Am I the only one who has read Jane Austen? In WOLP, the author mentions Mary Elliot from "Persuasion" being nominated as the Most Tiresome Jane Austen Character. Mary's surname was not Elliot, it was Musgrove! (She was married to Charles Musgrove throughout the entire book).

However, on a different note, I loved the extra chapter in the American version that deals mainly with American fiction. The line about having "a version of 'The Scarlet Letter' where something actually happens' was absolutely hysterical! I mentioned in another posting that I think that "Wuthering Heights" is one of the worst novels ever written in the English language. Ditto for "The Scarlet Letter".

****WOLP spoiler (sort of, and it's very mild.)

Yeah, although the I've heard both the titles tossed around as some of "the classics", I must sadly confess that I have never finished either. I lost the copy of Sacrlet Letter while I was midway through and didn't care enough to find it, and don't think I got barely a third into Wuthering Heights before I threw it across the room, wishing I could strangle Catherine. But despite my lack of WH knowledge, I enjoyed the rage-counseling session in WOLP!

Oh, and you are dead right about Mary Elliot.

I tried to read some Jane Austen, but I only got through the first 50 pages. I'm not very fond of that kind of writing, I prefer books like these. Maybe I'll try to read them again when I'm older. I am, after all, only 15... maybe after I've had some of my own personal experiences I'll enjoy the book more.

Don't give up on Jane Austen!!! When you get older, you may gain a much greater appreciation of her writing and just how funny, scathing and witty it really is.

For instance, Elizabeth Bennet (or is that Elisabeth? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to look it up!) in Pride and Prejudice is very funny. Most of what she says is done with a great eye twinkle. She revels in baiting Darcy and others around her, especially the ones she finds somewhat lacking.

But I do agree it takes a little effort to get through that style of writing the first time. But once you "get it", it really becomes fun and engaging.

Oh and I agree about Wuthering Heights...I can't stand that one either...but the rage counseling session is a riot!

Is this anything to do with modern women and the way we're brought up? Catherine is terrible and needs a good shake-up!!!!!

Yeah, 'Wuthering heights' is one of the most over-rated books....
I like (in a mild way) Jane Austen though, I think she has much stronger and smarted women characters (along with the brainless ones, of course).