Jane Austen at Home

Lucy Worsley describes herself as a “signed-up Janite, a devotee and a worshiper“ who has found Austen to be “a far better version of myself.” The historian’s 2017 biography Jane Austen at Home explores places that shaped Austen’s life and figured prominently in her writing. She argues that Austen fought for freedom to live her own way, and that this is reflected in her writing.

One participant in the Hawai‘i Region’s discussion of the book, who admitted she is not a fan of Worsley’s personal-insertion approach to historical documentaries, abandoned the book, while an absent regular emailed that he enjoyed it even if it was occasionally over the top. However, most of the group found it approachable, well written and thought provoking, in short, well worth the read. Speculative? Perhaps, but Worsley documents the facts and is transparent in her interpretations.

The book is available in print or audiobook from Hawai‘i State Library system or visit Goodreads for links to new, used or audio versions. It is also available for purchase from Jane Austen Books.

Fancy That – the Original Fan Fiction

Written in 1914, Old Friends and New Fancies is considered to be the first work of Austen fan fiction. Goodreads says “this charming and original sequel to the novels of Jane Austen intertwines the lives of the most beloved characters from all six Austen novels with new characters of the author’s devising. Inventive matchmaking leads numerous pairs of lovers through the inevitable (and entertaining) difficulties they must encounter before they are united in the end. …a gratifying read for any Jane Austen enthusiast.”

Participants in the Hawai‘i Region’s Oct. 26, 2024 discussion of the book agreed that the book was a pleasant enough read. Author Sybil Brinton has to stretch uncomfortably to bring so many Austen characters into one story, and her character development doesn’t always ring true, but she is able to capture some of Austen’s wit and style at times.

See what you think—
• Read online or download ebook free from Gutenberg Project
• Obtain a $5 reprint or a collector hardcover from Jane Austen Books
• Order hard or soft cover book, Kindle ebook, or Audiobook available from Amazon
• Get as $.99 to $1.99 ebook from Barnes and Noble

Koko Crater Garden Walk

Our second in a series of visits to Honolulu County’s five Botanical Gardens took us to Koko Crater in February. We were joined JASNA British Columbia friend Marigayle and Ken Paterson and once again called on the botanical expertise of member Donna Lum’s husband Larry. We took cover under a tree when our pleasant morning gave way to rain, then made a dash for lunch with additional members in Hawai‘i Kai.

The 60-acre garden on the inner slopes of a volcanic crater focuses on the cultivation of rare and endangered dryland plants. We wound through baobab, mesqujite and myrrh trees. It was too early for the plumeria collection to be in bloom, but we’re sure Jane Austen would have enjoyed the colorful marveled at Hawaiian ma‘o flowers and xeriscape favorite desert rose.

Next, we head up and inland to visit Wahiawa Botanical Garden.

Podcast Participants

JASNA Hawai‘i members were guests during season 5 of JAS New Zealand’s Frances Duncan Amateur Austenite podcast, which discussed Lady Susan letter by letter.

In Letter 27, Gretchen Savage discussed Frederica’s childhood and the disappearing Vernon fortune.
In Letter 41, Cheryl Ernst read the final letter before the expository wrap-up .
Bob Newell has also been a podcast guest.

The current season looks at Rational Creatures, a contemporary webseries based on Persuasion. Find out how to listen

At the 2023 AGM

Hawai‘i Regional Coordinator Cheryl Ernst (in back row) attended the JASNA’s 2023 Annual General Meeting in Denver. She joined fellow regional coordinators at a reception hosted by JASNA President Mary Mintz (far right) and had a ball with frequent Hawai‘i Zoom attendees Jeanne Talbot and Kirk Companion.

Entertainment included a Q&A session with Adrian Lukis following a showing of his recorded one-man show Being Mr. Wickham (which imagines the handsome Pride and Prejudice rogue at 60); a marvelous musical performance of songs from Jane Austen’s personal music collection performed and enacted in period costume; and a comic drama distilling romantic highlights from the six major novels in 48 minutes narrated by author Syrie James as a cheeky Jane Austen.

Breakout sessions covered topics ranging from Regency etiquette, attire, carriages and divorce, to screen adaptations and modern translations. Discussions included:

• the difference between reading as escape versus escapism. (Escape is about the possibility of something better; P&P is utopian in that it is about a possible world, argued Princeton’s Claudia Johnson).

• influences of Samuel Richardson and Mary Wolstencroft.

• use of idiolect to define characters (e.g., expressions like “Lord” “lah” and even “fun” were quite the slang terms of the day, hence their use by Lydia Bennet).

• the number of times language of the (legal) court appear in P&P (e.g., deliberation, acquit, suspicion, justice, motive, offense, judgement, pardon, revenge, just, impartial, malicious, condemn, and Elizabeth’s challenge of “why was he to be the judge?”).

Recordings of many sessions will be available to members on the JASNA once speaker permissions are secured.

What We’ve Read

The JASNA Hawai‘i Region Reading Group has explored all six Austen novels as well as Sanditon and Teenage Writings. And we’re always willing to revisit them!

Member and region founder Bob Newell good-naturedly answered questions and endured critique of his first novel, Courting Jane, which features an infatuated time traveler and a fictional JASNA Annual General Meeting set in Honolulu.

We have also discussed spinoffs, retellings and other fan fiction, including:
 • Ayesha at Last
• Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman (trilogy and prequel)
• The Jane Austen Project
• The Jane Austen Society
• A Life of Her Own: The Story of Margaret Dashwood
• Longbourn
• The Other Bennet Sister

Whatever Happened to Margaret?

A Life of Her Own: The Story of Margaret Dashwood got mixed reviews from participants in October’s reading group. The positive: fascinating, well researched historical facts and personages (as befits a journalist author), some interesting development of minor characters and the description of Edward’s pastoral duties. The negative: some implausible plot twists (surely even a mature Marianne wouldn’t turn into such a snob!) and woeful lack of dialogue.

Our California friend Jeanne Talbot won the door prize drawing — a used copy of Julia Barrett’s 1966 Sense and Sensibility continuation, The Third Sister.

Next up: Jane Austen’s Persuasion, date to be determined.

High Time for Tea

JASNA Hawai‘i members enjoyed Tea at 1024 in Honolulu so much that we returned with friends and family.

The tea not only provided welcome refreshment for those who had strolled Foster Botanical Garden earlier in the day and featured a great deal of lively conversation and easy camaraderie, but it served as a decadal celebration – marking the 10-year anniversary of the founding of JASNA Hawai‘i Region. (That’s founder and first regional coordinator Bob Newell at the head of the table).