2 years old with a giveaway

Hello Dear Reader,

2 years ago from today, I have started this blog. Originally, to write Jane Austen Fan Fiction book reviews, but very soon the repertoire expanded to other reviews as well, when I started to attend Jane Austen related theatre productions, balls, festivals, events.

21 years ago, in 1996, when I watched the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice version the first time with my mum, I was so facinated by the costumes, acting and the whole thing, that I told her “I want to meet these people.” My mum’s reply was “Honey, it doesn’t work like that”. She was right in many ways. I had to move to the UK, I needed lot of luck and determination, and still, it hasn’t happened overnight. When I moved here more than 4 years ago, all I knew was, that I want to go to the Jane Austen festival in Bath (preferably dressed up) and if someone from the cast plays in theatre, I would like to watch it.

Since then I have met one of my best friends, Joana Starnes; I have been introduced to JAFF by Sophie Andrews from Laughing with Lizzie and met other bloggers on- and offline, like Ana from My Vices and Weaknesses, Claudine from JustJane1813, Rita From Pemberley to Milton; and countless authors and other dedicated fans.

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I had dinner with “Jane Bennet”; I’ve visited all the ’95 and most of the ’05 P&P filming locations along with other Jane Austen adaptation locations; I was an extra in the BBC documentary: My Friend Jane; I’ve been interviewed by The Guardian (coming soon); appeared on 2 JAFF book covers (Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter and Miss Darcy’s Companion) ; I can dance period dances, but I have 2 left legs in a disco (not that I party unless it’s a regency ball); I literally have more period outfits than modern day dresses; I have 78 P&P copies in 18 languages; and I have met fifteen ’95 cast members, including Jennifer and Colin.
I have seen many cast members in theatres in London, Chichester, Nottingham and I even went to Broadway. My first one was Mr Collins (David Bamber) in West End, and my last one was Jennifer Ehle in New York. The first cast member I met was Adrian Lukis in Bath at the festival and I will always treasure the moment when I met Colin and Jennifer.

 

 

 

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A few weeks ago, on the way to London, Rita “From Pemberley to Milton” and I have discovered the unimaginable, that both of us started our blogs on the very same day and year – 3rd of August 2015 – and if it’s not enough, both of our first review was one of (although different) Abigail Reynold’s books.

As you, wonderful people, have been with me and Rita on this journey, you shared, liked, commented, entered giveaways, wrote us messages, etc., We would like to offer  one lucky winner a copy of The Darcy Monologues, signed by the editor Christina Boyd, and 3 authors: Lory Lilian, Joana Starnes and Caitlin Williams along with a Mr Darcy magnet. The giveaway is international and open until the 22nd of August.

You can enter by COMMENTING ON BOTH From Pemberley to Milton AND Obsessed with Mr Darcy’s original wordpress post. Good luck!