Jane Austen discussion

Opinion of Wickham.... ?

At first, like Elizabeth does, I thought he was a nice gentleman who was witty, kind, but rather self-pitying. After hearing Darcy's story, I thought he was a proud, arrogant, witty, idiot that I still couldn't help but like a tiny bit. But when he ran away with Lydia I hated him completely.

Ohh he is wicked. His middle name is wicked. He is only after fortune. I suspect that Wickham wants or seeks to destroy anyone that Darcy is associated with.

Agree with both you!

I was taken in by him, but thought it strange how much he told Lizzy on so short an acquaintance, but then the business with Miss King got me more suspicious... And then Darcy's story , and then Lydia! Dislike dislike dislike! Now everything I read or watch it, I don't even like him at all at the beginning!

I don't think many people could like him by the end of the book... It is quite satisfying that he gets stuck with a silly wife he doesn't love, without the fortune he desires (apart from the money Darcy bribed him with but that doesn't last long!). He got what he deserved, really, so bravo Jane!

that is true! no one should like him by the end!
Austen always gives her characters what they deserve!

I, for one, was mostly drawn in at the beginning, stupidly ignoring my own niggling suspicions at times like when he did not turn up at the ball after professing an unwillingness to run away from Darcy's presence. Of course I hated him by the end, for his lying, fortune-seeking, elopement, inability to take responsibility for anything, and attempts to destroy Darcy when it was Wickham himself who was in the wrong.

Sounds like me...

:) We seem to have the same or similar opinions to some extent on quite a few things! I'm glad someone is able to understand. :) So did you also have niggling suspicions that your ignored?

I did. I should have listened to them... Why would you tell your life story to someone you have just met? You wouldn't...

Haha, yeah, I should of listened to mine too. :( Silly me. And apparently he would tell his "life story" - but only the wrong side of his "life story" to a pretty young woman in order to make her think badly of Darcy and gain himself sympathy. *slaps Wickham*

Haha, yeah, I should of listened to mine too. :( Silly me. And apparently he would tell his "life story" - but only the wrong side of his "life story" to a pretty young woman in order to make her think badly of Darcy and gain himself sympathy. *slaps Wickham*.

*slapped by you, turns to me, punched by me*

*slapped by me, turns to you, punched by you, turns back to me, kicked by me* (I don't think he's feeling so good about himself at this point :D)

*slapped punched kicked, turns to look at us both, and together, knock him to floor!* *hi 5!* *walks off, linking arms, with a very smug look on our faces!* ;)

lol, Lydia just called Wicked is bruised all over.

Haha, Soph! *Hi Fives back*

Can we watch at the window when Lydia comes back? It would be hilarious!

Of course we would watch for Lydia's reaction ;)

:D This is fun!

I wasn't taken in by Wickham... But I saw the TV series before I read the book (such a shame when that happens, should've done it the other way around but then I may never be a Jane fan, so...) I was taken in by Willoughby though...

Haha I'm opposite to you, Sarah - I was taken in by Wickham, because I wasn't so fond of Darcy at the time, but in Sense and Sensibility, I was never taken in by Willoughby, because I was very fond of Colonel Brandon. I was only ever angry at Willoughby for being a shallow idiot and taking Marianne away from Brandon. I also think I saw the movie of S&S first, and didn't like Willoughby for the same reasons in the movie (Alan Rickman played Brandon so well, I couldn't help feeling sorry for Brandon!).

I'm like Becca!
I was taken in by Wickham but not Willoughby. I felt Willoughby was too nice and open with Marianne etc. there was something not right !!

Okay, I just finished One Thread Pulled: The Dance with Mr. Darcy and now Wickham is officially horrible.

He was always.
I looked into that one, its like a what if Lizzie hadn't overheard Darcy insulting her isn't it?

Yeah, but it is kind of a whole different story in itself.

Yeah as they get stopped by a highway man etc. did it not ruin the original? That's what I worry about with these books...

That sounds like an interesting book! But I would have the same concerns as you about it Soph. :)

By the way, I'm glad you felt the same way about Willoughby as I did Soph. :) I didn't exactly mind him being so open - but he was so obviously, I don't know, trying hard to be dashing? Certainly prefer Brandon's gentle, sincere and careful affections.

Totally agree!

:) Thanks. I'm watching Pride and Prejudice now - it's still so hard not to be taken in by Wickham! But I'm managing. :D

Haha the film I presume? I want to watch it now...

No, One Thread Pulled doesn't wreck the original story at all in my opinion.

Maybe I will read it then...

I find those 'what if' stories strange (as a writer). If someone took my novel, and tried to write a 'what if', I'd be furious. They are my characters and no one else has the right to tamper with them... Not that I judge those who read them, of course, I just find the writers who write them, a little odd.

That true haha!! You putting it in the context of your novels makes me think I would be annoyed as well!! Haha.

Good points Sarah. I guess I would definitely not like it if anyone took my ideas and wrote a "what if" - it would feel awfully like they were tampering with the story because they were unhappy with the ending or simply for their own amusement. But I do like the idea of things like the Diaries by Amanda Grange (of course I have not read them yet), with writers that attempt to stay very true to the original characters and information given but also provide the reader with a nice and refreshing new perspective.

I've read one of the Amanda Grange books and admit I did enjoy it a lot... But, still... I'm sure Jane wouldn't approve of some of them, especially the zombies! :)

Becca wrote: "Good points Sarah. I guess I would definitely not like it if anyone took my ideas and wrote a "what if" - it would feel awfully like they were tampering with the story because they were unhappy wit..."

I LOVED the diaries! they were great! and i think they are a good idea and don't ruin the story as they don't try to change it.

Sarah Louise wrote: "I've read one of the Amanda Grange books and admit I did enjoy it a lot... But, still... I'm sure Jane wouldn't approve of some of them, especially the zombies! :)"

I love all of the Grange boooks i have read so far - and its a long list! read all her Austen diaries (except Wickham's which is on my shelf waiting), and most of her regency(/edwardian) romances (some on my shelf waiting again) all those have been great! love her style of writing and the stories in each other regency ones are great!

but Jane's thoughts on zombies would be something I would like to hear ;)

Soph wrote: "Becca wrote: "Good points Sarah. I guess I would definitely not like it if anyone took my ideas and wrote a "what if" - it would feel awfully like they were tampering with the story because they we..."

:) I don't have a problem with the diaries at all, from what people have said I can see that they only enhance the story, not change it, and I am very much looking forward to reading them.

Personally, I also would love to see Jane meet whoever turned her book into "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" - hopefully Jane would slap them, and I would laugh. :D

They definitely enhance the story!

And YES! It would be funny!!

Lol, Soph, we could beat up the author just like we beat up Wickham! :D :D :D We should do that to Willoughby too, sometime....

I was about to suggest the very same thing!
Willoughby yes!! Im up for that!

*evil laugh* :D
I'm up for it too! *starts plotting* :D

*joins in the plotting* mwahahaha ;)

*more plotting* What thread would be most appropriate to do said beating? :D

Perhaps a new one ;)!!!

lol, over here, Soph don't beat Willoughby, haha

;)

LOL, Soph, we should totally make a new thread just so girls like us can team up and beat up Austen villains we are annoyed at. :D

Marren, am I too understand you don't want us to beat up Willoughby? Why not? :D

Yes Becca! ;D