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The Dark Side of Jane Austen's World
Jane Austen’s novels are read all over the globe, and adaptations of her works have graced both film and TV screens. Although sometimes criticised for being detached from the real world, providing nothing more than light-hearted plot-driven story lines, the reality is very different.
Jane was aware of the evils of society, of the problems faced by women whether single or married. Underneath the entertaining story lines are much darker aspects of Regency and Georgian life. Staying single resulted in serious problems for young women; there were very few alternatives open to them, while marriage itself resulted in other risks. The threats of poverty or becoming a victim of crime were also an issue. Indeed, Jane’s aunt spent months in prison and faced the threat of transportation for theft. Other problems society faced included those posed by opium addiction, poor medical standards, and a lack of property leaving young men and women struggling to survive. Many sought solutions in India, leading to the creation of ‘fishing fleets’ with girls sent to marry total unknowns. Meanwhile, the issues of slavery brought more problems, and social disorder was rife.
Jane Austen created classic stories that have endured the test of time, reflecting society in all its aspects, faults, values both good and bad. This is Jane Austen as you have never seen her before.
Jane was aware of the evils of society, of the problems faced by women whether single or married. Underneath the entertaining story lines are much darker aspects of Regency and Georgian life. Staying single resulted in serious problems for young women; there were very few alternatives open to them, while marriage itself resulted in other risks. The threats of poverty or becoming a victim of crime were also an issue. Indeed, Jane’s aunt spent months in prison and faced the threat of transportation for theft. Other problems society faced included those posed by opium addiction, poor medical standards, and a lack of property leaving young men and women struggling to survive. Many sought solutions in India, leading to the creation of ‘fishing fleets’ with girls sent to marry total unknowns. Meanwhile, the issues of slavery brought more problems, and social disorder was rife.
Jane Austen created classic stories that have endured the test of time, reflecting society in all its aspects, faults, values both good and bad. This is Jane Austen as you have never seen her before.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published November 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 30, 2024
Taking both Jane Austens novels and her life as a sringboard, the author delves into some of the darkest aspects of life in Georgian England. She explores women's roles, crime, slavery, war, and the opium trade amongst other things. This is a very readable popular history and many of her cited texts were ones I had already read, so there was little for me to learn about her life or books, but it was interesting when it came to live in general during that time. That said, I was a bit unsure as to the accuracy of some of her 'facts'.
There are books and subjects that I would be interested in for some further reading. I found the chapters on the slave and opium trade interesting and would like to read up on those.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
There are books and subjects that I would be interested in for some further reading. I found the chapters on the slave and opium trade interesting and would like to read up on those.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
August 2, 2024
While quoting Austen’s novels and letters, many things were taken out of context, and “Bennet” was misspelled throughout.
Not a great start.
Given the breadth of the topic, some concepts were oversimplified, but my real issue was I questioned several conclusions, such as the “stays/corsets are restrictive and uncomfortable” myth. Regency women weren’t fainting all the time and unable to bend at the waist. Mourning rituals weren’t quite as rigid as the Victorians who followed them. In one chapter, she assumes women knew nothing about sex or pregnancy before marriage (which doesn’t hold up when you look at baptism and marriage records or read contemporary diaries and letters) but later she claims single women knew all about sex and pregnancy because they had to help in their married siblings homes during childbirth. And the author claimed Austen’s family didn’t consider her a writer when her letters have several mentions of her brothers’, nieces’, and sister’s interest and support in her writing.
There were statements throughout that were contradictory or just plain incorrect. This takes away from what could have at least been an introduction for Austen, Austenesque, or regency romance fans—and anyone who romanticizes the regency era—who know nothing about the time period. But editing errors and unsubstantiated long shot conclusions and mistakes about Austen keep me from recommending this.
I received an arc from NetGalley
Not a great start.
Given the breadth of the topic, some concepts were oversimplified, but my real issue was I questioned several conclusions, such as the “stays/corsets are restrictive and uncomfortable” myth. Regency women weren’t fainting all the time and unable to bend at the waist. Mourning rituals weren’t quite as rigid as the Victorians who followed them. In one chapter, she assumes women knew nothing about sex or pregnancy before marriage (which doesn’t hold up when you look at baptism and marriage records or read contemporary diaries and letters) but later she claims single women knew all about sex and pregnancy because they had to help in their married siblings homes during childbirth. And the author claimed Austen’s family didn’t consider her a writer when her letters have several mentions of her brothers’, nieces’, and sister’s interest and support in her writing.
There were statements throughout that were contradictory or just plain incorrect. This takes away from what could have at least been an introduction for Austen, Austenesque, or regency romance fans—and anyone who romanticizes the regency era—who know nothing about the time period. But editing errors and unsubstantiated long shot conclusions and mistakes about Austen keep me from recommending this.
I received an arc from NetGalley
July 25, 2024
A heartbreaking look at what was happening outside Jane Austen's home while she wrote her beloved novels. Women in particular faced difficult lives if they remained single or even if they married. Looming poverty, terrible medical care, dangerous crime, and a lack of property all made for a miserable life. Jane was aware of all of these societal challenges. Consider her own death at the young age of 41. Janeites will want to add this eye-opening book to their TBRs to add depth to their understanding of Austen's life and times.
July 30, 2024
This book provides a good and interesting insight into the world Jane Austen lived in. Whether it deals with Jane's life, politics, crime, war, religion or health risks and medicine, I did learn a few details even though my knowledge of the Regency period is quite extended. I recommend this well researched book.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
July 31, 2024
thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
thoughts: misspelled the Bennet’s last name; not super high quality writing; skimmed ahead and there was a giant rant about how evil and constricting and toxic patriarchal values-inflicting women’s historical undergarments were. so. not the vibe or a good use of my time!!
thoughts: misspelled the Bennet’s last name; not super high quality writing; skimmed ahead and there was a giant rant about how evil and constricting and toxic patriarchal values-inflicting women’s historical undergarments were. so. not the vibe or a good use of my time!!
July 5, 2025
Angela Youngman, The Dark Side of Jane Austen's World, Pen & Sword|Pen & Sword History, August 2024.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Angela Youngman’s detailed and absorbing exploration of Jane Austen’s world, through her own narratives and additional material is a valuable read. Although Austen has portrayed the period faithfully in the novels, even if not in great depth, Youngman’s choice to research beyond an analysis of the novels provides authenticity to the work, adding valuable insights into Austen’s world. Written in an accessible style, with so many references to the novels we know, or would like to know more about, this work is a delight to add to the Pen & Sword publications that I appreciate.
Much of the dark side of the way in which women’s relationship to marriage and property differed from men’s can be gleaned from the novels. However, Youngman’s exploration of additional information not only supports the fiction but shows the stark adverse reality of primogeniture as it impacts the younger children in a family. She shows that where the sexism lies is in women’s poor chances of benefitting through primogeniture that favoured the male line, but also the lack of options available to them. No religious, military, or legal career was open to a woman. Her future was in marriage or, if a spinster, dependence on her male relatives, becoming a governess or a companion. Youngman’s references to coverture rely on legal material rather than the novels, one example of the additional sources used in this volume. Where adoptions are discussed, Youngman draws upon Austen’s family experience; she looks more widely when referring to marriage agreements.
Matters of marriage, property rights and women’s inequality are widely understood through Austen’s novels. However, Youngman also provides a detailed account of women seeking marriage further afield in ‘The Fishing Fleet to India;’ and broader social concerns in ‘Social Discontent.’ Slavery, referred to fleetingly by Austen, is covered in detail, and in ‘Crime and Punishment’ matters that would be inconceivable in the novels are discussed. ‘A Propensity for Horror’ relies on bookseller records, information from libraries and newspapers, and publishers’ accounts as well as ‘Northanger Abbey.’
‘The Dark Side of Jane Austen's World’ does not take into consideration the horrendous industrial conditions under which the clothing Austen’s characters wore, the houses they lived in and their contents, and the streets and parks in which they walked were produced. However, few if any links could be made to Austen’s family or her novels if this aspect of the dark side of the period had been pursued. Youngman has maintained a perspective which has enabled her to weave together Austen’s work and her and her family’s experiences with relevant aspects of the period. She has written a thoroughly absorbing social history reflecting Austen’s intelligent engagement with the period.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
Angela Youngman’s detailed and absorbing exploration of Jane Austen’s world, through her own narratives and additional material is a valuable read. Although Austen has portrayed the period faithfully in the novels, even if not in great depth, Youngman’s choice to research beyond an analysis of the novels provides authenticity to the work, adding valuable insights into Austen’s world. Written in an accessible style, with so many references to the novels we know, or would like to know more about, this work is a delight to add to the Pen & Sword publications that I appreciate.
Much of the dark side of the way in which women’s relationship to marriage and property differed from men’s can be gleaned from the novels. However, Youngman’s exploration of additional information not only supports the fiction but shows the stark adverse reality of primogeniture as it impacts the younger children in a family. She shows that where the sexism lies is in women’s poor chances of benefitting through primogeniture that favoured the male line, but also the lack of options available to them. No religious, military, or legal career was open to a woman. Her future was in marriage or, if a spinster, dependence on her male relatives, becoming a governess or a companion. Youngman’s references to coverture rely on legal material rather than the novels, one example of the additional sources used in this volume. Where adoptions are discussed, Youngman draws upon Austen’s family experience; she looks more widely when referring to marriage agreements.
Matters of marriage, property rights and women’s inequality are widely understood through Austen’s novels. However, Youngman also provides a detailed account of women seeking marriage further afield in ‘The Fishing Fleet to India;’ and broader social concerns in ‘Social Discontent.’ Slavery, referred to fleetingly by Austen, is covered in detail, and in ‘Crime and Punishment’ matters that would be inconceivable in the novels are discussed. ‘A Propensity for Horror’ relies on bookseller records, information from libraries and newspapers, and publishers’ accounts as well as ‘Northanger Abbey.’
‘The Dark Side of Jane Austen's World’ does not take into consideration the horrendous industrial conditions under which the clothing Austen’s characters wore, the houses they lived in and their contents, and the streets and parks in which they walked were produced. However, few if any links could be made to Austen’s family or her novels if this aspect of the dark side of the period had been pursued. Youngman has maintained a perspective which has enabled her to weave together Austen’s work and her and her family’s experiences with relevant aspects of the period. She has written a thoroughly absorbing social history reflecting Austen’s intelligent engagement with the period.
October 12, 2024
Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly 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 for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are implicit critiques of 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 social commentary, realism,and irony have earned her acclaim amongst critics and scholars.The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816) were modest successes, but they brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but it was left unfinished upon her death. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.Since her death, Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership.Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire. The Austen family relied on the patronage of their kin and hosted visits from numerous family members.According to the biographer Park Honan the atmosphere of the Austen home was an "open, amused, easy intellectual" one, in which the ideas of those with whom the Austens might disagree politically or socially were considered and discussed. Jane Austen lived in a time of illness and disease, with little to no rights for women, slavery, the opium trade, and social discontent. Jane was a keen and thorough observer of society at large.
August 20, 2024
The Dark Side of Jane Austen's World by Angela Youngman is an intriguing concept, especially to Austen and/or Regency fans. The Regency/Georgian era could not be more fascinating to learn about, the good and the bad. Austen's books are so comforting they were used as therapy in World War I. In this book we see parallels between Austen's works and real life. The illustrations are wonderful!
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice continues to be the most beloved novel of all time (if only she knew!). Many of us have pored over her brilliant and unfortunately few works, over and over, for pure joy and to also to glean better knowledge and understanding of the world she was part of.
Youngman's book reveals the dark bits such as the necessity of a young girl securing a husband, preferably with a generous allowance. Though once married, a woman and her possessions (if any) became her husband's, her needs were met. If single (during this era about two thirds were), women had to rely on family (even distant relatives), charity or an occupation such as governess. But there were marriage settlements as well. Male occupations are detailed.
Adoption of children within families wasn't unheard of, including Jane's brother Edward who was adopted by a wealthy cousin. In this way, Edward owned property and land and thus able to help Jane's family financially. Education, boarding schools, disease, low mortality rates, circulating libraries, horrifying pelican dental implement, "Fishing Fleet", upholding reputation, ship "prize captures, childbirth and "madness" are described.
We cherish Jane Austen and treasure her works...and always will. But her life and those of her peers were rife with hardship and often much too short. I am grateful for books like this which keep Jane Austen forever in our hearts.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice continues to be the most beloved novel of all time (if only she knew!). Many of us have pored over her brilliant and unfortunately few works, over and over, for pure joy and to also to glean better knowledge and understanding of the world she was part of.
Youngman's book reveals the dark bits such as the necessity of a young girl securing a husband, preferably with a generous allowance. Though once married, a woman and her possessions (if any) became her husband's, her needs were met. If single (during this era about two thirds were), women had to rely on family (even distant relatives), charity or an occupation such as governess. But there were marriage settlements as well. Male occupations are detailed.
Adoption of children within families wasn't unheard of, including Jane's brother Edward who was adopted by a wealthy cousin. In this way, Edward owned property and land and thus able to help Jane's family financially. Education, boarding schools, disease, low mortality rates, circulating libraries, horrifying pelican dental implement, "Fishing Fleet", upholding reputation, ship "prize captures, childbirth and "madness" are described.
We cherish Jane Austen and treasure her works...and always will. But her life and those of her peers were rife with hardship and often much too short. I am grateful for books like this which keep Jane Austen forever in our hearts.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating book.
August 26, 2024
When I first heard about this book I thought it was going to be a sort of gothic spoof in the vein of Northanger Abbey, but of course in fact it's a non-fiction book, that dives deeply into the darker side of life in Austen's time. I found it to be a very interesting laying out of all the directions in which perils lay - rather like the edges of the old maps, marked with 'here be dragons'! Each chapter, which is just the right length for a sitting, delineates a particular peril relevant to the time - and there were many - like health considerations, the reliance on wealthy or influential connections (never underestimate the value of the patronage of Lady Catherine de Burgh!), taxes & politics, crime & punishment, loss of reputation, financial worries (with a very real risk of winding up in genteel poverty, like poor Miss Bates), opium & laudanum use and addiction (& the East India Company's stranglehold on trade), smuggling, slavery... the list goes on! And the ladies of Jane's time had so few options open to them, so little choice over their futures - it gives a whole new understanding of Charlotte Lucas' choice to wed the odious Mr Collins! Lots of interesting angles, sources and research, including a few things that are local to my area (and even one of our Branch member's books is quoted!) which is always fun, and many snippets of information and detail that were quite unknown to me - I thought it was truly interesting and highly recommend it. [NB: As this was a NetGalley ARC there were several bits that needed 'finessing', including a prominent family name in Jane's history spelled wrongly throughout, but I trust this will all be sorted with editing/proofing before release.]
August 26, 2024
Angela Youngman’s “The Dark Side of Jane Austen’s World” explores the historical context surrounding Jane Austen’s novels providing insights for both Austen enthusiasts and those curious about the era.
Youngman covers a wide range of subjects, from the lives of women and men to education, marriage, and health. The inclusion of darker topics such as crime, punishments, opium addiction, and slavery adds depth to the realities of Georgian and Regency Britain, especially if you are unaware of this history.
The author's writing style is simplistic, summarizing, reporting on, and referencing the works of experts. My early impression was that Youngman was neither a historian nor an expert on Jane Austen's work, which proved true when I searched her. However, this book does amalgamate key topics into chapters that you could read in any order and new readers to the world of Austen and Regency Britain will find something of interest here.
If you enjoy Jane Austen’s novels and want to delve a little deeper into her world's social, political, and economic aspects, “The Dark Side of Jane Austen’s World” could be a worthwhile read. It sheds light on the complexities beyond the romantic plots, revealing the hidden facets of Austen’s society.
This was an ARC review for NetGalley.
Youngman covers a wide range of subjects, from the lives of women and men to education, marriage, and health. The inclusion of darker topics such as crime, punishments, opium addiction, and slavery adds depth to the realities of Georgian and Regency Britain, especially if you are unaware of this history.
The author's writing style is simplistic, summarizing, reporting on, and referencing the works of experts. My early impression was that Youngman was neither a historian nor an expert on Jane Austen's work, which proved true when I searched her. However, this book does amalgamate key topics into chapters that you could read in any order and new readers to the world of Austen and Regency Britain will find something of interest here.
If you enjoy Jane Austen’s novels and want to delve a little deeper into her world's social, political, and economic aspects, “The Dark Side of Jane Austen’s World” could be a worthwhile read. It sheds light on the complexities beyond the romantic plots, revealing the hidden facets of Austen’s society.
This was an ARC review for NetGalley.
August 31, 2024
Having requested it on a whim, I found this to be a really interesting & informative read. Covering illness, crime, poverty, & more, the reader is given a thorough tour through the pitfalls of life in Regency & Georgian England. In many cases, it is a wonder that enough people survived to carry the population on especially with the ubiquitous opium use even in medicines such as cough syrup. One popular cough medicine apparently contained 60 drops of laudanum per bottle - no wonder they didn't cough, they were probably in a drug-induced coma! There was also the marriage aspect aka the 'meat market'. The constraints upon women & the insistence of primogeniture in Regency & Georgian society had the unfortunate effect of turning most young women & younger sons into gold-diggers basically.
It was mainly well-written & keeps the reader's interest. I feel that when I re-read Austen's work after reading this, I will pick up on a lot of subtext I missed before. There's just one issue for me, & it may have been because of how the book was organised, but there seemed to be a fair bit of repetition in different chapters. For example, the reader is told at least 3 if not 4 times that the governor-general of India, Warren Hastings, sent his young son over to England into the care of Rev Austen & his wife where he unfortunately died of a sudden illness. Apart from that, I recommend this to all Jane Austen fans out there who want to know more about the world she lived in. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
It was mainly well-written & keeps the reader's interest. I feel that when I re-read Austen's work after reading this, I will pick up on a lot of subtext I missed before. There's just one issue for me, & it may have been because of how the book was organised, but there seemed to be a fair bit of repetition in different chapters. For example, the reader is told at least 3 if not 4 times that the governor-general of India, Warren Hastings, sent his young son over to England into the care of Rev Austen & his wife where he unfortunately died of a sudden illness. Apart from that, I recommend this to all Jane Austen fans out there who want to know more about the world she lived in. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
September 15, 2024
This is a fascinating read. A real slice of Regency history which gives context to many of the romanticised novels of the time. The research appears to be thorough and Angela Youngman has looked at a number of social issues which shaped society. These include crime and punishment, the East India Company and the insidious opium trade, the role of women and much more.
It’s well written and gives a detailed insight into the subjects considered. I found it easy to read and enjoyable and it certainly adds depths to Austen’s novels, where the darker side of society is ignored.
It’s well written and gives a detailed insight into the subjects considered. I found it easy to read and enjoyable and it certainly adds depths to Austen’s novels, where the darker side of society is ignored.
October 11, 2024
Beneath the charming surface of Jane Austen’s novels lies a darker reflection of Regency and Georgian society. This book reveals the harsh realities faced by women, the threats of poverty and crime, and the social issues of the time, showcasing Austen’s insightful portrayal of a complex era.
This book examines Austen’s life and literary works, as well as the politics and culture that influenced them. Informative and fun, the book is smooth and enjoyable to read. It’s a treat for Austen fans.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book examines Austen’s life and literary works, as well as the politics and culture that influenced them. Informative and fun, the book is smooth and enjoyable to read. It’s a treat for Austen fans.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 5, 2024
Enjoyed this very much. An insight into Georgian/Regency Britain, covering women's lives (basically it's marry well or be a burden on your relatives), health/medicine, slavery, the opium trade, crime and prison. I know the period quite well, but learned a few new things from the book - and I was very intrigued by the Fishing Fleet. Four stars. Thank you to Netgalley, Pen and Sword and the author for the ARC.
October 30, 2024
Thank you to the publishers and author for sending me this book to review.
I am always fascinated by the events that can shape an author's perspective. Jane Austen is one of those authors, especially. To get to read about the period and other events that turned her to writing is a real treat. Was this windy in some places? Yes. Was all the material super interesting? I think so. A very well thought through and put together non-fiction book all in all.
I am always fascinated by the events that can shape an author's perspective. Jane Austen is one of those authors, especially. To get to read about the period and other events that turned her to writing is a real treat. Was this windy in some places? Yes. Was all the material super interesting? I think so. A very well thought through and put together non-fiction book all in all.
August 5, 2024
Thank you to the publishers – Pen & Sword and Pen & Sword History – for giving me access to this book as an E-ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Interesting way to write a popular history book in my opinion! Youngman use the book by Jane Austen to illustrate the several different aspects of Regency Britain with classes, poverty, sickness etc. I feel like this works quite well for what the author wants to present with this book. In tune with Austen’s books many of the chapters focus on the lives of women like with marriage, work and so on.
All in all an okay read. If you know absolute nothing about Georgian times maybe this could be a good start to keep up an interest.
Interesting way to write a popular history book in my opinion! Youngman use the book by Jane Austen to illustrate the several different aspects of Regency Britain with classes, poverty, sickness etc. I feel like this works quite well for what the author wants to present with this book. In tune with Austen’s books many of the chapters focus on the lives of women like with marriage, work and so on.
All in all an okay read. If you know absolute nothing about Georgian times maybe this could be a good start to keep up an interest.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews