Yours Faithfully, Amanda

Jane & Charlotte:   Finding Common Ground in Hartford By: Amanda Forker Jane Austen lived from 1775 until 1817 whilst Charlotte Brontë was born in 1816 and died in 1851; they were near contemporaries with only the latter author having knowledge of the prior. Now, however, in 2020, we lucky Connecticutians have the unique opportunity to see fresh theatrical adaptations (written by talented, female playwrights) of both Jane & Charlotte’s most famous works: Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre , respectively. I am one of those lucky Connecticutians who has seen both....and I hope that you will be, too. If you consider yourself to be a ‘Janeite,’ Brontë Fan, or even a general literature/history buff, then you may be aware that Charlotte Brontë was no fan of Jane Austen’s. That being said, it is this authoress’s opinion that Charlotte’s dislike was cemented when friend and literary critic, G.H. Lewes, compared ‘Jane Eyre’ to ‘Pride & Prejudice.’ It was impli...

16 December 2019 Connecticut Dear Jane, Happy, happy, happy birthday! I daresay that it's shocking to reveal a woman's age w hen she has not given her direct consent to do so, but it's not every day that a beloved authoress turns 244-years-old! Pray, forgive my impertinence, but it speaks to your legacy that we are still celebrating you all these years later. You are more globally revered than ever, and I, for one, am so very grateful for your novels, stories, letters and everlasting wit.  To think that you came into the world on December 16, 1775 in such a different era is remarkable. And yet, when it comes to human nature, not much has changed in the past two-hundred and forty-four years. Your characters and stories are forever relatable and familiar, even in 21st century America...and that, my dear friend, is why you are a genius. Your brilliant writing skills, sharp wit and astute observations of the people around you culminated to produce some of the finest no...

*My heart is broken for the victims of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, TX & Dayton, OH. Please take a moment of silence for them and their loved ones today.* Thursday 1 August 2019- 6 Tuesday August 2019 The Internet, Connecticut Dear Jane, I must confess that I am quite frustrated with myself. I am just going to write everything else that happened in Cartagena no matter how long it takes or how long this letter is as a result, so please excuse the self-indulgence that is this letter. In truth, much has happened since we returned from Colombia that I have completely ignored (and now nearly forgotten). For one thing, my family and I saw American Ballet Theater's adaptation of Jane Eyre  at the Metropolitan Opera House in June starring none other than the incomparable MISTY COPELAND as Jane Eyre, herself!  It was an absolutely breathtaking performance and I am so glad we had the opportunity to see it. Additionally, my darling nephew turned two years old a...