Jane Austen 200: Celebrating Her Life 200 Years After Her Death by Emma Darlington
Jane Austen 200 by Emma Darlington attended the 2017 bicentenary celebrations that took place to celebrate Jane’s life and work 200 years after her death on 18 July 1817.
This book shares her experiences and takes readers on a fascinating journey through the special exhibitions and shows that took place that year. Plus the many photographs of Jane’s personal treasures, some of which are in private hands and have not been seen for over 40 years.
Jane Austen’s Novels
Sense and Sensibility was published in 1811, and tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne as they come of age. After their father dies, they have to move to a humble cottage in Cornwall, and meet a lovable rogue named Willoughby. After a few broken hearts, will love conquer all?
Pride and Prejudice shows a spirited Elizabeth meeting the single, rich, and proud Mr Darcy. But can Mr Darcy fall in love with a woman beneath his class? A romantic novel that has sold over 20 million copies. Jane Austen called it “her own darling child” and its vivacious heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, “as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print.”
Emma is rather spoiled and self absorbed, and is totally oblivious to the feelings of others. She considers herself quite the matchmaker, though is usually wrong. The first sentence reads “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich.” Jane wrote, “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.”
Mansfield Park is the story of Fanny Price, who at ten years old is sent to live with her wealthy relatives, leaving her impoverished family behind. Aunt Norris treats her as a servant, and the Bertram daughters are quite cruel to her. She seeks solace in her cousin Edmund who reminds her of her brother. Henry and Mary Crawford cause upheaval, Tom causes a scandal, and Fanny eventually falls in love.
Northanger Abbey was the first novel Jane finished, although it was published after Jane’s death in 1817. It is a Gothic novel which were popular at the time. The story is about 17 year old Catherine Morland who goes to Bath and falls in love with Henry Tilney. She makes friends with his sister and Isabella Thorpe, a love interest of her brother. Staying at the dramatic Northanger Abbey events take a most unusual turn.
Persuasion was published along side Northanger Abbey in 1817 after Jane had died. It is a romance about second chances. Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth fall in love, and when Anne is persuaded to break off the engagement and they are separated for a number of years before meeting up again. This book features Lyme Regis and the famous leap by Louisa Musgrove into Capitan Wentworths arms.
Jane Austen books reviews
I love reading about Jane Austen, the places she lived, wrote, shopped and danced. There have been many books written about her over the years, or in her style, plus many film and TV adaptations.
Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid
How about a bit of mystery? This is a modern thriller with a twist on Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. We loved the fun in this book by the best-selling crime writer Val McDermid. A young seventeen year old woman called ‘Cat’ leaves her home in rural Dorset to attend the Edinburgh Festival. Invited to stay at an ancient crumbling Abbey on the Scottish Borders with a Mr Tinley, her imagination runs riot with ghosts, secret chambers and lots of twists and turns in this great novel. We couldn’t put it down!
The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen flynn
Set in London in 1815, Rachel and Liam are transported back in time to rural England to rescue an unpublished Jane Austin manuscript and bring it back to their time. The Jane Austen Project is a popular romance by Kathleen Flynn. Posing as a doctor and his sister from the West Indies, the story travels through 250 years. Once they infiltrate Jane’s circle of friends and family via Henry, things really start to liven up!
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley is a comprehensive book about Jane Austen, her life and homes. Lucy is a historian who visits Jane’s childhood home, her schools, and the houses of her family on who she relied on for support. Each chapter covers detailed aspects of the events in Jane’s life, and you will probably uncover things about Jane that you did not know. A solid read.
