So this weekend I once again drifted away from my usual weekend excursion of culture and embarked on an evening with Joanna Trollope, discussing her new book Sense and Sensibility at the first Hidden Prologues event at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street.
Yes I know, Jane Austen wrote Sense and Sensibility not Joanna Trollope, but this is a modern re-working and tribute to the 19th Century romantic novel. Same characters just different time setting.
The main issue is how do you make it relevant to audiences today? Well that's what Hidden Prologues, a new literary salon chaired by journalist Sam Leith, aims to uncover.
Firstly, things that shocked and caused scandals back in Jane Austen's day, are common place today. To have a child out off wedlock is not frowned upon and buying a horse isn't always what you'd expect from a new suitor - well maybe if you are of royal blood you can still expect this. Joanna instead had to disregard these and find something that appeals and resonates with today's audience. So the horse is swapped for a car and we even see a hint of Towie inspiration.
Is this the first of many for Joanna? She doesn't host any other ambitions to re-work any other great classics for which I'm glad. She's a great writer herself and we should look to create new tales rather than just revisit popular stories. You also can't help but admire Joanna especially when she calls Fanny Dashwood, a wonderful bitch.
Ironically, Joanna Trollope isn't the only one bringing classics back to life for the "new generation". P.D.James re-imagined Pride and Prejudice as a murder mystery, an adaption of which is due to air at Christmas, and even though Poirot demised on national TV he is being resurrected in the world of literature by Sophie Hannah.
The next Hidden Prologues is anticipated to be early next year. Who'll be next to take the hot seat? Well I'll guess we'll have to wait, but if it's like the first chapter I expect there's more twists and plots yet to be unfolded at the Bloomsbury Street Hotel.
For more information visit www.radissonblu-edwardian.com.
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