Austin for the twenty first century,

[Ohwhatwitcheryisthis]

Just seen on the news that the Austin canon is being rewritten for modern times. This of course begs the question - why?

I heard that too. To me, it feels like they are saying we're all too stupid to understand the original novels, and it does make me feel and .

I don't have a problem with the language of Jane Austen's novels, and no-one could possibly come anywhere close imo.

Austen, not Austen.

It is a silly idea since it assumes that people want to read Joanna Trollope, which also begs the question, why?! I don't imagine that anybody who likes Austen will bother, or that anybody who claims to dislike Austen (or just not be interested) will care.

Seems a completely redundant exercise to me.

Doh - Austen, not Austin.

The 'doh' was about myself btw, not you OP.

sorry stupid auto correct. it was bad enough when they chick litted the covers a few years ago, but this is beyond the pale. Yes, patronising, blatantly mercenary (I know, from the publishing industry ) and so demoralising. can you see this happening to Dickens? If she is too difficult for modern readers then something is sadly wrong.

When I was at school we were deemed capable of understanding Dickens, Hardy, Shakespeare, Austen and many many more from the age of 12.

I've never read a Joanna Trollope novel - never even had the remotest desire to do so. Not my kind of thing. Completely agree with Remus - a redundant exercise.