Jane Austen in Hollywood [Hardcover]

Linda Troost (Editor), Sayre Greenfield (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 1998

In 1995 and 1996 six film or television adaptations of Jane Austen's novels were produced -- an unprecedented number. More amazing, all were critical and/or box office successes. What accounts for this explosion of interest? Much of the appeal of these films lies in our nostalgic desire at the end of the millennium for an age of greater politeness and sexual reticence. Austen's ridicule of deceit and pretentiousness also appeals to our fin de siècle sensibilities. The novels were changed, however, to enhance their appeal to a wide popular audience, and the revisions reveal much about our own culture and its values. These recent productions espouse explicitly twentieth-century feminist notions and reshape the Austenian hero to make him conform to modern expectations. Linda Troost and Sayre Greenfield present fourteen essays examining the phenomenon of Jane Austen as cultural icon, providing thoughtful and sympathetic insights on the films through a variety of critical approaches. The contributors debate whether these productions enhance or undercut the subtle feminism that Austen promoted in her novels. From Persuasion to Pride and Prejudice, from the three Emmas (including Clueless ) to Sense and Sensibility, these films succeed because they flatter our intelligence and education. And they have as much to tell us about ourselves as they do about the world of Jane Austen. This second edition includes a new chapter on the recent film version of Mansfield Park.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In recent years, there have been numerous film and television adaptations of Jane Austen's novels, all critical and/or commercial successes. This scholarly anthology seeks to discover what accounts for the recent explosion of interest in Austen's novels. The 13 essays cover a wide range of topics, including how Hollywood has typically revised the novels' plots and characters for the screen, how modern productions present explicitly feminist themes, and how Hollywood has managed to mold 18th-century ideas to 20th-century expectations. While these are scholarly articles, they are engaging and sure to spark discussion. It should be noted that familiarity with Austen's novels is essential to fully appreciate the essays. Recommended for literary and film studies collections.?Ronald Ratliff, Chapman H.S. Lib., KS
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This book has something for both the Austen scholar and the Austen enthusiast. The 13 essays expound on Austen's novels and how they have been adapted for film. The mostly feminist slants pursue themes such as place, voyeurism, class, and "Austen's ironic narrator." Although the different authors, and even the editors, vary on their opinions of the effectiveness of the many film adaptations, they are in agreement that Austen's work is easily accessible to modern-day audiences, but that the screenwriters undermine her strong, independent women and her obvious feminist ideals. Without being a conspicuous militant, Austen was the "velvet hammer" of the feminist movement. Whether from a discussion of the Emma character in Clueless or of the movies being "gateways" to the novels, Jane Austen in Hollywood evokes a feeling of nostalgia. If this collection doesn't inspire readers to pick up her books, then at least they will want to rent the movies. Ellie Barta-Moran

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (September 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813120845
• ISBN-13: 978-0813120843
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,120,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent juxtaposition of recent Austen film & originals, January 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jane Austen in Hollywood (Hardcover)

I'm a big fan of Jane Austen in all forms. I've always thought that a mediocre Austen film is better than none at all. This book takes a fascinating scholarly look at Austen's film treatment. The authors say everything all true Austen fans have muttered about the films ("where's THAT in the book?!") and explains why it was done in such a way (for example, modern filmgoers won't appreciate an ugly, boring Edward Ferrers). Contains amusing critique of Thompsons S&S--that Austen's originial may have been more "feminist" than Thompson! If you enjoy the original written Austen and/or the recent film versions, you'll love this book.