Comments on: News of “The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things” by Paula Byrne

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:16:46 +0000

Its going to be a fun year,I hope.Lots of interesting(well, interesting to me, at least!)posts planned.

By: ladyj1800

ladyj1800 — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:13:07 +0000

I agree with everyone else and will look forward to reading what you think! Can’t wait for the P+P celebrations :)

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:32:05 +0000

And its going to get busier, with all the P+P200 celebrations! Watch this space1

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:31:15 +0000

Oh, no pressure then ;)Its coming out at a slightly inconvenient time- but Ill give it some thought and then will let you have my thoughts ;)

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:29:37 +0000

Thanks Cathy!

By: imogen88

imogen88 — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:25:29 +0000

Yes, always keen to hear your views on these things, and will wait and see what discussion happens to appear! It’s all happening!

By: jfwakefield

jfwakefield — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:25:24 +0000

I really agree with you, Nancy. One reason I am looking forward to reading Maggie Lane’s latest book is that she would be appearing to address this rebalance and force people to think more in 18th than 21st century terms about JA and her works(its on my To Be Read Pile, and as its not on Kindle I find I have less opportunity to read it, as I no longer carry heavy books around with my in consideration of my poor neck- not nerves!)

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:11:21 +0000

The portrait shows a woman of wealth, so on that grounds alone I would be hesitant to claim it as Jane Austen. I also think that most people have ceased looking at JA as sweet Aunt Jane who happed to write a few novels. Her irony and satire isn’t always seen and accepted, but most who think of her as a person see more than a Victorian spinster. ( I know she died before Victoria was even born, but past portraits have presented JA more as a Victorian aunt than a sharp minded , sharp tongue female).However, that doesn’t mean that I accept that JA was a woman of the 21st century who just happened to be born in the 18th century.
Like the others, I am willing to take advantage of your research and scholarship. I have mainly been disappointed in the biographies I have read recently.Everyone seems to have an axe to grind or an agenda. I am almost willing to stick to a Wikipedia entry about a life. Just the facts ma’am.

By: cathyallen

cathyallen — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 23:11:56 +0000

Hear, hear! Couldn’t have said it better myself, so I won’t try! :-)
Thanks, Tina, and Julie.

By: Tina

Tina — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:10:03 +0000

Must remember to put it in my “wish list”, although as a Jane Auste lover, but not a Jane Austen scholar, I’m afraid I won’t have enough background knowledge to fully appreciate it. What I’m really looking forward to is your review of it!!! There is nothing more interesting and educational than the discussion between two knowledgeable points of view. Ahh, you see, I’m no scholar, but so throughly enjoying profiting from your labours!!!!