Who is the greatest British writer of all time? According to a 2022 poll of 2,000 Brits, the answer is Jane Austen. While we may debate the correctness of this poll’s conclusion (William Shakespeare, anyone?), what’s beyond question is that Jane Austen remains remarkably popular with British and American readers alike–even 200 years after her…

Several weeks ago, my teenage daughter and her friends attended a middle school dance. Junior high social collaborations are a funny thing. Teens and preteens come together to test their moves, look cool, and maybe actually dance with the opposite sex. Though I had been rather sick on the night of the dance and could…

Are you looking for a wholesome alternative to the ever-popular “Bridgerton,” something that offers complex family relationships, romantic intrigue, and lavish period costumes without the salacious content? “Wives and Daughters,” a four-part British miniseries that aired on the BBC in 1999 (and 2002 in the United States), is an excellent option. Instead of an original…

Many readers and critics regard Jane Austen (1775–1817) as the greatest of all female novelists, so much so that to make such a statement seems trite. Some even contend that she stands next to Shakespeare in popularity. Denied fame in her lifetime—Austen published anonymously, in part, to protect the reputation of her father, a clergyman—today,…

Just as a mirror reflects how we see ourselves, so what we wear signals to others how we want them to think about us. Every time we decide on how to dress and what to wear, we choose to either hide behind the superficiality of dress or complement our inner selves by our outward adornments….

Our judgements and opinions affect our actions and emotions and, whether they are favorable or unfavorable, lead us to form prejudices. These prejudices can be detrimental, for they can prevent us from seeing the truth around us. Kate Chopin, most often today considered a forerunner of feminism, addressed something quite different in her short story…

PG | 1h 49min | Drama, Comedy, Romance | 15 July 2022 (USA) Although there have been close to 90 non-stage adaptations of Jane Austen’s seven novels, only 11 of them are feature films. After watching rookie director Carrie Cracknel’s “Persuasion,” it’s easy to see why filmmakers have largely shied away from tackling the works of one of the most respected and…

Wouldn’t it be awesome to try one of these gowns and travel back in time? (Video courtesy of Asta Darling) …

A book can’t be judged by its cover, true, but it should be revealed by its title. Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” is a perfect example, for the title is an expertly-set diamond, reflecting the plot of the novel, its theme, and its meaning. Persuading is THE action of the novel, and it is an action that…