Celebrating 200 years of Jane Austen

WARWICK — Albert Wisner Public Library will kick off its year-long celebration of 200 years of the literary heritage of Jane Austen on Thursday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. with "The Afterlife of a Literary Icon."
From mashups such as "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," to Internet series such as "The Lizzie Bennett Diaries", not to mention numerous academic studies of her life and work, it's almost as if Austen never left us.
In this talk, Jacqueline George, professor of English at SUNY New Paltz, will trace some of the major developments of Austen's reputation, beginning with the immediate aftermath of her death in July 1817, and probe the following questions:
• Why does Miss Austen remain with us?
• And what can her legacy tell us about literature, fame and the relationships between books and people?
Other programs slated during for the celebration include screenings of movies based on Jane Austen novels, book discussions and play about her.
Library patrons also are invited to take a selfie with Mr. Darcy (one of two central characters in "Pride and Prejudice) at the Austen display on the main level.
To register to attend this program, visit www.albertwisnerlibrary.org or call 986-1047 ext. 3.