An Answer for Kathleen
Kathleen asked in the comments section of the last post about some books that I had recommended to her about Jane Austen. I should say here that I went through a big Jane Austen thing last fall and basically read everything that I could get my hands on. But I don’t have many specific recollections of the books because I was reading them all at once and not paying much attention to where I read what and who had written such, etc. That being said, I thought that I’d post a list with links to some of the books that I either browsed or read intently during my Jane phase last year.

Jane Austen’s Letters is a book that Jon got me last year. I’ve enjoyed it. Basically, it’s a collection of her letters. Also, the authors really help you by explaining who she is referring to in the letters — which is helpful seeing as how the same names are shared by many.

Jane Austen: The Real World of Her Novels was a book that I really liked. It explains the settings of all of her novels as well as generally informing the reader as to the politics, fashions, social rank and even sanitation and housekeeping of the day. Reading background material like this makes the novels even more interesting for me.

Jane Austen Cookbook was a good read as well. Reading about what people used to eat is really fascinating to me. Beyond the fascination with what they were actually eating, this book also made me really feel truly sorry for the servants. Can you imagine stirring for an hour to make a poundcake? I mean, if I have to stir something for 10 minutes I feel like my arm is going to fall off. Just seeing how far cooking has come from then to now is truly amazing.

I also read others but have forgotten which ones. I also didn’t read any fan fiction — so I can’t recommend any of that.

So, now I’m in need of a new author to lose myself in. Any suggestions?

*I almost forgot, the book Miniatures in Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen, is an excellent book by Peter Leithart. In it, he offers his insight on each of Austen’s novels and underscores the Christian themes throughout the books. Also, he has a new book, Writer of Fancy: The Playful Piety of Jane Austen, that I’m going to check out as soon as I can. Maybe I can persuade my library to buy it for me?