Everything Austen #1: Emma

I've finally finished my first task for Everything Austen. It's taken me a lot longer than I expected and has made me seriously rethink my list, but more on that later.

It took me a little over two weeks to read Emma. I'm just going to assume that it took so long because I'm not used to reading a British literature novel without having some intense deadline looming over me. I enjoyed reading the book even though I found most of the characters very, very annoying. Emma's attitude towards others concerning their places in society really bothered me. I really think she should have been brought down a notch much earlier in the book, when she could have really done herself and others some good.

The only version of the film I was able to get from the library was the 1996 Miramax version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. I have to say that the movie did not disappoint me. Yes, like most movies based on books, there were some omissions, but, had I not just recently read the book, I don't think it would have been as obvious to me. I still found most of the characters very, very annoying, although some were not nearly as annoying as in the book.

I'm somewhat disappointed in myself for this sad little post about completing my first Everything Austen task, but I plan to do better next time.

I'm joining the Everything Austen Challenge

In my search for a book club, I came across a blog that led me to another blog that led me to Stephanie's Written Word and the Everything Austen Challenge. Back when I was still contemplating graduate school, my minor concentration was going to be British literature. (My main concentration was going to be technical writing, and still will be, because I plan on going back to school.)

Anyway, I have to pick six Jane Austen-themed things (reading her books, watching movies based on her books, reading books related to her or her books) and do them between July 1, 2009, and January 1, 2010. It's taken me a few days to figure out what I'm going to do (I started writing this post on June 27th if that tells you anything), but I finally decided.

What I'm going to do:
1. Read Mansfield Park and watch the film version.
2. Read Emma and watch the film version. (completed July 2009)
3. Read Northanger Abbey and watch the film version.
4. Read Persuasion and watch the film version.
5. Read The Jane Austen Book Club and watch the film version.
6. Either read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict AND Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict OR read Bridget Jones's Diary and watch the film version.

This is what I plan on doing at this point. I may add things or change some things depending on how fast I'm getting things done. Who knows.