I am ten chapters into Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters and likewise within the pages of Sense and Sensibility. I’d be farther along in both if I were not so diligently writing for #NaNoWriMo for which I have written a little over half of my 50,000 word minimum. Additionally, I have been experiencing something like Lady Middleton at the dinner party she and her husband host for the Dashwoods. As a mother of only two energetically demanding children I read the following line from Jane Austen’s original work with a new sense of understanding.
“Lady Middleton seemed to be roused to enjoyment only by the entrance of her four noisy children after dinner, who pulled her about, tore her clothes, and put an end to every kind of discourse except what related to themselves.”
In reading that line I was struck with how opposite my feelings are given the similarity of behavior my children have been demonstrating as I have attempted to read and write this past week. I too have been pulled about as my children have been on their mission to “put an end to every kind of discourse” or activity of mine that doesn’t directly relate to them. Ah, but such is the way of it. I just wish I could feel as roused to enjoyment by it instead of incredibly annoyed by my lack of productivity.
So it is with great enjoyment that I find the humor in Ben H. Winter’s alterations and additions. I must say, however, that I am not so thrilled with Colonel Brandon’s likeness to the Davy Jones character of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, but I’ll admit that it comes from my fondness of him as a character (and that I secretly picture Alan Rickman much like Mr. Darcy will always be Colin Firth). Otherwise I’m finding myself very much carried away by Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and laughing out loud often enough that my 7 year old daughter has been asking me about it.
I like how Winters is using Margaret to be a little more aware of the strangeness of the isle while the others carry on about their business, brushing her off as telling children’s tales and creative imaginings. Did anyone else have a Carol Anne flashback? When Margaret says “We are not alone” while staring out the window it is almost like the little girl from Poltergeist sitting in front of the TV saying “They’re here.” A chill ran up my spine at the mental comparison. Will that thrill continue? I hope so.
With phrases like “he was perfection in a wet-suit” and “dripping with charisma and the sea-water streaming from his physique-accentuating diving costume” I can’t help thinking that men’s fashion might do with some more wet-suits. Or perhaps I need to watch more Discovery specials with diving explorations. I can’t wait to find more of these amusing phrases as I continue reading.
Are you enjoying the alterations? Do Margaret’s observations and behavior seem a bit creepy to you? Do you picture Colonel Brandon as Alan Rickman too?
*Photo: Astral Dive by jurvetson, obtained through Flickr.