Jane Austen in Vermont

Just a quick word to say WELCOME to all our readers. Only one installment left – the 2nd part of Sense and Sensibility – before PBS’s Austen season comes to an end. So it will soon be time to re-open the books, and also dip into other film versions.

Prof. Warhol-Down spoke quite enthusastically (except as regards those last eight minutes…) of the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. So it would be nice to hear from Vermont Austen-lovers about the recent TV adaptations, as well as vote on your favourites from the past. One of our hopes for an upcoming meeting would be a viewing, which you know means lots of discussion (pro and con) afterwards!

Looking over the JASNA website, I am reminded to mention The Jane Austen Survey, being conducted by Jeanne Kiefer. She is gathering information in order to present her findings at the Chicago AGM. So check out the survey. If you have limited internet access or are more comfortable doing the survey by putting pen to paper, contact Kelly or Deb for a PAPER copy.

Another bit of news: THIS WEEK (March 30-April 5) Pemberley is beginning a group read of Austen’s Emma (chapters 1-9). Subsequent chapters are discussed through mid-May. Check out the schedule then click on the Group Read Board for the actual discussions.

Also, PBS has scheduled Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford for May 4, 11, and 18. By all UK reports, this is a very good adaptation!

The newly formed Vermont Regional Chapter of JASNA (The Jane Austen Society of North America) had its first public gathering on Sunday, March 30, 2008, at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Professor Robyn Warhol-Down of the University of Vermont spoke to a group of about 65 people on “‘I Quit Such Odious Subjects’: Austen’s Narrative Refusals.” Professor Warhol-Down talked about her research into the ways that narrators in 19th-century British novels talk about parts of their stories they will not or cannot tell, and focuses on Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, Henry James and, of course, Jane Austen. Her forthcoming book is titled “Narrative Refusals: What Doesn’t Happen in 19th-century British Novels.” A lively discussion followed.

The Regional Coordinators of the chapter are Kelly McDonald and Deborah Barnum; Marcia Merrill will be the treasurer; Carol Madden our secretary; and Lynne Hefferon, the refreshments coordinator. And we are always looking for more volunteers! We plan on having quarterly events to which the public is invited (Champlain College has graciously offered conference rooms for our use), as well as JASNA-only member gatherings for book readings and discussion (and of course, movies as well, as they always slip into every such conversation!)

We hope to keep everyone informed of our activities via this blog. We welcome your comments and encourage discussion. There is certainly a lot of Austen-talk to be had, especially with the newest crop of films on Masterpiece Theatre, and we hope you will participate with us.

Please check the “Schedule of Events” page to see what we have planned for the rest of 2008, as well as thoughts for 2009 and beyond. Please join us whenever you can!