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Jane Austen, Unabridged takes readers on a journey through the prolific author's life with private letters, unpublished works and facts no one knew about a woman who revolutionized the romance genre.
Jane Austen is arguably one of the best English novelists of our time, known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security. Her works critique the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her use of biting irony, along with her realism, humor, and social commentary, have long earned her acclaim among critics, scholars, and popular audiences alike.
This memoir of the late English novelists life includes never before seen teenage writings, letters to family members, a lost love and even three of her unpublished works such as Lady Susan, The Watsons and Sandition.
About the author
Jane Austen, born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, was the seventh of eight children in a close-knit family. Her father, Reverend George Austen, served as the rector of the local Anglican parish, providing a stimulating intellectual environment. Austen's education was primarily conducted at home, supplemented by brief formal schooling, fostering her early passion for reading and writing.In her early twenties, Austen began crafting novels that offered keen insights into the British landed gentry of the late 18th century. Her works, including Sense & Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), and Emma (1815), are celebrated for their wit, social commentary, and exploration of women's dependence on marriage for social standing and economic security. Despite the enduring popularity of her novels, Austen published them anonymously during her lifetime, gaining modest recognition.Austen's health began to decline in early 1816, leading to her death on July 18, 1817, at the age of 41. The exact cause of her illness remains uncertain, with theories ranging from Addison's disease to Hodgkin's lymphoma. Posthumously, her novels have garnered immense acclaim, solidifying her status as one of the most influential figures in English literature.
