Your online source for Jane Austen and her legacy
But now that I am free, I have no wish to experience any of those things. All that I want is to be of use, to have a purpose. To have something to do that would make a difference. But will I be let? No. My elder sisters and their grand husbands will descend upon... Continue Reading →
It would have excited in her an amused incredulity, no doubt, had any one predicted that two generations after her death the real recognition of her powers was to come. Time, which like desert sands has effaced the footprints of so many promising authors, has, with her, served as the desert wind, to blow aside... Continue Reading →
"I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you." Caroline Bingley, Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 21 Cheers & many abounding gaieties of the season,... Continue Reading →
Win a copy of a Jane Austen audio book! A gentle reminder to readers that the Jane Austen birthday celebration contest is still open for seven unabridged copies of Jane Austen's novels by Naxos AudioBooks until December 31st. Just leave a comment answering why you love reading or viewing Jane Austen, and seven lucky Janeites will... Continue Reading →
When I read the advance publicity on Pemberley Remembered, author Mary Lydon Simonsen's debut novel about love, war and Pride and Prejudice, I was intrigued by the concept of three different romantic storylines interconnected through one hundred and fifty years of English history. Add to that a mystery involving the inspiration of Austen's famous characters... Continue Reading →
"This will prove a spirited beginning of your winter engagements, sir. Something new for your coachman and horses to be making their way through a storm of snow."Â Â Poor Mr. Woodhouse was silent from consternation; but every body else had something to say; every body was either surprized or not surprized, and had some question... Continue Reading →
"So, you are come at last! I began to think I should never see you. I am so ill I can hardly speak. I have not seen a creature the whole morning!"Â Â "I am sorry to find you unwell," replied Anne. "You sent me such a good account of yourself on Thursday!"Â Â "Yes, I made... Continue Reading →
Today is the 233rd anniversary of Jane Austen's birth on the 16th of December 1775 at Steventon Rectory, Hampshire England. Break out the port wine and sponge cake. Many regional JASNA chapters will be celebrating with gatherings & parties in her honor during the month of December. My local Puget Sound chapter was all set... Continue Reading →
It has been a wonderful adventure, but Jane Austen Centre intern Virginia Claire Tharrington reports in for the last time before she departs for home in the US. Please give her a big hand and lots of thank you comments  for her weeks of wonderful commentary and photos that we all have enjoyed during these past three months!... Continue Reading →
Vanity was the beginning and the end of Sir Walter Elliot's character; vanity of person and of situation. He had been remarkably handsome in his youth; and, at fifty-four, was still a very fine man. Few women could think more of their personal appearance than he did; nor could the valet of any new made... Continue Reading →
"We are happy to see Edward, it was an unexpected pleasure, & he makes himself as agreeable as ever, sitting in such a quiet comfortable way making his delightful little sketches." Jane Austen to Caroline Austen, 23 January 1817Â What 'CAN' a loyal Janeite begin to say about a book whose creation involved so much... Continue Reading →
Holiday bear display in the Gift Shop window at the Jane Austen Centre The advenure continues as intern Virginia Claire Tharrington reports in on her experience at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England. Christmas is coming to the Jane Austen Centre, which as exciting as it is, means that I will be leaving soon.... Continue Reading →
