Sunday, June 29, 2008

Ps I love You and the Jane Austen Book Club



It was a lazy Sunday in the Boon household, a week of stormy weather set the scene for DVD heaven and sitting knitting. Once we'd managed to quieten down the troll of the house ( also known as DH) He just seems to take great delight in being the biggest grump in existence. Still this blog is not about him.
I wanted to get PS I love you and it was on order from the Video store but when I got there they'd given it to someone else. I was a little miffed to say the least but managed to control the smoke pouring from my ears and to say in a perfectly reasonable voice if a fraction more strangled than usual "what did they expect me to do now". I wasn't really expecting much of an answer but to my surprise they offered me a free new release, while they tracked down another copy for me. Still feeling a little hard done I mooched around determined not to find anything. I wasn't letting them get off so easy, but then The Jane Austen Book Club glinted at me and I melted.
I didn't read the book, it was never in the library and the one time I was going to break my resolution and buy it the shop had run out of copies. Maybe fate. I hadn't seen the movie, the troll doesn't do chick flicks. So just in case you've been living on Mars or some other planet for a while here's a brief synopsis.



As five women and one enigmatic man meet to discuss the works of Jane Austen, they find their love lives playing out in a 21st century version of her novels. Sylvia (Amy Brenneman), is shocked when her husband Daniel (Jimmy Smits), leaves her after 20 plus years and three children. Jocelyn (Maria Bello), her unmarried best friend, distracts herself from her unacknowledged loneliness by breeding dogs. Prudie (Emily Blunt) is a young French teacher, in possession of a worthy husband yet distracted by persistent fantasies about sex with another man. The many times married Bernadette (Kathy Baker) develops a yearning for one more chance at happiness. Beautiful, risk-taking Allegra (Maggie Grace), Sylvia and Daniels lesbian daughter, has quit talking to her lover. And Grigg (Hugh Dancy), a young science fiction fan and computer whiz, seems horribly both out of place and obliviously at ease as the only man to be invited into the book circle.
I enjoyed every moment and not least because in most scenes Bernadette is knitting or teaching Prudie to knit. It was beautifully done, the discussions abut the books deep enough to engage the Austen initiated and yet also include those who might not have any such previous knowledge. I like the tidy happy ending and the fact that while predictable it wasn't slushy.
In this hospital scene Prudie is knitting, Bernadette has her knitting on her lap and Allegra is making some jewellery



I enjoyed the flim so much that I really want to read the book now and will have an attack on the libraries in the area tomorrow to see if I can locate a copy.



I also managed to get my copy Of PS I love you, also for free and that will be tonight's treat. Grumpy troll has to just lump it on this occasion as it's pay back for a nasty procedure I'll have to endure tomorrow.
I just love this cute vintage toddler sweater. Isn't it just darling? I think the collar is an extra fine detail and I am sure it would look just as good today as it did in 1918. What do you think? I found it on A good yarn's site.
I am also quite taken with the little girl's hat and doll. I'm not sure how easy the pattern would be to follow and I guess I might find it difficult to find anyone who could decipher for me.


(click to enbiggen)
Well that was my Sunday afternoon (morning was church) hope everyone else has a fun filled weekend.

14 comments:

Kitty said...

I've read both those books - The Jane Austen Book Club, and PS I Love You. Cecilia Ahern is one of my favourite writers - I love the way she comes at a subject from a slightly different angle. I am currently reading her latest book 'Thanks for the Memories'. I'll let you know how good it is when I've finished it. x

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

I've read both of those books as well but have only seen the movie version of The Jane Austen Bookclub. My DH is off on a business trip in a couple of weeks, so I think a movie night will be in order!

Rosanne said...

I'm on vacation for the next two weeks so think I'll rent these movies and tract down the books too! And that knitted sweater is so cute!

familywithfivekids said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I have really enjoyed looking at your blog - we enjoy a lot of the same books and movies. I too love Jane Austen, Sleepless in Seattle, Emma...I will need to stop by again soon. Have a happy day!

driftwood said...

I'll have to look out for the book club, I must have been living in outer space as I hadn't heard of it. I read ps I love you, and loved it - cried and cried, and can't decide if I want to watch the film, in case it spoils it, will be interested to hear what you think of it.

Elizabeth said...

I just watched PS I Love You last night ( and sent the boys outside to do yard work so they wouldn't bother me through it.) The Jane Austen Book Club is on my list as well. I rarely get my choice at prime movie watching time but I had had enough of idiotic spoofs and violent war films and put my foot down.

raining sheep said...

I so badly want to see that DVD. I just went to Sex in the City with my girlfriends and it made me realize I have not see a good girlie flick for a long time..I should read the book too, but with my Uni courses, I am not much into reading anything right now.

Country Cottage Chic said...

I enjoyed the film too!

Jayne

Anonymous said...

Haven't seen the JABC film or read the book but you've whetted my appetite so I'm off to order both!

Anonymous said...

I'll have to look out for Jane Austens Bookclub film, although I did read the book.

periwinkle said...

i haven't watched a film in ages, in fact i havent watched telly in ages but these 2 do sound good
lisa x

Anonymous said...

I have read the book, but not seen the Jane Austen DVD. I might have to track it down this week...

LizzieJane said...

Am I the only one that hasn't read these books or seen the movies?
I guess I have been to busy sewing!
Well I will have to take a break and catch up on some reading, starting with one of these books!

Jane said...

I haven't read the book or seen the film so i shall keep it as an idea for the summer hols as they both sound good. I love the cupcake goodies you found on your previous post. Jane x