I didn’t see the adaptation of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” that was released earlier this year. To be honest, “Wuthering Heights” is one of my least favorite books. There is just way too much dysfunction for me. Merrile Stroud, the Reel Talk columnist for the Mountain Mirror, also did not see it. Even though it’s free on streaming, she says she won’t watch it because the story is incredibly depressing.
If you are not familiar with the story and are considering either the book or the movie because it was advertised as a romance, it’s not! Don’t fall for that. The only version of “Wuthering Heights” that I would recommend is from 2009. Tom Hardy’s portrayal almost makes Heathcliff a sympathetic character, as though he would have been normal if he hadn’t gotten enveloped into that family. I’ve never seen the 1939 version with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, but it’s often considered the very best - with Oscar-winning cinematography.
Enough about “Wuthering Heights.” We can hope that the movie did spark an interest in reading the classics. In that vein, Merrile and I are teaming up this month to bring the Oh, For A Book and Reel Talk takes on Jane Austen. More than 200 years after their publication, her stories, whether in novel or movie form, continue to have enduring appeal.
Nancy: Many think of Jane Austen as a romance novelist; some consider her a feminist writer. Actually, Jane Austen was a satirist. While there is at least one “attachment” in each of her novels, Austen typically uses that to poke fun at the societal norms of her time. She possessed the two most important elements of satire: humor and an understanding of human nature. I believe that is her genius.
Merrile: Truly, that is her genius, and I even think people reading when first published didn’t even get they were the ones being satirized.
Nancy: Sense and Sensibility The story of the Dashwood sisters - Elinor, who is all practicality and propriety, and Marianne, who is all impetuosity. There is also a younger sister, Margaret, but she’s only mentioned at the beginning and end of the novel. This may be Austen’s most satirical novel. She does not paint a very favorable picture of most of the men and isn’t any kinder to most of the women.
Merrile: The best adaptation of this in my opinion is the 1995 adaptation starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant. I felt like it captured the satire Nancy mentioned! Loved it!
Nancy: While I like the 1995 version, both it and the 2008 productions are adaptations in the truest sense of the word. They both generally follow the story, but the dialogue was wanting in each. Casting was excellent. Alan Rickman is 100% Colonel Brandon and always will be.
Nancy: Pride and Prejudice It’s no surprise that this is by far the favorite Austen novel. I think it’s the wittiest. When Mr. Bennett tells Elizabeth that her mother won’t speak to her again if she doesn’t accept Mr. Collins’ proposal, and he won’t speak to her again if she does, it is so subtle and funny. Everyone is happy in the end. Even the younger sister, Kitty, is improved by her older sisters’ elevations in status and the removal of her sister Lydia’s influence.
Merrile: Hands down the best adaptation was the 1995 BBC version starring Colin Firth. I would argue this any day! I fell in love with Colin and loved following his career ever since.
Nancy: Team Colin Firth all the way! The 2005 version is good, but it’s not the same.
Nancy: Mansfield Park Fanny Price is the only worthwhile character in the entire novel. Austen makes the point that “good breeding” is a function of education rather than bloodline.
Merrile: The 1999 BBC series takes too much liberty with the novel and is a waste, in my mind.
Nancy: Yes! The 1999 version is described as “loosely” based on the novel. What is the point? The 1983 BBC version is very consistent with the novel, but it has that 1980’s BBC theatrical production quality that’s not for everyone.
Nancy: Emma I’ve heard this described as a detective novel. When you reach the end, you realize how much Emma Woodhouse got wrong; upon rereading you can pick up on the clues. In my opinion, Emma is the least likable of all of Austen’s ladies, while Mr. Knightly is the most likable of her men.
Merrile: I loved the 1996 adaptation - not so much for Gwyneth Paltrow, but for Toni Collette and Alan Cumming, two of my favorite actors. I do feel this film captured the tone of the book incredibly well.
Nancy: That version is pretty good. There is a 2009 BBC version that feels really drawn out. The 2020 version is the WORST! It tried entirely too hard, to be funny. If you have to resort to showing bare bums to get laughs, you are trying much, much too hard.
Nancy: Northanger Abbey This is a satirical look at the literary styles of the time - taking aim at novels of manners, as well as the popular sentimental and gothic novels. Catherine Morland’s naiveté and strict adherence to the manners of the day, as well as her reliance on gothic themes, lead to many misunderstandings. Often, these misunderstandings are brought into full comic effect by the intrusive narrator. While this is not usually a point-of-view I enjoy, Austen puts it to good use in “Northanger Abbey.” This is Austen’s only coming-of-age story, as the reader observes Catherine mature and come to differentiate her true friends from the disingenuous ones.
Merrile: I’ve never read the novel or seen the 2007 adaptation available on Prime TV.
Nancy: That’s a very good adaptation and has the added benefit of one of my favorite actors, JJ Field.
Nancy: Persuasion This is my favorite Austen novel and is considered by many to be the most moving of her works. Anne Elliot is one of her most mature heroines, and the novel, written in a free indirect discourse style, allows a deep insight into her thoughts, feelings, and quiet strength. Somewhat less satirical and more sober than Austen’s other novels, “Persuasion” highlights the decline of the landed gentry and the rise of, in this case, the Navy. “Persuasion” has fewer balls and parties (and subsequently, less of the peacocking and preening) and more gatherings of family and friends. Don’t get me wrong; Austen manages to mock the rigid Regency-era social structures, and the vanity and absurdity of the aristocracy (especially Anne’s own father and sisters) while telling a story of enduring love and second chances.
Merrile: Though I’ve never read “Persuasion,” I loved the 2022 Netflix adaptation starring Dakota Johnson. It merged the flavor of the original material with comedy and almost a whisper of campiness.
Nancy: This is where our opinions differ. I couldn’t watch the Netflix version! As I mentioned, I’m not a fan of an intrusive narrator. The first time Anne Elliott turned to the camera and started talking to the audience, I was out. Wit and humor, always, but never comedic. The 2008 BBC version was fine until the very end; Anne Elliott running through the streets of Bath was just preposterous.
We hope you will enjoy some Jane Austen very soon. There are also Austen-adjacent options for viewing that you may enjoy:
If you are not familiar with the story and are considering either the book or the movie because it was advertised as a romance, it’s not! Don’t fall for that. The only version of “Wuthering Heights” that I would recommend is from 2009. Tom Hardy’s portrayal almost makes Heathcliff a sympathetic character, as though he would have been normal if he hadn’t gotten enveloped into that family. I’ve never seen the 1939 version with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, but it’s often considered the very best - with Oscar-winning cinematography.
Enough about “Wuthering Heights.” We can hope that the movie did spark an interest in reading the classics. In that vein, Merrile and I are teaming up this month to bring the Oh, For A Book and Reel Talk takes on Jane Austen. More than 200 years after their publication, her stories, whether in novel or movie form, continue to have enduring appeal.
Nancy: Many think of Jane Austen as a romance novelist; some consider her a feminist writer. Actually, Jane Austen was a satirist. While there is at least one “attachment” in each of her novels, Austen typically uses that to poke fun at the societal norms of her time. She possessed the two most important elements of satire: humor and an understanding of human nature. I believe that is her genius.
Merrile: Truly, that is her genius, and I even think people reading when first published didn’t even get they were the ones being satirized.
Nancy: Sense and Sensibility The story of the Dashwood sisters - Elinor, who is all practicality and propriety, and Marianne, who is all impetuosity. There is also a younger sister, Margaret, but she’s only mentioned at the beginning and end of the novel. This may be Austen’s most satirical novel. She does not paint a very favorable picture of most of the men and isn’t any kinder to most of the women.
Merrile: The best adaptation of this in my opinion is the 1995 adaptation starring Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant. I felt like it captured the satire Nancy mentioned! Loved it!
Nancy: While I like the 1995 version, both it and the 2008 productions are adaptations in the truest sense of the word. They both generally follow the story, but the dialogue was wanting in each. Casting was excellent. Alan Rickman is 100% Colonel Brandon and always will be.
Nancy: Pride and Prejudice It’s no surprise that this is by far the favorite Austen novel. I think it’s the wittiest. When Mr. Bennett tells Elizabeth that her mother won’t speak to her again if she doesn’t accept Mr. Collins’ proposal, and he won’t speak to her again if she does, it is so subtle and funny. Everyone is happy in the end. Even the younger sister, Kitty, is improved by her older sisters’ elevations in status and the removal of her sister Lydia’s influence.
Merrile: Hands down the best adaptation was the 1995 BBC version starring Colin Firth. I would argue this any day! I fell in love with Colin and loved following his career ever since.
Nancy: Team Colin Firth all the way! The 2005 version is good, but it’s not the same.
Nancy: Mansfield Park Fanny Price is the only worthwhile character in the entire novel. Austen makes the point that “good breeding” is a function of education rather than bloodline.
Merrile: The 1999 BBC series takes too much liberty with the novel and is a waste, in my mind.
Nancy: Yes! The 1999 version is described as “loosely” based on the novel. What is the point? The 1983 BBC version is very consistent with the novel, but it has that 1980’s BBC theatrical production quality that’s not for everyone.
Nancy: Emma I’ve heard this described as a detective novel. When you reach the end, you realize how much Emma Woodhouse got wrong; upon rereading you can pick up on the clues. In my opinion, Emma is the least likable of all of Austen’s ladies, while Mr. Knightly is the most likable of her men.
Merrile: I loved the 1996 adaptation - not so much for Gwyneth Paltrow, but for Toni Collette and Alan Cumming, two of my favorite actors. I do feel this film captured the tone of the book incredibly well.
Nancy: That version is pretty good. There is a 2009 BBC version that feels really drawn out. The 2020 version is the WORST! It tried entirely too hard, to be funny. If you have to resort to showing bare bums to get laughs, you are trying much, much too hard.
Nancy: Northanger Abbey This is a satirical look at the literary styles of the time - taking aim at novels of manners, as well as the popular sentimental and gothic novels. Catherine Morland’s naiveté and strict adherence to the manners of the day, as well as her reliance on gothic themes, lead to many misunderstandings. Often, these misunderstandings are brought into full comic effect by the intrusive narrator. While this is not usually a point-of-view I enjoy, Austen puts it to good use in “Northanger Abbey.” This is Austen’s only coming-of-age story, as the reader observes Catherine mature and come to differentiate her true friends from the disingenuous ones.
Merrile: I’ve never read the novel or seen the 2007 adaptation available on Prime TV.
Nancy: That’s a very good adaptation and has the added benefit of one of my favorite actors, JJ Field.
Nancy: Persuasion This is my favorite Austen novel and is considered by many to be the most moving of her works. Anne Elliot is one of her most mature heroines, and the novel, written in a free indirect discourse style, allows a deep insight into her thoughts, feelings, and quiet strength. Somewhat less satirical and more sober than Austen’s other novels, “Persuasion” highlights the decline of the landed gentry and the rise of, in this case, the Navy. “Persuasion” has fewer balls and parties (and subsequently, less of the peacocking and preening) and more gatherings of family and friends. Don’t get me wrong; Austen manages to mock the rigid Regency-era social structures, and the vanity and absurdity of the aristocracy (especially Anne’s own father and sisters) while telling a story of enduring love and second chances.
Merrile: Though I’ve never read “Persuasion,” I loved the 2022 Netflix adaptation starring Dakota Johnson. It merged the flavor of the original material with comedy and almost a whisper of campiness.
Nancy: This is where our opinions differ. I couldn’t watch the Netflix version! As I mentioned, I’m not a fan of an intrusive narrator. The first time Anne Elliott turned to the camera and started talking to the audience, I was out. Wit and humor, always, but never comedic. The 2008 BBC version was fine until the very end; Anne Elliott running through the streets of Bath was just preposterous.
We hope you will enjoy some Jane Austen very soon. There are also Austen-adjacent options for viewing that you may enjoy:
- Becoming Jane (2007) with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy, plus the indomitable Maggie Smith and others, based on the 2003 biography of the same title by Jon Hunter Spence. (BritBox)
- The Other Bennett Sister (2026) based on the 2020 bestselling novel by Janice Hadlow, follows the bookish Mary Bennett from “Pride and Prejudice” as she comes into her own. (BritBox)
- AND the Carstens ladies’ absolute favorite, Austenland (2013) based on Shannon Hale’s 2007 novel. Laugh out loud funny; we have watched it repeatedly and quote it often. A must watch!
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