Pride & Prejudice turns 200

“It is a truth universally acknowledged” that one must be in want of a good book!

Detail of a C. E. Brock illustration for the 1895 edition of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice (Chapter 3) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

200 years ago, on 27 Jan 1813, Jane Austen received her first published copy of Pride & Prejudice, a day in advance of the announcement on 28 Jan 1813. The novel was initially titled First Impressions, written between 1796-1797. Unfortunately, it was rejected and Austen set about revising the novel between 1811-12. Not long after P&P was published, it was translated into French, German, Danish, and Swedish. Today, it is one of our most beloved novels of all time. Many women dream of finding a Mr Darcy. Some women can relate to the heroine, Elizabeth Bennet. The novel has been adapted for television and film, as well as countless renditions of the P&P tale. Oh, take me to your idyllic Regency world, Miss Austen!

Here are some exciting things to look forward to this year in honour of P&P and Jane Austen!

BBC’s Pride and Prejudice: Having a Ball: Easter/spring – BBC2

“In a 90-minute special, experts will re-stage the planning and rehearsals for an early 19th century ball, as well as looking back at the first-hand testimony of ball-goers of the time. […] Programme-makers will look at all aspects including the dancing, the music, the food and the fashion.” (Source: BBC recreates Netherfield Ball for 200th anniversary of Pride & Prejudice – independent.co.uk)
Royal Mail to issue a set of Jane Austen Commemorative Stamps (austenonly.com): 21 February
Are these not lovely? It’s £20.

Source: http://www.bfdc.co.uk

How to order the Jane Austen Stamps, First Day Covers and Postcards from Royal Mail (austenonly.com)
- Jane Austen Stamp Set: £5.30 (incl VAT) – 6 stamps
- Jane Austen Presentation Pack: £5.80 (incl VAT) – 6 stamps + illustrated presentation on Jane’s life and works
- Jane Austen Stamp Cards: £2.70 (incl VAT) – 6 enlarged versions of the stamps cards
- Jane Austen First Day Cover – “The [6] stamps are affixed to a cover featuring a Jane Austen signature and the insert card features copy by Austen scholar Deirdre La Faye. It is cancelled with a STEVENTON, BASINGSTOKE postmark chosen as it was the home of Jane Austen for many years.” **Please note they’re not the ones pictured above!
  - UK addresses: £6.84 (incl VAT)
  - Overseas: £5.70 (incl VAT)

Austenland (movie) – Based on the novel by Shannon Hale, Austenland follows the ‘adventure’ of Jane Hayes (played by Keri Russell) as she travels to an English resort for Austen-crazed women like herself. The film will premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in January. Unfortunately, no other news on when everyone else will get to see it. I am looking forward to seeing JJ Feild, who played my beloved Mr Tilney in BBC’s Northanger Abbey (2007). 🙂

See the exclusive clip: Janie’s Got a Gun

Once you’ve seen the movie, you will probably want to experience Regency life as well! So save up and visit Bath to attend one of these events or to check out the Jane Austen Centre.

English: *Description: Jane Austen Centre taken by me during my tour of Bath Source: Taken by uploader Date: 31 August 2007 Author: Fahdshariff (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

4th Jane Austen Regency Costumed Summer Ball: Sat, 22 June – Guildhall, Bath, England
Tickets: £50. Limited to 140 attendees.

Jane Austen Festival: 13-21 September – Bath, England
- 3rd Masked Ball – Bath’s Pump House
  Tickets: £82 (2012). Limited to 130 attendees.

200th anniversary of Hampshire author Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to be celebrated this month (basingstokegazette.co.uk)
7 People Who Hated Pride and Prejudice (mentalfloss.com)
Lifetime, Jennifer Love Hewitt team for modern-day “Pride and Prejudice” (panarmenian.net)
Pride and Prejudice: a love story centuries old, but eternally fresh (telegraph.co.uk)
Pete McMartin: The 200-year-old love affair of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy
The Pride And Prejudice dance revival (telegraph.co.uk)
And so it begins…Celebrating 200 Years of Pride and Prejudice at Austenonly (austenonly.com)
Austen Fans to Celebrate 200 Years of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com)
Pride and Prejudice at 200: is it time for a video game (guardian.co.uk)
Bridget Jones vs Pride and Prejudice (bbc.co.uk)
Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen fans celebrate novel’s 200th anniversary (BBC)

For Janeites

How to Flirt Jane Austen Style (abullseyeview.com)
How to Talk Like Jane Austen (wordnik.com)
Act Regency right with ‘The Jane Austen Handbook’ (giveaway) (writemeg.com)
The Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013 (austenprose.com)
Experience the Pride and Prejudice Lifestyle (Visit Britain)
Pride and Prejudice at 200: take the quiz ( telegraph.co.uk)

Books For Janeites

Pride & Prejudice Interactive Guide

English: This diagram, or map, illustrates the relationships between each of the main characters in the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)