Jane Austen discussion

Has anyone else seen Belle yet? In case you don't know, Belle is a story of courtship and marriage in Georgian England with a social conscience. Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay is the illegitimate daughter of a navy captain and a slave woman. After the death of her mother, Belle goes to live with her father's uncle Lord Mansfield, his wife and their legitimate, white niece Elizabeth. The two girls grow up as sisters until they're of marriageable age. This is the story Jane Austen couldn't write about.

The story is powerful and emotional. It's very Hollywood and highly fictionalized but it is really really good. The costumes are exquisite, the sets (filmed in National Trust houses) are beautiful and the acting is fabulous. I highly recommend it!

Georgian/Regency novel fans will be delighted with a glimpse of Vauxhall in its' heydey.

I have heard of it and really, really want to see it. I love Georgian movies and I am so glad to know this one is good. It really sounds like me thing and I can't wait to watch it. Thanks for sharing!

Can't wait to see it! Out June 13th here!

I thought of you both. I know you will love it. It's out in limited release here in the U.S. This is week 2 of a run at a local art house cinema. I can't wait for the DVD. There's a new biography/companion book too by Paula Byrne. I enjoyed her book The Real Jane Austen A Life in Small Things

Dear Qnpoohbear

It is interesting that you say "This is the story that Jane Austen couldn't write about", because she did! It was called "Mansfield Park". The title was taken from Lord Mansfield. Dido Belle occupied a position in the family similar to Fanny Price. Did the author Jane Austen know Dido Belle and Lord Mansfield personally? Almost certainly. Lord Mansfield was a member of a close literary circle that included the poet and dramatist Lady Sophia Burrell, the Governor of India, Warren Hastings, and Hastings' natural daughter, Eliza de Feuillide. Eliza de Feuillide was the cousin of Jane Austen and the true author of the novels of Jane Austen. If you wish to read further details of this, you can find them in my book "Jane Austen - a New Revelation".

Nicholas wrote: "Dear Qnpoohbear..."

Dear Nicolas

Your post is called 'spam', as it does nothing to contribute to the conversation; instead it only advertises your (trying-to-be-provacative) book.

There are other threads for that.

Dear Qnpoohbear

I do not think that you should call any post you disagree with "spam". My comment commented directly on a quotation from you and was to point out that you were incorrect and this was a story Jane Austen could, and indeed did, write about. I merely mentioned by book for those readers who wish to find out more. My book is not trying to be provocative, it is merely informative in distinguishing between the myth of Jane Austen the writer, which people are entitled to uphold if they wish, and the reality, which was that Jane Austen was merely a posthumous non de plume for Eliza de Feuillide. You may consider telling the factual truth "provocative" but this should not be so in a society with free speech.

Dear Nicholas,

First you might want to open those eyes and realize who you're talking to.

Did you neglect your morning jolt of caffeine? :)

Unfortunately I am going to need to wait for DVD. Not released close to me.

Dear Robin

I do not know who I am talking to as Qnpoohbear does not reveal their identity. I only drink decaffeinated coffee.

I did not make the comment about spam but I have certainly read Mansfield Park, seen the movie and the adaptation that aired on PBS and read Paula Byrne's Jane Austen A Life in Small Things where she discusses the Austen-Lord Mansfield connection and the Austens ties to slavery. Belle is a story Jane Austen couldn't write about. The movie is perfectly formulated to appeal to Jane Austen fans. It could be a 7th Jane Austen novel. The movie Belle is nothing at all like Fanny Price in situation or in temperament. I look forward to reading Paula Byrne's new companion book soon.

The movie is playing at the discount theater near my sister's house. I hope to see it again.