Deirdre Le Faye, "Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels"

Deirdre Le Faye, "Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels"

Harry N. Abrams | 2002 | ISBN: 0810932857 | 320 pages | siPDF | 12.8 MB

Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion – all present delicately crafted contemporary observations of life in early nineteenth-century England. In Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels, renowned Austen scholar Deirdre Le Faye brings this world to life, imparting an understanding that enormously enriches our appreciation of the work of this best-loved of English novelists.

Le Faye begins with a meticulously researched overview of the period, from foreign affairs, fashion, and social ranks to transportation, candle etiquette, and sanitation practices. She goes on to consider each novel individually, explaining in detail its action, its setting, the reaction of public and critics, and Austen's own feelings about the book. The witty and pertinent illustrations, many never published before, allow the reader to visualize not only Austen and her surroundings, but also the people and places that appear in these beloved novels.

Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels is essential reading for students of literature and social history and for all Jane Austen enthusiasts who want to gain a new insight into her work.

From Publishers Weekly

When Jane Austen's novels were published, some readers dismissed them as "too natural to be interesting." Yet their very true-to-lifeness helped earn Austen (1775–1817) her place in the literary canon. Nearly 200 years later, many praise what Austen scholar (and obvious fan) Le Faye calls her ability to create the "sensation that we are visiting genuine places and joining in the lives of genuine people."

Le Faye (Jane Austen: A Family Record) argues that modern readers need a thorough explanation of Austen's milieu—Georgian and Regency Britain—in order to fully understand and enjoy her fiction. She provides just that by weaving together carefully researched biographical information, meticulously detailed descriptions of everything from social hierarchy to cosmetics and sanitation, as well as summaries of and contemporary reactions to Austen's novels. Color illustrations and maps provide further illumination, particularly the portraits suggesting what beloved characters such as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet might have looked like.

Although the volume comprises distinct sections of biography, history and criticism, the three are intermingled throughout. This generally succeeds at making the book more engaging, but sometimes Le Faye fails to clarify whether she's discussing Austen's siblings, Englishmen of no relation or fictional characters, which may frustrate readers who aren't that familiar with Austen's work. Despite this, and the fact that some points are almost painfully obvious—of course contraception and refrigeration have improved since 1817—this book is a worthy addition to the Austen fan's library. 100 illustrations, 80 in full color.

Contents

“List of Maps

Introduction

Part 1: The World Of Jane Austen

 Jane Austen and Her Family

  Steventon Today

  Connections to the Outside World

  The Austen Children

  Jane's Early Writings

  The First Three Novels

  The Bath Years

   Bath, the Tourist Spa

   Bath and the West Country

  Family Visits

  Southampton

  The Chawton Years

  First Publication

 England and the World

  Royalty and the Court

   The Regency

  Foreign Affairs

   North America in the Nineteenth Century

   Other Continents

  The Changing English Countryside

   Travel and Transport

   Spas, Touring and Picnics

  London

  Social Ranks

  Masculine Occupations

   Naval and Military Life

   Clerical Life

  Male Education and Pursuits

  Male Fashions

  Feminine Occupations

  Female Fashions

   Cosmetics

  Social Activities

  Cultural Pursuits

   Letters, Diaries, Journals

   Drawing and Painting

   Needlework and Handicrafts

  Social Life

   Meals and Food

   Servants

  Shops and Shopping

 A Sense of Place

  Stately Homes

  Cost of Living

  Fictional Houses

  Domestic Interiors

   Furniture

   Sanitation

   Heating

   Lighting

Part 2: The Novels

 Sense and Sensibility

 Pride and Prejudice

 Northanger Abbey

 The Watsons

 Mansfield Park

 Emma

 Persuasion

 Sanditon

 Epilogue

Further Reading

The Novels: Dates And Main Characters

Index

Acknowledgments”

Tags: JaneAusten, Literature, LiteraryCriticism, 19CEngland, History

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See Also:

2 puzzles on Austen novels

3 puzzles on Austen novels