Jane Austen has a new cult following. And it is in Pakistan

kcinpa:

The story began in
Islamabad two  years ago when Laaleen Khan, an ardent Austen fan since
her childhood, decided to float the Jane Austen Society of Pakistan
(JASP).

An  eclectic bunch of Austen fans – all women – started to
meet up in Islamabad to take an Austen quotes quiz or play the Jane
Austen Matchmaker card game. Or, better still, dress up in
Regency-inspired attire.

Two years down the line, there are nearly 800 members of the society, with chapters in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

Khan tells Catch why.

“There
are so many parallels between Austen’s Regency-era society and South
Asian society today. The obsession with the marriage market, for one
thing, complete with concern for reputation, eligibility, decorum,
propriety and ancestry juxtaposed with elements of snobbery, misogyny
and hypocrisy. We have our share of disapproving Lady Catherine de
Bourgh-esque society aunties, rakish Wickhams and Willoughbys,
pretentious Mrs Eltons and holier-than-thou Mr Collins types!”

Jane Austen has a new cult following. And it is in Pakistan