A reply
Posted by ElaineL on September 26, 1997 at 23:16:49:
In response to Fair exchange, written by Amy on September 26, 1997 at 14:41:38
Amy, I am in a bit of a quandary to know what to say. I feel I have just been chastised for ill manners of which I was unaware, namely being demanding, selfish and unappreciatve. Truthfully, I wanted to respond to you via email, but did not find a link within the message heading. (Is it posted some place else, for future reference?)
The timing of your comment is ironic because I logged onto the site tonight in order to post the names of books I just recently found that I thought others might find interesting.
I have not offered any information until now because I did not have any. I am a complete novice when it comes to this time period, my only real exposure (prior to this board) having been the reading of some of JA's novels. I do find it a very intriguing time, since it was on the cusp of incredible change. I live in a small town with what has proven to be very limited info on this time. However, I just recently discovered I can borrow books from a small university located not far from here.
As to writing a novel, I have only been writing for the fanfic board and have wanted to avoid gross errors whenever possible. I sincerely regret giving offense if my thirst for knowledge has been demanding. It was not at all intended.
I very much appreciate the time Caroline and others put into this board and for the time you and the other committee members put into running Pemberley. Hopefully, my new library source will help me contribute more in the future. BTW, I think it was Mary Collette who mentioned a bibliography. I did not see a heading for such on the index. Am I missing it or is this referring to a personal list Caroline has compilled?
Books of interest:
A History of Their Own, by Anderson and Zinsser, ISB 0-06-015850-6 Haven't read yet, but it covers women from the fifteenth through to early 20th century. Appears to be organized more by topic than time period.
The Prospect Before Her, by Olwen Hufton, 0-679-45030-0, Read about third of the way. Good source of info, but I find it slow research reading because you have to be sure which time period the author is refering to. A particular practice might have taken place in the late 17th/early 18th, but not necessarily in the late 18th/early 19th.
Women, the Family, and Freedom, Vol One, 1750-1880, Bell and Offen, 0-8047-1171-2 Uses excerpts of documents published during this time to put forth the debate that was developing around these three subjects. Have only read a couple articles, but find it fascinating reading. I would not have guessed the idea of woman's role was beginning to be seriously challenged from reading JA's works, but it is clear in the writing of those included in this volume. (I find the author's editorial a little prejudiced against the Judeo/Christian origins of some of the time's practises without considering how they may have been misapplied. See what you think.)
Jane Austen's Town and Country Style, Susan Watkins,0-8478-1232-4 I suspect this one has been mentioned before, but I've included it because I've been enjoying it so much. Includes notes on fashions, architecture, some on estate grounds, entertainment, manners. Has some great photos and uses lots of quotes from JA and draws on the history of her family for understanding her perspective and the period. A must read for JA fans!
Great English Gardens, Lawson and Taylor, 0-297-83622-6, Beautiful photographs of gardens. I like it because I have never been to England and it helps me envision what might grow there. However, it doesn't claim to be an historical book on gardens, so any varieties must be considered modern day and not necessarily guaranteed they existed during the Regency.
That's all for now, but I'll be making another library trip soon.
Humbly submitted, ElaineL
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.
