Chiswick (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Chiswick Book Festival 2025 will open with a Jane Austen panel on Sept 11 at Chiswick House, marking 250 years since the author’s birth in a literary tribute.
In an interview with director Aisling Walsh and cast members, Gill Hornby, president of the Jane Austen Society and author of Miss Austen, which was adapted into the well-liked ITV period drama starring Keeley Hawes, will talk about Jane Austen and what she would have thought of their portrayal of her life.
Lucy Mangan, a columnist for The Guardian, wrote about it:
“Arguably the greatest act of literary vandalism in history becomes masterly TV, as we see Cassandra Austen destroy thousands of her sister Jane’s letters following her death – out of love.
Cassandra destroyed almost all her vast collection of her sister’s correspondence to protect her and the family’s reputation and privacy.
Of an estimated 3,000 letters, about 160 survive – mostly given to other family members as mementoes and therefore probably among the most anodyne examples from what would have been the treasure trove of treasure troves for future fans and scholars.“
Aisling, who lives in Chiswick, has previously made an appearance at the Chiswick In Film Festival. The fact that Phyllis Logan and Kevin McNally portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Austen in the series is another intriguing connection to Chiswick. They will be contributing by providing readings.
Phyllis says:
“Miss Austen has a modern feel to it. The way the characters talk to one another is very much of its time, but you can definitely relate to them. Jane is really witty and dry and funny and I love that aspect of it, as you can see that she has a lovely humour about her and her approach to life, which of course is reflected in her novels.”
Kevin says that one of the things that she enjoyed most is that you really see the sort of life these young women led and how it might have informed Jane’s writing in terms of romance, marriage, and their position in society.
She really liked that reflection, which is plainly true, but obviously something Andrea Gibb has pulled up on in the script.
The screenwriter and executive producer of Miss Austen, Andrea Gibb, claims that despite Cassandra playing a significant role in Jane’s life, not much is actually known about her.
“What Gill Hornby has done in her amazing book that we’ve adapted is pull together all of the historical facts that we have about Jane and her family set-up, and fashion it into this amazing story of the bond between those two sisters and their importance to each other.”
Torin Douglas, the director of the Chiswick Book Festival, will chair “Jane Austen: Fact & Fiction with Gill Hornby.”
How does the festival’s program reflect Jane Austen’s influence on modern culture?
The festival’s emphasis on Austen emphasizes her standing as a key character in English literature, whose works continue to influence modern narrative and motivate upcoming authors and readers.
Austen-related events frequently combine contemporary interpretations and activities with genuine Regency-era components (such as readings, costumed balls, and themed tours). This is similar to how Austen’s writings have been repeatedly reinvented and adapted for the screen, television, theater, and digital platforms.
Through conversations, workshops, and interactive experiences, the festival’s programming encourages participation from Austen fans, creating a sense of community.
This is a reflection of the worldwide fandom and living legacy that Austen’s books have spawned, where readers actively reinterpret and celebrate her writing in addition to consuming it.