Scan barcode
A review by laura_skel
The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things by Paula Byrne
4.0
This is the first biography of Jane Austens life that I have read and I found it really interesting. Unlike other biographies it is not in chronological order instead it is divided in to chapters focusing on different aspects of Austens life. The author uses items connected to Austens life as a starting point for each chapter, each chapter focuses on different forces in her life and how they shaped her and moreover her writing.
If you have not read all of Austens six completed novels, a lot of this book will be lost on you as the author constantly refers to sections in the different books to show the relevance of what she is saying. She also regularly refers to Austens juvenilia writings and her uncompleted works.
Anyone looking for a straight forward chronological account of Austens life should look elsewhere, as this book skips forward and backward in her life from chapter to chapter. however if you just want to know more about Austen and are not worried about keeping dates straight in your head I highly recommend this book.
If you have not read all of Austens six completed novels, a lot of this book will be lost on you as the author constantly refers to sections in the different books to show the relevance of what she is saying. She also regularly refers to Austens juvenilia writings and her uncompleted works.
Anyone looking for a straight forward chronological account of Austens life should look elsewhere, as this book skips forward and backward in her life from chapter to chapter. however if you just want to know more about Austen and are not worried about keeping dates straight in your head I highly recommend this book.