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

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

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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

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

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