Beloved Eleanor

Some of you may remember my posting of the video advertising the book Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the very first in the series.

I’ve not managed to read the books as yet, but I’m a big fan of the book videos!  They are genius.

Here is the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – the Dawn of the Dreadfuls.  How did Elizabeth and her sisters become zombie slayers?

For some reason at the beginning of this week, for at least three nights in a row I dreamt about Venice.  Why?  I just don’t know.  I haven’t watched, read, looked at or otherwise done anything remotely involving Venice.  Yet, here we are.

I should explain my relationship with Venice, such as it is.  Years ago, I think it was when I was in my mid to late teens my maternal Aunt bought me a book called Tregaron’s Daughter by Madeleine Brent.  My Aunt, it should be said was, and is, a fabulous book and trinket supplier

Tregaron’s Daughter is a mystery story set in Cornwall and Venice.  I don’t know what it was about it exactly, as the book isn’t about to set the world on fire, (though I still love it anyway) but it instilled in me a deep desire to visit Venice myself when I was older.  By the age of 20, I had fulfilled that dream.

I visited museums and galleries, including the Basilica San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, I took boat rides – including one on a gondola – and walked the length and breadth of Venice.  Sadly, I didn’t take very many pictures, and I think they are rubbish, so I won’t include them here!  The fact is, when I left all those years ago, I didn’t feel that I needed to return.

So why now?  No idea, not a clue.  I hunted out my photos (eek), found a couple of guidebooks, and most importantly – remembered my Venetian Palazzi book – which is gorgeous indeed.  Even while writing this I remembered my Venetian mask that I bought (I was enthralled by the mask and costume shops), but it doesn’t seem to be enough.

I suppose time will tell, but I cannot see myself getting to Venice any time soon, time permitting, never mind anything else!  So, I have ordered myself a second hand copy of Tregaron’s Daughter (no idea what I did with the last one) and a DVD of Francesco’s Venice which is supposed to be very good.  All I know is that for now, my subconscious mind will have to be content.

I was lucky enough on Monday to get to see the first night of Pride and Prejudice, which was being performed at His Majesty’s Theatre, and starring Susan Hampshire as Mrs Bennet.

Those of you who have been reading this blog for some time will know that I love P&P, so this was a brilliant opportunity.

The theatre, which looked Victorian (but not sure of age) was lovely, we were only a few rows from the front.  The show was great, true to the story, though obviously squeezed down to two and a half hours, with some very funny and clever use of props, and cast members!  The garden scene with Lady Catherine de Bourgh was particularly memorable.

There was so much to take in, I almost wished that I could see it again, but it was on a limited run, so has now finished here.  I think it is touring the country though…

Note to self – must get to the theatre more often!

A chance comment on the radio today about a film being made of the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies reminded me of this cool trailer for the next book that I saw some time ago, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

It’s a bit daft, and the end is a bit gory, but I still laughed like a drain   Hope you enjoy it.

I shall be castled all weekend for the Christmas events, but I have some Christmas creature projects updates coming shortly.

As promised in my previous post, here amongst other things is the early plastic (probably early twentieth century) cameo brooch I bought at the antiques/collectibles shop at Haddo.

It is dark brown, detailed and gorgeous!  Didn’t hurt that it only cost a few pounds too

In other pictorial news, a few months ago I tracked down a children’s story book by Lavinia Smiley, also signed by her.  For those of you who don’t know, it was Mrs Smiley and her husband that donated the castle to the nation.

Another nice bonus was a little book about Sir Thomas Lawrence the artist (bit of scandal in there too, yay!) and a little oracle book, which looks like it was printed in the 1930s.  For those of you that also didn’t know – I collect oracles.

Please see the pics below, I have left some as thumbnails, and some give a closer view.  I have an update regarding the Mum’s knitting and creative projects, but as there is quite a lot to catch up on, it will follow in another post.

Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s the part where I finally get to update on lots of things that I’ve been either doing or attempting to do this year.

With reference to castle visits.  I managed to visit Delgatie Castle again, and it was sunny too.  I think it could end up being a favourite of mine.  Apart from the usual suspects, I haven’t managed any other ones this year sadly.

Plus, the  history books I got my hands on?

The lovely people at Country Life Magazine sent me a copy of Adams Houses, I bought myself Jane Austen: the World of Her Novels by Deidre Le Faye and I’ve managed to borrow Sir Thomas Lawrence (which I love) and Treasures From the Trust.

I should also update the historic film and TV list.  I’m ashamed to say I originally missed off accidentally: Excalibur, Daniel Deronda, Dangerous Liasons, Howard’s End.  There are lots more I love that I will add eventually.

Talking of TV, after the glut of interesting stuff, there hasn’t been much on that I’ve liked lately.  Series 3 of The Tudors was pretty boring stuff, and I even missed the end.  Caught up with the predecessor of Victorian Farm – Tales From the Green Valley – which I didn’t like nearly as much, haven’t seen the new Wuthering Heights (not bothered either, I HATE the story and characters) and am currently watching the new version of Emma, which I’m not liking much either, sigh.

I hope to get out to the cinema over the Winter to see at least a couple of new films, and to get some fresh books to read as I’m getting a bit low on material.  Maybe someone will take pity on me for my birthday…

Haven’t managed any exhibitions either, though I do lust over paintings at every available opportunity.  I can dream about making an exhibition some time soon.

Last, but not least, I’ve done a little tinkering with this site, and gathered a lot of Eleanor material together.  I’m much more happy with the site now than I ever was, so I will put a proper front page up.  Not in any rush though (why rush now!) it will come when time and creativity permits.

I’ve mentioned the novels of Georgette Heyer a few times on this blog, and am back to re-reading my way through her historical books.  Powder and Patch again, to be exact.  I will carry on in publishing order from there when I’m in the mood.

(You can find my other Heyer posts via my search box on the right if you want to, they aren’t particularly relevant to this post, so I’m not linking directly.)

I’ve wanted for years to hear that someone is making a film or TV adaptation of her work, but nothing ever happens.  Today though, I discovered there’s a old black and white film of The Reluctant Widow made in 1950, which you can view online.  I will post a link to the first part – and there apparently was also a German version of Arabella made: Bezaubernde Arabella (1959).  Learn something new every day!

Here’s the details of the film from IMDB: The Reluctant Widow (1950).

I’m off to search for a DVD copy (legal of course)…

Please, please someone make a decent version of one of her books!

Been thinking about these a lot lately, keep updating and trimming the list.  Have absolutely no space in the house either, but who cares…

Here are my top books that I want to own:

• Sir Thomas Lawrence: the Artist by Mark Levey
• Momento Mori: Churches and Churchyards of England by Simon Marsden
• Strawberry Hill: Horace Walpole’s Gothic Castle by Anna Chalcraft and Judith Viscardi
• Thomas Hope: Designer and Patron in Regency London by David Watkin and Philip Hewat-Jaboor
• Saving the Tsar’s Palaces by Christopher Morgan and Irina Orlova
• William Morris and Red House: A Collaboration Between Architect and Owner by Jan Marsh
• Adam Houses (Country Life) by Eileen Law
• The Jacobean Country Houses (Country Life) by Nicholas Cooper
• The Regency Country House (Country Life) by John Martin Robinson
• Versailles: A Biography of a Palace by Tony Spawforth
• Van Dyck and Britain by Karen Hearn
• The Wallace Collection by Stephen Duffy
• The V&A Guide to Period Styles by Anna Jackson
• Discovering Scottish Architecture by T.W. West
• 1001 Paintings From the Louvre by Vincent Pomarede
• Art Treasures of Kelvingrove by Hugh Stevenson
• The National Gallery Complete Illustrated Catalogue by C. Baker
• Jane Austen: the World of Her Novels by Deidre Le Faye
• The History of British Art 1600-1870 by David Bindman
• Shoes, Hats and Fashion Accessories by Carol Belanger Grafton
• The Lonely Empress: Life of Elizabeth, Empress of Austria by Joan Haslip
• Emperor Francis Joseph by John Van Der Kiste
• Childhood At Court 1819-1914 by John Van Der Kiste
• Mode Ilustree Fashion Plates by Florence Leniston
• Houses of the National Trust by Lydia Greeves
• Treasures From the Trust
• Belton House by Adrian Tinniswood
• London’s Country Houses by Caroline Knight
• Sir John Soane’s Museum, London by Tim Knox
• Sleuth: the Amazing Quest for Lost Art Treasures by Philip Mould

This also doesn’t include the books that I’m looking for that are out of print!  Any recommendations?

Well, this new film needs no introduction.  Though I should say that it is only the first part of the story, part two coming next year I think.  Anyhow, I do want to see it, even though I’ve heard they’ve changed the story a fair bit.

Edit: I did have a trailer on here, but apparently they’re all being deleted.  Way to advertise people.

In other film news, some of you may remember that I loved the film The Young Victoria.  The DVD is due out here in the UK on Monday, so if you haven’t seen it yet, now’s your chance!  A warning though, they do monkey around with the history a tiny bit in this film, but mostly it’s ok.

I’ve been making this list for a while, and it is neither exaustive nor finished at the moment.  I feel that it is ready to begin to share and gather comments.  I should also point out that I have included ones that have a slight fantasy element to them also, if they mainly appear historical.

How about adding your favourite historic films and tv dramas to the list?

Films:

• The Company of Wolves (1984) Fantasic Neil Jordan film, fantasy and fairytale.  Based on the short story from the collection ‘The Bloody Chamber’ by Angela Carter which should also be read, it’s brilliant.
• Ladyhawke (1985) Great film, though the soundtrack has dated somewhat!  Matthew Broderick as the loveable thief and Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer as the starcrossed lovers.
• Lady Jane (1986) I love this film, based on the short period of Lady Jane Grey’s life leading up to her coronation and ultimate execution.  Beautifully made and acted, starring Helena Bonham Carter.
• Shadowlands (1993) Covering the period of time when C.S Lewis met and fell in love with Joy Gresham.  Beautiful and moving.
• Sense and Sensibility (1995) It’s an engaging version of the story, and I’m always pleased to see Margaret Dashwood included.  I do not, and will never approve of Emma Thompson playing Elinor however.
• Twelfth Night (1996) I love Shakespeare, and this is one of my favourites.  Has great moments of comedy and tragedy.  Plus I love Toby Stephens.
• Elizabeth (1998) Oh, what a stunning and epic film!  Cate Blanchett blows everyone else out of the water as Elizabeth I.  The follow up isn’t bad either.
• Gladiator (2000) If you haven’t seen this, are you dead?  Russell Crowe as Roman General turned gladiator, ’nuff said.
• Moulin Rouge (2001) People have said to me, you either love it or hate it.  I love it, Nicole Kidman as the courtesan and Ewan Macgregor the writer, musical-tastic!
• Possession (2002) A beautiful Victorian love story, with some unexpected twists.  Parallels with modern day London.  Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Ehle.  You should also read the fabulous book by A.S. Byatt.
• The Abduction Club (2002) A funny and engaging romp set in 18th Century Ireland.  Great cast, feelgood story.
• King Arthur (2004) I love this film, but many didn’t give it a chance.  A new take on the legend, bloody, sexy and enjoyable starring Clive Owen.

TV Dramas:

• Sherlock Holmes Memoirs/Return (1984-1988) Arthur Conan Doyle
  
• The House of Eliott (1991-1994) Two sisters, fashion and the roaring twenties.
  
• Cadfael (1994-1998) Ellis Peters
  
• The Glass Virgin (1995) An adaptation of a Catherine Cookson novel.  My fave one.
• Pride and Prejudice (1995) Jane Austen
  
• The Bucaneers (1995) Edith Wharton
  
• Persuasion (1995) and (2007) Jane Austen
  
• The Aristocrats (1999) From a biography by Stella Tillyard, read it, it’s fantastic.
  
• Wives and Daughters (1999) Elizabeth Gaskell
• The Murder Rooms – The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (2000) Inspired by the life of Arthur Conan Doyle.
  
• Lorna Doone (2000) R.D. Blackmore
  
• Foyle’s War (2002-2008) A detective, in 1940s war-torn England.
  
• North and South (2004) Elizabeth Gaskell
  
• Bleak House (2005) Charles Dickens
  
• Jane Eyre (2006) Charlotte Bronte
  
• Northanger Abbey (2007) Jane Austen
  
• Cranford (2007) Elizabeth Gaskell
  
• Lark Rise to Candleford (2007-) Flora Thompson
  
• Little Dorrit (2008) Charles Dickens

More to follow when I have time!