Truth about hero dismays author
Source: Agencies |
August 3, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FOR years, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and her family have honored a French ancestor they believed was a World War I hero.
But the best-selling writer has now discovered her family were mistaken about the true identity of her great-grandfather.
Rowling, 46, has recorded a BBC television program that shows her coming to terms with the revelation that her family had confused Louis Volant, a war hero awarded with the Legion d'Honneur for his bravery during the Battle of Verdun, with her real great-grandfather, who had the same name and also fought for France.
She told the BBC's Radio Times the experience was upsetting and emotional.
"There were a lot of big surprises, some wonderful, and one rather upsetting," she said. "However, I went into the program wanting the truth, no matter what it was, because I knew so little about my French ancestry, and I do not regret a moment of it. I loved the whole experience."
Rowling was awarded the Legion d'Honneur for services to literature in 2009, and described her pride at being the family's second winner of the honor. She said her accomplishments could not compare to the bravery of her ancestor.
But the best-selling writer has now discovered her family were mistaken about the true identity of her great-grandfather.
Rowling, 46, has recorded a BBC television program that shows her coming to terms with the revelation that her family had confused Louis Volant, a war hero awarded with the Legion d'Honneur for his bravery during the Battle of Verdun, with her real great-grandfather, who had the same name and also fought for France.
She told the BBC's Radio Times the experience was upsetting and emotional.
"There were a lot of big surprises, some wonderful, and one rather upsetting," she said. "However, I went into the program wanting the truth, no matter what it was, because I knew so little about my French ancestry, and I do not regret a moment of it. I loved the whole experience."
Rowling was awarded the Legion d'Honneur for services to literature in 2009, and described her pride at being the family's second winner of the honor. She said her accomplishments could not compare to the bravery of her ancestor.
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