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...

22 November 2019 Connecticut Dear Jane, As the youths of today say, "It's been a minute." What I am really trying to say, though, is that I am terribly sorry for not writing since August! I can't imagine that you are surpised by the delay, however, as you have been subjected to over six years of inconstant letters from "Yours Faithfully." I suppose "yours faithfully" is a rather ironic sentiment when I am anything but faithful in my letter writing. Perhaps I should sign my letters with "Yours Sometimes...when I feel like writing, Amanda." That would be rather horrible, though, so I shall keep to the classic, "Yours Faithfully, Amanda" and silently acknowledge that it is merely a facade. Now, Jane, as often happens in the journey of life, much has changed since August when last I wrote. My eldest sister welcomed a daughter named Aurelia at the end of the summer and she is just the sweetest little darling. Her big b...

*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...

Wednesday 17 July 2019 Hartford, Connecticut Dear Jane, And so our Cartagena  adventure  continues... A breakfast fit for hobbits. Our second day (Monday, the twentieth of May) was one that both Rachael and I had been looking forward to for quite some time as we were to spend the majority of it on a boat! Before boating, however, breakfast was a necessity. I do so loath to sound "bougie," Jane, but our first full day in Cartagena began by indulging in an exceedingly delicious breakfast whilst seated at a charming table by the pool. Hotel Caribe provides a wonderful buffet breakfast consisting of fresh fruit and jugos (juices), strong & flavorful coffee, eggs, meats, cheeses, pandebono (a roll, of sorts, with cheese baked in- YUM), an assortment of delectable, local pastries (that I cannot remember the names of), and much more! And as I am a hobbit, I often went back for second breakfast. I daresay I could have lingered by the breakfast buffet for ho...