I haven't read It Ends With Us or seen the film, but it was really fascinating to read about it here in relationship to some of my favorite classic novels. I recently re-read Jane Eyre and have been writing a Substack essay on it, in particular Mr Rochester and the dynamic between him and Jane, so this gives me much food for thought! Definitely going to check out the Hot and Bothered podcast. Thank you for this post on such an important topic.
You are so welcome - thank you for engaging with it so thoughtfully! You will love the podcast - they read Jane Eyre with the pillars of Power and Desire always in mind, something I feel we do here in this community as well with Austen. Let us know how the listening goes, and we'll also check out your essay! 💮
Haven’t read the novel and only saw the film because the gossip was everywhere and I needed to understand what the fuss was all about. Thoughts after seeing the movie: well, I actually laughed when it ended. As in a real, belly laugh that was completely spontaneous and tried to keep down as three girls in their very early twenties cried their heart out. Obviously they must have read the book because otherwise I don’t understand what was so sad to cry about. If we leave out the script. The creative differences have made a mess of a movie that perhaps could have been used to shine a light on domestic violence in a more helpful and realistic way, but which here is so diluted that frankly if it hadn’t been for the gossip I doubt I’ll ever guessed this was a movie about abuse/DV. But that’s Hollywood for you. I highly recommend, for those interested in a similar topic with a very different take, There’s Still Tomorrow by Paola Cortellesi. You don’t even see a slap, but boy does it leave it clear what it is about.
Hi Cristina, thank you so much for giving your take on the film and also for the great recommendation of There's Still Tomorrow.
The Guardian says actor-film-maker Paola Cortellesi's storytelling has "confidence and panache" and that she's been "breaking hearts and box office records." It looks like a beautiful film and I will watch for it to release on streaming.
It’s a wonderful movie indeed and when I saw it in London a woman got up and screamed “Fantastico!” while clapping. It was quite moving. Having said that, really enjoyed your extended analysis bringing in classics where the topic of violence against women is also present and how it isn’t always treated in a clear-cut way. Now I have added more books to my never-ending to read pile 🙂 High time I’d read some of them too.
Thank you for this thoughtful post. In Chapter 5 of _Northanger Abbey_, the stirring defense of the novel (and female novelists) sets a foundation for Austen’s entire novel sequence. The “pride, ignorance, or fashion” encouraging the marginalization of female novelists is juxtaposed with their literary fruit where “the greatest powers of the mind are displayed” in the expression of the “most thorough knowledge of human nature.” Perhaps the socio-cultural limitations experienced by women in this day cultivated the empathy needed to present this fully rounded view of the human experience. As novelists like Austen and Bronte recast their own experiences to empower their female protagonists, they gift readers with vitalized cathartic experiences to reexamine their own life trajectories—in their time and in our era as well.
Problematic? That would be Emma herself, controlling and 'patriarchal'. Perhaps influenced by that Ang Lee /Emma Thompson film I have more time than you do for Willoughby. Both he and Marianne are flawed (naive, selfish, thoughtless). She suffers more than he does but does come through in the end which he doesn't. (Actually and okay it's meaningless to speculate on the "future" course of his "life" he ceases to exist once we turn over page 273 but I suspect he'll get over Marianne in 6 months or so). Don't see him as a "villain" like say John thorpe in Northanger who's just a selfish beast. Empowered? Perhaps Catherine coping with the solo journey home from Northanger. But I am wary of applying early 21st C moral concepts (empowerment ) to early 19th C novelist.
Thank you for engaging with this, Ron. Yes, I do think we are supposed to feel for Willoughby. In the passage replayed here with Elinor, even she appreciates him and even in the moment. And yes let's hope Willoughby gets on with his life in about six months. Marianne has moved on. The fanfic can pick this up for us from page 273 😀
Thank you so much for this piece! I have not read Colleen Hoover but wondered what the attraction was. Friends who read It Ends were a bit baffled by it being called a romance. I adore Jane Austen but would you call her stories romances? Not in the contemporary way, I think. But I bow to your superior knowledge. Thanks again. Fascinating
So glad you enjoyed it, thank you for the comment!
And great question and one that is debated in the Jane conversations - there is no doubt that Jane Austen was creating groundbreaking art that innovated and built the novel genre while reflecting serious philosophical, historical, and societal issues. And she did all that within the structure of this new form called the Novel, and that structure included a Happily-ever-after, or the HEA. So she is all of it. She is not perfect and like Bronte should be read critically - but if it's romance you want, Austen it is. And if it's literary classic you want, also Austen.
But, if I'm referring to either Hoover or Austen straightforward Romance I should clarify that (I'll check!) I'm sure this conversation will continue! Thank you for engaging with it! 💮
What an exceptionally well-written post! Thank you so much for the work you've put into this. I have read Colleen Hoover's book (but not seen the film) and heard a little of the controversy via my daughter (who has seen the film and enjoyed it). I think you make some really interesting and important points here, and it's one I may need to come back to with more thoughts. Thank you for writing it :)
Thank you - I'm so very glad you found this to be meaningful, Kate. And yes this is a good one to discuss with the daughters! By the way, I've been searching for the Miranda July book and am going to track it down in time for travel this week. Have a beautiful Sunday. 🌷
I haven't read It Ends With Us or seen the film, but it was really fascinating to read about it here in relationship to some of my favorite classic novels. I recently re-read Jane Eyre and have been writing a Substack essay on it, in particular Mr Rochester and the dynamic between him and Jane, so this gives me much food for thought! Definitely going to check out the Hot and Bothered podcast. Thank you for this post on such an important topic.
You are so welcome - thank you for engaging with it so thoughtfully! You will love the podcast - they read Jane Eyre with the pillars of Power and Desire always in mind, something I feel we do here in this community as well with Austen. Let us know how the listening goes, and we'll also check out your essay! 💮
What a great connection to make! As always, this is a very relevant post.
Thank you, Anagha!
Haven’t read the novel and only saw the film because the gossip was everywhere and I needed to understand what the fuss was all about. Thoughts after seeing the movie: well, I actually laughed when it ended. As in a real, belly laugh that was completely spontaneous and tried to keep down as three girls in their very early twenties cried their heart out. Obviously they must have read the book because otherwise I don’t understand what was so sad to cry about. If we leave out the script. The creative differences have made a mess of a movie that perhaps could have been used to shine a light on domestic violence in a more helpful and realistic way, but which here is so diluted that frankly if it hadn’t been for the gossip I doubt I’ll ever guessed this was a movie about abuse/DV. But that’s Hollywood for you. I highly recommend, for those interested in a similar topic with a very different take, There’s Still Tomorrow by Paola Cortellesi. You don’t even see a slap, but boy does it leave it clear what it is about.
Hi Cristina, thank you so much for giving your take on the film and also for the great recommendation of There's Still Tomorrow.
The Guardian says actor-film-maker Paola Cortellesi's storytelling has "confidence and panache" and that she's been "breaking hearts and box office records." It looks like a beautiful film and I will watch for it to release on streaming.
Here's the Guardian review for others interested in the film: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/apr/25/theres-still-tomorrow-review-resoundingly-sentimental-drama-in-postwar-rome
It’s a wonderful movie indeed and when I saw it in London a woman got up and screamed “Fantastico!” while clapping. It was quite moving. Having said that, really enjoyed your extended analysis bringing in classics where the topic of violence against women is also present and how it isn’t always treated in a clear-cut way. Now I have added more books to my never-ending to read pile 🙂 High time I’d read some of them too.
As one of your Substack readers I know you read a LOT - glad to add to your list! 😀
😂 I see I’ve already created a reputation
Fascinating! The Tenant of Wildfell Hall would be another interesting comparison
Thank you! And yes this made me realize I've never actually read that - something I need to correct right away!
I think it’s greatly underrated! Pretty different from the other Brontes’ books
Interesting! It's wonderful to realize there's a major classic that you've missed and must circle back to 😀
Thank you for this thoughtful post. In Chapter 5 of _Northanger Abbey_, the stirring defense of the novel (and female novelists) sets a foundation for Austen’s entire novel sequence. The “pride, ignorance, or fashion” encouraging the marginalization of female novelists is juxtaposed with their literary fruit where “the greatest powers of the mind are displayed” in the expression of the “most thorough knowledge of human nature.” Perhaps the socio-cultural limitations experienced by women in this day cultivated the empathy needed to present this fully rounded view of the human experience. As novelists like Austen and Bronte recast their own experiences to empower their female protagonists, they gift readers with vitalized cathartic experiences to reexamine their own life trajectories—in their time and in our era as well.
So well said, thank you, AliProf!
"Vitalized cathartic experiences" through these stories - love that! 💮
Problematic? That would be Emma herself, controlling and 'patriarchal'. Perhaps influenced by that Ang Lee /Emma Thompson film I have more time than you do for Willoughby. Both he and Marianne are flawed (naive, selfish, thoughtless). She suffers more than he does but does come through in the end which he doesn't. (Actually and okay it's meaningless to speculate on the "future" course of his "life" he ceases to exist once we turn over page 273 but I suspect he'll get over Marianne in 6 months or so). Don't see him as a "villain" like say John thorpe in Northanger who's just a selfish beast. Empowered? Perhaps Catherine coping with the solo journey home from Northanger. But I am wary of applying early 21st C moral concepts (empowerment ) to early 19th C novelist.
Thank you for engaging with this, Ron. Yes, I do think we are supposed to feel for Willoughby. In the passage replayed here with Elinor, even she appreciates him and even in the moment. And yes let's hope Willoughby gets on with his life in about six months. Marianne has moved on. The fanfic can pick this up for us from page 273 😀
Thank you so much for this piece! I have not read Colleen Hoover but wondered what the attraction was. Friends who read It Ends were a bit baffled by it being called a romance. I adore Jane Austen but would you call her stories romances? Not in the contemporary way, I think. But I bow to your superior knowledge. Thanks again. Fascinating
So glad you enjoyed it, thank you for the comment!
And great question and one that is debated in the Jane conversations - there is no doubt that Jane Austen was creating groundbreaking art that innovated and built the novel genre while reflecting serious philosophical, historical, and societal issues. And she did all that within the structure of this new form called the Novel, and that structure included a Happily-ever-after, or the HEA. So she is all of it. She is not perfect and like Bronte should be read critically - but if it's romance you want, Austen it is. And if it's literary classic you want, also Austen.
But, if I'm referring to either Hoover or Austen straightforward Romance I should clarify that (I'll check!) I'm sure this conversation will continue! Thank you for engaging with it! 💮
What an exceptionally well-written post! Thank you so much for the work you've put into this. I have read Colleen Hoover's book (but not seen the film) and heard a little of the controversy via my daughter (who has seen the film and enjoyed it). I think you make some really interesting and important points here, and it's one I may need to come back to with more thoughts. Thank you for writing it :)
Thank you - I'm so very glad you found this to be meaningful, Kate. And yes this is a good one to discuss with the daughters! By the way, I've been searching for the Miranda July book and am going to track it down in time for travel this week. Have a beautiful Sunday. 🌷
Oh, excellent!! I hope you enjoy it; can’t wait to hear your thoughts…