Jo and Jane
Jo Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, counts herself as a long-time Janeite. In an interview with amazon.co.uk, Rowling reveals whom she reads (and rereads):
Amazon.co.uk: What books do you enjoy reading?
Rowling: My favorite writer is Jane Austen and I’ve read all her books so many times I’ve lost count.
In another interview with the BBC, she mourned how her imagined Jane Austen-like existence as a famous author didn’t quite pan out.
You know, my fantasy of being a famous writer, and again there’s a slight disconnect with reality which happens a lot with me. I imagined being a famous writer would be like being like Jane Austen.
Being able to sit at home in the parsonage and your books would be very famous and occasionally you would correspond with the Prince of Wales’ secretary. You know I didn’t think they’d rake through my bins, I didn’t expect to be photographed on the beach through long lenses. I never dreamt it would impact my daughter’s life negatively, which at times it has.
Rowling pays tribute to her beloved author at her new website. To see her tribute to to Jane, enter her site and click on the ballpoint pen (Links). The resultant bookshelf holds Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.
And yes, that obnoxious busybody Mrs. Norris, who dogs Harry Potter’s steps at Hogwarts, is apparently inspired by another tiresome Mrs. Norris.
