December 16 is Jane Austen's birthday, and I wish that I could give her a present. I wish that I could thank her for all the joy her work has given me. For every time I re-read one of her novels, I revel in the pure pleasure of a well-loved tale. But along with the familiarity is ever-unfolding discovery, for these are stories that are all about human nature, its beauties as well as its follies.
And isn't there always something new to learn about ourselves and those around us? That's the beauty of Jane Austen. As she put it herself via her heroine, Elizabeth Bennet in her most famous book, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, "...people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever." The same is true for her novels. There is something new to be observed in them for ever.
What would Jane Austen say, I wonder, if she knew that at the age of 234, she would be as young and fresh and relevant to her devoted readers of the twenty-first century as she was when her first published novel, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, delighted readers in 1811? I imagine she would be pleased with her immortality, for who among us has never had a wish to live forever? I do believe, however, that Jane Austen has achieved something far greater than immortality: She has made millions of people happy.
What better way is there to celebrate this day than to spread some of that happiness around? That, and maybe curling up with one of her novels.
Enjoy. [Oh yes, and you might want to watch one of your favorite films, too. This is Ciaran Hinds in the excellent 1995 PERSUASION, directed by Roger Michell.]
Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts on the day. Hope you all had a perfect celebration!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 17, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Happy Birthday dear Jane!
Posted by: Raquel | December 16, 2009 at 03:02 PM
Thanks Laurie for adding to the festivities of the day for our Jane. Drinking tea and reading NA in her honor.
Posted by: Laurel Ann | December 16, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Thankss for stopping by, Meg!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 16, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Lovely post! Wish I had time to settle in with Pride & Prejudice tonight, but I'll have to settle for talking about Jane in the blog world in honor of our favorite authoress :)
Posted by: Meg | December 16, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Thank you, Marilyn. Your celebration sounds perfect--enjoy!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 16, 2009 at 10:40 AM
I'm celebrating with tea, some English trifle and the rereading of favorite sections of P&P today. :) Hope you have a wonderful celebration day, too, Laurie!!
Posted by: Marilyn Brant | December 16, 2009 at 07:39 AM
I hope so, too, Jane. I'm sure it would make her very happy. I think I will do the same as you--PERSUASION is my favorite!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 16, 2009 at 02:21 AM
I hope she knows about the millions of people to whom she has brought such happiness, Laurie. I'm curling up with Persuasion today!
Posted by: Jane Odiwe | December 16, 2009 at 02:07 AM