Growing Older with Jane Austen

by Maggie Lane

A lively, well-researched, expert study of aging in the literature of Jane Austen There is no doubt that Jane Austen is enduringly popular with both a general readership and academics. But amid the wealth of approaches to her life and work, no one has made a full-length study of the concept of aging in her novels, and this book sets out to fill that gap. With chapters on the loss of youth and beauty, old wives, old maids, merry widows, and dowager despots, the theme allows for a lively exploration of many of Austen's most memorable characters. There are also chapters on hypochondria and illness, age and poverty, and 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. Austen's wry approach to the perils and consolations of growing older is bound to strike chords with many.

Genres: Jane Austen, Nonfiction, Research, Books About Books

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2014

Reviews

[Corrie]

Great little volume looking at Austen's older characters and her real-life contemporaries.

[Jane Austen]

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.

A full review can be found at: https://www.janeausten.co.uk/growing-...

[DC]

I loooved Lane's book Jane Austen and Food, which I thought was a brilliant literary analysis. This one felt a bit less "light and bright and sparkling" to me, though I still think it was solid. I've also read way more Austen analysis at this point compared to when I read JAaF, so perhaps Lane's insights felt less revelatory to me. I thought her biographical treatment was particularly interesting.

[Sarah]

very interesting read for Austen fans.

[Laura Bang]

An interesting look at age and aging in Austen's writings (her fiction and her letters).

[Sara]

Brilliant.