News for Austen Enthusiasts : December 2023

Happy New Year! I hope you had a relaxing and peaceful festive season and are now feeling refreshed and ready to return to whatever you do, whether it’s work, study, or something entirely different. Now that the festivities are over, it’s time to revisit the final Jane Austen news items of 2023. Here’s all the Jane Austen news and updates from December. 

Jane Austen pub closes just three months after reopening 

The Juniper Berry, which stands on the site of Jane Austen’s former home in Southampton, Hampshire, has been riddled with issues just three months after reopening to the public. The pub was forced to close in early December after the discovery of asbestos and leakage issues that disrupted the electrics. The pub’s future remains uncertain. 

Read more at the BBC > 

Cottage where Austen was nursed for sale 

Jasmine Cottage, thought to be the home of Jane Austen’s wet nurse, is one of the few original Jane Austen sites still standing. The picturesque 5-bedroom cottage is now up for sale for a pretty whopping asking price of £1.2 million, but it is very pretty. Residents can enjoy views of parkland that would have been familiar to Jane Austen during her younger years. 

Read more at the Times >

Sense and Sensibility actor passes away aged 75

The actor Tom Wilkinson has passed away at the age of 75. He won a Bafta for his role in The Full Monty,but Austen fans may know him as Mr Dashwood in the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. He passed away suddenly at home with his wife and family. 

Read more at the BBC > 

Hallmark plans Jane Austen Loveuary 

Throughout the month of February, everyone’s favourite cheesy romance network Hallmark is going to be premiering a new Jane Austen inspired romance every week. Their titles are ‘Paging Mr Darcy’, ‘Love and Jane’, ‘An American in Austen’ and finally, simply, ‘Sense and Sensibility.’ Lots of Valentines fun ahead! 

Find out more at News5 Cleveland >

Can you out-quiz famous authors? 

The Guardian have enlisted the help of some of literature’s most respected authors to put together their end of year book quiz. There are some tricky ones in there, including one about our own Jane Austen. How many will you get right?

Take the quiz at the Guardian >

Bridgerton S3 finally given release date

There’s a big crossover between fans of Jane Austen and fans of steamy regency romance series Bridgerton. The good news is that the show is set to return to Netflix for its third season this spring on May 16th. This season will focus on the romance between Colin and Penelope - we can’t wait! 

Read more at Forbes >

British Library problems persist amid cyberattack 

The British Library continues to run limited services amid the fallout from October’s cyberattacks. The online catalogue remains unavailable, with event bookings running through alternative sites. The recovery costs associated are yet to be calculated, but look likely to run into multiple millions. Yikes! 

Read more in the New Yorker >