Book Review: Jane Austen's Emma

So I just finished reading Emma by Jane Austen for the first time. I mentioned so to Casey and she suggested I review it on the blog. Really, lest we forget, this blog was intended for literary purposes, so it makes perfect sense! I submit this post as a plee and an example to be followed: when we read a book, whether it be for the book club or for our own enjoyment, we should post a review on it! (on a side note: Allison - this can help us start to formulate a collective book database with which we can ultimately create the most comprehensive and accurate book suggestion quiz on the internet! Our dreams are such lowly ones :).) Except maybe I make this addendum - when we finish a book for the book club maybe we shouldn't go so much into it so we don't spoil anything if others haven't read it yet.



So without further ado, my humble thoughts on Emma.


So first of all, I would like to say that in looking for images that pertain to Emma, I found it extremely annoying to have to wade through so many pictures of Emma Watson. Second of all, looking through my little book of books that I have read from 2007 until now, I found it shocking that until 2007, the only Jane Austen book I had read was Pride and Prejudice. Even though I had read P&P like 10 times, it was still totally unexcusable for someone who claimed to love Jane Austen so much. But I am pleased to say that since the beginning of 2007 I have added Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, and now Emma to my Jane Austen list. I think that Emma would probably rank third, or maybe tied second - first being P&P and second being Northanger Abbey.

Jane Austen is always amazing at creating realistic, sympathetic, and often hilarious characters, but Emma I think had a real abundance of them. Emma was just so relatable in all of her faults, Mr. Knightly just so sexy in his older and wiser "I will teach you" kind of way, Mrs. Weston so lovable, the Eltons so abominable. It was all just amazing. Every character seemed so real, and every character ellicited exactly the kind of response that I think Jane Austen intended. That is good character writing I think. Also I loved how every character had their faults, but they could always be forgiven, especially in the cases of Emma and Frank Churchill. (Not the Eltons, they're just unforgivable, but in that way where you think of all the good bonding that Emma and Mr. Knightly will share for many years to come in the ranting that will undoubtedly be directed at them.)

Jane Austen is just so genius at creating a world that you are transported to. You are invited to become her heroine and as I always accept unquestioningly, the emotions you feel are as potent and true as if you actually were the heroine. Like seriously, I could not for the life of me get over how disgusting Mrs. Elton was. Yuck. What made this book so great was that I would totally like to live in Emma's world.

I also really related to Emma. I think the fact that she was able to recognize her wrongs in the end and felt so much shame from them is just something that we all can connect with. Haven't we all felt that emotion before that's like - God I suck as a person right now. But Emma was so good at learning from her mistakes which was very heartening. Also I just loved that Emma had no intentions of getting married ever - so modern of her, even for now (which is the sad thing). Just think, still today people feel like they HAVE to get married, and often by a young age. As Mr. Knightly noted (very wisely I think) "So early in life - at three and twenty - a period when, if a man chooses a wife, he generally chooses ill." Mr. Knightly says 23 is way too young to get married and I trust Mr. Knightly - so I take this for validation in thinking it's good to wait awhile to "settle down". :) Seriously though, I just think it's amazing and cannot get over the fact that this book was written in 1816, but it still is so relatable and holds many valuable lessons for readers today - almost 200 years later.

Also, I feel like Jane Austen snuck in a lot of early feminism into this one. I don't have particular examples at the moment - but they are totally there. I also think it's interesting that 200 years later we are still dealing with a lot of the disparities between treatment of men and women that Emma noted (I am thinking particularly of her thoughts on Jane Fairfax when she thinks she is going to go be a governess and her easy forgiveness of Jane when she learned of the secret engagement noting that she could not blame her being a woman of lower fortune wanting to secure a more stable position in life - there, I DID have a specific example - look at that). I wonder what Jane Austen would think of our world now. I think there is just as much fodder for criticism now as there was in her day. But then I there always have been and always will be ridiculous things to laugh at, so I guess that's not saying much.

So I feel like that as a whole that review was very convoluted and may not have made much sense. But I am a poor editor and do not feel the desire to go look through it to make it coherent. So make of that what you will. A+ Miss A. Really, job well done with this one. Seriously though, I do rate this book a good solid A+. But then it's Jane Austen, what do you expect?
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A-Z: The Tunes Most Dear to Our Hearts

Here is another musical challenge. Make a list of your favorite song for each letter of the alphabet. This is MUCH harder than it sounds. You MUST choose one and only one song for every letter (you can cheat a little however; i.e.: if you have no X songs you can use one that is eXtreme something or other or be creative). If you have any song that actually starts with the letter though, you must use that instead of being creative. Sorry. Also, include one song that starts with a number, i.e.: One Fine Day, or 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. Good luck, especially with the W's, S's, A's, and I's.

Oh! And we might request that there be a CD made of your list, in case we want some of the songs from it so make sure you actually possess the song you pick. Good luck again. Happy tuning!

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Is it too early for a debate? The October Books

As you may know we have an undecided category of books, that is, October's books into movies theme. Well I think it is time to consider our options and I would like to be the first to nominate a possible candidate. How about... "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh? Yes, Dears, this book is by one of my favorite authors and one I have yet to read if you can imagine it and (to top all) the movie is scheduled to release September 18! Well, allowing for delays, and assuming that this might be the ultimate birthday present to myself... I think the timing is only too wonderful. So here is my nominee. Are there any objections?

Movie Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Xql3fDM44

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It's Going to Be a Thing: Japan Edition

So I realize that I've already done my proscribed "It's Going to Be a Thing" post for the month of June, but I feel like I need to do a post in honor of Japan.

So I've seen a lot of crazy clothes in Japan. Like a lot. Some of the clothes are cool - mainly the dude's clothes. And some of the clothes are lame - mainly the women's clothes. I'm not into the wearing high heels with EVERYTHING (especially when it seems like there are only about 10 Japanese women total who actually know how to walk in said heels), or the short shorts and knee-highs - it's just a little too slutty for me. But there IS one trend in Japanese trendy women's wear that I can forsee becoming a thing in America. And here's what it is....

Women wearing men's jeans. Now it's been done before, I know - I lived through the 90's too. But I think it's ready for a come back. We've had the tight jeans. We're having the wide-legged men's-trousers inspired. We may be going into flares right now (which I DO NOT support for the record). We've even seen men in womens jeans. But I think that we're going to be seeing some for realz mens jeans on some ladies at some point in the near future.



Maybe a-something like above par example. Maybe in a darker wash would be nice, but whatev. You get the idea. I swear, it's totally going to be a thing. Read More......

Something to Talk About: The High Society Pooch

I think we all know that there is nothing so fine as a loyal pedigreed (or not) pooch by your side. Yes, our canine friends have been there for centuries (fact check pending) to show off to our friends. And this love of the breeds has led to a somewhat strange but also strangely alluring trend of dog shows. Admit it, when you see that poodle with a haircut that cost more than a years worth of haircuts for a regular human, you can't help but laugh as it prances around a circle leading or being lead by its human. So maybe it's not celebrating the finer points to this strange tradition but I've got pups on the brain and there's nothing finer than a good laugh at no ones expense.

I think he was going for the King George look. What do you think? Or maybe he just thought blondes have more fun. I also love that he's sitting on a velvet pin-tucked couch.

Here's one pageant goer thats not afraid to lay down the law. Say, what kind of ghetto dog show was this from anyway?
Okay, so this wasn't from a dog show at all but don't you think he would have won best costume if he were at a show? The Kinnel Club really missed the boat on this cutie.

You really can't buy irreverence like this.

Hope you enjoyed the healthy and fine shenanigans. Have a good month everybody!

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It's Going to Be a Thing

Well it's been a while since I've posted an It's Going to Be a Thing post, but Japan and resort wear 2009 has inspired me!

So here's what I'm thinking. I'm going to tell you all what's been inspiring to me recently and especially in the case of the Resort wear 2009 lines, you all should go check it out at style.com and tell me what you think! On to what I'm feelin at the moment:

So I'm so tired of over-trussed, over-layered, frilly clothes (Erin Fetherston - I am talking to you). I'm feeling a swing towards minimalist clothing (calvin klein and helmut lang hello?) and keeping it simple. For me, cutting an elegant, interesting silhouette is the focus at the moment. At the same time, I am TOTALLY into the colors peach and salmon right now thanks to how much salmon I am eatin in Japan right now lol. Now I can wear neither of these colors because they look like shit on me, but if I could I would. But with this in mind, I just looked at Isaac Mizrahi's collection for Resort 2009 and it seems like he can kind of read my mind. Most of his stuff was a little too mature for me, but there were a few things that I really loved. Look here - two pieces from his latest collection that were really on it for me:





I just like the idea of pairing together sophisticated, simple styles, and making it playful with a fun color. Of course, I really appreciate a good monochrome grey or black or white outfit right now also.

Also, I have to give props to Anne Sui for having a shibori dress in her Resort 2009 line.

This is totally my favorite shibori effect - simple pleating. I would like to say that I think shibori, particularly indigo dyed shibori, will be making a huge comback too. It's a really beautiful Japanese art which I feel very lucky to have learned it from a master during my stay here in Japan. It's going to be a thing!

So what are y'alls favorite Resort 2009 lines? Read More......