There are books that change our
lives dramatically when we happen to find them. They become a treasure we guard jealously so that we can resort on them when we find ourselves in need.
Sophie Andrews found her treasure book very early in life. She was nine when her
mother sat her down to watch a new movie, the 2005 adaptation of Pride ad
Prejudice. Little did either of them realize then how meaningful Jane Austen
would be in Sophie’s life. A few years later, aged 16 she would start a blog, Laughing with Lizzie, after studying Jane Austen’s novel at school.
Since that moment she has become
a very active, enthusiastic and creative Janeite: she organizes events such as
picnics, balls and house parties for other Austenites and she was even featured
in the BBC documentary, My Friend Jane, which focused on the fun and friendship
she has found with fellow Janeites.
Now Sophie owns 100 different
editions of Pride and Prejudice and has just released her first Austen-inpired
book, Be More Jane, with which she tries to help us bring out our
inner Austen to meet our lives’ challenges.
This book is first of all an
object of beauty, especially so thanks to the lovely illustrations by Jane Odiwe
. Then it is a precious handbook in which Sophie searches and finds
significative connections between Jane Austen’s work and real life. What can we
learn from such a beloved writer which can be helpful in our every day predicaments?
