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cstefko's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I read this one very slowly, only a chapter or two at a time, but I really enjoyed it. I have yet to read a book by or about Jane Austen that I haven't liked. What I appreciated most about Stafford's biography was that she would sometimes make a leap of faith or conjecture about Austen's life, but was open about doing so, and about her reasoning. As far as the biographical facts of Austen's life go, this book didn't present much new information that I hadn't read about before, but as always, the commentary on Austen's work is what you really are reading for. Every biographer has a unique spin on each of Austen's novels. I especially liked Stafford's thoughts on Persuasion, which is my favorite of the novels (don't even talk to me about the new film trailer, seriously). I'm definitely going to check out some of the additional resources Stafford shared in the afterword and the bibliography. Overall, I would consider this a must-read for any Austen fan. It's one of the most accessible Austen biographies, for sure.
I read this one very slowly, only a chapter or two at a time, but I really enjoyed it. I have yet to read a book by or about Jane Austen that I haven't liked. What I appreciated most about Stafford's biography was that she would sometimes make a leap of faith or conjecture about Austen's life, but was open about doing so, and about her reasoning. As far as the biographical facts of Austen's life go, this book didn't present much new information that I hadn't read about before, but as always, the commentary on Austen's work is what you really are reading for. Every biographer has a unique spin on each of Austen's novels. I especially liked Stafford's thoughts on Persuasion, which is my favorite of the novels (don't even talk to me about the new film trailer, seriously). I'm definitely going to check out some of the additional resources Stafford shared in the afterword and the bibliography. Overall, I would consider this a must-read for any Austen fan. It's one of the most accessible Austen biographies, for sure.
laurenb_reads's review
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
Wonderful, brief biography of Jane Austen built from the little we know of her, with openly acknowledged speculation here and there to fill in the gaps. After Stafford takes us through Austen’s life, in remarking on family events and where she lived, she takes us briefly through Austen’s novels, adding the context of when and how she wrote them from what we know about her life. It has some of the most beautiful sentences I have ever seen in a biographer, chapter after chapter. Beautiful and brief.
stormirdgz's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
An absolutely perfect short little book that celebrates Jane Austen and the enduring legacy of her works. It was a fast read that was enjoyable, informative, and has me wanting to read Austen’s works even more now with next historical and personal context to color it in.
sarahapze's review
3.0
“If during her teens, Jane Austen had considered herself as being, like Catherine Morland, ‘in training for a heroine’, it was perhaps now dawning on her that she was more suited to take on the role of author.”
While the book makes you want to (re)read Austen’s work, I found the biographical parts too concise (given the title). Stafford focuses more on Austen’s oeuvre, on how Austen found her voice as a female author, her inspiration and her writing processes. Although this is extremely interesting, it should be noted that if you are reading this without background knowledge of Austen’s works, you will find spoilers everywhere and you might find some analyses difficult to understand.
While the book makes you want to (re)read Austen’s work, I found the biographical parts too concise (given the title). Stafford focuses more on Austen’s oeuvre, on how Austen found her voice as a female author, her inspiration and her writing processes. Although this is extremely interesting, it should be noted that if you are reading this without background knowledge of Austen’s works, you will find spoilers everywhere and you might find some analyses difficult to understand.
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