Hello everyone!
I’m so excited to be an Ardent Admirer. I guess I should start from the beginning on how I first headed down the road to becoming a Jane Austen addict. I can’t recall the exact date, day or year, but I do remember the movie that got this whole thing started; it was Pride and Prejudice. Watching Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier act out the roles of Darcy and Elizabeth had me in a trance. I was in my early teens at the time and school and life kept me quiet busy, but the story always stayed with me. I would scope out the TV listings always on the lookout for a showing of this great story. As I matured I realized there was more to Jane Austen than just Pride and Prejudice and that opened the door to my current addiction.
As you can see by my photo I love my Jane Austen and love getting my hands on any adaptations, journals, devotionals, and all versions of the movies made. My world was really made complete when my favorite pastime of reading Austen novels merged with my hobby of knitting. When the Jane Austen Knits magazine by Interweave first came out in 2011 I knew I had to have a copy right away. I remember the joy and excitement I had just looking at all the wonderful hand knitted items I could make in cleverly named titles after my favorite books, characters, and places. Just flipping through had me imaging myself knitting up such items as the Fredrick & Anne scarf while watching my all time favorite movie Persuasion.
I was also able to enjoy a pastime that my son and husband have of comics when Marvel comics turned Jane Austen into comics. Seeing these characters that seem more like long time friends, transformed into a comic gave me not only a good excuse to spend time with my men, it gave me the quick fix I needed for my addiction.
I’m so happy to see so many wonderful authors writing adaptations of Austen novels. And I look forward to adding them all to my collection. Thanks for allowing me to be part of this Extravaganza.
CONNECT WITH DEBRA:
- on Twitter @ddcknitt
Nice to meet you, Debra! I enoyed reading about how your love for Jane Austen crossed over into other aspects of your life with your knitting hobby as well as your family’s interest in comic books. Also, loved your picture; that’s an impressive collection!
Heather M.
hmoll(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
Thank you Heather, I enjoy sharing my love of Jane Austen and it’s a benefit that it has crossed over in so many aspects of my life. I have my 3 lovely daughters and my husband and son to thank for most of my collection.
Hi, Debra. Nice to meet another fellow admirer of Jane Austen’s works. I love the Marvel comics too so planning to read the upcoming release of Northanger Abbey which combines issues 1 to 5. Thanks for sharing your complete Austenesque collection. I love it. 🙂
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’m so hoping that Marvel continues with the remaining Austen books. I’m especially interested in Persuasion. It’s so nice to meet Austen lovers. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Debra! Love that picture! 🙂
Greer Garson and Sir Larry also got me started on the JA path. I will always harbour a fondness for that movie no matter how far from the book it strayed. 😀
Unfortunately, I do not have the talent that some possess, of knitting. It is definitely because I do not take the trouble to practice. Do you have some pics of your JA inspired projects? I was trying to imagine a Frederick and Anne scarf and what makes it such.
Linda/Teg
tegeirian at hotmail dot com
I feel the same way about the Garson/Olivier version of the movie. I’m in the process of knitting a few Jane Austen projects right now, but none ready for photo’s. Ravelry.com is a knitting group where my knitting projects can be viewed along with other Jane Austen inspired patterns from the books.
Wow, Jane Austen Knits? That’s so cool! I’d love to see some pictures of those projects. It’s interesting to see how JA infiltrates all facets of culture, I think. 🙂
araminta18
araminta18 at gmail dot com
I love how Jane Austen infiltrates culture also. I don’t have any finished projects at this time but I hope to soon.
seriously?? That is your stack. OMG! I have so far to go. 🙂
Robyn
rbquilter at gmail .com
I have my family to thank for my stack. They know what I like. 🙂
Lovely to see your devotion to our beloved Jane!
@samjaymc
Thank you. I love being able to pass this devotion on to the next generation.
WOW! a great collection…..knitting Jane is very cool…also have never seen the comic book will have to look them up…would love to see how they draw some of my favorite characters..
Stephanie
lucasaaron_5297))AT((yahooDOTcom
I’m sure you will love the comics. Hoping Marvel continues with the rest of the Austen books.
Hello Debra! I loved reading about your love for Jane Austen and thanks for the lovely picture!
newyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, I really enjoyed sharing my love with other Jane Austen fans.
That’s a great collection you have there! I have no earthly idea how to knit but I’d like to see what kinds of things people are making. It’s nice that you can also share the comics (or graphic novels, I guess they are called now?) with your son.
@jaffobsession
I think you’re right about graphic novels, but I still consider them comics. With three girls it was easy to introduce them Jane. I’m so glad I was able to find a way to include my son in my addiction.
That looks like a great collection! I have several of those books but there are more there that I don’t have than do, a lot more. Thank you for sharing your collection & giving me some new titles for my to-read list. Have a great day!
crystal_dark[at]att[dot]net
It was my pleasure sharing my collection with you. My kids reminded me that I missed a few books not to mention what’s on my Kindle. (lol)
I have a Kobo but I rarely use it& don’t have too many books on it. I prefer to read my books in paper.
The world of Jane Austen has always held great fascination for me. There is nothing sexier than an imagined look between lovers, i.e. Elizabeth and Darcy…in so many ways more seductive than much of the overt sexuality in modern romance novels. I guess that I really am saying “Less is more.” I can also readily imagine an Austen heroine knitting while waiting or talking….leading up to an intense, yet very subtily written scene. My current goal is to get my hands on as many modern Austen adaptations as possible; I’m thrilled that so many writers have taken up this worthwhile pursuit.
Susan Shapley
susanshapley@sutv.com
I agree with your sentiments of Less is more. Like you getting my hands on as many books possible is my goal. Thanks
I absolutely love your Austenesque collection! SO many books!! It’s amazing!
It was nice meeting you 🙂
twitter: rosefire15
Thank you, I have my family to thank for my wonderful collection.
Nice to read about you. I was fascinated that you combined Austen with knitting. Nice. I’ve read those Marvel Austen graphic novels as well. Tho’ my husband never took an interest.
It was great to share the outing to the comic book store with my men. As far as Jane Austen and knitting, it was a dream come true when these magazines were published.
I love the old P&P movie too. That is an awesome collection you have going.
Thanks for sharing, Debra!
Thank you, there is just something special about the old movies. Garson and Olivier will always hold a special place in my heart.
Very nice to meet you, Debra!! I enjoyed reading your story & WOW!!! I love that collection you’ve got going! 🙂
I have never seen the Marvel Comics- I have to check that out! Thank you for sharing your amazing collection!
joyalegra at gmail
Wow, your collection is huge! I got my daughter the Marvel Graphic Novel version of P&P when it came out. It looks like you have a lot of great books.
castlefan@att.net
Hi Debra, Very extensive collection. I’m just starting. I just saw for the first time The Lawrence Olivia and Greer Garson movie! What a hoot love the civil war clothing. Was wonderful watching! Still my personel fav is Colin Firth!
Sorry email is chatty1082 at gmail dot com
Debra that is an impressive collection. Where did you find the comics? I have never seen one. They look like they would be fun to read.
drcopeland(at)hotmail(dot)com
Lovely collection, Debra! I also love to knit. I was so excited when the Jane Austen Knits magazine came out! It is so much fun to look through! Thanks for sharing!!=)
kellik115(at)yahoo(dot)com
My 12th grade English teacher introduced us to Austen with the Garson/Olivier film, and then I started reading the novels…and couldn’t get enough of Austen. What a pleasure to meet you and see your impressive Austenesque collection.
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
Oh my goodness gracious, that is an impressive monument of Austenesque literature. I confess I don’t really care for the Garson-Olivier movie version, mostly due to Lady Catherine’s about-face at the end of the film. Up until then, I was liking it. Greer Garson is a great actress. 🙂
liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love, love, LOVE your book collection!
That’s alot of books there! I never heard of the Jane Austen Knits magazine. What a treasure. (And just to mention that I’d like to someday knit for myself the scarf that Dr. Watson from the latest Sherlock Holmes movie wore!)
I was first put under the Austen spell by the A&E P&P. I can’t even tell you how many versions of that movie I owned (vhs, various dvds, blu-ray).
Whitby1734 (at)aol(dot)com
That’s a big book collection! I have about 28 or so Austenesque sequels, not including mysteries. I have some of the ones you do such as The Darcys and the Bingleys and Amanda Grange ones.
Forgot my e-mail:
catbooks(at)rocketmail(dot)com