Scan barcode
A review by lizziepurpleserenity
Jane Austen, the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
DISCLAIMER - I knew very little about Jane Austen and the scholarly interpretations of her novels before reading this book. I read each chapter (along with a friend) immediately after reading (or rereading) each relevant novel, over the course of nine months, so the earlier chapters have faded in my memory a bit! Prior to this book, I had read the novels only in a typical light-hearted chick-lit kinda way, focusing on the characters and relationships, so the ideas set down in this book opened my eyes for the first time to alternative and political interpretations. I have read a few of the 1 and 2-star reviews on here of the book and realise I find it difficult to assess the content and conclusions in this book, because of my lack of knowledge, but I've opted for 4 stars and I'll try and explain here my pros and cons for the book.
As for the novels, Pride & Prejudice and Emma (my favourites) I already knew very well both from the books and TV/movie adaptations, Sense & Sensibility I had already read in the past, and possibly Mansfield Park too although I think I knew that one from the TV adaptation starring Billie Piper.... Northanger Abbey and Persuasion I hadn't read before, though I have vague memories of seeing the latter on TV/movie.
So, my reaction to this book:
Pros:
- I loved getting the historical, political, and personal context behind the time in which the novels were written, and to read about specifics from the novels in such context. I found this aspect of the book really interesting, though bear in mind I am super interested in history in general and especially the 18th and 19th centuries, so it's my jam!
- The alternative takes on what each book was actually intended to be about (or parts of them at least) were very eye-opening for me, given that I knew very little beforehand like I said. I have different feelings about each one and don't entirely agree with all that Kelly asserts but on the whole my reading of the novels has been enhanced with deeper understanding, in a positive, albeit sometimes a bit uncomfortable, way.
Cons
- Too many words in places, I think it could have been shorter and more concise.
- Some of her ideas, about smaller stuff, were a bit far-fetched and possibly unnecessary.
- With one or two aspects I felt like Kelly had not allowed for the fact that what was going on around Jane at the time of writing would naturally make its way into the novel; the setting, and so on - Kelly may have attached too much significance or meaning/intention in a few cases. (For example, the enclosures in Emma)
- I didn't really like the vignettes at the beginning of each chapter, told from Jane's POV. Too speculative, not always relevant. I would have preferred a concise paragraph introducing what Jane was up to/where she lived at the time rather than this.
My favourite chapter was about Pride & Prejudice, mostly because it spoilt nothing about the book and the characters I love - enhanced them in fact - and I love the theme (of revolution).
The chapter that had the biggest negative 'effect' on my feelings about the novel was Sense & Sensibility, and the chapter with the most positive effect on my feelings was Persuasion (my least favourite Austen novel), and also Mansfield Park - both of those two I will reread through a different lens that will improve the novels for me a lot, I think, whereas with Emma and Sense & Sensibility I'd rather continue to enjoy them in the way I did before. (FYI Emma is my favourite Austen, although by a very small margin - difficult to choose between this and P&P!).
Northanger Abbey, being the first novel read nine months ago, I don't remember a lot about but Kelly's chapter certainly put in context the dangers that women faced in their normal, conventional lives and had me going 'woah'...
I'm glad I read the book. But if you want your Austens to remain fluffy, escapist, light-hearted, romantic chick-lits, I'd advise to give it a miss!
As for the novels, Pride & Prejudice and Emma (my favourites) I already knew very well both from the books and TV/movie adaptations, Sense & Sensibility I had already read in the past, and possibly Mansfield Park too although I think I knew that one from the TV adaptation starring Billie Piper.... Northanger Abbey and Persuasion I hadn't read before, though I have vague memories of seeing the latter on TV/movie.
So, my reaction to this book:
Pros:
- I loved getting the historical, political, and personal context behind the time in which the novels were written, and to read about specifics from the novels in such context. I found this aspect of the book really interesting, though bear in mind I am super interested in history in general and especially the 18th and 19th centuries, so it's my jam!
- The alternative takes on what each book was actually intended to be about (or parts of them at least) were very eye-opening for me, given that I knew very little beforehand like I said. I have different feelings about each one and don't entirely agree with all that Kelly asserts but on the whole my reading of the novels has been enhanced with deeper understanding, in a positive, albeit sometimes a bit uncomfortable, way.
Cons
- Too many words in places, I think it could have been shorter and more concise.
- Some of her ideas, about smaller stuff, were a bit far-fetched and possibly unnecessary.
- With one or two aspects I felt like Kelly had not allowed for the fact that what was going on around Jane at the time of writing would naturally make its way into the novel; the setting, and so on - Kelly may have attached too much significance or meaning/intention in a few cases. (For example, the enclosures in Emma)
- I didn't really like the vignettes at the beginning of each chapter, told from Jane's POV. Too speculative, not always relevant. I would have preferred a concise paragraph introducing what Jane was up to/where she lived at the time rather than this.
My favourite chapter was about Pride & Prejudice, mostly because it spoilt nothing about the book and the characters I love - enhanced them in fact - and I love the theme (of revolution).
The chapter that had the biggest negative 'effect' on my feelings about the novel was Sense & Sensibility, and the chapter with the most positive effect on my feelings was Persuasion (my least favourite Austen novel), and also Mansfield Park - both of those two I will reread through a different lens that will improve the novels for me a lot, I think, whereas with Emma and Sense & Sensibility I'd rather continue to enjoy them in the way I did before. (FYI Emma is my favourite Austen, although by a very small margin - difficult to choose between this and P&P!).
Northanger Abbey, being the first novel read nine months ago, I don't remember a lot about but Kelly's chapter certainly put in context the dangers that women faced in their normal, conventional lives and had me going 'woah'...
I'm glad I read the book. But if you want your Austens to remain fluffy, escapist, light-hearted, romantic chick-lits, I'd advise to give it a miss!