Laura's response to The Help

1.  Who was your favorite character and why?

I really loved this book, GREAT choice Rachel.   I have to say that i liked all the characters except for Miss Hilly, it is people like her that keep gossip and hate going.  I loved Minny and Aibleen and Celia the most.  I loved Minny because she was feisty and by the end of the book i feel she truly cared for Miss Celia.  Minny became alittle more softer, she even helped Skeeter with her book.  I Loved Aibleen because she loved Mae Mobley  and her brother so much.  She was very easy going and took a great risk with helping Skeeter with the book and in the end she lost her job but at the same time she gained something better and not just with a job.  I really loved Minny and Celia story, I felt sorry for Celia and she needed and depended on Minny and by the end of the book i really feel like they truly cared for each other.

2.  Life has changed dramatically since the times in which this book is set. What part of 1960s life in Mississippi do you find most shocking?  I truly don't understand why white people in the 60's had a problem using the same bathrooms as a black person. or have a problem eating at the same places or be friends with black people, or going to school with them.  I don't understand why white people looked down on black people. Why did White people have such a hatred towards black people. Is the hatred there because Lincoln freed the slaves? and white think we should still have slavery even in the 60's?  If so, slavery  was so long ago and by the 60's i would have thought that white people would feel that slavery was wrong and black people are people with feelings,  and love and we should embrace them because our ancestors did a wrong thing.  Something that made me think long and hard that the book made loud and clear was how afraid black people were and how the book made me understand why they had that fear and how sad that they had to live in so much fear, i don't think i truly understood there fear until i read this book.

3.  How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?
Alot actually because i see that same thing with me and Mary.  Times are so very different now vs the 60's although we still have deep seeded feelings in the South, especially the deep South, but it is not as bad as it was in the 60's.  When a person is around events that happen or around how people are  treated that is what shapes our character for example.....I was not born in the south so growing up i did not see the hatred towards black people so i have no problems with them, i like them. But now that i live in the south i see and hear how people think of black people and treat black people and feel we have a ways to go. I have also seen the attitude being passed from parent to child as well.
4.  What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?     I thought the pie was funny and i was glad she did it.  Miss Hilly was not a nice person to anyone but especially to black people, she deserved it.   Yes i would have done it.

5.  How did you feel about the ending? 
It made me mad and sad.  Miss Hilly was so mean to get Ailbleen fired, it was so mean spirted and what really made me mad was she had the nerve to tell (bully) someone into firing her.  It made me sad because Miss Leefolt listened to Miss Hilly but i felt like she really did not want to fire her, she needed her but that Miss Hilly bullied her into it because of the times, she had to because Hilly had the voice and the power over people, I was hoping Miss Leefolt would say NO I am not going to fire her i need her and you have no business telling me to get rid of her.  But maybe change was necessary for Aibleen and taking Skeeters job was not such a bad change after all.
6.  Would you recommend this novel to a friend?  I was only on Chapter 10 and i was telling my gym friends to read it, that is a really great book and how much i was enjoying it.  I really want to see the movie now.  

I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to everyone.  This book really made me think about how bad those times were and how much fear they had and how there fear was understandable and how the 60's had small changes with blacks and whites and how those small changes eventually turned into bigger changes.  Thanks Rachel for picking this book!

Brenda's Book Selection

Hello Fellow Book Clubbers,

WOW, our new year of reading is off to a wonderful start. GREAT choice Rachel with "The Help". I'm so close to finishing it, and I plan on answering the questions this weekend, I can't wait to read all your answers, I can't wait to see what you all thought of.... The Help.

Thank You Rachel for posting our schedule for the new year. I see that I am next on the schedule to choose a book, and that my selection begins tomorrow, So I guess you are all wondering what our new book is going to be............

I have been trying to make this decision, and finally narrowed it down to 5 choices. My decision was hard because I really want to read all 5 of these books, but I know I can can only choose one for now.

Soooo.......In the end I went with the one I originally wanted to read.  It has a movie that we can watch after we read the book, and of course YOU KNOW ME, I have gone for a Love Story............Ahhhh!!

So here it is..........




Drum roll please..........................





Our New Book is................




"Somewhere in Time" by: Richard Matheson



I hope you enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE BOOK CLUB!!!!!!!!!!
With Warm Hugs to all,
Mom/Brenda/Aunt B

P.S. I looked it up and this book is available on both Nook and Kindle for 6.99. It is also available to order from Barnes and Noble. I have sent you a picture of the cover in your regular email's.....(I couldn't get it to cut and paste into this note).....this shows you the cover of the book in case you want to go to a book store and buy a copy. Happy Reading!!!!!

 

Discussion Questions for The Help

1.  Who was your favorite character and why?

2.  Life has changed dramatically since the times in which this book is set. What part of 1960s life in Mississippi do you find most shocking?

3.  How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?

4.  What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?

5.  How did you feel about the ending?


6.  Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

New Year!

Hello Fellow Book Clubbers!

Here we are at the beginning of 2012 and we have completed our 2011 new year’s resolution! We did it, we read all of Jane Austen’s (completed) novels!! Yay!! I have loved every minute of it! I don’t know about all of you, but I am thoroughly enjoying this book club and think it is a joy to be a part of. I am very much looking forward to this coming year to see what books we will read.

2012 will be a bit different than last year. Throughout this next year we have decided to make it a year where each book club member will pick out a book for everyone to read. They will be responsible for coming up with discussion questions for the book they choose, and for keeping everyone on track. We will be posting a schedule soon of whom, and when, fellow members will be picking. If you have a specific time you would like, please let me know.

We will be kicking off 2012 with The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. We will be reading it from January 1^st to March 10^th. I am Soooooo Excited to read The Help! I have been looking forward to reading this novel ever since I noticed it back in 2010. I knew it would be a great book club book, so I’ve been anxiously patiently waiting to have us all read it.

So until March 10th, Happy Reading Everyone!!!!!!

Brenda's Response to Persuasion

 

1.  How does persuasion play a role throughout this novel?

Persuasion plays a big role in this novel.  I think the one glaring moment is when Anne is persuaded by Lady Russell to end her engagement with Captain Wentworth in the beginning because she feels he is not right for her.  Yet in the end we know he was the right man for her…but maybe just not at that time.  Another example is when Lady Russell and Anne and ??? someone else I can’t remember who, persuade Anne’s Father Sir Walter to leave his beloved home in Kellynch by appealing to his vanity.   Each of Jane Austen books seem to cleverly incorporate a running theme throughout the stories…..Like First Impressions in Pride and Prejudice and Imagination in Northanger Abbey and Second Attachments in Sense and Sensibility etc.. This book didn’t fail us in this way, Jane Austen demonstrated in this story a lot of instances where persuasion was used. 

2. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not?

Yes, I liked it very much.  I found it to be very romantic.  I really believe it was the second most romantic Jane Austen book we read.  I love a good love story, and this one ranked pretty high for me.  As in Pride and Prejudice the leading man (in this case Captain Wentworth) revealed his inner most passions and love towards the leading lady through a letter.  I found the letter Wentworth wrote to Anne to be a wonderful climatic moment in this novel.  I liked the way the romance built throughout this novel as it did in my favorite Pride and Prejudice.  I could feel a big moment building and building and building till BAM he gives her the letter he wrote and poured out his heart to her…..I found this so romantic, I have to admit I read the letter over and over several times.   I do however maintain as I have throughout all of her novels that the “Big Moment” does come and go quickly.  There was a lot of building up to this one then BAM it was done…BUT I did find this one much more romantic then all of the other ones except Pride and Prejudice.  I liked the love story in P&P a little more.    


3.  Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Absolutely Yes!!!!

4. Of all the characters Jane Austen created, who was your favorite and why? 

I’d have to say Mr. Darcy was my ultimate favorite Character out of all the Jane Austen Novels.  I just felt like he was so well written, such a wonderfully strong, manly, protective, complicated, well developed character.  He is my ultimate novel crush.

There were several other Characters she created that I really liked. I really enjoyed and grew from reading the character of Elizabeth Bennet and her sister Jane was wonderful too.   I really liked Elinor from Sense and Sensibility by the end of that book.  I really liked the character of Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility but I think I gained a much stronger liking for this character after I watched the movie and it was played by Alan Rickman ha ha ha (silly crushes).  I thoroughly enjoyed the imagination of the character Catherine from Northanger Abbey.  I found Emma to be so funny, laugh out loud fun while reading that one.  And I really enjoyed Captain Wentworth from Persuasion.   

I feel Jane Austen created a very wonderful world and a huge wonderful cast of characters that I really really enjoyed getting to know.  I had to concentrate so hard on her novels to understand what was going on, so I think in this intense reading of these books you really become emotionally involved with the characters.  I found myself being sad when I had to leave them at the end of a book in order to move on to a new book and new set of characters. 

I have to say though Pride and Prejudice was the hardest to leave.  Maybe because it was the first one we read, maybe because I loved Elizabeth’s strength and character, and I fell for Mr. Darcy.  And Persuasion was hard to leave to, I think because I knew it was our last and I really did enjoy the love story in that one.  But Jane Austen did a Fantastic job of creating wonderful characters that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. 


5. Was there anything you disliked about Jane Austen novels?

I think the only thing I can say I disliked was the lack of the Big Romantic Moments in the love stories.   I am a romantic at heart, and I felt that in all her novels she built us up and then when the big moment came it fizzled it lacked pop, pizazz, it failed to satisfy my romantic heart.  That was really the only consistant thing throughout all her novels that I disliked.  I just wanted the Big Moment to be bigger, more detailed, more romantic I think in every one of the novels I felt this way.  Even my favorite Pride and Prejudice.


6.  Now that we have read all of Austen’s novels (well at least all her complete novels), which one did you relate to the most? Which was your favorite? And why.        

Pride and Prejudice was definitely my favorite.  Just overall it was so wonderful.  I loved the female characters, and I loved the leading man Mr. Darcy and I loved their love story. Over all best one of the six for me.  

Sense and Sensibility was such a sweet story.  I didn’t think I was going to like this one when we started it but I ended up really liking this one a lot. 

Emma was soooooo long.  I enjoyed Emma, I found it funny and fun to read, but I think it could have been edited down a bit.  But I did enjoy it very much. 

Mansfield Park Ehh…my least favorite overall, but yet a sense of accomplishment after reading it.  

Northanger Abbey, this one was hard to read, I really enjoyed it once I caught on but going in and out of her imagination and her reading of another book was really difficult for me, but I did enjoy this novel very much.

Persuasion I actually enjoyed the love story in this one, I loved the letter Captain Wentworth gave to Anne I found it really romantic, but although I liked the love letter in this one, I did find Anne to be a little boring.  But I did enjoy this one very much. 

There were bits and pieces of each novel that I could relate to.  There were characters from each novel I could relate to and bonded with.  But overall I just enjoyed Pride and Prejudice the most, it just felt like the most complete of them all to me.  I find myself wanting to read that one again. 

Closing Comments :

I LOVE THIS BOOK CLUB!!!!!!!!    I feel such a HUGE sense of accomplishment that we set a goal for ourselves last year and we did it, we have read all of Jane Austen’s complete novels, and I just think that deserves a huge round of applause ladies!!!!   Those were hard to read but we did it.   I really feel like I am leaving behind some new and dear Character friends as we move away from Jane Austen and into the new year, but I am looking so forward to our plans for this year as we each pick out a novel for the club to read.  I can’t wait to dig into our first book “The Help”.  Thank You again Rachel for keeping us on track and keeping up our blog for us.  I have enjoyed every moment we have shared together reading and discussing Jane Austen’s novel’s and I am looking very forward to all that is to come in 2012.  Until we meet here again, I wish you all Happy Reading!!!!!  

Rachel's Response to Persuasion

1.  How does persuasion play a role throughout this novel?

Persuasion plays a big role in this novel. Austen again cleverly names her novel with one or two descriptive words that describes what her novel is about. Persuasion plays a huge role with the two main characters, Anne Elliot and Captain Frederick Wentworth. As we all know Anne was persuaded to end her engagement to the Captain. As a result of that act, these two lives were altered. Persuasion is everywhere in our lives. We are persuaded to buy a certain product by convincing commercials or sales people, we are persuaded to take certain paths in life by social constructs. I think the lesson in this story is to not let yourself be persuaded into things when you know it’s not right for you.    

2. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not?
I did enjoy the ending. One of the things I love about Jane Austen’s novels is how, for the most part, she adds the element of surprise with the leading men. Most of the times these moments come in the forms of letters, Darcy to Elizabeth and now Captain Wentworth to Anne. I find those moments incredibly romantic, these strong men baring their true feelings and souls on paper to the lady they care for. Needless to say, I thought the Captains letter to Anne was very romantic and how after all those years, love can still last. But, also in typical Austen fashion, she saves the wrap up and the part we as the reader are all waiting for in the story, until the last few chapters. It’s this long drawn out story and then BAM it’s done and over.    

3.  Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Even though I did enjoy this book, it wouldn’t be the first book I would recommend to a friend. It was kinda slow paced and the main character Anne didn’t seem to have that spark that I love to read about. I would tell my friend it’s an ok novel, but here is a copy of Pride and Prejudice! Then I would run out the door with my rhinestoned team Mr. Darcy t-shirt on.   

4. Of all the characters Jane Austen created, who was your favorite and why? 
Jane Austen has created some unique characters. She has created ones that made me laugh out loud, snooze at the sight of their name, cringe but in a good way, and strong enduring characters. However, After reading all of her completed novels, hands down the character that most inspired me, made me laugh, made me what to be her is Elizabeth Bennet. While reading Pride and Prejudice I fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet’s strength, sass, and loyalty; I found myself wanting to be exactly like her. I tend to find myself in situations where I tell myself, channel your inner Elizabeth Bennet and everything will be ok. After reading Pride and Prejudice a little part of me changed for the better. So for this reason, Elizabeth Bennet is my favorite Jane Austen character. Plus my home girl has the hook ups to my literary boyfriend Mr. Darcy. Haha. This makes me want to re-read Pride and Prejudice. Ahhhhh…. I just love that novel.

5. Was there anything you disliked about Jane Austen novels?
There was nothing per-say I didn’t like. She likes to write about the same subject matter, class, social standing, marrying up, etc.. so after reading them all back to back it kinda got tiring after awhile. I guess we should have spread out her novels so we wouldn’t burn ourselves out on them. She also struggles to fully develop characters, which made for frustrating reads sometimes *cough… Marianne and Col. Brandon…cough*. She also likes to build you up, and sometimes drag you along, throughout the novel then she wraps the entire story up in 1 or 2 chapters at the end, if you blink you will miss it. Sometimes it’s pretty abrupt endings which leaves the reader confused, or at least left me confused.  But overall as a whole these dislikes still don’t deter me away from Austen, I do think she is a brilliant and gifted writer. To be able to write something well over 200 years ago and still have people of the 21^st century relate to her stories is pretty incredible.

6.  Now that we have read all of Austen’s novels (well at least all her complete novels), which one did you relate to the most? Which was your favorite? And why.

It’s hard to narrow down which novel I related to the most because each one (except Mansfield Park, which I hardly remember and probably couldn’t tell you the characters names.) I was able to relate too in some way. They were all incredible and fascinating in their own way. Pride and Prejudice moved me in my core. I can’t even describe in words how much I love that novel. In Sense and Sensibility I was able to relate to Elinor and her personality/character. She was more reserved with the world and tended to hold things in and process them before expressing her feelings to the world, which I feel like I do too. I found Emma a complete joy to read. I think out of all Austen’s novels, I laughed out loud the most with Emma and just the ridiculous things she got herself into. Haha. The novel that surprised me most was Northanger Abbey. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Catherine’s sense of imagination, wonder and adventure definitely brought me back to childhood and those similar feelings of wild imagination that she has throughout this novel. Finally Persuasion reminded me to never give up hope and to believe in yourself/feelings. Im not sure if this answered the question, but this is what I took away from each novel and how I related to them.         

Not that this will come as a surprise to any of you, but hands down my favorite Jane Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice. I won’t even go into how amazing and great this novel is because I’m sure you are all sick of hearing me constantly talk about it in every book club post. Haha… what a girl can’t help it! Ahhhhh Mr. Darcy!!!!!!!  

Closing Thoughts     

I can’t believe we made it through all of Jane Austen’s completed works! I am so proud of us as a book club!! I am going to miss reading Austen dearly. We “met” quite a few characters along the way and even some that will stick with us long after we close the chapter on Austen in this little book club of ours. Even though I am sad to say goodbye to Jane Austen, I am very excited for this year’s book club adventure. I love that we all get to pick out novels for the group to read. I think it will really bring a variety of subject matter and new levels of discussion that I am very much looking forward too. I cannot wait to start our first novel of 2012, The Help! I have been looking forward to this novel for so long and cannot wait to read it! So until next time my book club friends.

Happy Reading!!!!  

Persuasion Discussion Question

1.  How does persuasion play a role throughout this novel?

2. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not?


3.  Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

4. Of all the characters Jane Austen created, who was your favorite and why? 


5. Was there anything you disliked about Jane Austen novels?


6.  Now that we have read all of Austen’s novels (well at least all her complete novels), which one did you relate to the most? Which was your favorite? And why.        

Brenda's Response to Northanger Abbey

1.     Northanger Abbey was first book Austen sold, but one of the last to be published. After reading four of her other novels, could you tell this was an earlier piece of work from Austen. Why or why not?

I felt as if I could tell that this novel was one of Jane Austen’s earlier pieces even before I new that is was.  It was an enjoyable read for me, but I just didn’t feel like the characters were as well thought out or as well developed as in the other novels we have read.  To me this almost seemed like a rough draft or a really extensive outline.  I think our main character, Catherine, was fairly well developed, but things like the love story didn’t seem quite complete to me.  It seemed forced and rushed and just not complete.  I enjoyed this novel, but I could definitely tell it was an early less mature work of Jane Austens.

2. Imagination played a large role in Catherine's character, did you find this enjoyable to read or frustrating?

Well, I have to be honest, in the very beginning I found Catherine’s imagination very hard to understand.  For example it took me a while to understand that she was flashing in and out of a novel she loved.  Thank goodness for spark notes at times like this.   But once I got the rhythm of the writing and the story line established, I really enjoyed the different style of writing that this novel was presenting to us.   I loved that this main character had such an active imagination.  I loved that she liked to read and that she found the stories to be so realistic in her head.  I found Catherine a very interesting character, and a very different character in comparison to the other Jane Austen characters we have read.    

3. Do you believe Northanger Abbey is a love story or coming of age story? Explain.

I would definitely say a coming of age story.  I felt as if we the readers took a journey in the maturing of Catherine.  Her early ideals and thoughts seemed very immature but as the story progressed the silly girlhood notions were shaken from her a bit and reality set in and by the end she was a much more mature young lady and not so much a little girl with her head in the clouds.   As for the "Love Story".....once again Jane Austen has disappointed me.  It still confuses me how she can write in such rich detail everything about these characters, but when it comes to the climax of the love story she just blurts it out and moves on.   This one especially lacked any kind of touching moment, any kind of feeling of real love, any kind of romance.   In fact I almost missed the fact that they do get together in the end, it was that vague and non impressive.  I think in the second to the last chapter there was only one line that referred to a proposal.  ONE LINE!!!!!!!  I really didn't feel anything in the way of a real love story in this book.  I felt as if she just threw that in there at the end because she thought she had to or something.  The "Love Story" seemed very under-developed to me. 


4.  How does Catherine Morland compare to Austen's other heroines that we have read? 

Catherine seems younger, more immature, less developed.  All the other female heroines we have read so far seemed to know themselves more then Catherine does.  They seemed to have bigger experiences then Catherine did. They seemed more self-confident.  More mature.  Catherine was different, yet interesting, but overall I felt as if she was much less developed as a character then say Elizabeth or Jane Bennett.

5. Were you able to personally relate to any of these characters? If so who and how? 

Oh goodness…….Ummm……I always seem to be able to relate to at least one of the characters in the stories we have read so far, but this time it was a little more difficult. I guess on some levels I can relate to Catherine.  I have a vivid imagination and I think she does too.  But other then that I don’t really think I personally related to the characters of this book as much as I have with others.    

6. Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Oh Yes, I definitely would.  It was a wonderful read, it kept my interest it had twists and turns, and I would recommend this to anyone.  Jane Austen is a brilliant writer.   

Brenda's closing thoughts........

Ahhhhh.....another Jane Austen novel under our belt.  It's hard to believe we are now starting our last Jane Austen Novel...Persuasion.  I'm starting to feel sad that our year with Jane Austen is almost at an end. It's such a pleasure reading such a gifted writers work.

Thank You again Rachel for your up keep of our blog.  I'm looking very forward to reading what you and everyone else have to say about Northanger Abbey.   I'm sorry if my answers seem short this time, I guess I didn't have much to say.....short book, short answers I guess ha ha ha.

Onto Persuasion.............I LOVE BOOK CLUB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rachel's Response to Northanger Abbey

1. Northanger Abbey was first book Austen sold, but one of the last to be published. After reading four of her other novels, could you tell this was an earlier piece of work from Austen. Why or why not? 
After reading four of her other novels, I could tell this was written differently. It is hard to describe, but the whole vibe of the novel felt younger, innocent, and more naïve compared to her other novels. The material/story was light, not heavy or complicated, had more of an adventurous spirit and an overall easier read for me. I think the young simplistic wild imagination that was constantly throughout the novel made it feel as though it had a younger vibe. Another reason why it might have felt younger was because Catherine, the main heroine, was written younger. She was very daft, naïve, and oblivious to what was happening around her. So maybe the younger feel of the novel came from the innocence’s of Catherine’s character.

2. Imagination played a large role in Catherine's character, did you find this enjoyable to read or frustrating?
As the reader you are constantly jumping in and out of Catherine’s imagination. Whether she is imaging people high jacking her carriage, or trying to uncover hidden secrets of Northanger Abbey (e.g. trying to find secret manuscripts or trying to discover what really happened to Mrs.  Tinley). I wouldn’t say it was frustrating to read, as a matter of fact, I quiet enjoyed this novel and one of the main reasons why was because of Catherine’s imagination. Putting Austen novels aside, I can’t think of another book that I have read that was similar to this story line. It was unique and definitely kept my interest. It was a bit confusing in the beginning trying to figure out what was actually happening verses what was in her imagination. But once you figure it out it makes it very enjoyable to read.

3. Do you believe Northanger Abbey is a love story or coming of age story? Explain.
I would say this is definitely not a love story, but a coming of age story. It was kind of awkward how Austen threw in the engagement between Henry and Catherine all of a sudden in the end. I had to re-read the engagement part a few times because I didn’t even realized he proposed until I read spark notes. I also found it weird that he realized he loved her only because he knew that she loved him. Shouldn't one fall in love with a person because you can’t imagine your life without them and that you care greatly for them, and not solely based on the fact you found out that they love you? I thought that part was a little weird and wasn’t romantic at all. I do feel as if this was a coming of age story for Catherine. We followed her growing up through her imagination. She starts off the novel full of reading books, and to a certain extent, becoming too engrossed in them and actually believing it is happening to her all the way to the end of the novel when she takes her imagination to another level by accusing General Tinley of murdering his wife, which forces her to realize she has taken things too far and as a result tones down her imagination.

4. How does Catherine Morland compare to Austen's other heroines that we have read?
She is young, oblivious, daft, innocent, and has a wild imagination. Most of Austen’s heroines are strong female characters that are often preoccupied with trying to improve their social status and marry a rich handsome man. Catherine was very different in the sense that she was more interested in reading, adventures, and exploring rather than focusing on finding a husband or worrying about fortune or her future.

5. Were you able to personally relate to any of these characters? If so who and how
Yes and no. I was not able to relate to these characters in the way I have been able to relate to Austen characters in the past four novels we have read. While I was reading Catherine’s character it brought me back to childhood and reminded me of the innocence that comes with childhood and letting my imagination run wild. While other Austen characters inspire me, or remind me of where I’m at during this time in my life, I was able to relate to Catherine in a way of the past, and remembering how I was when I was younger, going through life full of imagination.  

6. Would you recommend this novel to a friend?
Yes, I definitely would. It was a quick read and was a very interesting gothic/imaginative/coming of age story. No, it wasn’t as romantic as Pride and Prejudice; no, it wasn’t laugh out loud as Emma was; and no, Henry Tinley is in no way close to becoming my literary boyfriend, Mr. Darcy has secured that status. But with all that said, this novel was full of adventure, wild youthful imagination, and gothic satire. It also doesn’t fit the typical Austen mold of girl trying to marry up. Great, interesting, and unique read!  


When I was reading the introduction to this novel, I found it interesting that this was the first novel Austen sold but it was never published. Instead Austen bought it back from the publishers and it was released posthumously.  I wonder why the publishers never published the novel, was in too controversial? Did they not think it would be the right fit for their readers? Or did they just forget they bought it? I guess we will never know, but it still makes me wonder why they never published this novel after they bought it.
Anyways, switching gears a bit, my mom and I watch the masterpiece theater movie of Northanger Abbey and I must say I thought the movie was really well done. I highly recommend this movie version of Northanger Abbey. It followed the novel pretty well, the acting was good, and the costumes/scenery was so beautiful.
OhMyGosh can you believe it? Only one more Austen novel to go! I am feeling bitter sweet about our next novel. I’m very excited to read Persuasion, I’ve been looking forward to this novel ever since we started our Austen series for the book club, but at the same time I’m sad to be wrapping up Austen.  But I am thoroughly enjoying this book club! I’m so glad you all are a part of it!!! I cannot wait to read everyone’s responses to Northanger Abbey and see what everyone thought about it.
Till next time,
Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Discussion Questions for Northanger Abbey

1. Northanger Abbey was first book Austen sold, but one of the last to be published. After reading four of her other novels, could you tell this was an earlier piece of work from Austen. Why or why not?

2. Imagination played a large role in Catherine's character, did you find this enjoyable to read or frustrating?

3. Do you believe Northanger Abbey is a love story or coming of age story? Explain.


4.  How does Catherine Morland compare to Austen's other heroines that we have read? 

5. Were you able to personally relate to any of these characters? If so who and how? 

6. Would you recommend this novel to a friend?

Brenda's Response to Emma

1. Jane Austen called Emma "A heroin whom nobody but myself will like much" Did you find Emma a likable character or not? 

I found Emma to be a very likable character. I found her funny and found myself actually laughing out loud at many parts of this book.   Maybe Jane Austen thought this character Emma would be annoying to people, and frustrating for us to read because she seems to get herself into such pickles, and the narrator of the novel tends to clue us into what is going on where as Emma has no clue sometimes thus increasing our frustration.  But I personally really found Emma amusing and like her very much.

2. What were your impressions of Mr. Knightley? 

I thought he was staunch, manly, no nonsense, logical, intelligent, serious, wealthy, cautious in matter of the heart, a lot like Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.  I liked him a lot, but not as much as Mr. Darcy.  No one is as wonderful as Mr. Darcy...Ahhhh......The thing that struck me the most was his unconditional friendship and love for Emma.  He always seemed like the one and only "real" person in her life, the one that would always be a voice of reality for Emma.  He seemed to be the only character in this novel who finds fault with Emma.  Yet he also always seemed to have Love in his heart for her too. 

3. Do you believe Emma is a truly good friend to Harriet? and Do you think Harriet benefits from her friendship with Emma?

I do feel that Emma did on some level care about Harriet.  I do think that Emma was able to bring things and people into Harriet's life that Harriet on her own would have never experienced or met.  But was she truly a good friend....Hummmmm....I don't know.  I'm leaning towards NO.  Emma put on certain aires, and had a certain level of arrogance that made it seem as if she thought she was better then Harriet in every way.  Emma seemed to believe that it was only because of her that Harriet could have a happy life.  But, in the end Harriet stayed true to herself and you get the feeling that overall she really didn't need Emma after all.   Harriet ended up where she would have been had she never even met Emma.  So although Emma did provide Harriet with a friendship I don't know that the friendship was that healthy of one for Harriet.  But this friendship certainly did demonstrate the class differences and how people of that era didn't mingle outside of their class much and how awkward it was if they did. 

4. Two characters, Mrs. Elton and Frank Churchill, come into Highbury from the outside and threaten the little community with change. Mr. Knightley likes neither of them. How do you feel about them? 

Ummm...Mrs Elton:  She was not a character I liked very much at all.  And I completely side with Mr. Knightley in not liking her.  Frank Churchill:  I don't know, was he supposed to be the "bad guy" of this novel?   To me he just seemed rude, obnoxious, manipulative, not my favorite character, but a definite contrasting character to Mr. Knightly and an interesting dilemma for Emma.  

5. What did you think of the different Love Stories in this novel? 

Once again I felt like the build up didn't quite match the "big moment"  I wanted more details.  We seem to have the usual stories though, Mr Knightley and Emma....the opposites that finally get together in the end.  Mr. Martin and Harriet, the second most interesting romance, but the more boring feel good less romantic one, but yet one based on true love.  Then there is the match of the social class but no real love connection Mr. and Mrs. Elton.  So the love story kind of fits the usual formula of writing for Jane Austen.  But I did enjoy these various stories, there was always a lot going on and the misinterpretations within the relationships and the setting up of the relationships through her writing, were at times really funny to read. 

 

6. The theme of Emma seems to be misinterpretations. Emma is filled with characters misunderstanding each other. To what extent do we as the reader share in the misunderstandings? And how does it guide our interpretation of the characters? 

I believe that we as the reader share in the misinterpretations because of how it is written.  We as the reader are clued in so often as to what is going on before our main character Emma figures out what's going on.  For example, we are (from Emma's point of view) lead to believe she is some sort of love guru, a self proclaimed matchmaker whom in her mind never fails....but from the narrators point of view Emma is really clueless in love matters.....for example her determination that Harriet be matched to Mr. Elton yet having no real clue as to where Harriet's heart really was or Mr. Elton's for that matter.  There is also the example of Emma's own personal love situations...Emma and Frank, Emma and Mr. Knightley, Emma and Mr Elton (oh my gosh, I laughed so hard when Mr. Elton proposed to her and her response was so funny she seemed so irritated so clueless!!!! ha ha ha I still giggle).   The mixing of the social classes seemed to play a major role in the misinterpretations of this novel too.  Which again I found funny.   (did that make sense???)   

7. How does Humor play a role in this novel? 

I think this is Jane Austen's most Humorous, most Comical novel yet.  I laughed so hard in some places, like out loud laughing.   And I don't do that very often when reading a book.  So I think Humor played a HUGE role in this novel and it gave us a different look at the creative genius that is Jane Austen.  The cluelessness of the character Emma was brilliant humor.   

8. What is the role of class in this novel? How does it change throughout the novel? And is the class system in this novel rigid or flexible?

To me, in the end, it seems like it is a pretty rigid class system.  But throughout the story there are moments of flexible class mingling.   There is the feeling that the classes mingle, going in and out of each others lives throughout, but in the end everyone is just comfortable with their own class and sticks with their own class.  It was the mingling of the classes which made for some very funny scenarios in this story. But as usual Jane did point out to us that there is definitely a rigid class system.  I think the most upsetting scenario for me in relation to the class system of this book was in the end when we were left to feel as though Harriet and Emma would no longer be friends because of Harriet's final decision to marry within her class, which was a lower class then Emma was in.   I just feel sad that based solely on class these two felt as if they could no loner mingle or be friends.   It seemed very snobby to me.   But based on all the Austen novels we have read so far, class always plays a very big important role in her stories, so it much have been a very important thing in her time period.   

9. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not? 

I guess I did.  I thought this time Jane Austen tied up the loose ends a little better then in previous novels.  And it seemed like in the end everyone ended up with the one they were supposed to be with.  But as I stated in the question above, I was a little bothered by the way things ended up for Harriet and Emma.   I had hoped that maybe Emma would have grown as a person more by the end and realized that her friendship with Harriet was something special and that she would feel like she could continue it even with their class and marital differences.  I just found that part sad.  

10. How does Emma Compare to the other Jane Austen novels we've read?

Emma is the funniest one so far.   I felt Emma touched me in a different way then the other Austen novels have so far.  I felt like Emma did some things that were awkward and embarrassing and I think we all feel those times in life, so she was a relatable character.   I liked how the main love story between Emma and Mr. Knightley build up slowly throughout this novel.  I like the way they ended up with each other.  I felt like this love story was comparable to my all time favorite Pride and Prejudice (but not quite as wonderful, not quite as romantic, just comparable, P&P is still my favorite). 

11. Were you able to personally relate to any of these characters? If so who and how? 

Hmmm....I would say I was most able to relate to Harriet I guess.  She was quieter and just trying hard to please others.  But in the end she stuck to what was really in her heart. 

12. Did you enjoy Emma? Would you recommend this novel to a friend? 

Yes, and Yes.....Jane Austen's novels seem to be so full of honest straightforward understanding of human nature.  I love that about Jane's writing I think that is why 200 years later these stories are still so popular for readers and I am thoroughly enjoying reading all her novels.  

Brenda’s closing thoughts…

Yay!!!….we have finished another Jane Austen Novel.  What a real sense of accomplishment this one was, just based on it’s size.  I’m looking forward to completing the final two.  I love being in the book club.  I am so happy we started this club. Thank You again Rachel for all your hard work in keeping us focused, posting our schedules, and posting the discussion questions....You are wonderful!!!!!  I’m sorry it took me so long this time to get to the questions, but I do enjoy the feeling of completion once I have answered them, and now I can't wait to see how you all answered these tough questions.  It’s fun to see our similarities and differences in how we interpreted the different novels.  I’m off to read what everyone else has posted now that I’m posted.  And I am looking forward to Northanger Abbey.    Till we meet here again……Happy Reading Ladies!!!!!!!!

 

Rachel's Response to Emma

1. Jane Austen called Emma "A heroin whom nobody but myself will like much" Did you find Emma a likable character or not? 

Emma isn’t your typical heroin; she is vain, selfish and thinks she is above everyone else. However, I LOVE Emma! I found myself laughing out loud at some of the things she said and some of the situations she got herself into. She was definitely an enjoyable character to read. I always found myself rooting for her even when she was being clueless or snobby. I think Austen had it wrong when she said that, I think Emma is a very likable character in a weird train wreck can’t stop reading about her kind of way. J

2. What were your impressions of Mr. Knightley? 

I always viewed Mr. Knightley as Emma’s guiding light. He never played into her “cleverness” or vanity. He wasn’t afraid to tell her the truth and open up her eyes. Gals (and maybe some guy readers… hey guys!) I have a confession; Mr. Knightly gave Mr. Darcy a run for his money with being my literary boyfriend. Mr. Knightley was so sweet and kindhearted. He thought of others, and was so protective and sympathetic, especially over women. For example, he asked Harriet to dance when he saw she was ashamed and embarrassed when Mr. Elton snubbed her at the dance, he stood up for Miss Bates when Emma mortified/embarrassed her in front of all their friends, and he even stood up for Jane Fairfax when everyone was putting her down due to her social standings and said she deserves their compassion. How can you not love Mr. Knightley?! He is such a caring gentleman and a lovely man. He is just who Emma needs, someone to love her unconditionally and be the person to steer her in the right direction. Even though Mr. Knightley did come somewhat close, Mr. Darcy will forever be my literary boyfriend…*Swoon*…let’s read Pride and Prejudice again... yes?

3. Do you believe Emma is a truly good friend to Harriet? and Do you think Harriet benefits from her friendship with Emma? 


To simply answer this question, no, I do not believe Emma was a truly good friend to Harriet. I also don’t think Harriet benefited one bit from her friendship with Emma. Throughout the novel their friendship seemed to have gone around in a big circle. Emma took Harriet on as a protégé trying to marry her up and improve her social standing taking her away from someone who was well suited for her and who she liked as well. Emma was not taking Harriet’s feeling into consideration, in the end we all know that Harriet ends up with Mr. Martin and Emma is left thinking their friendship will be different with Harriet being in a lower class than her. So see full circle, at the end they end up in the same spot they started. Harriet never seemed to benefit from Emma’s friendship, she did get a glimpse into Emma’s world, but Emma’s world was never that friendly to her. I do think Emma’s intensions where in the right place but they were poorly followed through.  

4. Two characters, Mrs. Elton and Frank Churchill, come into Highbury from the outside and threaten the little community with change. Mr. Knightley likes neither of them. How do you feel about them? 

Frank Churchill: I never saw him as a bad or particularly good character. He was a bit sneaky and misguided Emma and us as the reader into thinking he had feelings for her. But it seemed like him and Emma were better off as friends, they would not have made a good match.
Mrs. Elton: She came in balls to the wall (pardon my vulgar expression haha) you could tell she was use to a certain life style and likes all attention on her. She wasn’t the most likable character. I don’t blame Mr. Knightley for not taking to her.    

5. What did you think of the different Love Stories in this novel? 

O man, there were so many misguided relationships throughout this novel (Emma’s and Mr. Elton; Harriet and Mr. Elton; Harriett and Mr. Knightley; Mr. Martin and Harriet; Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax; Emma and Frank). However, there were relationships that came out of all the misguided ones. These relationships were unique in their own way. Emma and Mr. Knightley were opposites that work and mesh well together. Mr. Martin and Harriet are a perfect fit that just took awhile to find and come together. Mr. Elton and Mrs. Elton are in a loveless marriage (I’m assuming) and just married for money and social standings (there is always one of these matches in Austen novels). Frank and Jane have a relationship that started off in secret but they seem to care about each other and are a good match. I noticed that compared to other Austen novels, you see more well matched up couples and more matches that revolve around love verse moving up in social standings or marrying for money, etc.  It was refreshing to read.

6. The theme of Emma seems to be misinterpretations. Emma is filled with characters misunderstanding each other. To what extent do we as the reader share in the misunderstandings? And how does it guide our interpretation of the characters? 

Misunderstandings are definitely the theme throughout Emma. Austen cleverly wrote some of the misunderstandings which also brought us, the reader, into it them too. The twists Austen wrote throughout the novel made it for an interesting and at times laugh out loud read. Some of the misunderstandings we read about are Frank and Emma seem to be starting a romance but then we find out Frank and Jane are secretly engaged, Mr. Knightley is misguided into disliking Frank because he is in love with Emma and he believes Frank and Emma are in love, and also Emma believes Mr. Elton is falling for Harriet but really he is in love with her and even proposes! O man I must confess I laughed so hard at Emma’s reaction to Mr. Elton’s proposal... haha good stuff Jane Austen… Good stuff.  I think the misunderstandings made this novel very relatable to our everyday lives. We are always confronted with misunderstanding about events or someone’s intensions so it is easy to picture some of the things we read about happening in our lives. Most of the misinterpretations came from characters not fully being able to express how they truly feel due to various situations mostly revolving around approval from their fellow peers/social circle, which is how most misunderstandings come about.

7. How does Humor play a role in this novel? 

O man this book was awesome and by far the funniest Austen novel we have read so far. I think the misunderstanding throughout the novel created for the most humor. The comedy comes from the error in judgment made by the characters, and boy was there a lot of that. One example, of them many throughout the novel, was Emma’s attempts at match making. That created for some awkward and fun situations throughout the novel. But this baby is packed with comedic material. …. seriously readers of this blog if you haven’t read Emma yet go out right now buy it and start reading, you can thank me later.   

8. What is the role of class in this novel? How does it change throughout the novel? And is the class system in this novel rigid or flexible?


The class system seemed to be both rigid and flexible depending on the circumstance. It seemed flexible when Emma was trying to move Harriet up in her social standing and people seemed to be somewhat accepting of her when she would accompany Emma. Then at the end of the novel it seemed very rigid when Emma was reflecting on her and Harriet’s friendship and how they couldn’t be as close due to her being married to Mr. Martin which was a lower social standing than her. When I read this I didn’t understand why Emma would think that, I don’t see how her marrying Mr. Martin would change anything between them. Class and moving up in social standings always seems to play a role in Austen novels. That why it’s fun to read all of an authors work at once because you pick up on themes and characteristics that they use throughout all their novels. I know my mom and I have talked about this, but it’s fun because you get a peek into the authors mind and what must have been important or big events during the time period the author lived in. 

9. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not? 

Yes and no. Yes, because I am happy everyone who ended up together seemed to have been meant for each other. Austen did a good job of wrapping up the end of the novel nicely compared to other novels she wrote.
No, because it seemed like Emma was settling by having only option of marrying Mr. Knightley is to come and live with her father and take care of him. Which is fine, but after a buildup romance between them I think I was just hoping for a more romantic ending for those two. It was also disappointing to see Harriet and Emma’s friendship end, or get downgraded, the way it did at the end. I guess Emma still has some more growing up to do.

10. How does Emma Compare to the other Jane Austen novels we've read? 


I think out of all the Austen novels we have read, this one by far made me laugh out loud the most and cringe, but in a good way! When Emma would do something embarrassing I found myself not wanting to put the book down, just like I felt with Pride and Prejudice. I felt like Austen told a more complete story with Emma compared to other novels that felt rushed or incomplete in the end. For example, you read about Mr. Knightley and Emma’s relationship grow throughout the novel verse Sense and Sensibility when all of a sudden Marianne and Colonel Brandon are getting married and they never felt romantic feelings for one another at the end of the novel. Another thing that makes Emma different than her other novels is with this novel I felt like we weren’t reading about the same story, like I felt with all the others. This was about a girl who was already of the higher class and who wasn’t looking for love but ends up finding it along the way. It was refreshing and fun to read an Austen novel that was so funny and different than the others. I would say Emma is definitely one of her better novels.

11. Were you able to personally relate to any of these characters? If so who and how? 

I guess out of all the characters I was able to relate to Harriet the most. Harriet is basically a sweet and caring girl trying to find her place in this big world. She is trying new things and just seeing where and how she fits in. I can relate to that at this point in my life. However, I would like to think I am not as gullible as Harriet is. J  Still no characters in this novel can even come close to my bond with Elizabeth Bennet...hahah.. Have you noticed most of my answers seem to come back to Pride and Prejudice in some way.

12. Did you enjoy Emma? Would you recommend this novel to a friend? 

I really enjoyed Emma; Austen redeemed herself after reading Mansfield Park. Emma is my second favorite Jane Austen novel so far (first is Pride and Prejudice …duh!!).  I would without a doubt recommend Emma to a friend who is looking for a fun romantic comedy read.


I am so glad we read Emma; it was such a fun and different book to read! I know I’ve said it before, but it’s still true, I Love this book club!! After reading the novel, my mom and I watched the movie Emma, the version with Gwyneth Paltrow, I must say it was pretty good and close to the novel except a few parts towards the end. The movie had the most breathtaking scenery and costumes, it was so beautiful.
I started reading our next book club novel Northanger Abbey and so far I’m enjoying it, but I’ll save the rest until next posting session.  I can’t wait to read about what everyone thought of Emma.
Till then, Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Emma Discussion Questions

Hello Everyone!


The Emma discussion questions are finally here!!! Yay! Answer the questions below at your own pace, but keep in mind the Northanger Abbey book reading schedule (Sept. 4th - Oct. 8th)


1. Jane Austen called Emma "A heroin whom nobody but myself will like much" Did you find Emma a likable character or not? 

2. What were your impressions of Mr. Knightley? 


3. Do you believe Emma is a truly good friend to Harriet? and Do you think Harriet benefits from her friendship with Emma?

4. Two characters, Mrs. Elton and Frank Churchill, come into Highbury from the outside and threaten the little community with change. Mr. Knightley likes neither of them. How do you feel about them? 


5. What did you think of the different Love Stories in this novel? 


6. The theme of Emma seems to be misinterpretations. Emma is filled with characters misunderstanding each other. To what extent do we as the reader share in the misunderstandings? And how does it guide our interpretation of the characters? 


7. How does Humor play a role in this novel? 


8. What is the role of class in this novel? How does it change throughout the novel? And is the class system in this novel rigid or flexible?

9. Did you like the ending of this story? Why or why not? 


10. How does Emma Compare to the other Jane Austen novels we've read?

11. Were you able to personally relate to any of these characters? If so who and how? 


12. Did you enjoy Emma? Would you recommend this novel to a friend? 


I can't wait to read everyone's responses! Until next time Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Book Club Schedule Update

Hello Ladies!

As you may have noticed both of our Emma deadlines have come and gone. This little thing called life has just gotten in the way, which tends to happen from time to time. I know that we can still stick to our new years resolution of completing all of Jane Austen's novels by the end of the year. We aren't going to give up that easily! No Sir!! So we came up with this updated schedule, which also takes the end of the year holidays into consideration.

So lets all break out our calenders and make sure to updated our book club schedule: 

Emma   August 1st - September 3

Northanger Abbey     September 4 - October 8 

Persuasion    October 9 - November 12 

Even though we got off track a bit, I know we can get through these final three novels and stick to the schedule. So ready, set, GO!! Lets get reading!!! 

Make sure to check back here around the first of September for questions on Emma.

Until then,

Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I am LOVING Emma so far!! How about you gals??