WL: read the rest of the Austens. Your post reminded me of the sweet scene in the film of Jane Austen Book Club where a husband is reading Austen with his wife, and I think it was Persuasion.

Hope: isn’t it funny that we gave a book about second chances a second chance, and now love it?

Sarah: I agree that the 2007 version had its points–Anthony Stewart Head as Sir Walter! Rupert Penry-Jones as Wentworth! But decidedly fluffy compared to the earlier one. And thanks for the compliment on the template, but don’t get too used to it….

And Kate, definitely do read Persuasion. The writing is so good that it warrants going over again and again. But I can’t remember if I read Hamlet by starting at the beginning, or if I read the play then went back to the intro, and then onto the long notes. If I did read the intro first, it was because I’ve read Hamlet more than once already. I almost always leave intros till after–they either spoil important stuff (woe to she who reads an intro to Jane Eyre) or talk about it so esoterically that one must have just-read familiarity with it to make sense. My $.02 is that reading the whole thing would be cool, but starting with the book, then going back to the intro might be the way to go.

There. Now I’ve told you all what to do. Get to it. Heh, heh. Happy reading, all.

Also, you inspired me–I just finally picked up the copy of The Quiet American I have on my shelf, which also has critical text included. Rather than skipping it all and just reading the novel, I thought I might take a little mini-class on the novel and read the book from cover to cover, including introduction and critical analysis. I remember you did that recently (Hamlet, perhaps?) and I thought it was such a good idea at the time . . .

For anyone who hasn’t read the book or seen the film(s) — I echo your post. You must!

PS - Love your blog template.

That, of course, led to Pride and Prejudice, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. And I suspect I’d like many (or perhaps all) of the rest; the combination of witty dialogue (I like your use of the descriptor “razor-sharp”) and the amazing way a simple phrase can be turned into a thing of beauty kept me mesmerized.

I wish I could think of an example of the language. Sadly, all I can come up with is “I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.”

I know it’s from a far different movie, but it describes my point.

I know of what you speak in terms of reading. After finishing the 5-volume descent into despair and suicide that was L.M. Montgomery’s journals, I got from the library The Suicide Index, which is a finalist for the National Book Award. Timing’s not great, but oh well–I guess as long as I’m reading about suicide, might as well stay on topic and get it over with.