Though described by Jane Austen as “a heroine whom no one but myself will much like” (James Edward Austen-Leigh’s Memoir of Jane Austen, p. 158), Emma has delighted millions of readers throughout the years. Emma the novel also has its share of fans, though like its eponymous heroine, it has its detractors, too. Continue reading “Opinions of Jane Austen’s Emma, from the period”
PBS Emma Part Two, another Twitter party, and more!
Since the first Emma Twitter party was such a success, PBS.org is presenting another for Part Two! There will be an “east coast” party beginning this Sunday, January 31, at 9pm ET and a “west coast” party to follow at 9pm PT at Twitter hashtag #emma_pbs.
You can use the official PBS Emma TwitGrid (it’s a new one!) to help you navigate all posts to the #emma_pbs hashtag. Check the PBS.org Emma Twitter page for details and updates. In the works: another quiz with Laurel Ann and me, more prizes, and special discounts for party participants at ShopPBS!
In other news, Vic explains how to make Mrs. Weston’s wedding cake (as seen in the most recent Emma adaptation). The key tool? A Nordic Ware Cathedral Bundt Pan! Also, don’t miss her thoughts on Emma 2009/2010 as reviewed by print media.
Catch author and #emma_pbs Twitter Party co-host Laurie Viera Rigler’s Emma review, posted at the PBS Remotely Connected blog.
And, in Persuasions Online, Laurie Kaplan discusses negative critical responses to the latest Emma in Adapting Emma for the Twenty-first Century: An Emma No One Will Like.
Also, Style Court discusses decor in the various Emma adaptations and Austen Only covers Mr. Knightley’s Strawberries.
Emma premiere roundup: Hours One and Two air on PBS Masterpiece Classic
Now that Emma‘s part one premiere is over, a few notes:
- Thank you to Jeannine at PBS.org, Laurel Ann, Vic, and everyone who attended the #emma_pbs Twitter party for including me in the good times.
- My thoughts on the adaptation have not, as yet, changed since my initial viewing in October. Part One | Part Two | Parts 3 & 4
- Laurel Ann has posted an excellent summary of her feelings on watching Emma.
- Vic’s thoughts on viewing Emma on PBS. Great read, as always.
- If you missed the first installment of the miniseries, it’s available to view online until March 9.
- Blogcritics review of the Emma DVD, to be released on February 9 (pre-order from my Astore).
- I scored Mr. Knightley on the “Bachelors of Highbury” Quiz at the Emma website. I’m not surprised, for he will always be my number-one fictional crush. Ha! “You might not see one in a hundred with gentleman so plainly written as in Mr. Knightley.”
Emma premiers TOMORROW on PBS…
Emma is nigh! Remember, there’s a special Emma Twitter Party tomorrow, hosted by PBS, Laurel Ann, Vic, and me! Be there from 9-11 pm EST. That’s 6pm PST, my time!
Also, a very thoughtful discussion of Emma and Vermeer from Vic’s “Remotely Connected” blog at PBS.
And finally, here’s a roundup of some of the latest Emma reviews:
- JaneiteDeb at Jane Austen in Vermont: Random Thoughts on the Masterpiece Emma
- Arnoldo Rivas of The Celebrity Cafe: Jane Austen’s Universe Returns to Masterpiece Classic With Emma
- Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly: A new Emma/What’s your favorite Austen adaptation?
- Renee Scolaro Mora of PopMatters: Emma Miniseries Premiere
- Kevin McDonough’s Remote Patrol blog: Emma on ‘Masterpiece’
- Sarah Seltzer for the Wall Street Journal Speakeasy blogs: Can Any Emma Adaptation Top “Clueless”?
- LA Times
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
- Boston Globe
- Short Globe & Mail Review
- Televisionary
More Emma…including soundtrack notes!
Awww, Laurel Ann promoted the Emma Adaptations pages on Jane Austen Today! Bless!
Also, Emma gets a glowing review from the Washington Post!
Find more links and resources relating to this newest adaptation here!
ETA: Katherine of November’s Autumn just posted a cool slideshow featuring the series soundtrack (which you can download at Itunes – Search “Emma Soundtrack” and “Samuel Sim,” the composer)…
More information on Samuel Sim and the Emma soundtrack:
- Purchase the Emma 2009 soundtrack CD at Amazon.
- Soundfiles, a tracklist, and general information at Moviescore Media
- A soundtrack review by Nicolo at HMP
- Samuel Sim’s Myspace page
- Samuel Sim’s official site
Hooray! I’m a trope!
Haunted Mansion What?
So I’ve been woefully out of touch with the Haunted Mansion scene lately, partly because I don’t have time and partly because I’m sick to death of the merch-o-rama effect that surrounds every attraction milestone. I didn’t attend the 40th anniversary festivities that coincided with the D23 Expo back in September, but I did find this cute interactive Haunted Mansion feature at the Disney site. It features a version of Rolly Crump’s Corridor of Doors wallpaper (for your desktop – basically a larger version of what I offer at Better Haunts & Graveyards), a video clip on the mansion, a stretching portrait gag, little photo galleries, and more. Oh, and it also features my Disney alterego, Marc Davis’ April D., morphing from April to June to September to December. 🙂
Austenprose presents “A Soiree with Lady Susan”
My good friend Laurel Ann is conducting another superb themed event at her Austenprose blog, this time centered upon Jane Austen’s epistolary novella Lady Susan. From September 1-14, participate in a group read and enjoy insights from LA and her various guest bloggers.
PS – I did the title graphics. Go ahead and tell us how wonderful they are. (JK!)