The Guardian, going with the Vegas line that says Dumbledore will be the character that dies in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is running a contest for versions of Dumbledore’s death written in the style of various authors. They are publishing the best of the entries as they come in, and of course Jane is represented by Ouida Taaffe.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that an old wizard in possession of a big secret must be in danger of his life.

There’s more at the link.

Bridget Jones’s Diary author Helen Fielding is represented as well:

V. bad day. Dumbledore keeled over right in middle of Gryffindor turkeygriff buffet. Everyone being v. British, milling about discussing Hagrid’s chrysanthemums, until Neville came out with what all were thinking: Old Dumbo had “kicked bucket”.

Draco Malfoy wandered over, all sympathy. Rather outrageously tried to chat up yours truly over corpse of dearly departed mentor. Note to self: must not be attracted to charming, rakish but doubtless somewhat evil Slytherin types, especially DM. Been there, done that, got commemorative broomstick.

HA! V. funny.

(via Making Light)

The transcript of an online chat with Washington Post book critic Michael Dirda includes some biographical information in which Jane Austen is included in a list of Mr. Dirda’s favorite authors. The chat also includes a comparison of Diane Johnson, author of L’Affaire, with Jane.

Washington, D.C.: Hi Michael — Following your suggestion to “read at whim,” I recently picked up a book by Diane Johnson at the local library. It’s called “L’Affaire,” and I’m finding it quite good. If I remember correctly, you have reviewed at least one of Johnson’s books. What do you think of her work? (One of the blurbs on the back of this book calls her a cross between Jane Austen and Henry James).

Michael Dirda: I reviewed . . . L’Affaire. It’s fun, very Gallic (wait till you reach the end), and well written. Austen-James is a fairly good description, though Johnson isn’t on that level by any means. She’s that rare thing–a very good, serious and honorable pouplar writer. Think John Marquand in the past.

We have no clue as to whether the comparison is apt.

The EW Must List for this week includes a recommendation of the B&P DVD.

8. “Bride & Prejudice” ”Bend It Like Beckham” director Gurinder Chadha’s exuberant musical — in which Jane Austen goes Bollywood — comes to DVD.

w00t!