are we done yet?

I hate to see our awesome book club fall by the wayside... but I know you are all just as busy as I am. I did finally finish P&P a couple of weeks ago. I loved it. I feel like I cheated my favorite book by barely posting about it. I had a hard time getting into it this time, I think because I didn't ever read it for a long stretch. It really caught my attention in the end though, the part when Elizabeth visits Pemberley for the first time is my favorite, and after that point I couldn't bear to put it down.

I'm a few chapters into Mansfield Park, and I am so thrilled to read a story that I don't know. I am really enjoying it so far... has anyone else started?

whats the story?

i was excited to here that you are still on P&P so i get to finish it after all! i am on chapter 19 of part II and, needless to say really, love love love it.

i think im in the mode of historical reference after having finished a bio of queen victoria (hoping to figure what charles dickens is always about) for peggys book club and thought it was fantastic to get a better idea of context. with that in mind i thought i would post this suuuuper simplified back ground study guide that really only whets the appetite. it looks like its intended for high school kids, but honestly that works fine with me: im below that level as far as my pre-queen-vic-english history is concerned.

here

there you have it. let me know what you think:)

Hellooooooooo

So how about if we read 15 more chapters by next Tues? Chapter 21 of Volume 2? Mom you're probably already done :) Whaddya say girlies?

This book couldn't possibly get any funnier...

I have been DYING over Mr. Collins. It would take me all day to type out all the parts about him, that make me laugh. That whole exchange when he is trying to convince Elizabeth to marry him, was unbelievable. "I am not now to learn that it is usual with young ladies to reject the addresses of the man whom they secretly mean to accept, when he first applies for their favour; and that sometimes the refusal is repeated a second or even a third time. I am therefore by no means discouraged by what you have just said, and shall hope to lead you to the altar ere long." So funny I can't even take it. I love when Mr. Bennett says, "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents, Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."

I am completely entertained and yet equally saddened at Charlotte marrying Mr. Collins. She can hardly stand him! "When Mr. Collins would be forgotten, there was really a great air of comfort throughout, and by Charlotte's evident enjoyment of it, Elizabeth supposed he must be often forgotten." Hilarious, yet so sad. I don't quite know what to think of the whole thing. Charlotte knew exactly what she was getting into, and actually orchestrated the whole thing. But, I still feel sorry for her.

So I am on Chapter 6 of the second volume. Mom you're way ahead of me. Sarah what about you? Paige?

Rachel

Hey girls, I'm reading. I'm on chap 17 of volume the 2nd. Where are you? I never cease to be amazed my Austen's humor. I've read this book a few times and watched the movie many many times and it draws me in every time. Your Dad laughs out loud when he watches it, he loves Mary and Mr Bingley the most. I don't really have a favorite character because I enjoy them all immensely but I must say Mr Bennet's dry sense of humor, (so characteristically British) is hard to beat. Of course Mr Collins is completely obtuse but so is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I love the the evening when she is commenting on Elizabeth's piano playing telling her that she will never be very good unless she practices more. She admits to not being able to play herself then adds "but if I had ever learnt, I would have been a true proficient". So funny! She and Mr Collins are the perfect pair one constantly kissing up and the other condescending. Then there is Mr Hurst a complete buffoon who does nothing but eat, drink and sleep and sponge off his wife. He's awesome. Well let me know where you. Me

Looks like it's just you and me kid

Hey Sarey just letting you know I'm almost caught up. I'm almost done with Section 1. I'm really sorry I've been such a slacker. With school and dance going again things are a little crazy as I'm sure they are for you too.

I am laughing so hard at Mr. Collins. He's a little too much like some dates I've had. Ugh. He is so icky but I can't stop laughing. It's fun for me to read this because I don't remember the plot. I've only seen the movie once. I know Darcy and Elizabeth end up together but everything else in the middle is pretty new for me. There are a lot of similarities between this and S&S. If you didn't know the author and just read the two books, you'd be able to tell the same person wrote them. I love her style and sense of humor. I love the descriptions of how Mr. Bennett feels about Mr. Collins. So hilarious.

Rach

Ok...I'll make it a post!

So Sarah...I'm way behind you :) I'm only on chapter 10 in the first section. Yikes. Embarrassing. I tried to comment on your post but it took me to a really strange screen so maybe we'll just have to post in response to each other.

Mrs. Bennett IS absolutely hilarious but I laugh even harder at the things Mr. Bennett says to her. They are awesome. I am completely amused by Mr. Darcy. I love how it describes him as giving offense everywhere he goes, and yet he really likes Elizabeth. I didn't realize that he liked her so early on. It's almost instant, aside from his rudeness at the party.

Rach