Lost in Austen

[naomi24]

Did any ardent fans of Pride & Prejudice watch this - and if so, what did you think? P&P is one of the all-time classics - wonderful stuff - and I'm always dubious when something like this is given an alternative slant, but this was cleverly constructed and highly watchable - and I found the conclusion very satisfying indeed!

[icemaiden]

I loved it! and I havent even read P & P.

But it was one of few programmes on at the moment that I have watched and enjoyed every minute.

Really liked the quote on the bus with Darcy about Tourettes! Very funny.

[quizzywig]

I totally agree! I loved the book, the bbc series and the film. I think this was such a series. I loved the idea and the whole thing was such fun! And the ending - how fabulous was that? I really envy Amanda, Darcy was gorgeous!!!

[spudqueen]

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite books. I haven't watched Lost in Austen. Partly because there's only so many programmes you can watch - I can't keep up with them all if I watch too many! And partly because I've read The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde - and it sounded to me as though the writer of Lost in Austen may have read The Eyre Affair and got a little idea from that!

[dundurn]

I too found the similarities bertween "The Eyre Affair" and "Lost in Austen" a bit too much to pass off purely as coincidence. (Rather like watching "Shakespeare in Love" and thinking all the time of "No Bed for Bacon".) It was well done, though.

[naomi24]

I haven't read The Eyre Affair, but I have read a couple of sequels to P&P, which were a great disappointment. As I said, I am always dubious of follow-ups to things like this. Some writers just jump on popular bandwagons, only to come tumbling off again because they fall so very short of the required mark - but this, I thought, was excellent. And quizzywig - I agree - the ending was fabulous!!

[monkeyeyes]

I have to be careful because Mrs M taped last nights finale and I haven't watched it yet.............

I think it has been a marvellous romp through P&P. I found that the 'real' P&P characters inhabit an entirely plausible Austen-world and their actions outside the 'real' narrative are completely in-keeping with that world. Each of the actors/actresses could be teleported out of this series and arrive in any adaptation of P&P and fit smoothly.........

I have read Jasper FFordes books and the similarities are there but 'Lost in Austen' is less complicated fare.
I am looking forwards to supper-time tonight !!

But please.................NO SPOILERS !! :o)

[SKA]

I loved it, it was funny and cool. Honestly you never knew what was coming next!!!

[naomi24]

SKA, couldn't agree more. Superb!!

Monkeyeyes, please let me know what you think when you've watched it.

[monkeyeyes]

Well!!
Mrs M's eyes were shining with tears of delight at the conclusion of this very enjoyable mini-series.

I think it all ended exactly as it ought. I can't remember the last time both of us watched a programme which we so enjoyed on exactly the same level footing.

I studied P&P at school and whilst I appreciated the fiestiness and independent thought of Elizabeth Bennett, even at the end of the book I couldn't quite believe in Darcy's 'redemption'; he'd been too much of an insufferable prig for me to grow to admire him at the end. Or perhaps that was youth being unable to grasp the intricacies of the social mores of the era and the fact that I thought I ought to be given a stab at making Lizzie happy ? :o)

The many TV/film adaptations I have watched (some more unwillingly than other I'll admit) have done little to disabuse me of either notion...........

I firmly believe that Mrs M will be first in the queue at HMV when this series comes to DVD.

And I firmly believe that I will also enjoy watching it all again.

[naomi24]

Thanks for getting back to me, monkeyeyes. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it as much as I did. I have to say, I went to bed with a smile on my face, and a warm and very satisfactory glow in my heart. Just lovely!

Thanks for your answers everyone.