181 reviews for:

Jane Austen, the Secret Radical

Helena Kelly

3.88 AVERAGE

fatsayy's review against another edition

5.0

challenging informative medium-paced

disabledbookdragon's review against another edition

3.5

informative slow-paced

bookdragon_jess's review against another edition

4.0

informative reflective slow-paced

mercedesjwood's review against another edition

4.0

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I really love this book. While I have not read most of Austen's novels, I have more desire to now. I have new insights and understanding of the undertones of the books, which is always great and beneficial. Not only does it offer insights into Austen's novels, but to Austen herself.

Edit: she adds sexual context related to beloved characters that I don't think is required or believable. Sorry if that is a spoiler.

bokesandlerninge's review against another edition

3.5

informative slow-paced

quinna_corinne's review against another edition

5.0

challenging informative slow-paced

jo_anne_v's review against another edition

4.5

informative reflective medium-paced

izzybooks_2000's review against another edition

2.0

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Actual rating: 2.5

katymaryreads's review against another edition

4.25

informative

theknitgeek's review against another edition

5.0

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Helena Kelly gives us an in-depth and intriguing look at the life of Jane Austen; how her surroundings, circumstances, and experiences might have shaped her opinions; and what her contemporary readers would have known that we, as future readers, are no longer aware of. Together, it shapes a compelling narrative of Austen as a radical, secret only with the passage of time. I highly recommend the audio version. The narrator, Emma Bering, brings the biographical sketches at the beginning of each chapter to life in a way that would be missed reading it on paper/screen (especially if you, like me, are American and can't read in a lovely British accent).

I think this is the first time I've given nonfiction five stars. This book definitely warrants it.