In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen has solved the problem of the infodump, the realism of the scene with little Walter, how she shows the relations within families, and how events on the walk to Winthrop affect Wentworth’s feelings. The characters we discuss Louisa and Henrietta Musgrove. In the historical section, … Read more Persuasion: Episode 4, Chapters 9-10
This is an in-between ‘extras’ episode. Our episodes are normally not more than an hour in length, which means that we usually have to cut a certain amount of material in the editing. But for Episode 3, we had much more material than usual. So we kept the episode down to an hour, but decided … Read more Persuasion: Episode 3.5, EXTRAS from Chapters 7 and 8
In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen tells us about the feelings of Anne and Captain Wentworth, and how the narrator captures Anne’s emotions; the building up of the relationship between Charles and Mary, and their reaction to Little Charles’ accident; Mrs Musgrove’s feelings about her son; and Mrs Croft’s travels. The … Read more Persuasion: Episode 3, Chapters 7-8
In this episode, we talk about how the backstory of Anne and Wentworth is presented without comedy, and yet is absolutely enjoyable. We then move on to the introduction of Mary, and why she is the way she is, Anne’s skill at dealing with everyone’s complaints, and the very unsympathetic portrayal of Dick Musgrove. The … Read more Persuasion: Episode 2, Chapters 4-6
In this episode, we talk about the publishing history of Persuasion, the precise dates we are given in the book, the fact that we learn very little about Anne in the first chapters, and how well Mr Shepherd is managing Sir Walter. The character we discuss is Sir Walter Elliot. In the historical section, Ellen … Read more Persuasion: Episode 1, Chapters 1-3
Just a quick update to let you know that our Persuasion season will be starting in November. We’ve recorded the first few episodes, but Harriet has been too busy at work to finish editing them. She’s going to be away for a few weeks, but will start releasing the episodes on her return in November. … Read more Persuasion season starting in November
In this episode, we finish up Emma with chapters 51 to 55. We talk about the decision for Mr Knightley to move to Hartfield, the resolution of Harriet’s story, and the final scenes between Mr and Mrs Elton. We also reflect on the insights we have gained through this close reading of Emma, and how it … Read more Emma: Episode 11, Chapters 51-55
In this episode, we are joined by Harriet’s partner, Michael, and read chapters 46 to 50 of Emma. We talk about Emma’s emotional roller coaster, reactions to the Frank-Jane revelation, the proposal scene and Emma’s commitment to her father. The character we discuss is Frank Churchill, and then Michael talks about the changing lifestyle of Regency … Read more Emma: Episode 10, Chapters 46-50
In this episode, we read chapters 42 to 45 of Emma. We talk about the dropping of clues about Jane and Frank, Donwell Abbey and Mr Knightley’s arrangements for the strawberry picking, how nobody is enjoying themselves at Box Hill, and the pressures on Jane. The character we discuss is Emma, and in the historical … Read more Emma: Episode 9, Chapters 42-45
In this episode, we read chapters 37 to 41 of Emma. We talk about the parallel narratives, the ball at the Crown, Emma’s awareness of Mr Knightley, the section from Mr Knightley’s point of view and the tension between Jane and Frank. The character we discuss is Mr Knightley, and in the historical section Ellen talks … Read more Emma: Episode 8, Chapters 37-41