Welcome to Litsy!

On Emma: Kelly suggests Knightley is in the process of enclosure, or privatizing formerly common land. After all, the "gipsies" were hanging about the lanes which must mean that their usual campsite was inaccessible, and the incident of turkey theft in the last chapters means that more villagers of Highbury are going hungry. Honestly, her ideas intrigue me, but then she also mentions that Harriet and Jane Fairfax are half sisters and girl, what?

This chapter on Mansfield Park's DL commentary on the slave trade seems not only the most plausible of Kelly's claims, but also the most fascinating. Why else, in a novel centered on morality, would Austen have so many references throughout? From the names "Mansfield" and "Norris", which would have obvious connotations for her audience, to repeatedly invoking Cowper, who famously wrote anti-slavery poetry, I feel like the connection is undeniable.

Back on this book's bullshit, and this time it's making connections between unwanted or dangerous pregnancies and Northanger Abbey. Get this - what if Mrs. Tilney had been pregnant and died while miscarrying?? What if scenes of Catherine in her nightclothes were meant to be erotic reminders of female sexuality? What if Cath fiddling with the cabinet (heart fluttering, knees trembling) was a reference to masturbation? 😂 Never change, Helena Kelly.

Closing out P&P with ch.3 of Kelly's book and Jane's views on "polite society". Much is made of the importance of proper introductions as well as the many clashes of class throughout the novel, but Kelly also points to the presence of the militia and the undercurrent of war and violence lurking beyond our story. But she still needs to throw in an outlandish claim, so brace yourselves- is Wickham actually...Darcy's illegitimate half-brother?! (?)

Lord help me, I forgot just how far Kelly reaches in this book. While I do agree that the works of Very Important Men are mined for symbolism and veiled political statements while the books of this particular lady author are dismissed as fluffy romances, I will never be convinced that Edward was sent away due to strange sexual proclivities nor that Brandon was actually misleading Elinor to throw her off the scent of being Eliza's actual father. ⬇️

While in #Bath, I visited the #JaneAusten center. Tbh the shop is better than the exhibition, but the love for these books really shines through in every detail. There were multiple pictures of brooding Mr Darcy, played by Colin Firth (notice the pin), spread throughout the center, which was hilarious.
What‘s your favourite Austen novel? I‘ve only read P&P and Emma.

I started this in print & finished on audio over a year later after having reread each of Austen‘s novels. I found Kelly‘s thoughts on each book intriguing, but at the same time, I take much of it with a grain of salt. I didn‘t truly enjoy some of Austen‘s work on a 1st read because they weren‘t as light of reads as expected, & in that respect, this book helped me to consider & better appreciate the books from a deeper & more serious perspective.

Some of Kelly's book about Austen as a radical felt like a stretch to me. But reading this moment in Mansfield Park today sent me right back to Kelly's writing. Though I've been aware of slavery hovering in the story's background, that phrase, "the chain and the cross", practically knocked me over. Mansfield Park is very concerned with what is moral, and damn if Jane doesn't put the most important questions right in front of us. #PemberLittens

Went up north to chill and read books, and made a new friend. #PemberLittens #currentlyreading #WildBirdsOfLitsy #MittenLitten

Kelly knows her English history, and uses it to illuminate the context of Austen‘s novels beyond the drawing rooms in which they take place. If her theories are sometimes far-fetched, they are always thought-provoking, and are looking to tie back to that history. No doubt I will be thinking of her ideas the next time I revisit the texts, even as I doubt I will be taking some of her theories to heart. Full review: https://wp.me/p2P6GA-5fv

Making more progress through this book while enjoying a rare summer breeze with Tom the Vigilant Yard Guardian. #currentlyreading #catsoflitsy #tomkitten

This is a strange book & (sorry) a ludicrous one. There's plenty of context but the method & manner in which Kelly sets about "radicalising" Austen means ignoring all of the work on Austen that came before. Like, Emma is not "about" enclosures & Mr. Knightley is not a kind of Marie Antoinette. These are factors that must be considered, of course: class, gender, politics. Doing so makes for fruitful reading. But this is a book of wilful misreading.

Just when I thought I couldn't love Lizzy any more...! I like this book more with each chapter, and even though I'm taking my sweet time getting through it, it's an engrossing read. #currentlyreading #PemberLittens

Those imaginary people, to whom she gave their most beautiful ideal existence, survive to speak for her, now that she herself is gone.

I've been taking this one slow; so far, I've finished the chapters on Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility. Though "radical" is a bit strong for ways in which Kelly characterizes Austen's writing, her insights are illuminating and interesting. Looking forward to the rest! #PemberLittens

I'm reading the tagged book alongside my #chapteraday of Sense and Sensibility, and loving it! When a single chapter doesn't feel like enough, I can pick this book up and keep enjoying the worlds that Austen has created. #PemberLittens

Proud to be a Obstinate Headstrong Girl?
Tell me Tales of your Rebel ways.
I'm a Childfree by Choice Vegetarian who goes to Yoga on Sunday mornings. I read Banned Books while drinking Laphroaig Whisky Neat. ✊
#mymotherwouldnotapprove
#obstinateheadstronggirl
#austeninaugust2019

Joining in for #AustenInAugust2019! Thanks for leading, @Crinoline_Laphroaig. Here's a Jane-related title on my #TBR; has anyone read this?
📷: The Literate Quilter

Book mail is the very best mail.❤️📚❤️

I always knew that Austen's novels are full of satire, social/political commentary and sarcasam, it's one of the things I love about Jane Austen. This book, examines each of Jane's completed novels and almost line by line points out all the hidden and double meanings. I found those book interesting and appreciated looking at the novels in a wider perspective based on the social and political climate of the time ⬇⬇⬇⬇

Another Sunday afternoon of #audiobaking. Lemon muffins, butterscotch blondies, and really flat chocolate chip pumpkin muffins.

This book is interesting, but not sure I completely agree with all the author's theories. Has anyone else read it? Thoughts?

When I was in high school, a friend asked my why I liked Jane Austen, as she was only a writers “of manners”. And I‘m sure Jane Austen may seem like that superficially, but she‘s so much more than that. Helena Kelly does a brilliant work of presenting how Jane Austen approached hard social topics in her novels and their subversive nature as a female writer in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Highly recommend to any Austen fan.

This book had some interesting history and literary criticism but boiled down to: Austen thought marriage was dangerous due to childbirth, landowners hurt and neglected the poor, the nobility were snobs, the church was full of hypocrites, slavery was lousy, and Lizzie & Darcy‘s relationship defies social norms. None of these ideas is “radical”, nor is it a “secret” that Austen‘s novels reveal them. #AusteninAugust #AnglophilesofLitsy

Just started this audiobook yesterday and so far it‘s interesting enough to keep going but feels a little repetitive.

I couldn‘t resist; I had to immediately read the first few pages of this book and I‘m intrigued. I doubt I‘ll read straight through, instead I plan to focus on a chapter or two relevant to her books I‘ve read more recently at first.

#JaneAustenSwap

Thank you @Captivatedbybooks for this wonderful package for #JaneAustenSwap! I love that I now have copies of all these Jane Austen books and these are lovely editions. The tagged book sounds absolutely fascinating. If it were a cold day, that mug would be immediately put in to use and the bookmarks are beautiful. 💕 📚

@Melissa_J !! I love it all so much!!

The Bennet sisters t-shirt, the P&P quote tote bag, the Emma page flags! 😍 That Penguin P&P mug with the Cream Earl Grey tea! 😍 And the books, the wonderful books! 😍 You truly knew just what to get me. Thank you so much, my friend. 😘

And thank you to our amazing hosts, @sprainedbrain and @mabell . You two did a wonderful job! 😘

#JaneAustenSwap

Today‘s #bookmail part 1 livening up my desk at work! Been wanting to read the Jane Austen one for aaaaages

This is what I was trying to post when #LitsyApocalypsePartDeux occurred! 😵😵😵

With the #JaneAustenswap coming up, I‘d love to hear what is at the top of everyone‘s wish list. These are my current most wished for Austenite books. 😊

Hope everyone is sane again now that Litsy is back up and running. 😂

How i love a late breakfast, raiding my mom's fridge... yaaaawn.... 😮😴🍳☕️🥓#booksandbreakfast

HAPPY PANCAKE DAY, EVERYONE! ❤️🥞🥂
#booksandbreakfast

Mini #library #bookhaul for today. I was clearly feeling a theme!

Rome is book heaven! This is a row of stalls near the main station that sells books all night long, heavenllyyyyyyyyyyy
#bookishholiday

I'm reading the Secret Radial and loving this refreshing take in Austen. Its very in line with the way I studied Austen at uni as a Romantic.

A wonderful companion for any Jane Austen fan, Kelly focuses on each of Austen's books, offering historic context, social clues, and a well written interpretation of each. This had me itching to revisit Jane's world.

#booksatbreakfast with spinach'n cheese omlette and leftover swedish cinnamon rolls

Still trying to limit my focus on my upcoming term paper an BA exam on good ol Jenny, but keep getting distracted by this and that and their mother's favorite read... 📚🔜 #emojinov #booksatbreakfast #booksandbreakfast

#booksandbreakfast plundering my mum's fridge and enjoying the autumn sun ☀️ 🍂

#booksatbreakfast

“Forget the Jane Austen you think you know. Forget the biographies; forget the pretty adaptations. Ignore the banknote. Read Jane‘s novels. They‘re there to speak for her; love stories, yes, though not always happy ones, but also the productions of an extraordinary mind,in an extraordinary age. Read them again.” I‘m not sure I agree with all of her analysis but this was an interesting read. Recommended for the serious Janeite.

Thoughtful read. I didn't agree with all the author's points & other points I thought she took too far, but it was an interesting way to reexamine Austen's works. I thought her comments on Mansfield Park were particularly insightful & I'm tempted to re-read it, despite very much disliking the character Fanny. I'll probably re-read all of her novels soon. I wish I had know someone who was reading this while I was, as I really wanted to discuss it.

So excited ! 😍 #JaneAusten

Preparing for next semester's seminar on dear jenny! #austentacious

Found these two lovelies on the new shelf next to each other! #SHPL

Book mail! I won this in one of those publisher's sweepstakes I'm always filling out 😊. Looks very interesting. Thanks to Penguin Random House for this!

I don't often indulge my English Lit degree tendencies, but this book was a pure delight for me. Not so much biography as close textual and historical analysis of Jane Austen's novels. Of course I've read everything by Jane (more than once!).

Great audio book!!! I learned so much!

#TBRtemptation post 5! This is a great time for Jane Austen fans with so much material coming out on the 200th anniversary of her passing. Released in May. Helena Kay, a leading authority on Austen, reassesses Austen's life to make clear that the icon has been misread over the last centuries. The real Jane Austen was subversive, treasonous even, and how her works were revolutionary thinking for her time. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Some vintage Jane and some new, to commemorate #janeausten200.

Book haul!! The Jane Austen book is a #blameitonlitsy book 📖📚

#startswithj #splashintosummerreads @Tiffy_Reads