WRITING A REVIEW 2: BECOMING JANE

An international magazine is running a feature on ‘Chasing away the winter blues’. You have been invited to write a review about a ‘feel good’ book or film that you have enjoyed, to share with readers. Write your review (280-320 words), saying who you think the book or film would appeal, and explaining why reading the book or seeing the film might cheer them up. (GUDE, Kathy; DUCKWORTH, Michael; ROGERS, Louis. Cambridge English Proficiency MASTERCLASS. Student's Book with Online Skills & Language Practice. Oxford, 2012; page 39).

Becoming Jane

by Marcelo Maciel de Almeida

I became very interested in Jane Austen after reading her masterpiece “Pride and Prejudice”. On the one hand, I did not like very much the film version based on her novel, except for the landscapes, evoking memories of a country where I would like to spend more time studying and sightseeing. On the other hand, watching Becoming Jane was worthy of attention.

Anne Hathaway stars brilliantly as the prominent writer from Steventon, north Hampshire, Jane Austen, the youngest daughter of Reverend George Austen and his wife. Jane’s brother is Henry and Cassandra Austen, her sister.  

The story is focused on Jane Austen’s life and the title is suggestive – it is connected to the making of such a brilliant writer and her concerns about her time. The film begins with Miss Austen writing a text dedicated to her sister Cassandra, engaged with Robert Fowle. Jane falls in love with Tom Lefroy but, unfortunately, he depends financially on his uncle, Lord Chief Judge Langlois of London. This was an impediment for marriage. Mr. Wisley,  Lady Gresham’s nephew and heir, proposes to Jane. She turns it down. Meanwhile, she is writing “First Impressions”, the previous version of “Pride and Prejudice”.

Becoming Jane depicts beautiful balls, soft piano melodies and reveals manners from the dim and distant past. Ladies from that time learned how to play the piano and Miss Austen was usually requested to read what she wrote.

All in all, the story is about affection and money. At that time parents were concerned about finding rich husbands for their daughters. On this sense, you can easily connect Jane’s mother to Mrs. Bennet from “Pride and Prejudice”. However, Jane was loyal to her feelings and she was able to get by with her writings. I strongly recommend “Becoming Jane” for those of you who feel there is a certain lack of romanticism nowadays.

(312 words)