Zaadz: GAIA BOOKLOVERS & LEARNERS

Re: Jane Austen

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:16:08 -0000

te hee...

That movie also inspired me to read Persuasion and Masfield Park. Now I only have Emma left to read.

I must say these two books are remarkable. I especially enjoyed Persuasion b/c it shows the maturing of Austen, a mellowing. Her heroine is a mix between Elizabeth Bennet and Fanny Price- with more compassion. I also enoyed the 10-years-after-the-romance realism.

Austen creates intellectually and socially stimulating worlds and I find myself needing to get out more now...

Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:57:21 -0000

Alright! I feel like I'm slacking here! I have been out of town! I have a couple more chapters to read and then I'm going to post my thoughts on these chapters. Just wanted to let you all know we're still here!!

: )

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:21:24 -0000

A funny note to share...

Part of the reason I'm so behind on this end is because I've been out of town but I also just got an iPhone and I've been so terribly obsessed with figuring it out, downloading apps and just general playing. Well tonight I was checking out the books and on the app store in iTunes there are several Austen books! I downloaded Sense and Sensibility for now. I'm so excited. I can now get away with reading when it's slow at work and no one will be any the wiser. I suppose it's slightly unethical but I can't help it! In addition I was able to nab the entire words of Shakespear on there too!

I'm a happy gal!

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:29:48 -0000

No problem, understand completely! I was just thinking that I too have been preoccupied, and meant today to post something on Chapters 11-20.

So, here goes - I have to go out but will post on Chapter 11

Chapter 11 -

Marianne and Willoughby become more and more entranced with each other, providing everyone with hours of innocent amusement watching them and poking fun at them for being so exclusive :)

This reflects the societal strictures that people who are not engaged are supposed to like everyone equally - no "going steady" then!

Elinor, on the other hand, is really missing Norland. (She does not admit to herself that she is missing Edward.) Her only consolation is cultivating a friendship with Colonel Brandon, though they spend most of their time talking about Marianne :) with whom he is becoming increasingly obsessed. Marianne, it would appear, doesn't believe someone can truly be in love a second time :):)

Again, a relflection of her extreme youth... and wilful disregard of close examples to the contrary (like her own father).

Re: Jane Austen

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:30:47 -0000

Heidi, feel free to jump in and comment on Chapters 11-20 of Sense and Sensibility!

Peace,

Nicole

Charitywater.org

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:18:29 -0000

A charity that aims to bring clean water to parts of Africa.

http://www.charitywater.org/birthdays/

Have you helped this organization? Tell us your thoughts and experiences. Thank you.

Re: Charitywater.org

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 13:06:17 -0000

Not familiar, but it sounds great, Samme! Clean water is so important and basic

Hugs,

Nicole

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:49:34 -0000

I've finished 11-20 and I really loved it! There's a big range of things going on here. We have Marianne and Willoughby entranced with eachother, for one. They're very funny. Nicole, it's so true, isn't it? The whole non-exclusive thing. The problem with them is that they're just so passionate. I actually think they're really cute!

Unfortunate this gaity does change as Willoughby inexplicably leaves! Marianne is in teenage tears and the rest are a bit baffled. Well sort of. It really annoys me that Mrs. Dashwood jumps to the conclusion that he is really hiding his engagement to Marianne. I suppose that their behavior would leave her to believe this. There is certainly a disconnect between my perception and historical perception. They are so entranced with one another -- they must be engaged right? Except we, now, would simply call it new, puppy love. Oh well. Anyway, I definitely take Elinor's side in this. She is skeptical and thinks that Willoughby has simply left and basically spurned Marianne.

It's an odd thing there and it's funny, because I should know what the whole reasoning is, but I don't recall.

Anyway, life continues on and one day Edward Ferrars appears for a visit. He stays for about a week. It's interesting that she dwells on the awkwardness that is inherently Mr. Ferrars. In the movie I remember him being awkward, but adorable. It's hard to get that feeling from the book. He just seems... awkward. I am pleased to note that he does warm up and they become more familliar but there really isn't a whole lot of advancement between he and Elinor!

So real quick -- there was a question regarding the ring of hair. Marianne notices it and thinks it is her hair, but Elinor sees it as her own. Or did Marianne note that it was Edward's sister's hair? I am so confused. Anyway, it's just a little odd. I mean, I think it does give her a little consoluation but nothing more is said about it. *sighs* So sad. lol I'm too impatient!!

When Edward arrives he also brings in the nosey Middletons. Man oh man, that family is something. How nosey they are! I suppose I can hardly blame them as they live in the country and live lives of leisure. What else are they to do with themselves? After Edward leaves they come by with the Palmers. Now these people are interesting. Mrs. Palmer is definitely her mother's daughter. Gad that woman is obnoxious. Her husband is "droll" and just bored and negative. HOW or WHY did those two get married?? Any insight there?

Hmm I'm rambling too much. I should end this but I do want to note about Elinor's response to Edward leaving vs Marianne's response to Willoughby leaving. Poor Marianne goes into hysterics, basically. She cries all day, at the mention of his name and is a bit morbid by dewlling on what they used to do together. Obviously she is passionate, loves him passionatly and so it makes sense that she behaves this way. Elinor, on the other hand, goes out of her way to behave as if she has no pain at all. She doesn't avoid discussing him, acts normal and just finds things to occupy her time.

I think I just love how mature and serious Elinor is. I almost feel like her love is much more earnest and sweet because she can control herself.

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:36:39 -0000

The problem with them is that they're just so passionate. I actually think they're really cute!

Aren't they, though! Just adorable :)

Unfortunate this gaity does change as Willoughby inexplicably leaves! Marianne is in teenage tears and the rest are a bit baffled. Well sort of. It really annoys me that Mrs. Dashwood jumps to the conclusion that he is really hiding his engagement to Marianne. I suppose that their behavior would leave her to believe this. There is certainly a disconnect between my perception and historical perception. They are so entranced with one another – they must be engaged right? Except we, now, would simply call it new, puppy love.

As I said, we have a looooot more flexibility now societally. Back then, there was only one possible interpretation - exclusive affection, tears, disappearance - must be a secret engagement! LOL Also, As Elinor sensibly reflects, Willoughby probably doesn't have the means to marry.

You forgot to mention something that is shown in the Austen way to be important but not clear why right now - Colonel Brandon leaving without explaining why he must go - and Mrs Jenning's gossip about him having an illegitimate daughter.

Anyway, life continues on and one day Edward Ferrars appears for a visit. He stays for about a week. It's interesting that she dwells on the awkwardness that is inherently Mr. Ferrars. In the movie I remember him being awkward, but adorable. It's hard to get that feeling from the book. He just seems… awkward. I am pleased to note that he does warm up and they become more familliar but there really isn't a whole lot of advancement between he and Elinor!

No, we have to be so so patient - one of the reasons it's hard for moderns to read these kinds of books :) We are used to things moving so much faster! And more than just awkward he comes across as downright cold and reserved, of course to Marianne but even to Elinor who is even "vexed" with him though of course she doesn't show it and is so proper and hospitable. The coldness and reserve only melted with the full sun-like warmth of Mrs Dashwood when he came to the house which no one could resist :)

Yet he was totally shocked to hear he was reserved! Though it was so obvious to everyone else...

What I find so funny - and so typical of Marianne - is that at first when they see Edward from far off she is convinced it is WIlloughby and nothing can dissuade her from rushing to meet him :)

So real quick – there was a question regarding the ring of hair. Marianne notices it and thinks it is her hair, but Elinor sees it as her own. Or did Marianne note that it was Edward's sister's hair? I am so confused. Anyway, it's just a little odd. I mean, I think it does give her a little consoluation but nothing more is said about it. *sighs* So sad. lol I'm too impatient!!

That's ok, I share that fault or quality :)

About the ring of hair, Marianne thinks it's Edward's sister's hair, and Elinor is convinced that it is her own, Elinor's and worse, obtained sneakily. Again being sensible she doesn't let herself get all emotional about it but decides to try to check it out on her own.

Edward arrives he also brings in the nosey Middletons. Man oh man, that family is something. How nosey they are! I suppose I can hardly blame them as they live in the country and live lives of leisure. What else are they to do with themselves?

Exactly!

After Edward leaves

After far to short a visit, very disappointing and puzzling for poor Elinor!

they come by with the Palmers. Now these people are interesting. Mrs. Palmer is definitely her mother's daughter. Gad that woman is obnoxious. Her husband is “droll” and just bored and negative. HOW or WHY did those two get married?? Any insight there?

Well, Elinor's best guess is probably the right one - he was entranced by her beauty and failed to notice that she was a dimwit :) the triumph of hormones over good sense, probably happened quite often then as now as this kind of couple appears frequently in Austen novels.

Hmm I'm rambling too much. I should end this but I do want to note about Elinor's response to Edward leaving vs Marianne's response to Willoughby leaving. Poor Marianne goes into hysterics, basically. She cries all day, at the mention of his name and is a bit morbid by dewlling on what they used to do together. Obviously she is passionate, loves him passionatly and so it makes sense that she behaves this way. Elinor, on the other hand, goes out of her way to behave as if she has no pain at all. She doesn't avoid discussing him, acts normal and just finds things to occupy her time.

Yet at the same time she spends all the time she can thinking about him and trying to understand why he acted in the way he did.

I think I just love how mature and serious Elinor is. I almost feel like her love is much more earnest and sweet because she can control herself.

Very much so. Austen continues to hammer her point home about the difference between Sense and Sensibility.

Cheers,

Nicole

Ethan King: The Man Who Changed the World

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:26:50 -0000

Dear friends,

I have just joined this group and I'm excited about it's many varied discussion topics - I look forward to many browsing sessions!

My name is Martin and I'm from Liverpool, England. I'm a secondary school teacher by profession, but I also enjoy writing.

I recently decided that I would like to write a novel entitled "Ethan King: The Man Who Changed the World" which is very much in the spirit of Gaia. As a bit of an experiment, I am going to release it in digital format, one chapter per month. Chapter One is now available for download at: http://stores.lulu.com/ethanking

I'm looking forward to getting to work on Chapter Two this weekend!

Warmest wishes,

Martin

Re: Ethan King: The Man Who Changed the World

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:31:29 -0000

Cool ! thanks, Martin,

Love,

Nicole

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:42:42 -0000

About the ring of hair, Marianne thinks it's Edward's sister's hair, and Elinor is convinced that it is her own, Elinor's and worse, obtained sneakily. Again being sensible she doesn't let herself get all emotional about it but decides to try to check it out on her own.

Ooohkay. I get it now. lol I don't know how I could have missed that exactly but it makes much more sense.

Well, Elinor's best guess is probably the right one - he was entranced by her beauty and failed to notice that she was a dimwit :) the triumph of hormones over good sense, probably happened quite often then as now as this kind of couple appears frequently in Austen novels.

Again, another one I missed. I'ms ure Elinor is completely correct on that matter. I suppose my problem, as I was reading, was that while I imagined her tolerably attractive, I didn't imagine her as a great beauty because she is so annoying! I suppose it's a perfect example on how personality can so easily outweigh looks. I suppose it does happen pretty frequently, doesn't it? Another aspect of human nature that doesn't seem to fade with time. lol

What I find so funny - and so typical of Marianne - is that at first when they see Edward from far off she is convinced it is WIlloughby and nothing can dissuade her from rushing to meet him :)

This makes me think about something I was considering as I was reading. Marianne is very affectionate toward Edward because she wants her sister and Edward to be together. For some reason it makes me surprised that Edward doesn't assume that Marianne may have affection toward him. I mean, as he gets to know her he would deduce the facts that she is just "that way", but ... I don't know. If it were transported to the here and now, I could see a funny series of events where Edward thinks that Marianne is interested in him, but he really likes Elinor and he is even more awkward and then hilarity would ensue.

Or not. lol

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:52:17 -0000

Ooohkay. I get it now. lol I don't know how I could have missed that exactly but it makes much more sense.

Well, it's going to become more important in the next section, when we find out whose hair is really in the ring :)

Again, another one I missed. I'ms ure Elinor is completely correct on that matter. I suppose my problem, as I was reading, was that while I imagined her tolerably attractive, I didn't imagine her as a great beauty because she is so annoying! I suppose it's a perfect example on how personality can so easily outweigh looks. I suppose it does happen pretty frequently, doesn't it? Another aspect of human nature that doesn't seem to fade with time. lol

That is so true. The other thing, of course, is that Austen tends to be very economic about physical descriptions, and we are used to much more in-your-face descriptions of how hot someone is in modern books... :)

This makes me think about something I was considering as I was reading. Marianne is very affectionate toward Edward because she wants her sister and Edward to be together. For some reason it makes me surprised that Edward doesn't assume that Marianne may have affection toward him. I mean, as he gets to know her he would deduce the facts that she is just “that way”, but … I don't know. If it were transported to the here and now, I could see a funny series of events where Edward thinks that Marianne is interested in him, but he really likes Elinor and he is even more awkward and then hilarity would ensue.

Or not. lol

This is a common feature of Austen novels - I'm guessing it had to do with the rigid societal mores - if someone was sweet on someone else you care about, it would be so very not done to be the slightest bit interested, right? So no confusion possible :) Now we know human nature is not so cut-and-dried, but the social lines were so heavily drawn then, weren't they? Today everything is so fluid, too fluid for the comfort of some at times...

Should we sail into 21-30, it is another week after all?

Cheers,

Nicole

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:17:20 -0000

Oh yes, we absolutely should! : ) I'm almost finished so I'll be posting that soon!

Is anyone else reading or is it just you and I, Nicole?

Re: Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 11-20 - spoilers

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:21:18 -0000

Good, good, I'll let you post, then and respond, that's fun for me :)

Not sure if there is anyone else reading, if so he or she is being very quiet about it.

Helllloooooooo! anyone else want to join?

Love and light,

Nicole

Re: What is everyone reading at the moment?

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:26:03 -0000

I'm currently reading Life of Pi. I'm not that far into it yet, but so far it has been really entertaining reading about all the different religions Pi is trying to persue. ^^

Re: What is everyone reading at the moment?

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:22:10 -0000

I really enjoyed that part too, I'd never heard of someone trying so hard to follow different religions - what a delightful book. I'd like to know what you think of it when you're done.

Love,

Nicole

SACRED VOW by CG WALTERS

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:31:42 -0000

I just received this letter from CG Walters. Please read his email to me below and consider doing what is requested so that CG can have the chance of being published by Harper Collins/London. Thank you dear friends.

Samme,

Many blessings to you and all you hold dear.

Could I as a favor, that will also be of interest to all writers?

I just stumbled onto HarperCollins' new online slush pile last weekend–it's a community oriented process to get a book onto the editors' desk as HC/London. You have to place at least 10,000 words of your book out there for public viewing and critique. It is an online assessment process that can result in a publishing contract. My own book, Sacred Vow has gone up to #29 (up almost 700 places) in the last week, but needs to get to #5 in the next 16 days to be considered by the editors.

If you haven't heard already, could I ask for 15 minutes that it will take to register/login to the HarperCollins/London online slush pile, where if enough people add Sacred Vow to their “bookshelf” it may get reviewed by the editors for a contract.

This link http://authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=1557 is a listing the 1st 15 chapters of Sacred Vow on HarperCollins/London. If you registers on the site (create a profile), and search for Sacred Vow, you can read all 15 chapters any time you wish.

Once you have a profile, would you please add Sacred Vow to your “watch list” on HarperCollins (there is a “add to watchlist” link on the right side of the screen when you're looking at the Sacred Vow bookcover).

Then go to your own ‘me' (profile) page and click “manage my bookshelf” (about mid-page, under your bookshelf). This will open a new panel and show Sacred Vow that is now in your watchlist.

From this watchlist, then please click the add link by the green + sign, under Sacred Vow's cover. –this adds Sacred Vow to your bookshelf and could result in a foreign rights publisher for Sacred Vow.

Also, if you have time, please make a comment under Sacred Vow.

Thanks for your help and support! And please spread the word-both to other writers and people that might be willing to help with Sacred Vow.
–all writers should take a look at this new process. I suspect this is the coming way of the slush pile. Brilliant!!!

Let me know when your book is out there.

love and wonder,
CG

SAMME'S HAIKUS

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:57:42 -0000

Vivaldi's music
Spring, summer, winter and fall
Playful melodies.

Kuan Yin's I Ching Reading

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:37:49 -0000

I have a sweet picture of Kuan Yin on this Gaia blog entry. Check out Kuan Yin's Simplicity Game.