JANE AUSTEN

Valerie

Lest your readers think me lightweight:

Last night I watched an excellent new BBC film called
Miss Austen Regrets (available on DVD).

'Drama based on the life and letters of Jane Austen.
Approaching her fortieth birthday, Jane appears happily unmarried until she reflects on previous suitors and life choices!'

During her active writing years Jane lived at Chawton in Hampshire.
I visited the house about 15 years ago and remember everything being just as she left it.

So inspired by last night's film was I, that I have decided to revisit Chawton this year as a birthday treat.

My birthday is on the 23rd of July, which of course will not interest your readers half a much as my visit to Chawton!

I saw that movie too, David. I also enjoyed it. Recently I watched the Jane Austen Book Club and was pleasantly surprised. I believe anyone familiar with Jane Austen's works will enjoy it also. It takes place in the present day and revolves around the love lives of the members of the book club.

How I envy your ability to roam throughout England at will. I would be over there in a second if it wasn't for that damn pond. Enjoy your visit to Chawton.

Speaking about movies of English authors, last night I watched Agatha Christie: A Life in Pictures. It is a BBC drama and is very well done. It revolves mostly around her disappearance for 11 days which was very interesting - I won't give away where she was for those 11 days or why. The movie was unusual in that it jumped back and forth many times between different periods of her life yet it was very easy to follow. I think Agatha Christie must have had a brillant mind. I especially love her short stories.

I'm jealous too, David. It sounds great.

Mary, do you mean Ms. Christie disappeared for 11 days in real life?

Hi Valerie,

Yes, Agatha Christie had amnesia and went missing for 11 days. I guess there was a nationwide search. I won't give you the details in case you want to watch the movie.