What do you do when you’re stuck at home (with kids) although you’d love to join a book discussion?
In my case, I watched a movie about a book club
“The Jane Austen Book Club” is where 6 Jane Austen fans (including an Austen newbie, a goofy guy named “Grigg” and an Austen diehard fan French teacher “Prudie”, whom Bernadette bumps into at the supermarket) meet to discuss a novel each month.
When Sylvia’s (Amy Brenneman of “Judging Amy (6 seasons – 138 Epsisodes on 19 DVD)“, one of my favourite TV shows!!!) husband dumps her for another woman, her friends, Bernadette and Jocelyn set up the book club.
Jocelyn even plots to match Sylvia with Griff, who’s actually attracted to Jocelyn! Can you smell “Emma” already?
The book club gets off on a rocky start because Prudie is incredibly haughty towards Allegra, Sylvia’s lesbian daughter and the hapless Grigg who brings a bumper 6 books-in-one volume (e.g. The Complete Novels of Jane Austen) to the first meeting LOL
However, things get interesting as they discuss each novel (Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, Pride & Prejudice, Northanger Abbey and Sense & Sensibility) because their debates on the book’s plot, characters or themes tend to spill over to what’s happening in their lives.
Will the prissy Prudie actually have an affair with her incredibly handsome student (who provides the spark missing in her own marriage)? Will Jocelyn finally realize and accept that Grigg likes her? Will Sylvia’s separation end in divorce? Will Allegra find true love?
I had a great time watching the movie because their discussions on Jane Austen’s books were detailed and thoughtful and the complex lives of the characters themselves provided a lot of entertaining. My favourite character has to be Grigg! Prudie was interesting too but boy, was she irritating…
Lastly, watching the movie has sparked my interest to read the rest of Austen’s novels as I’ve only read “Emma” and “Pride and Prejudice”
Got my eye on the The Complete Novels of Jane Austen.
Click to buy ”The Jane Austen Book Club”
Or, you can take the easy way out and watch the movies:
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
i love this one! after watching the movie i desperately open a Jane Austen book club myself but no one around me seems to read her books. reading this is really nice because i found someone with the same interest. thank you!
Thanh – I wish I could say “Let’s start a Jane Austen book club” (or any book club!) but I have little precious time as it is and next year looks like it’ll be even busier.
Why don’t you start a blog? Or do a search for it? I remember there lots and lots of book clubs online – I am just too busy to join in. Probably when my kids are bigger like Sylvia…