Once upon a time, a long time ago (okay, only seven or so years), we the oldest four children of the Landon house in America would wake up before the sun, jump out of bed, plug in the Christmas tree, dance around it yelling in delight, and run to the bedroom to wake up our parents. They would, of course, promptly send us back to bed until seven, where we would wait in eager anticipation for the one and a half hour left.
Like I said, that was seven or so years ago-before I learned to love sleep and a warm bed with a cat.
This year, it was the four oldest of us who were stubbornly refusing to get out of bed until it was light out-despite the next five in line all bouncing about and knocking on doors, begging us to get up. In fact, the only thing that reconciled us to getting up was the news that daddy, too, was up.That and the knowledge that once upon a time, we too had plagued people who would much rather have stayed in bed.
I think that one of the best parts of Christmas this year was watching the face of the 11 month old as he tried to figure out WHAT on earth to do with the wrapping paper. For someone who likes wreaking havoc, he sure was puzzled with his presents!
A Merry Christmas to all! (There are twelve days of Christmas, you know!) And a very Happy New Year!
And a very merry un-birthday!
And whatever else I forgot to add!
Rapunzel
Monday, December 31, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Pride and Prejudice
Last Sunday night we watched the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice.
I still remain convinced: the 1995 version is the best on film. And the 1813 novel is the best anywhere.
The book Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular romance novels ever published-it is still in print 200 years after it was first published. It is also a witty and hilarious commentary on human nature. I absolutely love the difference in the English they spoke then and the English we speak now; even their insults are very sophisticated and polite!
The Bennets are a family of five girls, whose estate is to be inherited by a distant cousin when their father dies. None of them has any money of their own, so they have to marry rich men who don't mind the fact that their wives are penniless. Which is easier said than done. (This was in the days when it was scandalous for respectable young women to go out and earn their own living. And no rich man wanted to marry a woman with no means of increasing their personal fortune. Moral of the story, rich women attract men-just kidding! That's not the moral.)
No, I am not going to tell you what happens. Go wade through the 19th century English of the novel if you want to know. OR, if you are a spoilsport, go watch the 1995 BBC version, which is by far the best. True, I have only watched three of the videos out there-but the 1940's black and white version deviated greatly from the book. And while the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley is watchable, it is rushed and not very accurate to the period and changes some of my favorite scenes-not to mention the couple shots of nude statues and people in paintings. And Matthew Macfadyen just isn't a very attractive Darcy. Colin Firth is much better. And Jennifer Ehle is a much sweeter Elizabeth than Keira Knightley.
I like Jane Austen's writings. Can you tell?
I still remain convinced: the 1995 version is the best on film. And the 1813 novel is the best anywhere.
The book Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular romance novels ever published-it is still in print 200 years after it was first published. It is also a witty and hilarious commentary on human nature. I absolutely love the difference in the English they spoke then and the English we speak now; even their insults are very sophisticated and polite!
The Bennets are a family of five girls, whose estate is to be inherited by a distant cousin when their father dies. None of them has any money of their own, so they have to marry rich men who don't mind the fact that their wives are penniless. Which is easier said than done. (This was in the days when it was scandalous for respectable young women to go out and earn their own living. And no rich man wanted to marry a woman with no means of increasing their personal fortune. Moral of the story, rich women attract men-just kidding! That's not the moral.)
No, I am not going to tell you what happens. Go wade through the 19th century English of the novel if you want to know. OR, if you are a spoilsport, go watch the 1995 BBC version, which is by far the best. True, I have only watched three of the videos out there-but the 1940's black and white version deviated greatly from the book. And while the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley is watchable, it is rushed and not very accurate to the period and changes some of my favorite scenes-not to mention the couple shots of nude statues and people in paintings. And Matthew Macfadyen just isn't a very attractive Darcy. Colin Firth is much better. And Jennifer Ehle is a much sweeter Elizabeth than Keira Knightley.
I like Jane Austen's writings. Can you tell?
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