Tuesday Open Thread: Olympics Edition
Normally we use the Tuesday Open Thread to list Austen-related articles that don’t quite make the cut for full posts. This week, we got nothin’. The Editrix has been a tiny bit (just a tiny bit) obsessed with Michael Phelps’ run for eight gold medals over the last week or so, and despite Mr. Phelps’ smooth, glowing skin… (sorry, had to take a moment there) we think Jane Austen would have appreciated the Olympics of swimmer Dara Torres much more. At the age of 41, two years after giving birth, she has not only made the U.S. Olympic swimming team (for the fifth time) but won three silver medals. Another great story is that of gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who at age 32 won silver on the vault. A native of Uzbekistan, when her little boy fell ill with leukemia, she was unable to get good treatment for him in Moscow. She asked her gymnastics friends for help, and was able to get treatment for him in Germany, and now she is competing on the German Olympics team, and winning, over girls half her age (and less, we suspect, in some cases). We think Jane Austen would have appreciated these great stories of women’s success.
Oh, and a recent victim of the AustenBlog spork has launched a spirited defense. Drop over and let him know what you think. Or just hang out here and let us know what’s going on in your patch of Janeiteville.
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I, too, think Jane would have been rooting for Oksana Chusovitina — I sure was!
This summer a lot of my reading list has covered Austen. I finally read Persuasion, and it ties with Mansfield Park for being my favorite novel of Jane’s. I really liked Anne and could identify with her so much. I hated her family. And Captain Wentworth…! I’ve become a fan, I confess.
I also read her Lady Susan, The Watsons, and Sanditon. Of the three The Watsons was my favorite; it would have been wonderful if Jane had finished it. Lady Susan reminded me a lot of Mansfield Park.
Then I read Sanditon completed by Another Lady. Totally loved it. The best paraliterature I’ve read. It would be very interesting if it was made into a minseries.
And last week I read Amanda Grange’s Edmund Bertram’s Diary. Another enjoyable read. I was surprised how likable she made Edmund. How she showed things from his point of view, I could understand more why he behaved the way he did, and felt more forgiving towards him.
Mags you are not alone in your love of all things Phelps. That cute gangly dude is seriously amazing. Our entire as US swim team has really proven themselves.
On a very random JA-note: on Sunday I believe I may have convinced my super-testosterone driven, X-box playing, 24 year old cousin to read Persuasion after I described the plot to him. I can’t even explain what kind of accomplishment this is for me and, indeed, the entire Janeite world!
I’m in the middle of re-reading “Mansfield Park,” which I hadn’t fully appreciated before. Such a brilliant novel. I don’t entirely understand why people often rag on Fanny. Yes, she doesn’t do much, but she does feels so much. My heart breaks for her everytime Edmund brings up Mary Crawford.
On an unrelated note, I had to laugh when going through the TV guide last week. This was the description for P&P 2005:
“A man begins a convoluted courtship with a young woman.”
Yes, the Sanditon by Another Lady is a keeper. If you haven’t already, I’d recommend reading it twice—many early events take an amusing turn once you know the whole story.
I’ve just finished re-reading….well actually all 6 of the major novels. I started re-reading Sense and Sensibility in June and somehow just went through all of them. I bought a Grigg-esque 6-in-1 volume from a car boot sale, and once I started the first novel, I just had to go through them all. Everytime I re-read, I see or notice something different.
For me the Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won hands down for providing, entertainment, glamour and achievement.
At first I was amused with her method. Well, I blame the commentator and the cameraman for it
for focussing again and again on her prostrate form with her head under a kind of mini tent, and later under the duvet.
Then when she was the lone competitor, I sat up with interest.
In the end when she jumped that 5.03 metres I finally realised there was a method to this method
I liked that she maintained her fimininity – that chain, that ring
Don’t forget Constantina Tomescu! She is the oldest person (yes, person, not just woman) to win the Olympic Marathon! 38 years old, 2 hrs, 26 min, 44 sec. And when she was done, she did a couple victory laps. That’s pretty damn impressive.
What Olympic pursuit would our favourite Austen heroes undertake?
For Colonel Brandon, since he’s been practicing with Willoughby, definitely fencing!
>For Colonel Brandon, since he’s been practicing with Willoughby, definitely fencing!
LOL!
Diving – for Collin’s Darcy
Mags, you’re not the only one who’s just a tiny bit obsessed with Phelps.
He looks weird, but he’s strangely cute, in a weird sort of way.
Unfortunately, there are rumours being circulated by the press that Mr. Phelps already has a bit of a love interest – fellow swimmer Stephanie Rice. Let’s hope that it is only a rumour.
There have been so many heartwarming stories that have emerged from these games, in spite of the controversy that seems to have dogged China. Did you hear about the German weightlifter Matthias Steiner, who lost his wife in car accident last but went on to win the gold medal. As he was on the podium receiving his medal, he held a picture of his wife. I was all but in tears!
Reeba, that’s perfect! I’m figuring Captain Wentworth for Olympic sailing, but am having some trouble with Mr. Knightley. I just can’t see him working up much of a sweat
>but am having some trouble with Mr. Knightley. I just can’t see him working up much of a sweat
Olympic Race Walking, of course.
Olympic Yachting for Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax.
I’d say gymnastics for Louisa Musgrove and little Charles, but I’m afraid they wouldn’t make the team.
It seems like there is a joke there for volleyball with Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy, but I’m just not finding it.
Tina, instead of volleyball, consider Olympic Ping Pong for the volatile duo. In the parlor at Netherfield, refereed by Caroline Bingley, discussion escalating to “pride” and “prejudice” — PING PONG PING PONG BIM BAM BOOM!!!