News
Plain Jane is no fox
Jane Austen has never been hotter, writes Michael Gove in the Times, who disapproves of the makeover. "The publishing industry seems to believe that no modern woman can write knowledgeably about affairs of the heart unless she looks like a total fox, so presumably, when they came across plain Jane Austen’s rather homely features, they concluded that she had to be turned into a Regency version of Fiona Bruce before any new reader could take her seriously as a guide to the intricacies of sexual entanglement."
"There is, of course, a great irony in all this and one that Austen would instantly recognise. The whole of her literary output constitutes an extensive, nuanced yet repeated warning against judging by appearances."
See Also
Related
- Short Austens for teenagers
- Alan Coren publication goes ahead
- Parents' parties from BCA
- Sarkozy call for book ban rejected
- The dead hand of safe bets
Book news from the BBC
- Maguire 'to return as Spider-Man'
- Iraq to quiz US over spying claim
- Monster marrow a record breaker
- The mystery of Enid Blyton's revival
- US 'spying' on Iraqi leadership
Latest Comments
- Has anyone ever complained that their book has been called 'odd'?
- Although some indies may be flourishing, the wider book market is indeed...
- Hello Confused...not sure...it will be apparent that I am very cynical...
- Ray, is that a comment or a haiku?
- Clive is on his knees holding the flag...in that painting...Custers last...
RSS
Subscriber Content