Jane Austen in Hollywood

by Linda Troost (Editor), Sayre Greenfield (Editor)

In 1995 and 1996 six film or television adaptations of Jane Austen's novels were produced―an unprecedented number. More amazing, all were critical and/or box office successes. What accounts for this explosion of interest? Much of the appeal of these films lies in our nostalgic desire at the end of the millennium for an age of greater politeness and sexual reticence. Austen's ridicule of deceit and pretentiousness also appeals to our fin de siècle sensibilities. The novels were changed, however, to enhance their appeal to a wide popular audience, and the revisions reveal much about our own culture and its values. These recent productions espouse explicitly twentieth-century feminist notions and reshape the Austenian hero to make him conform to modern expectations. Linda Troost and Sayre Greenfield present fourteen essays examining the phenomenon of Jane Austen as cultural icon, providing thoughtful and sympathetic insights on the films through a variety of critical approaches. The contributors debate whether these productions enhance or undercut the subtle feminism that Austen promoted in her novels. From Persuasion to Pride and Prejudice , from the three Emmas (including Clueless ) to Sense and Sensibility , these films succeed because they flatter our intelligence and education. And they have as much to tell us about ourselves as they do about the world of Jane Austen. This second edition includes a new chapter on the recent film version of Mansfield Park .

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Essays, Film

248 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2000

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this is written from an academic viewpoint for a university press, it still engages my interest every few years. The crop of mid-nineties Austen films are taken on by various literary critics, and much trash-talking ensues. (That trash-talking, of course, is in the dialect of I Am Writing An Important Literary Piece From The Halls Of My Superior Feminist Theory Palace.) It's a great companion piece if you want to dive into all her books at a gulp -- which is a wonderful approach whether you refer to this study or not. Just be prepared for the onslaught in many chapters of terminal academic buzzwords.

[Devoney Looser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I contributed a chapter to this book, so this isn’t a disinterested review, but I’m really pleased to have been a part of a great collection! Editors Linda Troost and Sayre Greenfield have given us a terrific book on a popular and fascinating subject.

[Junemarie Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but very dry and academic. I wish the editors (Drs. greenfield and Troost) had written the book, I've enjoyed their delightful presentations at Austen events.

[Kat_Stratford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for its time I’m sure. By the time I read it there was already a boom in more adaptations since the P&P 2005 film. I just need this book to be updated with a new edition about all the many recent adaptations of Austen.

[Katherine Lavelle]

Even though this book was published in 2000, which means that it doesn't include the slew of PBS/BBC adaptions from 2007, or the 2005 feature film of Pride and Prejudice, this book is an enjoyable read about the Austen adaptations. The collection of essays explore a number of issues related to these adaptions, such as the female gaze, and the implications of the accuracy of the adaptations. The book is about 200 pages and the essays are relatively short.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very basic examination of Austen films -- It needs a major update to include films like the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. I know, it's hardly their fault that the book was written in 2001, but it still needs a new edition.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what the title suggests. A fairly scholarly discussion of the spate of Austen adaptations in the mid 90s. But pretty funny. I enjoyed the way the different essayists all picked up on the same parts of the adaptions.

[Mirte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my Bachelor's Thesis, and I must say: it was fun! All sorts of adaptations are discussed, and many different aspects come forward in the many essays that are included in this volume. A pity is that the book stems from the 1990s, making it somewhat outdated by now.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

regency england still resonates for a reason ...

[Ayne Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful and entertaining examination of Austen's explosion in popular culture through the slew of movies that appeared in the mid 1990s.

[Loretta Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really helped me explain Jane Austen to my husband. Now he watches the movies with me quite contentedly.

[Countess of Frogmere · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the back cover: