The Cinematic Jane Austen - by David Monaghan & Ariane Hudelet & John Wiltshire (Paperback)

About the Book

The novels of Jane Austen are typified by their comedic power, often most powerfully demonstrated by the singular voice of their narrators. Yet what makes them arresting novels can also produce a less than satisfactory transformation to the world of cinema, where the voice of a narrator often becomes obtrusive. This work argues that despite the difficulties in adapting Austens writing for the screen, there have been many successes. Each author examines Austens texts for their inherent cinematic features, analyzing the use of these features in film versions of the novels.

Book Synopsis

Jane Austen's novels are loved because they possess a comedic power that is often conveyed through the singular voice of the narrators. Film adaptations, however, have often been unsatisfactory because they lack or awkwardly render features, particularly the voice of the narrators.

This work argues for a fresh approach that begins with a reading of the novels that emphasizes their auditory and visual dimensions. Building on their examination of Austen's inherently cinematic features, the authors then develop productive new readings of the films.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Review Quotes

"very smart, very sophisticated, and very useful book"-Journal of Popular Culture; "there is much of value in this book"-JASNA News.

About the Author

David Monaghan is a professor of English at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Ariane Hudelet is an associate professor at Université de Paris 7 and lives in Paris, France. John Wiltshire is professor emeritus of English at La Trobe University in Melbourne. He lives in Eltham, Australia. Learn more about the book at the authors' website, www.cinematicjaneausten.com.