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4.44 AVERAGE
4.44 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book was unexpectedly fantastic and I recommend it to anyone interested in the history of women in English literature.
I requested this ARC because I love Jane Austen, I love women working together, and I love esoteric histories. I got all of that, plus a glimpse into the rare book trade I didn't know I needed.
The format of this book, with the exception of the first chapter and conclusion (which are about Austen and a conclusion) is:
-Intro to a writer who Austen references somewhere in her work or letters
-Discussion of that author's work, life, and critical reception at the time of their life, along with connections to Jane Austen
-Discussion of Romney's experience finding the author's book in historical copies, along with some insights about the rare book trade, how books are described and priced, etc.
The content was super interesting, Romney's writing is approachable, enthusiastic and readable. I found myself caring about rare books and how the industry works, and I ended up reading a lot of other books by the authors that Romney writes about in this book during the time I spent working my way through this one.
I appreciated the way that Romney wove the authors' stories and experiences together and into the modern day to come to common themes and threads. One thing I felt was particularly interesting was that many of the female writers works increased in value because of their association to a man, even if it wasn't directly related to the work itself. You can kind of see that in Romney's bio itself, which references her work on Pawn Stars, a show I haven't seen that seems to be pretty unrelated to this work, but probably makes the title easier to sell.
Anyway if the topic sounds interesting to you I recommend you read it. I am considering buying a physical copy (my ARC was digital) so that I can refer back to it as I continue reading these authors!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this ARC because I love Jane Austen, I love women working together, and I love esoteric histories. I got all of that, plus a glimpse into the rare book trade I didn't know I needed.
The format of this book, with the exception of the first chapter and conclusion (which are about Austen and a conclusion) is:
-Intro to a writer who Austen references somewhere in her work or letters
-Discussion of that author's work, life, and critical reception at the time of their life, along with connections to Jane Austen
-Discussion of Romney's experience finding the author's book in historical copies, along with some insights about the rare book trade, how books are described and priced, etc.
The content was super interesting, Romney's writing is approachable, enthusiastic and readable. I found myself caring about rare books and how the industry works, and I ended up reading a lot of other books by the authors that Romney writes about in this book during the time I spent working my way through this one.
I appreciated the way that Romney wove the authors' stories and experiences together and into the modern day to come to common themes and threads. One thing I felt was particularly interesting was that many of the female writers works increased in value because of their association to a man, even if it wasn't directly related to the work itself. You can kind of see that in Romney's bio itself, which references her work on Pawn Stars, a show I haven't seen that seems to be pretty unrelated to this work, but probably makes the title easier to sell.
Anyway if the topic sounds interesting to you I recommend you read it. I am considering buying a physical copy (my ARC was digital) so that I can refer back to it as I continue reading these authors!
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element for this advance readers copy, in exchange for an honest review.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Yay reliving my English degree (positive connotation)
informative
inspiring
Have you ever wondered what books Jane Austen read? Wondered what inspired her? Then you might want to pick up this book. Rare book collector Rebecca Romney dives into the authors that shaped Jane Austen. The authors are: Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Charlotte Smith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth. Romney gives us information about the female writers, how they inspired Austen and then discusses how she goes about tracking down the books and buying them. I found that process really interesting.
I am interested in reading some of these books especially Ann Radcliffe’s because she brings a supernatural element to her gothic novels. Radcliffe inspired many authors such as Mary Shelley, Edgar Allan Poe and Charlotte Bronte just to name a few. I also loved reading about Radcliffe’s life story.
If you are someone who loves finding a special copy of a book, love special editions of books or you are just curious about who Jane Austen was reading then pick up this book!
Thank you Simon Element, S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
While reading this book, I thought back to all my lit classes in college, trying to remember the percentage of female to male authors talked about. It really is impossible to know for sure, but, like everything else in our culture, the talents of women have always been overlooked and forgotten. Not to say that we didn't study any women authors, of course.
I had only heard of two of the female authors listed in this book. I know that I haven't read anything by Frances Burney before, but I can't say the same of Anne Radcliffe, as it sounds so familiar.
Really enjoyed not only the biographies of these authors but being able to see exactly how these works influenced Austen's novels. For example, the phrase "pride and prejudice" was directly taken from one of Jane Austen's favorite novels. I really wonder if that would count as copyright infringement today. Hmmm.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free kindle book! My opinions are my own and are freely given.
I had only heard of two of the female authors listed in this book. I know that I haven't read anything by Frances Burney before, but I can't say the same of Anne Radcliffe, as it sounds so familiar.
Really enjoyed not only the biographies of these authors but being able to see exactly how these works influenced Austen's novels. For example, the phrase "pride and prejudice" was directly taken from one of Jane Austen's favorite novels. I really wonder if that would count as copyright infringement today. Hmmm.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free kindle book! My opinions are my own and are freely given.
informative
medium-paced
Look, the perfect intersection of my Austen reading and book collecting/love for books about books does not....
Oh. hello.
This is an excellent look inside rare book collecting - because sometimes it doesn't actually mean antiquarian - and personal projects, book love, redefining and rediscovering the canon, and reading. If you haven't heard of Rebecca Romney before, here you go. She also put together that banger romance collection that was bought by the Lilly Library at IU.
Oh. hello.
This is an excellent look inside rare book collecting - because sometimes it doesn't actually mean antiquarian - and personal projects, book love, redefining and rediscovering the canon, and reading. If you haven't heard of Rebecca Romney before, here you go. She also put together that banger romance collection that was bought by the Lilly Library at IU.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Your favorite author’s favorite authors are here rediscovered, read, and collected by America’s favorite rare bookseller, Rebecca Romney!
For centuries, we’ve hailed Jane Austen as the sole woman literary genius of her era…so why have we been spurning her favorite books by fellow women writers for nearly as long?
Romney invites readers on a thrillingly feminist literary adventure as she searches for the books Jane Austen had on her shelf, the women who wrote them, and how they disappeared from the literary canon. Along the way, Romney offers her guidance as a rare bookseller, and, as a reader and collector herself, shares her delight in discovering new favorite authors, new depths to Austen’s novels, and desirable editions of both, ultimately showing, as she builds a bookshelf of her own, how you can develop your own distinct collection too.
For centuries, we’ve hailed Jane Austen as the sole woman literary genius of her era…so why have we been spurning her favorite books by fellow women writers for nearly as long?
Romney invites readers on a thrillingly feminist literary adventure as she searches for the books Jane Austen had on her shelf, the women who wrote them, and how they disappeared from the literary canon. Along the way, Romney offers her guidance as a rare bookseller, and, as a reader and collector herself, shares her delight in discovering new favorite authors, new depths to Austen’s novels, and desirable editions of both, ultimately showing, as she builds a bookshelf of her own, how you can develop your own distinct collection too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Slavery, Blood, Classism
Very interesting and well laid out. I wish all the books mentioned were available for us to read today!!
Thank you Simon Element for granting me an ARC!
Thank you Simon Element for granting me an ARC!