Jane Austen

I first discovered Jane Austen in college when I stumbled upon this book while looking for something to read at my parent's house. I took the book over Christmas break sometime in the 90's and that's the last time Nana has seen it. Sorry Nana... I'm keeping it!



I always felt a connection with Jane, she was born almost exactly 200 years before me. Her writing shows the dependence of women on marriage to secure their social standing and economic security during her time. In my eyes she is a subtle feminist. Her heroines interests are not only in marriage and child rearing, despite the fact that this was the only acceptable career for women.

My absolute favorite Jane Austen book is Persuasion. It was her last completed novel. It's about a girl named Anne who falls in love with Frederick, a handsome young navel officer. He's smart, ambitious, and very poor. Anne is persuaded to break off her relationship with Frederick because he is considered below her.  At age 27 Anne is still unmarried and is thrown into Fredericks acquaintance once again. This time Frederick is seen as a catch, in the time that has past he has made a fortune in the Royal Navy. Anne is still in love with him.... the rest you'll have to read.

All of Jane Austens books are wonderful! Give Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, or Emma a try.


So go to your local library, book store, or borrow it from your BFF and get to reading!