Last week, in my Sparks of Joy #37 I wrote about watching a ballet performance and rediscovering my love of the ballet — a childhood passion that had quietly waited in the wings for many years. This week, another old friend has returned to the spotlight: Jane Austen.
As you may be aware, I belong to The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club with three of my blogging friends – Joanne Tracey, Author, Debbie Harris from Deb’s World and Donna Connolly from Retirement Reflections. We started meeting online during COVID and have continued our love of the classics meeting regularly to discuss the latest book selected by one of the members.
Jane Austen was one of the first authors we read and I very much enjoyed our discussions. We read most of her novels and I’m not sure which is my favourite.
I was excited when my husband told me that a Jane Austen series was being aired on ABC TV in Australia and on their streaming IView Service. Produced by BBC 2, Jane Austen: The Rise of a Genius
I spent a delightful afternoon watching 2 of the 3 episodes and look forward to watching the final episode later this week. Thoughtfully produced and beautifully narrated, the series offers a touching portrait of Austen’s life, legacy, and literary brilliance. It reminded me why her words still resonate so deeply — and why I admire her even more.
After watching this television series I do know that I want to re-read all of Jane Austen’s books.
Narrated by Juliet Stevenson and with commentary from actors and writers such as Samuel West, Tamsin Greig, Bee Rowlett and Colm Tóibin and others, as well as dramatic excerpts from various Jane Austen books we discover why she was such a force in literature and remains so today.
I’ve included links to both BBC Two and ABC IView if you would like to watch the series. If you do, I would love to hear your thoughts.
BBC Two – Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/jane-austen-rise-of-a-genius
To top it all off, I’m eagerly anticipating an upcoming trip to the UK in August/September, where I hope to visit some of the places she lived and wrote. Walking in her footsteps will no doubt be another spark of joy — and a perfect continuation of this beautiful rediscovery. I know that I’ll definitely be visiting Bath.
A few weeks ago, I watched Miss Austen which was about Jane’s sister, Cassandra played by a favourite of mine, Keeley Hawes. This shed a different light on the Austens if you are interested.
Miss Austen: A story of love and losses ❤️ | Official Trailer – BBC
A New Podcast – The Simply Stunning Classic Book Club is now LIVE!
In my What’s On Your Bookshelf? post I wrote about the excitement of starting a podcast in our Simply Stunning Book Club. Our first episode is now LIVE and has been well received. If you missed it or would like to subscribe you can find it HERE.
Our Book Club meetings will now be recorded and shared via the podcast so you can enjoy our discussion and also perhaps read what we are reading.
What has brought you joy this week?
I’m helping Min from Write of the Middle out again this week and next week, co-hosting Wednesday Words & Whimsy with my good friend Debbie from Deb’s World. Min is recovering from eye surgery so our best wishes and healing thoughts are heading her way.
22 Comments
I loved all three episodes of Jane Austen: The Rise of a Genius as well as Miss Austen. Both so well done. I love anything Jane Austen and used to belong to JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America) and attended a couple of the international conferences. So much fun. I also listened to your book club’s discussion of Wind in the Willows and loved it!!
Hello Darlene, I really enjoyed the series and it makes me want to revisit the books. I’m sue the international conferences you attended would have been interesting. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed our discussion of Wind in the Willows. Enjoy your weekend! Sue x
Hi Sue, I’ll be looking forward to watching the Jane Austen episodes when I have some time. Thanks so much for the information. Her books are very much loved and I enjoyed walking in some of Jane’s footsteps when I visited Bath last year. It’s great that we can help out with Min’s #WWWhimsy this way! Hoping to catch up with you while I’m up here in Brisbane!
I’m sure you will enjoy the series, Deb although I’m not sure when you will fit it in! Looking forward to seeing you next week. xx
Wonderful trailers, Sue. Thank you for sharing them. I can’t wait to watch more!
I’m not sure if they are available to you Donna but perhaps the BBC Two is the one you could watch. I know you would find the series and discussions fascinating. x
Great going on your passions showing up and you following them. I was not a classics fan at school or even now (sorry!) but I admit I loved the Pride and Prejudice box set from the late 90s I think and have re-watched a few times. English scenes and settings are ones I will now not ever see in real life but I will be watching your upcoming trip memories with interest as I did with Jo’s. Thanks for the link up. I took your idea of re visiting a childhood love today in my post. Denyse x
Yes the box set series are wonderful, aren’t they Denyse? So well made. x
[…] Wednesday Words & Whimsy co-hosted by Sue at Women Living Well After 50 ? […]
This looks like a really good series. I’ll try to watch it. I have only read a little of Jane Austen. I think, perhaps, she’s an author you need to read and discuss with. How lucky you are to be going to the UK this fall/spring. I love Bath and would gladly live there!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hi Marsha, I’m sure you would enjoy the series if you can find it. Perhaps try BBC Two which may be available in the US. I can’t wait to revisit Bath. It is over 35 years since I visited. x
My best friend loved Jane Austen and always talked about her books but I’ve never read them. I’ve generally never been a fan of the classics but I’m sure they’re entertaining. Now I rarely read books but I have plenty of books I’ve bought but haven’t read so I’ll probably do some more reading when we’re in Italy later this summer.
That’s really cool that you’re going to the UK and get to visit some of the places of Jane Austen!
Hi Susanne, the Classics do take some concentration which can turn a lot of people off. Sometimes we just want a book to read where we don’t have to think! x
That does look a good series – must look out for it.
I think you would enjoy the series, Barbara. It was through BBC Two if you can find it there. x
All of that sounds delightful, Sue. I’m glad you’ve been tapping into the joy. This week I spent some time with my sisters hiking Bryce Canyon National Park and sleeping under the stars (in a glass dome). My cup runneth over, as they say.
What a wonderful experience for you and your sisters, Christie. The photos looked awesome. x
Not a popular opinion but I can’t stand Jane Austen. I haven’t read the gothic one which is probably the only one I might like….but I know I’m in the minority on this….ha!
It would be a boring world if we all liked the same things, Lydia. x
Thank you for sharing the links and trailer, Sue. Bike rides and nature walks brought me joy this week. #TeamWWWhimsy
Your week sounds perfectly joyful, Natalie. x
[…] Wednesday Words & Whimsy hosted by Min at Write of the Middle […]