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Growing Older with Jane Austen
Synopsis
That Jane Austen is enduringly popular with both a general readership and academics can admit of no doubt. But amid the wealth of approaches to her life and work, no one has made a full-length study of the concept of ageing in her novels. Maggie Lane's new book sets out to fill that gap. With chapters on The Loss of Youth and Beauty; Old Wives and Old Maids; Merry Widows and Dowager Despots, the theme allows for a lively exploration of many of Austen's most memorable characters. There are chapters too on hypochondria and illness, age and poverty, death and wills. The book draws on the six novels, major literary fragments, Austen's own letters and the reminiscences of family members and contemporaries. Real-life examples are used to underline the fidelity of Austen's fictional representation. Ageing is very much on our own agenda, and Austen's wry approach to the perils and consolations of growing older is bound to strike chords with many.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
'It is a fascinating read, allowing a great parade of characters to take their turn centre-stage. Lane covers all aspects of older age in this endlessly entertaining book - the chapters entitled 'The Loss of Youth and Beauty' and 'Not the Only Widow in Bath' are particularly revealing. Illness and death are treated with an Austenian mixture of wit and sensitivity - one cannot help but feel that Jane would have approved of such a lively study of "gout and decrepitude" and all the other ailments, real and imaginary, that assail her senior citizens.' Jane Austen's Regency World "Maggie Lane's Growing Older With Jane Austen appeals to our recognition not of where we've been, but of where we're going... full of striking insights into character..." JASNA News 'to Janeites the world over - those who have pored over all her own works and letters and the numerous biographies, analyses and critical essays, good, bad and awful - it is a treasure-house of interesting information, and a joy to read' Sensibilities