Jane Austen fans behaving badly
Who knew Jane Austen fans had such a dark side?
According a report in the Telegraph, the management of Austen's House in Chawton has issued an unusual request: Could people please refrain from dumping their loved ones' ashes over the garden wall?
Here's more from the story, in that oh-so-British tone: "Apparently the gardener quite regularly comes across mounds of the stuff in the herbaceous borders. Collections manager Louise West has, politely, used horticulture as her excuse for banning it - not enough nutrients in a deceased Janeite, apparently."
Nancy was shocked by my recent admission that I had not read Austen. My excuse about an all-boys high school seemed shallow even to me. But this ghoulish tale makes Austen much more appealling, so maybe I'll dive into Pride & Prejudice. Or should I start elsewhere?
Comments
Dave, if you're into ghoulish why not get a taste of Austen by starting with the new P&P&Zombies book? I haven't read it, but once you've gotten used to Austen with the help of zombies you might be ready for the real thing...
Posted by: Rikki | May 1, 2009 10:54 AM
Ditto - P&P&Zombies is wonderful.
It will make you want to go back and read the original for comparision.
Posted by: Lauretta Nagel(ConstellationBooks) | May 1, 2009 11:51 AM
You can't go wrong with Pride and Prejudice. Of course, Sense and Sensibility is also worth your time.
Posted by: Erika Robuck | May 1, 2009 2:11 PM
i love sense and sensibility it is amazing
Posted by: yo momma | May 1, 2009 4:40 PM
Dave--first James Joyce and now beloved Austen. Really .... I think I feel faint ... But no challenge this time.
Posted by: Dahlink | May 1, 2009 8:04 PM
Dave, I agree with the recommendation of Rikki and Lauretta that you read P&P&Zombies first. That way you can continue to postpone the inevitable. The day you will have to read the "plain" Jane -- no co-author and no zombies -- JUST plain Jane.
Posted by: Gail Farrelly | May 1, 2009 9:14 PM
Dave, I've been accused of being "low" by sexualising Jane Austen's characters. But I've never thought about dumping my ashes in Chawton House. You've given me something to plan. (It's a long way from Sydney to UK!)Thanks.
Enid Steamy Darcy
Posted by: Enid Wilson | May 2, 2009 8:34 PM