Annotated Editions of Classics

For all the Jane Austen fans out there who watch public television, MASTERPIECE has just announced that a multi-part dramatization of Sanditon is coming.  Sanditon was unfinished when Jane Austen died; the original story is contained in the Library's copy of Lady Susan; The Watsons; Sanditon. The screenwriter for the miniseries is Andrew Davies (he also wrote the screenplay for the 1995 A&E version of Pride and Prejudice), and filming is scheduled to begin next spring.  Casting has not yet been announced.

While waiting to see this new miniseries, perhaps you can get your Jane Austen fix by checking out one of our annotated editions of her other titles. We have annotated editions for Emma; Persuasion; and Pride and Prejudice.

Annotated books typically provide the original text of the book on one half of each page, with the other half of the page devoted to notes on the text. The notes may be historical background, references to foreshadowing, definitions of obscure terms, or translations of foreign phrases. There may be pictures or photographs that add historical or modern context. The goal of most annotated books is to increase the reader's understanding of the original text.

ICPL has a variety of annotated versions of popular literature. Do a keyword search for "annotated" in the catalog and you will see a list. The annotated editions usually are shelved with other works of literary criticism in the 800s on the second floor. (You will also find the CliffsNotes study guides of literary titles in the same place--sort of the opposite of an annotated edition.)  Please ask at the Information Desk if you have any questions.

I'm not sure I would want to read a novel for the first time in an annotated edition--I think the intended pace of the storyline would be severely compromised. But once the storyline is known, to go back and reread all of the illuminating details is a real treat.