Oct 31, 2008

Jane Odiwe & Lydia Bennet's Take on Halloween Fun



Hello everyone,

I’d like to thank Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit very much for asking me as a guest on her blog. I’m going to tell you about how I developed Lydia’s character in Lydia Bennet’s Story and…

“La! How dull would that be?”

Excuse me, Lydia...as I was saying…

“No one wants to hear what you have to say, Jane, they’d much rather hear about the night of mischief and fun that Kitty and I had on Hallowe’en.”

I’ve been asked to talk about my book…

“Dearest Jane, I think I hear the doorbell … oh good, that got rid of her, she’s gone! Halloo! It’s Lydia Bennet from Longbourn here with a tale for all you young ladies out there.”

“I’ll bet you’ll see your true love by midnight,” said our maid Mary, and she looked so mysterious and meaningful that we took her at her word and arrived at the kitchen door as late as we dared. It was very quiet and I was all for bursting in at the door but Kitty was already nervous on account of being told to come without candle or lantern. At her timid knock, the door was suddenly thrown back and the vision that greeted us was so terrifying that Kitty let out the most bloodcurdling scream you have ever heard. When we realised it was Mary with a hollowed turnip candle held under her chin we laughed so hard, I thought I might be ill.

The kitchen was very dark but for the glow of turnip candles on every surface illuminating several strings of apples suspended from the ceiling. A large bowl of water with more apples floating atop was set before a looking glass, which strangely resembled the one from my bedchamber.

“We’ll have snap apple and bobbing for apples later but first there is a tradition that all young ladies must perform. You must stand before the glass, quite alone in the dark, and a vision of the man you are to marry will appear within, before the bewitching hour,” said Mary.

“I will not,” cried Kitty, “No fear, I’m not standing here in this horrid, dark place for anything, even if Prince George himself was to appear.”

“Lord!” said I, “There’s nothing to it, Kitty, but I warn you, if I see Prince George, I’ll slit my throat. Ugh, can you think of anything more disagreeable than marrying that oaf!”

I must admit I felt a slight apprehension when they’d extinguished every candle before leaving me, and the hairs on my arms and legs prickled up at the unfamiliar sounds in the cold kitchen. There was a scuffle in the corner and the thought of a mouse nearly had me running for the door.

I stood before the glass and soon became quite engrossed with my own reflection which it has to be said looked most becoming by the soft bars of moonlight creeping through the window.

It was then that I thought I heard breathing. I looked behind me but there was no one there. I turned back to the glass and caught sight of a glimmering light in the background, so I spun round again only to find it had disappeared. I wheeled back to the glass once more determined to catch sight of whatever apparition was about to materialize when I got the fright of my life. A phantom in white, and not at all my impression of a handsome beau was leering at me in the dark, with hideous, grinning teeth. I screamed and fainted into the arms of the horrible ghoul!

The door burst open and there, holding onto their sides, falling upon themselves with laughter, were Kitty and Mary. My assailant had me blindfolded before I could protest further and in a soft voice not in the least unbecoming, begged for a kiss from his future wife. What else could a girl do in the dark, I ask you, other than oblige? In any case, I had guessed from his delicious smell that it was Mr Edwards, who it is well known has something of a passion for me and, indeed, is quite the best-looking young man of my acquaintance!

Of course, I protested loudly through the whole sordid exhibition and it was only when we went to bed that I admitted to Kitty, that although I do not think I found my husband on All Hallows Eve, I certainly enjoyed my adventure!

As an after thought, I must just add that, whatever you may have read about Jane Odiwe’s influence over me and the development of my character in her ‘novel’, Lydia Bennet’s Story, she had nothing whatsoever to do with it – I am entirely my own wonderful person – perfection can never be imitated, improved or further developed!

Lydia Bennet

***Want to win a copy of Lydia Bennet's Story by Jane Odiwe? I have one copy for one U.S./Canada winner (sorry no P.O. boxes) and one copy for an international winner.

Here's what you do: (Remember to leave me an email address or blog link so I can contact you!)

1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite Jane Austen novel is or what novel you would like to read (if heaven forbid, you haven't read Jane Austen yet!) for one entry.

2. Leave a comment on my Lydia Bennet's Story review post, here, for a second entry.

3. For a third entry, spread the word about this contest on your blog and leave me the link here or if you don't have a blog, email 5 friends and cc savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

Deadline is November 7 at Midnight EST.

Other Contests from Savvy Verse & Wit: (Deadlines are Nov. 5)

1. Win a copy of Black Flies by Shannon Burke

2. Win a copy of Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby

67 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am very curious about this book of J. Odiwe! I like all of JA, even the letters, but if I have to make a choice....Persuasion perhaps (I have bought the audio-book recently and am all excitement!!).
I live in Italy and my e-mail address is d.bergamo@libero.it.
Loredana

teabird said...

My favorite Jane Austen book: Emma. I never tire of her good-hearted (and disastrous) meddling, or her father's need for gruel...

teabird 17 at yahoo dot com

Katherine said...

My favorite Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility. OK, I know that everyone expects me to say Pride and Prejudice, but I like the Dashwood sisters better than the Bennets!

katherineshuff (at) gmail (dot) com.

Serena said...

I expect everyone to say what their favorite book is! I must confess, I love Persuasion almost as much as P&P!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, darling. (And not just because I have yet to read any Austen). I'm just dropping in to thank you for the e-mail and to say this is now posted at Win a Book.

Suey said...

Fun guest post!

Of course, my favorite Jane Austen is Pride and Prejudice. Of course!

Amanda said...

I haven't read any Jane Austen yet! I think the first one I will read will be Persuasion. I saw a few of the BBC movies recently, and am really inspired to read them all!

darbyscloset said...

Great and Humerous Post! Funny, funny! My favorite, of course is P&P.
I think this would be a fun read!
Thanks,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

My fav Jane Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice. I have read it three times. I have 'Northanger Abbey' on my list. I have been wanting to read it.

katayoun said...

my favorite is pride and prejudice though persuasion is a very close second.

Jane Odiwe said...

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say hello and thank Serens for having me as a guest on your blog. Thankfully Lydia is still sleeping, recovering from her Hallowe'en adventure, so I can get a word in.

Did anyone see the man they are to marry last night?

Take care and thank you for all your good wishes,
Jane

Jane Odiwe said...

Sorry Serena, I hit the s button by mistake-I hate spelling names incorrectly.

Serena said...

Jane: Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the posts. It was a great read and I can't wait to see who wins.

Serena said...

I knew there were some P&P lovers out there!

Jaerixon said...

you sound smart, you should read my blog

Kimmy said...

I loved Pride and Prejudice, but I think my favorite is Northanger Abbey.

Rebekah E. said...

I really love all of Jane Austins books but my favorite is pride and prejudice.

Rebekah E. said...

oops I forgot to put my email down.
bc428[at]juno[dot]com

Amber said...

I would love to win please - I am living in Germany.

Anonymous said...

My favorite is Sense and Sensibility. I'm from the U.S.

-Susan

susan_geiger at eku dot edu

Anonymous said...

oops, wrong email..

susan_geiger2 at eku dot edu

that's it!!

windycindy said...

I enjoyed Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" book the best. Thanks for a wonderful book drawing. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Shelvicious said...

I love several of Jane Austen's books. My favorite would have to be Pride and Prejudice though.

vbarto(at)hotmail(dot)com

Marie said...

I love Jane Austen but my favorite is Sense and Sensibility!

vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu

Cynthia said...

My favorite is Pride and Prejudice. Thanks for entering my name!

avalonne83 said...

My favourite Jane Austen's novel is "Pride and Prejudice".

Please enter me in the contest -- I'd love to read this book! Thanks. I live in Italy.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

tanabata said...

What a fun guest post!
I love all Jane Austen's books but my favourite is Pride & Prejudice. Sigh.

I've mentioned your giveaway here.

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

sense and sensibility....would love to read this...please enter me- thanks so much!mrs.mommyyatgmaildotcom

Gwendolyn B. said...

I remember being particularly fond of EMMA when I read it years ago. I think it's time for me to re-read Austen's novels - sounds like a good way to begin 2009. Thanks for the chance to win this - it sounds like fun!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Debbie said...

Oh, I am so boring and predictable - P&P has to be my fave.

Tarie Sabido said...

International entry:

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have never read a Jane Austen novel. :o( That said, I would like to read Pride & Prejudice because it is supposedly the best of Austen's work. I'm curious! :o)

Tarie
peteredmundlucy7@yahoo.com

Jennifer said...

Tough question! Since I must make a choice I choose, Sense and Sensibility.

knittingmomof3 AT gmail DOT com

Mari said...

Loved every book I have read by Jane Austen. I still have to read Persuasion. Favorite=P&P, of course.

Thanks for the entry.

Unknown said...

Hard to pick a favorite Jane Austen, but I'll choose Pride & Prejudice because I played Lydia in a class play a thousand years ago.

Tammy said...

I love all of Austen's work, but my favorites have to be Pride & Prejudice and Emma.

I've left a comment on your review, and I've blogged about the giveaway here. Keeping my fingers crossed!

missporkchop AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

My favorite Jane Austen book is probably a toss-up between Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey. I would actually be hard pressed to choose between Mr Darcy and Mr Tilney *gasp* blasphemy! Or so my Austen-fan friends tell me :-P

abudd84 (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I've never read Jane Austen, but after reading through your comments here, I now feel the need to pick up a few - or all - of them!

so I'm gonna go with the novel I really want to read as: Jane Austen: Emma. Sounds great

Unknown said...

I love both Pride and Prejudice and Emma!
frog123 (at) cyipcom (dot) net

Mia J. said...

I am a big Jane Austen fan. My favorite is Sense and Sensibility followed by Emma.

Sunny said...

Heaven forbid, but I havent ready any! *gasp!*

sj3girls AT hotmail DOT com

Mom of 5 Boys said...

I have read all of them (a couple more than once) and love them all. Of course P&P is my fave, with Emma running a close second.

Teddy Rose said...

I would love to win this book. I bow my head in shame, as I have not actually read any of Jane Auten's books yet. However, I have see just about every movie and mini-series adaptations of her books ever produced. If I have to pick a favorite it would be Pride and Prejudice.

I also blogged about this wonderful giveaway here:

http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-weeks-givaways-galore.html

My email is teddyr66 (at) yahoo (dot) com

tatertot374 said...

thank you for having this! Pride and Prejudice would be mine. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

Book Sp(l)ot said...

I do love Pride & Prejudice :) but I'm hoping to read Sense & Sensibility soon...

Anonymous said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite JA novel. Thanks for asking and thank you for the giveaway!
Nancy
allibrary [at] aol [dot] com

Linda said...

I hate to admit it, but I have never read a Jane Austen book. So, it has become a solid goal to read Pride and Prejudice very soon. Actually all I've read about the Lydia Bennet book has whetted my appetite. Hope I win a copy.

Anna said...

No need to enter me, obviously! Just wanted to say I really enjoyed "Lydia's" guest post! And I posted your giveaway in my sidebar. (Sorry I'm a bit late doing that!)

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Ginny said...

I've never read any of her books. What would you recommend as a first book to her?

Iliana said...

I've only read two of Jane Austen's books but so far I can say Northanger Abbey is my favorite. I read it while I was visiting a friend in Bath one year and I guess that just made it all the more memorable to me. To be able to visit the places Caroline visited in the book, etc. Such a treat.

Anonymous said...

Very funny. Persuasion is excellent :).

Serena said...

Ginny! Start with Pride and Prejudice!

Kaye said...

Emma has to be my favorite

florida982002@yahoo dot com

I am posting a link on my blog at
kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I should be BLIND - to miss this giveaway - and thanks for mentioning this on the latest post - or i would have NEVER sen it- I m so BLIND!

ok i m eligible for one copy :D !!

ok i really liked Jane Austen's Persuasion [ i read it long bak - but i remember i liked it ] . I also got it this time ;) just to re-read u know!
and i would like to read Pride and Prejudice[ can u believe i have not read it yet! ]

and i will be putting this up on my sidebar!

ohh and b4 i forget - cool guest post :) thanks!

enter me enter me enter me!

Becky said...

Favorite Jane Austen book..only one??? gahhh umm I guess Pride and Prejudice is it then..

toohotforturtle said...

Have to stick with the obvious and go for Pride & Prejudice

Anonymous said...

I'm embarrassed to admit I've never read any of her books. I can't figure out why because I've always been a voracious reader all of my life but I guess I've missed a few classics. I would love to read Pride and Prejudice!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

Belladonna1975 said...

My favorite Jane Austen book is Sense and Sensability.

Thanks for entering me to win!

Unknown said...

So call me a traditionalist, I just can't help loving Pride and Prejudice. My mom and I read it together when I was ten and it love at first blush. I'm very curious to read a book from Lydia's perspective.

boldnessbe(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie Stacey said...

Pride and Prejudice

Molly C. said...

I'm ashamed to say, I haven't read any Jane Austen books.....yet.

sweetsue said...

My favorite Jane Austen book is Emma, because it's the only one I have read. I read it after I watched the movie and enjoyed it. I know I should read her others and plan on it soon.

smchester at gmail dot com

iggysaysno said...

I haven't read any yet... :( but I'd like to read Emma... seems very popular!

Wrighty said...

I haven't read much Austin since high school and college. I think Pride & Prejudice was probably my favorite too. It's been too long so I think I need to read some more! Thanks for your contest, I'm adding it to my blog.

www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com
5wrights1@verizon.net

Book Lover Lisa said...

This book looks very interesting. It is hard to pick which is my favorite Jane Austen, but if I had to pick, I would say Sense and Sensibitliy is my favorite.

lisalouhoo@msn.com

Unknown said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel. garrettsambo@aol.com

Deb Anderson said...

Well of course Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen novel, Lydia dear. ... psst... now that Lydia is appeased, let me admit that my second favorite Austen novel is Persuasion. There is something so autumnal and melancholy about Anne Elliott's story, and yet in the end you see that everything works out just the way it should. These two people have had to work at overcoming their obstacles to being together, not the least of which was mistrust and misunderstanding.

Anonymous said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austin book.
I would love to read this book! It looks great!!
Donna W
secondhandrose40@lycos.com