Members Meeting - March 17 2012

She's Not Finished! The Neglected Novels

On the brink of spring, we met to celebrate the unfinished novels of Jane Austen, guided by Elizabeth Marshall in The Watsons and Sanditon. She shared the reasons why the novels weren't finished, their basic plots and a smattering of the efforts by other authors to complete these fragments. None could compare, though, with what Austen might have done herself if she'd only had more time.

In honour of St. Patrick's Day, we drank a cold green tea favoured by the Prince Regent, though without the large quantity of alcohol he usually preferred. Amber Adams made Irish soda bread to have with our tea. Amber also shared an enlightening account of Tom Lefroy's life and family. There is evidence to show that Lefroy, from a prominent Irish family, was Jane Austen's ideal choice for a husband. 

Helen led a discussion on P.D. James' new book, Death Comes to Pemberley. While the book has received some negative reviews, most members seemed to feel it was worth a read.

Several changes will be in store for future meetings, whereby Judith and Deirdre will now take over the running of the library, which is now posted online. New member, Penny, will be the new tea coordinator.

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