Deirdre Le Faye, "Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels"
Harry N. Abrams | 2002 | ISBN: 0810932857 | 320 pages | siPDF | 12.8 MB
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 MapsTags: JaneAusten, Literature, LiteraryCriticism, 19CEngland, History
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
Jane Austen, "Emma" (Norton Critical Editions), 3rd Edition
Jane Austen, "Mansfield Park" (Norton Critical Editions)
Jane Austen, "Pride and P...ritical Editions), 3rd Edition
John Sutherland, "Can Jan...zles in Classic Fiction" 2 puzzles on Austen novels
Josephine Ross, "Jane Austen: A Companion"
Janet Todd (ed), "Jane Au...he Works of Jane Austen)"
Sue Birtwistle & Susie Con...g of Pride and Prejudice"
Julia Prewitt Brown, "A R...th-Century English Novel"
Ian Gregor (ed), "Reading...Novel: Detail into Form"
Emma Thompson, "The Sense...e Austen's Novel to Film"
John Sutherland & Deirdre ...zbook (World's Classics)"
Daniel Pool, "What Jane A...neteenth-Century England"
John Sutherland, "Who Bet...ction (World's Classics)" 3 puzzles on Austen novels
Kristine Hughes, "The Wri...cy and Victorian England"