News for Austen Enthusiasts: October 2024

AUSTEN FIRST EDITIONS GO ON DISPLAY 

A new Jane Austen and the Art of Writing exhibition has opened up at her family home at Chawton, showcasing a range of fascinating items from Austen's life and work. Included in the new exhibition, which will find a permanent home at Jane Austen's House, is a collection of first edition copies of Jane Austen's novels. This includes a copy of Emma that once belonged to Austen's brother Frank and her brother Edward's copies of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. 

Read more at the Guardian >>

MEET AND CHAT TO AI 'LIZZY BENNET'

AI firm StarPal and the University for the Creative Arts based in Farnham, Surrey, have created an AI character called 'Lizzy'. Lizzy's creators say that fans can interact with the character, who has been trained on the character of Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice. The aim has been to lift Lizzy Bennet off the page and give fans the chance to 'meet' their favourite character in a new format. If you'd like to meet Lizzy, you can do so at Jane Austen's House, Chawton, until December 2024. 

Read more at Surrey Live >>

BBC ANNOUNCES NEW JANE AUSTEN DRAMA

The BBC has commissioned a new adaptation of Janice Hadlow's The Other Bennet Sister, a Pride and Prejudice spin-off following Mary Bennet. The story gives the preachy, awkward Bennet sister a new life, including an unexpected chance at a great love story. Ten episodes are planned for this series, which will debut on the BBC and iPlayer. We can't wait to bring you all the news on this one as it develops.

JANE AUSTEN'S FINAL HOME TO BE OPENED TO PUBLIC

With Jane Austen's 250th birthday on the horizon, many of the UK's cultural institutions are gearing up for a big year of celebration (find all the events where you are on this page). In Winchester, No 8 College Street, the home where Jane Austen spent her final weeks will open to the public for the first time. The space, complete with exhibition, will be open to the public for three short months next summer. Pre-booking is advised - don't miss out! 

AUSTEN-THEMED LGBTQ+ ROMANCE DEEMED SWOONWORTHY

In the Young Adult market, LGBTQ+ graphic novels are very much trending. Heartstopper has taken the world by storm, inspiring other writers to try their hand. Hari Conner is one such writer. Conner's new graphic novel 'I Shall Never Fall In Love' follows Eleanor and her cousin Charlotte, two young Regency ladies who are preoccupied with the marriage market and the promise of making a good match. Regency mores get shaken up when Eleanor's best friend changes their name to George and starts using gender-neutral pronouns. Also, George is in love with Eleanor, but she has no idea. This cute graphic novel is inspired by the work of Jane Austen and sounds like a lot of fun. 

Read the Telegraph review >>

ZOBOI'S PRIDE PRODUCED FOR NETFLIX

In more adaptation news, Ibi Zoboi's YA reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, simply titled Pride, is in the works at Netflix. Picked up by the Obama's production company, Pride transports the story of the Austen novel to gentrified Bushwick, following Zuri Benitez as she tries to hold her family and community together. When the wealthy Darcy family moves into the neighbourhood, Zuri is forced to reconsider all of her beliefs thanks to the arrogant Darius Darcy.

Read more at Deadline >>

PLANS FOR NEW PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ADAPTATION CAUSE CONTROVERSY

If you're beginning to wonder if all these Pride and Prejudice adaptations are getting out of hand, well, you're not alone. The announcement of a new Pride and Prejudice series in development at Netflix has caused some fans to question if we really need another one. Despite the fact that it has actually been a little while since we got a straightforward period adaptation of the novel, fans are reticent to trust Netflix with the beloved story, especially since their 2022 Persuasion starring Dakota Johnson was critically panned. What do you think? Are we ready for another Pride and Prejudice, or should we focus on Austen's other books.

Read more at The Scotsman >>

AS ALWAYS, WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF WE HAVE MISSED ANYTHING, AS WELL AS ALL YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEWS! 

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