Product Description

Excellent compilation of Jane Austen's letters.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21818 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-28
• Format: Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Amazon.com Review
Jane Austen famously labeled her literary ambit a "little bit (two inches wide) of ivory." Luckily, her personal travels and those of her family were slightly more extensive, otherwise we should be without her letters. Not only should every Janeite possess them, but also every connoisseur of correspondence. Austen's wit is ubiquitous--even though some protest it edges into waspishness. E. M. Forster, for example, described the letters between Austen and her beloved sister, Cassandra, as "the whinnying of harpies."

On September 18, 1796, she tells Cassandra, "What dreadful Hot weather we have!--It keeps one in a continual state of Inelegance.--If Miss Pearson should return with me, pray be careful not to expect too much Beauty..." The dashes and capitalization alone make one long for the days before stylistic rules had so cemented. As for the sentiments! Austen paces her monologues to perfection, making the comic and ironic most out of the smallest incidents. Still, her frustration does occasionally emerge. "I am forced to be abusive," she implodes to Cassandra, "for want of a subject, having nothing really to say." Jane Austen has more than enough to say for lovers of literature and the cultural pinprick.

Review

"They give glances and hints at her life from the age of 20 to her deaht at 41, the years in which she wrote her six imperishable books....Deirdre Le Faye's new edition is necessary and very welcome; no one was better qualified, no one could have done it so well."--Independent on Sunday

About the Author
Jane Austen is one of pre-eminent authors in English literature. Her descriptions of life in Regency England have inspired writers, artists, movie producers, and generations of admiring readers.

Customer Reviews

Quality of actual book could've been much better
I love Jane Austen, so reading through her letters - and getting a glimpse into the mind of such an amazing person - was fantastic. I only want to warn potential buyers that this book is very poorly manufactured. I only got to the second letter before the first page literally FELL OUT - and I'm an avid reader and know how to care for my books - and subsequently more pages have followed. I realize the book is only $9.95 new, but one would expect that it would at least stay 'together' for that price. Other than that, it's brilliant - just don't sit outside or near a fan while reading.

Great, easy read
This little book was great. It contained all the available letters without any later interpretation. The only problem is that the book is cheaply made. Pages immediatly fell out, and the presentation is crappy.Also, if you know nothing of Jane or he family its hard to follow, you may want to get a family tree before reading.

A Must-buy for Jane's fans
If you're an enthusiastic fan of Jane Austen, then this must be your necessary choice. But if you're just attracted by her book, then don't bother it. It will be quite dazzling with all those names and small details of her life which if you're not familiar with her life will find extremely devasted in reading through.