Darlene Foster's Blog

“I want to tell you that I have got my own darling child from London.” Jane Austen, in a letter to her sister, Cassandra, January 29, 1813 upon receiving her first published copy of Pride and Prejudice.

January 28th was the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and we are still reading it and watching various film adaptations of the book. Like many of us, Jane had trouble getting her book published, but she persevered. Just think what we would have missed had she given up!

Over at Jane Austen’s Museum Blog the anniversary party at Chawton Cottage is described in detail with many photographs. I especially love the cake provided by Squires of Farnham.  It is recreation of the frontispiece of the Museum’s copy of the first edition of Pride and Prejudice.

Picture from Jane Austen’s Museum Blog

I am sure Jane would be pleased as she always loved a good party!

I recently had tea with a good friend who surprised me with a lovely edition of Emma, my favourite Jane Austen novel.

I  have spent many hours pouring over this special edition which includes lovely drawings and pages on Regency life, geographical settings, Regency fashions, and a Jane Austen timeline.

What a wonderful friend to think of me when she saw this book.

There will be many celebrations this year commemorating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice.  If you haven’t read it or haven’t read it in a while, this may be a good year to read /reread it.

If you read Jane Austen, which is your favourite novel and why?