Friday, January 21, 2011

Pride and Prejudice - an incredible love story

I just bought the three most popular Jane Austen novels - Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion. I just finished re-reading Pride and Prejudice and it was so much better this time than the first time I read it (back in the 90's). Unfortunately, I could not get Colin Firth out of my head when Mr. Darcy was mentioned! I have to say, the book and the BBC miniseries are both good. I know! Some people might say that can't be, but the TV series were so well done, and they stayed true to the novel, that one can't help and enjoy both.

 Mr. Darcy... sigh
This time I took the time to actually notice how Austen wrote, and was more critical. It is a really great book, but there are some parts on the first third of the book, that I could have done without. To me, Austen dwelt too much on what Mr. Collins had to say and went so far as to have this huge comment made by him that takes over a couple of pages, or one page depending on the size of the book. It was a bit boring and because I knew what was coming, I got restless and almost skipped some parts but made myself read on. It was worth it!

Once one starts reading about Lizzy's feelings towards Mr. Darcy, it starts to become more enjoyable. I wonder if anybody finds Jane, Lizzy's sister, a bit too goody goody. I certainly did.  I understand that one must look for the good in everyone, but I think she was a bit too much. I really wanted her to scream, or become a bit hysterical the way a normal woman might if the love of her life just took off without a goodbye. Do you agree?

I love, and always will love, the character of Elizabeth Bennett. She is spunky and unafraid of being too outspoken. Isn't it clever how she stands up to Lady de Bourgh? The lady is aghast at such rude behavior from a young woman. When she tries to stop Lizzy from accepting a proposal from Darcy, she yells at her and calls her rude, but Elizabeth does not give in and stands her ground. I am sure that if anybody really did that back then to such a "notable" lady, they would be the talk of society for a long time. But this is fiction, and Lizzy can be as outspoken as she wants to. I think that Lizzy's bluntness and honesty is what makes this book so timeless (and obviously a most incredible love story).

As for one of my favorite characters, Mr. Darcy was just as enchanting as the first time. How can one not fall for this lovely, fictional man? At first one can say he is a total cad, and really pompous. Yet, once his feelings start changing for Lizzy, he is just très charming. I love how he becomes this attentive suitor to Lizzy and how confused she gets from his change. The best though, is the first proposal to Lizzy! Hilarious. He is just completely floored. The second proposal is only alluded to by her professing her feelings but there is not as much dialogue as there is on the first one.

The other characters are fillers, except for Mr. Bingley who is just as tepid as Jane's character - to me. How can anyone be so easily persuaded by a friend? If only that was true in real life, there would be less women stuck in crappy relationships. Ha! Lizzy's parents... I would leave my home if my mother was so crass. Oh, and if my sisters were as crazy as Lydia and as oblivious to good manners, I would lock them in their room.

Overall, Jane Austen had a great imagination and has allowed us now, a couple of centuries later, to get a glimpse of what life could have been like for a young, single woman. How important marriage was for a lady of society! I am glad I was born at the time I was, and that I was able to choose my hubby because I loved him. ♥

Do you love this novel as well?

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Favorites of 2010 - art related

I finally get to sit down and post something new! Following the examples of Tasha and Amanda, of course. I've been meaning to write about two good concerts I attended at the end of the year so here I go.

On Nov. 30th, my twin, Ryan and I had the chance to go to the Commodore to see Black Mountain live. They were great! I love Amber's voice and wow, Stephen can sure sing! It was really loud like always, and I know that our ears got a bit damaged, but it was worth it. :)  That's what I say now, we'll see in twenty years.


Then, on Dec. 2nd, Ryan and I had a lovely date and we got to see Tame Impala at the Biltmore cabaret. This venue is in Burnaby and it's small and always fun to go to. I love checking out what the young crowds are wearing, and yes, I can say that  now in my mid-30's. Yikes! Tame Impala were super, super good.  I had a lot of fun and they made me dance. They are are a really young band, so I'm sure they will only get better. The only bad thing that night was that there was actually a mosh pit. Really? Those are so not needed and what's worse is that all these tall, heavy guys expect these petite girls at the front to be able to carry them. I have never liked them, as you can tell. No, I was not part of it - I try to stand on the sides rather than the front. Other than that, I loved seeing them with Ryan. ♥

Tame Impala


Trying to think of favorite albums for 2010, I would have to say that the soundtrack for Eclipse, is at the top. It has Metric, Black Angels, Black Keys, Jack White, and Florence and the Machine to name some of the great bands in it. It's a great compilation, and you do not have to be a fan of the Twilight series to enjoy a nice album compilation. Compilations are actually some of my favorite albums due to the mix of artists.

Favorite movies, there were a few last year. I loved Tangled!! It was such a great movie and my girls simply loved it. Sofia even cried, which is extremely rare for her to do during a movie, but it really touched her. So cute. We also liked Megamind. I enjoyed watching a villain turn into a "super-hero", which does not happen often. And of course, who didn't like Toy Story 3? I don't think anyone who has watched it has said anything bad about it. It was funny and sad at the same time. I even shed a couple of tears, while some of my other friends bawled. :)

Now for adult movies, I loved the Social Network and the latest Harry Potter movie. These are two movies that have really stayed in my psyche. Blogging about them shows how much I enjoyed them. I did see a lot of movies last year, but the ones mentioned now are the ones that really shone in direction, special effects, and screenplays.

As for books, there were many and there will be more, but favorites? I have too many. Instead, I will try to blog on the ones that I find are really a good read. Right now, I'm reading Jodi Picoult's new novel, House Rules, which is about a boy who has Asperger's and I like to learn about Asperger's and autism as much as I can. I do not know a child who is close to me that suffers from either one, but I have met a couple of boys who have Asperger's and it was not something you can pinpoint right away, and it has really interested me. Plus, if I want to be a teacher in the future, I'm sure I will encounter students with autism, and I would like to be knowledgeable, rather than not.

Looking forward to more concerts this year and many more movies. What were your faves?