A review by shelfofunread
Jane Austen, the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly

A DNF for me sadly. Whilst obviously thoroughly researched, I got frustrated with the author's conviction in her own interpretation of Austen's work. Having warned the reader about how little is known about Jane and her intentions, she then spends the remainder of the book second-guessing authorial intent and inserting fictionalised scenes of Jane's life that might have prompted her novels. To me this just undermined the many good points that the book was making and eventually it frustrated me to the point where I just didn't want to continue. Other Austen fans might feel differently as this is certainly very well written and contains much that is of interest - but eventually I just lost the will to finish it I'm afraid.