"…his reading was capital"
July 5, 2009
Here’s a bit of momentary amusement: Dominic West reading the proposal scene from P&P as part of an advertising campaign for coffee. He reads from some other books, too, and two other actors familiar to Janeites, Greg Wise and Dan Stevens, read from yet other novels.
We were amused to read the Guardian’s article about the campaign that describes the excerpts as “steamy.” Er, were they perhaps confusing the proposal scene–the first proposal scene, mind you, the one in which Mr. Darcy insults Miss Elizabeth Bennet in every possible manner–with the coffee? But it’s quite well-done–Dominic totally gets the scene, bless him. Do check it out.
Thanks to Alert Janeites Patty, Lisa, Laurel Ann, and Cynthia.
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Oh my! Did it suddenly get warm in here?
His reading is definitely capital! I think I would like to hear the whole book read by him.
An excellent performance, but I wonder if he (and/or whoever wrote his preamble to the reading) has actually read the whole book. Darcy did not break up an engagement between Bingley and Jane, and I am convinced would not even have tried if, say, Bingley had proposed at the Netherfield Ball and announced the engagement on the spot. A gentleman who had become formally engaged could not honourably break off the engagement.
Very well done, indeed, Mr. West. I, too, would like to hear him read the whole book.
Oh my heavens….this is like every girl’s fantasy. Hot guy reading Jane Austen to you (or hot guy–Dan Stevens–who was in a Jane Austen movie reading to you). Thank you, Carte Noire. Now, where can I find one of these men in the U.S.?
Well, he seems to have read something because he talks about Austen being a revelation to him.
http://www.cartenoire.co.uk/dominic-west
This is what he says on his bio page on that website.
Austen has been a revelation to me. I wasn’t really a fan before doing these readings, but it’s amazing stuff. My mother, sisters and wife always used to bang on about her, and now I understand why. I used to think Elizabeth Bennett was silly – but she’s not at all, she’s really bright and witty.
Maybe he just watched some film versions that left out Austen’s actual script. When he read Elizabeth’s actual words he realized that she’s not silly.
I’m sorry, though, that the Penguin book contest is for UK residents only. I would like to have entered.
Thank you so much for pointing me in the direction of these readings. Listening to Mr. West made me think I died and gone to heaven. That wonderful, masculine, soothing voice reading my favorite scene in all literature!!!
And then I listened to him read Lady Chatterley’s Lover! I read that book late into the night in high school and thought it was the hottest thing in the world!!
Now must listen to Mr. Stevens and Mr. Wise.
Gosh, I just had the chance to listen to Mr. West. My, my, my, that certainly makes for a delicious coffee break! After he was done, I couldn’t help thinking that he would have made a very interesting Knightley…..
Great, great, great! And Mr Wise telling his favorite romantic scenes was a discover! as well as his appretiation of Persuasion
Oh, I’m sorry. I believe I lost consciousness there for a moment.
Just getting around to watching/listening to this. I too would like to hear the whole book read by him….