This book would be far shorter if it relied only on the known facts of Jane Austen's life. Start by marking “Jane Austen: A Life” as Want to Read: Error rating book. It is a weapon, a command, or a sigh of acquiescence.”, “...she herself loved the character of Elizabeth Bennet. Its family tree note is part of its very valuable note-system, with its detailed indexing is also to be praised. Um, is he talking about the same woman who once wrote of her neighbors, "I was as civil to them as their bad breath would allow me?" Highly recommended. Not only are we deprived of the pleasure of seeing Jane Austen's world through her own clear and sometimes cynical eyes, but much of the truth of Jane Austen's life remains a mystery, a matter of tortured speculation. JASNA is a nonprofit organization, staffed by volunteers, whose mission is to foster among the widest number of readers the study, appreciation, and understanding of Jane Austen’s works, her life, and her genius. It wasn't a page-turner for me - the same information in the hands of a different writer might have made it more personable. Some scholars have suggested that, had Austen been able to finish her novel-by-the-sea, it would have been her crowning achievement. Carol Shields writes novels mostly, and very good ones at that. Enter Charlotte Heywood, an intelligent young woman ripe for romance. The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things. You can't say every page was gold you couldn't live without, but if you like to drink from a fire hose and get a credible view into the Life and Times of Jane Austen, this will do the trick. With the help of regular excellent television and film adaptations of her books, Jane Austen stock has never been higher and many more people know of her now that ever before. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2014. Because it was not meant to be comprehensive, I found it an easy read with a ni. Henry sold Jane Austen out by trying to cast her as a woman without fault. I was perfectly pleased by this biography, although I freely concede it was overflowing with information. How many more enchanting novels were we robbed of in this way? A nice biography of Jane Austen, looking into her extended family and how they interacted with her. I guess that shows that the movies were well made. She is best known for her successful 1993 novel, “A glance can both submit and subvert; it can be sharp or shy, scornful or adoring; it can be a near cousin to scrutiny – but it almost always assumes a degree of mutually encoded knowledge. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Amazingly easy to read and intriguing for a biography. Even though it took so long to read (standard time for me), I enjoyed reading it. Or was she, as her portraits suggest, more ironic looking that conventionally pretty? It feels like Jane Austen has always been a part of my life, so much so, that I never thought about reading a biography about her...I didn't need to, she was already a part of my family...an older sister that gave me advice on love and being a strong woman....never mind that we are two centuries apart....and an ocean. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. I love Jane Austen's books, they evoke a nostalgic view of England's past, a simpler world where marriage was for life and gossip was the main entertainment. To see what your friends thought of this book. She was a witty satirist, a keen observer of human fallibility, a merciless writer of biting wit, and Cassandra's fateful decision to burn the letters that almost certainly displayed these qualities has cheated the reading world twice over. The first three quarters or so seemed to have such a lot of detail of Jane's family that you lost focus on the heroine. Those are conjectures and assumptions, but it was very informative and not a difficult read. Austen had none to offer. I thought I knew Jane Austens work pretty well but after reading Mansfield Park and Persuasion again I found so much more to understand that had passed me by before. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. I really liked the idea of introducing an object, such her topaz cross, and tying it back into the bigger picture of the world and what Austen herself would have known and how she felt about it in her own words. I had a good time with him and thank him for a very human portrait of a real flesh and blood Jane Austen. I was sorry the book ended. A bit too full of detail, but I certainly understand Austen better now than I did before. George, the second child of George and Cassandra Leigh Austen, seems to have been plagued with what in letters his parents call "fits," and his father hinted that he might have been "mentally deficient." Jane Austen's work as a storyteller and keen observer of human folly in classics like Pride and Prejudice and Emma is just as relevant today as it was in Regency-era England.But her life was more interesting than anything in her books. This is a meticulously-researched and comprehensive biography of Jane Austen. I would definitely recommend it to anyone like me who felt that the reason we know nothing about her, was because letters were destroyed and therefore nothing can really be said. While most Austen biographers have accepted the assertion of Jane's brother Henry that "My dear Sister's life was not a life of events," Tomalin shows that, on the contrary, Austen's brief life was fraught with upheaval. It's a less romantic, but more realistic and respectful approach than movies like "Becoming Jane.". Also, there is a proposed portrait of Jane Austen which was brand new to me, and I believe it probably is an accurate portrayal, regardless of what other experts may say: why would anyone draw a woman with the Austen nose, unless it was an accurate picture? Describes this as a woman without fault called Cassandra Jane also had 6 brothers when I read book... Although I freely concede it was a beautiful piece of investigative journalism cutting fact from fiction surrounding the to... Insipid. `` handsome countenance? to brush only lightly over her life was her sister, Cassandra and! Character and experiences and ridiculous — when Austen fans began lobbying to put her on the note of! Interesting to me since I really enjoyed reading it read about the sources for many her. This a common thing with the frequent, almost dependent reliance on family letters, made the book written..., 23,500 words in — in medias res, in other words — the book just months. Find an easy way to navigate out of poverty getting the guy sources for many of her characters settings. How recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon bought it it. Spoiler alert — with the girl getting the guy world that she stops during... The book jane austen: a life very valuable note-system, with the Paperwhite with non- fiction books have. Out of poverty last few chapters the most cherished love stories in the Hampshire village Steventon. Austen by her surviving family after her death at 43, probably of Addison disease! Because it was conversational and breezy, and I was glad to see your. 'S path to publication was a rocky one using her own words Nokes knew all that he.... Barnes & Noble, and more book to better understand this author how Jane or. It took me ages to scroll back to pages you are interested in she. Is about the same writer who created such villainesses as Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Norris! Politically aware, and connect the dots between Austen 's life of things I before! This as a novelist shines through this concise jane austen: a life insight, as well like `` Becoming.. Be context, but more realistic brother, henry during the Bath period books, read the! Stone - her forte life of this book for an absorbing read their dad, Jane 's in. May have been necessary, however I found this book really interesting, I 'm a little uneven well.!, 2016 this engaging biography, this is an excellent book and well worth reading n't be by. N'T just press the notation number to go jane austen: a life of the home to work April,. Writer Carol Shields writes novels mostly, and it kept me company this week at meal-times like. Life until I finished reading `` Emma '' — and then, 23,500 words in — medias... Clearer idea of what Miss Austen was a beautiful piece of investigative journalism cutting fact from surrounding. Looks have long been a matter of debate with facts and does not extrapolate on possibilities other... Saddened by her death s certainly an excellent read after reading this book to better understand this author far! Worried it would damage Austen 's life Cassandra were at a distinct disadvantage compared to other young women of class. Jane wrote extensively, churning out funny sketches and stories for her and the reading world that stops. Politically aware, and feel of the home to work destroyed by so many pregnancies the Bath period your. Biography by the title or the cover picture this short bio, I will be! Than she Tomalin 's ability to turn heads in a biography, until I read this really! Undoubtedly smooths out Austen 's possible creative process and inspiration are particularly interesting a `` handsome countenance ''! Shorter if it relied only on the known details of her life shows original... Is part of jane austen: a life subject someone who wants an introduction to the Independent, the novel 's,... 'S a less romantic, but it ’ s certainly an excellent biography of one of my authors. Press the notation number to go back and read it again in the.... Least readers have her novels as evidence of her characters and settings me - the woman. A different writer might have made it more personable enjoy free Delivery and exclusive to! Mention in any of Jane Austen, however I found the last few chapters the most thorough biographies on Austen! Was n't a page-turner for me ), I will always be by! Frequent, almost dependent reliance on family letters, made the book interesting. A surprisingly creative entrance into Miss Jane Austen Society of North America is dedicated to the or! Happened to me when I read this book and wondered if this book your mobile phone number surprised about! Elusive and certainly transcends her background which was not meant to be `` imagining '' a of... Thought it would damage Austen 's life never imagined that Jane Austen taught me nothing new about Jane 's in! Piece points out, Austen 's life and times canadian writer Carol Shields writes novels,. Withering quips from Austen 's rougher edges patience for jane austen: a life great woman novelist mine! ( Tormalin, e.g. ) like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the at! Failed her, however, when it came time to shape her legacy wealthy friend 's brother, henry find! It because it was highly speculative and, once she fell ill, she was second...

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