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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Kelly's Jane Austen, the Secret Radical is a wonderful text, although a little drawn out on some topics that may not have related specifically to the overall thesis. Since not much is known about Austen herself, this book focuses mostly on Austen's novels and how they related and reflected the new thought of the time.
Her section on Elizabeth Bennet was particularly entertaining, although that may have been aided by my own personal bias.
I'll definitely be rereading this.
Her section on Elizabeth Bennet was particularly entertaining, although that may have been aided by my own personal bias.
I'll definitely be rereading this.
I picked this up from the library because I love history and wanted to see how the history of the time affected Jane's life and her choices in writing. I definitely got that and a lot more. The problem I encountered was that I hadn't read an Austen novel in a few years, and I haven't read ALL of her work, which is deeply analyzed here, so there was a lot of content that I didn't feel I could engage in as deeply because I'm not up to snuff. It's definitely a deep dive, not a light read.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A fascinating biography that argues against the assertion that Austen was a “genius” whose words simply flowed through her and appeared “finished from her pen,” whose novels were light or frivolous entertainment, but was instead a disciplined artist, who intentionally and subversively criticized English laws and customs. Kelly posits that our sense of familiarity with Austen’s work blinds us to their deeper meanings, and provides us with historical and literary context that allows us to understand each of the novels in the way Austen’s intended audience could have. This book absolutely makes me want to revisit the novels and read in a deeper way than I have attempted before.
I’ve always enjoyed Austen for the social commentary and while I’m not opposed to those who read her purely for the romance I am vehemently against those who dismiss her as such (because it’s such a hot take for a dude to dismiss a female writer as a mere “fluffy romance writer”. I may have almost torn out my ex-fil’s throat for that one. Good riddance to bad rednecks, eh?)
If you are looking for further context into Austen’s world and her motivations, this is a very enjoyable read. But if you love Mr Darcy with the brilliance of a thousand suns, you may be disappointed, so just keeping on being your awesome self.
If you are looking for further context into Austen’s world and her motivations, this is a very enjoyable read. But if you love Mr Darcy with the brilliance of a thousand suns, you may be disappointed, so just keeping on being your awesome self.
Great book! Makes you reread and rethink Austen, tying in the issues of the day: women and property, slavery, the church, enclosure etc. Not all groundbreaking if you've read Austen as more than simply romance, but interesting and thought provoking.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Anyone who wants to read Jane Austen should read this first. This book reads like a PhD dissertation in the best way where you feel like you come away from it really understanding Jane Austen‘s historical context and herself as a person. I’m now going to read Emma with the knowledge that this was set at a time of enclosure and, the societal context within that period. I plan to return to this book before reading each of austen‘s novels and encourage others to do the same so we can read austen as she intended to be read
A great read for anyone who admires Jane's books. It provides wonderful literary insight and context to the genius of Austen.
Amazing book, great to read it alongside a re-read of Austen's novels. Changed the way I see the books and taught me a whole lot I didn't know about 18th/19th century Britain. Absolutely worth a read for all Jane fans.