Uzma Jalaluddin is a Canadian Muslim writer and teacher. Her first published novel, Ayesha at Last (2018) is a beautiful adaptation of Pride and Prejudice set in an Muslim immigrant community of Toronto. In 2023, she published Much Ado About Nada, a novel inspired by Austen’s Persuasion, in which she explores a Muslim couple with a romantic history.

Uzma Jalaluddin discusses loving Austen while acknowledging the historical tensions of British Imperialism tied to her stories.

Uzma Jalaluddin remembers the origin story and publication strategy of Ayesha at Last (2018)

Uzma Jalaluddin reflects on the relationships between Jane Austen and Muslim readers–as well as some of her own strategies to engage Muslim readers through Austen

Uzma Jalaluddin discusses Ayesha, the titular heroine of Ayesha at Last, and the importance of young, female, Muslim intellectual life.

Uzma Jalaluddin reflects on how Persuasion inspired Much Ado About Nada and the prominence of regret in the story.