John Thorpe

Novel - about 20
1986 - 33
2007 - (unknown)


Another guess, but likely older!






1986
Miss Isabella Thorpe
 
Novel - about 19
1986 - (unknown)
2007 - 22


Close to my guess!






2007

Mr James Morland

Novel - about 20
1986 - (unknown)
2007 - 32


Older than my estimate, keeping with the theme!





2007
Miss Eleanor Tilney

Novel - about 23
1986 - 28
2007 - 32


Older than my guess again!





2007
Mr Frederick Tilney

Novel - about 27
1986 - 33
2007 - 33



Snap! Both 33!






 
Persuasion


1995
Miss Anne Elliot 

Novel - 27
1971 - 38
1995 - 32
2007 - 31


Not bad other than 1971!





2007

Captain Frederick Wentworth

Novel - about 33
1971 - 33
1995 - 42
2007 - 37

A guess, but the actors were probably a little older, except 1971.  





2007
Miss Elizabeth Elliot

Novel - about 30
1971 - 34
1995 - 38
2007 - 41

Older again! What a surprise!






1995
Miss Mary Musgrove 

Novel - about 25
1971 - 29
1995 - 33
2007 - 25

Mostly older I would think.





2007
Mr William Elliot

Novel - about 26
1971 - (unknown)
1995 - 29
2007 - 33

To my guess, a bit older.





1971


Miss Louisa Musgrove
 
Novel - 19
1971 - (unknown)
1995 - (unknown)
2007 - 23


Quite close in 2007






1995
Miss Henrietta Musgrove 

Novel - 20
1971 - 24
1995 - 24
2007 - (unknown)

Oh, another snap!






I have found doing this really interesting, and as I am sure you can see there is a clear theme; mostly the actors have been older than they should have been. But, if they are all older than they should be, it sort of works I suppose as it is proportional!


Your affectionate friend,
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