JASNA-Vermont events · News

Still Re-Reading Austen at 94! a Conversation with Mildred Darrow

BookLady Deb2 Comments

Our JASNA-Vermont gathering on June 22 was titled “Beginnings”… I have already posted on the publishing history of Northanger Abbey,  but we also had a discussion on the history of JASNA, and had the delight of having Lorraine Hanaway, a former president of JASNA and one of the founding members, share with us the story of these “beginnings” of the Jane Austen Society of North America in 1979.  [See also Persuasions, No. 15, 1993, “The Founding of JASNA” by Joan Austen-Leigh, for a great synopsis]  We felt very connected to the early years with Lorraine sharing her JASNA tales as well as newspaper articles, banquet menus, etc.  We cannot thank Lorraine enough for being with us.

The JASNA-Vermont group is privileged to also have a life-member in our new chapter:  Mildred Darrow was also there in the beginning and attended the first public gathering in New York City in 1979, and most AGMs thereafter.  Mildred joined us on June 22, and it was heart-warming to see Lorraine and her re-connect.  We had asked Mildred to share some of her memories of JASNA in the early years, as well as her love of Austen…. she is still re-reading her at the age 94!  So I append below some of the conversation that Kelly and I had with Mildred…and we also heartily thank her for being part of our gathering [and special thanks to her daughter Linda for bringing her to us!]  For those of us who have read Jane Austen at different times in our lives and still continue to get so much out of these many re-readings, it is a delight to know we all might also be still re-reading Austen a the age of 94!

[ Lorraine Hanaway (left) and Milded Darrow ]

A Conversation with Mildred Darrow 

Mildred Darrow is 94 years old and still reads her Austen!  She lives at Wake Robin, after moving there from Connecticut with her husband in the late 1990’s.  Whitney Darrow, Jr. was a well-known New Yorker cartoonist…he died in 1999. 

The most impressive thing about Mildred is that she STILL re-reads her Austen…has all the new editions on her shelf.  Otherwise she reads almost no fiction, as she says she cannot retain the story line…but she does read biographies and history, as the “facts are easier to hold on to…”  When we interviewed her, she was reading the biography of James Smithson (founder of the Smithsonian)… Mildred says she used to read what one “should”…now she reads what she wants to! 

Her first Austen read:  required High School reading in 1929 Milwaukee:  EMMA!  She hated it and realized later she was far too young to “get” it!  She started again after college with Pride & Prejudice and has never looked back; she LOVES Mansfield Park (yea!) 

Her beginnings with JASNA:  She saw an article in the New York Times about the first JASNA meeting:  $5. to attend the event in New York City.  She was one of the first members, and became a life-member early on.  From then on she attended all the AGMs with her friend Jane Eiger and has many memories of their times together; she remembers J. David Gray and Joan Austen-Leigh, and tells of the time she and Jane had too much wine at their table and Jane kept commenting on all the goings on in a far too loud voice!

As  for the costumes, they did not dress up themselves, but she remembers wonderful regalia on others.

She felt that through the years, JASNA has become more and more academic and she had less in common with the speakers; there was a loss of personal discussion and contact, so not as much fun…

She traveled to all the Austen sites in England, while her husband sat outside drawings his cartoons! 

What Mildred has read when not reading Austen:

  • does not like Trollope at all!
  • loves Barbara Pym
  • likes Brontes, but not as attached
  • went through a mystery period and read all the British literary mysteries
  • she is not a writer herself and has not kept a journal of her adventures (our loss!)

What makes Austen special to her: She loves her writing style, her humor, her satire; “she just offers everything you could possibly want in a book!” 

Thoughts on Hollywood:  “they think too much of themselves if they think they can improve upon Jane Austen!” 

She has gotten her daughter to read Austen:  [Linda says she has been reading Jane Austen herself since high school and is as “hooked” as her Mom!] 

What is her favorite Austen?:  (this is my favorite answer):  though she agrees that one always has to say Pride & Prejudice because it is unsurpassable; she says [quite rightly!] ” My favorite is whatever book I have just finished!”

So THANK YOU Lorraine and Mildred for sharing your love of Austen with all of us! 

[and see also the post by Janeite Mae on this June 22 gathering ]

JASNA-Vermont events · News

JASNA-Vermont on Vermont Public Radio 2

Janeite Kelly3 Comments

Deb and I had a delightful time talking with VPR listeners and Vermont Edition host Jane Lindholm today at noon. If you missed the broadcast, hear it online. If you wish to continue the conversation on this blog: post a comment!

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Please see the following page for more information on the various portraits of Austen (this question came up in the interview, so what follows is some explanation…), as well as some comments… Continue reading “JASNA-Vermont on Vermont Public Radio 2” →

Books · JASNA-Vermont events · Uncategorized

On Re-Reading “Northanger Abbey”

BookLady Deb10 Comments

An updated version of this blog post can be found here:

https://janeausteninvermont.blog/2017/12/15/pump-rooms-and-gothic-terrors-how-northanger-abbey-came-to-be/

 

 

JASNA-Vermont events · News

JASNA-Vermont on Vermont Public Radio!

Janeite KellyLeave a comment

Tune in on Thursday July 3rd to your local Vermont Public Radio station (107.9 in the Burlington area) and hear JASNA and our own local chapter discussed on Vermont Edition, with host Jane Lindholm. The program will air beginning approximately 12:08 pm (after the noon news and weather); a call-in show, our Vermont Edition segment will last until approximately 12:40.

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UPDATE (July 2nd): Deb and I spoke via phone to Vermont Edition producer Sarah Ashworth today, anticipating our segment on tomorrow’s show (see their website for a Jane-preview!). One question we were asked was, ‘Who is your favorite Austen couple?’ Having just this morning watched the Knightley-Macfadyen Pride and Prejudice, my thoughts immediately flew to Elizabeth and Darcy. B-U-T… taking a second to think about it, can anything grab a reader more than love recaptured. The idea of a second chance when you believed yourself to have been passed by… That, of course, leads to a discussion of Anne Elliot and Capt. Wentworth in Austen’s last completed novel, Persuasion. Not only a love story, Persuasion gives us all hope that life, in the end, does sometimes work out happily. What better legacy could Austen have left us with?

If you have thoughts and observations on Austen, her novels, the films give a call to VPR tomorrow during our show: 1-800-639-2211 or email vermontedition@vpr.net.

Should you miss our segment, you too will get a second chance: look up the online podcast at www.vpr.net.

 

JASNA-Vermont events · News

“Now I must give one smirk, then we may be rational again”

BookLady Deb1 Comment

A guest-post from JANEITE MAE, a JASNA-Vermont member, who writes most happily of our June 22 meeting on Northanger Abbey and the history of JASNA:

What a merry party we were at the Vermont chapter meeting on Sunday. Several members having sent their apologies (it is the summer, after all), twenty-four Vermont (and New Hampshire) Janeites gathered in the Conference Room at the Hauke Family Campus Center, Champlain College, for an afternoon of lively discussion, camaraderie, and just plain fun.

The activities began with former JASNA president Lorraine Hanaway’s presentation on the beginnings of JASNA in the late 1970’s. It was interesting to hear about how it all started. (Who knew that JASNA’s formation was due in large part to the urgent need for restroom privileges at Chawton?) Then we were treated to 94-year-old Mildred Darrow’s musings on being a long-time Janeite. How many of us could disagree with her observation that “my favorite Austen novel is the one I just finished reading”?

The dramatic readings from Northanger Abbey were a lot of fun. Janeite Deb provided accessories and props for the readers to help them get into character. Could anyone resist a chuckle at Catherine’s innocence, or a smirk at Henry’s teasing?!

Following the readings, we joined in a group discussion of Northanger Abbey. Topics included:  What does Henry see in Catherine?  How does the voice of the narrator in Northanger Abbey differ from that of Austen’s other novels? and, of course, what people thought of the two television films adapted from the novel.

An interesting twist to the discussion came when Lorraine shared with us her idea that Amy Heckerling, screenwriter of the film Clueless, could write a fun screenplay of Northanger Abbey as an animated film. Lorraine suggested that John Thorpe should be a walrus and Catherine a goose. Personally, I found this an intriguing idea. I wondered which animal should represent Isabella? (Some suggested a cat.) And what about Mrs. Allen? Imagine the possibilities! Imagine the fun! Imagine John Thorpe as a walrus. (Perhaps you already have?)

All kidding aside, though, I was very pleased to finally attend a gathering in my home state of people who share a love of Jane Austen. It was the realization of a long-time wish. And what a surprise to bump into Debbie L. upstairs at Barnes & Noble on the very next afternoon. We looked quizzically at each other and said at the same time, “Weren’t you at JASNA yesterday?” Debbie said it best: “It was wonderful to be in the same room with so many people who were so knowledgeable about Jane Austen’s novels,” to which I replied, “And no one thought we were strange.”

[ Submitted by Janeite Mae ]

Books · News

A Signed “Emma” on the block…

BookLady Deb3 Comments

I append the following story from BBC News:   

“From BBC News:  Record price for inscribed Austen

An inscribed first edition of Jane Austen’s novel Emma has fetched a record £180,000 at a London auction.  The three-volume set inscribed on behalf of Austen to Anne Sharp, her friend and governess to her niece, was sold at Bonhams to a telephone bidder.  Of 12 presentation copies sent by Austen’s publisher, it was the only one given to a friend of the author. The book, first published in 1816, tells the story of Emma Woodhouse and her matchmaking exploits.  The price was a new world record auction price for a printed book by Austen. 

 

The British vendor, who wants to remain anonymous, is descended from a family that married into the family of Richard Withers, who was left property belonging to Ms Sharp when she died. They said: “The family are delighted with the price fetched today. The novel had been sitting in my family library for at least three generations.”

  

‘Slightly spoiled’

Austen gave nine presentation copies of Emma to family, one to the library of the Prince Regent and one to a countess. Ms Sharp’s was the only one given to a personal friend – a demonstration of the bond between the two women.  They became friends while Ms Sharp was working as governess to the author’s brother Edward, and remained close for many years.  For the novel, Austen created a governess character called Miss Taylor.  Set in Regency England, the novel’s heroine, a young woman aged 21, is described in the opening paragraph as “handsome, clever and rich”, but also “slightly spoiled”.

 

In March, Bonhams sold a rare, inscribed first edition of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit for a world record-breaking £60,000.  And in November last year, it sold a first edition of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights for £114,000. “

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk:80/2/hi/uk_news/7470543.stm 

See also:  Laurel Ann’s wonderful post on Jane Austen’s Dearest Friendship on “Austenprose” for more information and a list of resources about Austen’s friendship with Anne Sharp.

Books

His Cunning or Hers: A Postscript to PERSUASION

Janeite Kelly1 Comment

Checking out the JASNA website (www.jasna.org) I was treated to the delightful online edition of “His Cunning or Hers“, an AGM Publication (Lake Louise, Alberta; 1993) by June Menzies, with illustrations by Juliet McMaster. Brew a cup of tea, and settle in…

JASNA-Vermont events · News

June 22, JASNA-Vermont meeting on “Northanger Abbey”

BookLady Deb1 Comment

REMINDER ABOUT OUR NEXT MEETING

June 22: 2-4 pm

“BEGINNINGS”
Northanger Abbey ~ Dramatic Readings and Discussion
& JASNA ~ A Short History (roundtable discussion)

Place:  Champlain College, Hauke Center, Maple St, Burlington, VT

We open with a roundtable discussion of JASNA’s beginnings. Lorraine Hanaway and Mildred Darrow both joined JASNA in its earliest years; Lorraine also served as president (1984-88). JASNA-VT members will then dramatize three scenes from Northanger Abbey and general discussion follows. We end with our Northanger Abbey QUIZ (see our page on Northanger Abbey with links to the novel and articles; the Quiz is at the end.) 

This meeting will be very informal. Light refreshments, and lots of time to meet, greet and talk. Free and open to the public.  Please contact us if you have questions. 

News

Austen’s Last Wishes

Janeite Kelly5 Comments

Some may think this morbid, but: Searching the Public Record Office, I came across a ‘sample’ will – and it was that belonging to JANE AUSTEN! So I just had to put a link in the blog, for those who might be interested in seeing the actual document.

A really interesting page is that which explains wills (never before knew of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, until I came across it in a will), and also a section on deciphering the handwriting you might find if you order a will. The glossary is useful.

Book reviews · News

In the mailbox…

Janeite Kelly3 Comments

Finally, on Tuesday, PERSUASIONS (the annual journal of the Jane Austen Society of North America) hit the mailbox. And what a wonderful array of articles – with so many more online!

I’ve not had a lot of time, and definitely haven’t read the journal cover to cover, but a few interesting tidbits have already surfaced. On page 10, Marcia Huff alludes to 2006’s AGM (in Tucson), which of course was on Mansfield Park. In just a few sentences, she has made me reassess Fanny Price and her role in this novel. Living in Vermont, which has its corn crop and apple crop, as well as the celebrated maple-sugaring season, I was most intrigued to see how Shannon Campbell would ‘vindicate’ Jane Austen’s allusion to an apple orchard in blossom in July (for which Jane’s brother took her to task) — but what an entertaining article! It must, indeed, have been fascinating to work with the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale. And I personally am grateful to have some hints of where to look for meteorological information on London in 1814…

I met Alice Villaseñor in Winchester last summer, and was particularly interested to read about her finds at the Chawton House Library; she studied the contents of the Knight Collection, which is currently housed there; it formed part of the library of books owned by Jane’s brother, Edward Knight. I had a chuckle over the conclusions drawn by Phyllis Ferguson Bottomer – though I ask: must everyone be diagnosed with some syndrome nowadays??

One of the most noteworthy of the articles read so far has to be Douglas Murray and his routing out several ‘portraits’ of George, the Prince of Wales in the novel dedicated (reluctantly?) to him: Emma. Fascinating. And, very a propos to our June 22nd meeting: a persuasive article by Tenille Nowak on one of the ‘horrid novels’ in Northanger Abbey. Recommended reading for anyone planning to attend our meeting in a couple weeks.

I am in the middle of an eye-opening look at Mr Knightley written by Theresa Kenney. And next up, I think, must be Margie Burns‘ look at ‘George and Georgiana’, aka: Mr Wickham and Miss Darcy.

While I hesitate to toot my own horn (but who else will, if I don’t?), I do want to say that I hope readers find some interest in the courtship of Emma Smith and James-Edward Austen (Jane’s nephew), as well as Emma’s possible involvement, a la Emma Woodhouse, in the courtship of her own brother Sir Charles Joshua Smith and his second wife, Mary Gosling. The article is ‘Edward Austen’s Emma Reads Emma.’ I’ve just begun a blog of my own, relating to Emma and Mary, as I try to track down more diaries and letters of all the families involved (Emma and Mary both came from substantial families).

A full table of contents for Persuasions, vol. 29 (2007) is available online at JASNA. And don’t forget the offerings at Persuasions-Online, including the ‘new’ vol. 28, No. 2 issue: Global Jane Austen. There is also Barry Roth’s 2006 Jane Austen bibliography, if you’re looking for something new to read on JA.

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Also in the mailbox: a copy of Jane Odiwe‘s Lydia Bennet’s Story. Right now, Lydia has just hit the town of Brighton – and she seems to have an eye for a certain young man who is NOT Mr Wickham… It is fun to read the little hints of what has been going on in Pride and Prejudice (so I would say a knowledge of that book is useful), but Ms. Odiwe goes her own direction with this storyline and it can certainly be enjoyed on its own terms. Will post a full review of the book once it’s been read.