Living with Jane Austen

by Janet Todd

Fanny Price, in Mansfield Park, tells her persistent suitor that 'we have all a better guide in ourselves...than any other person can be'. Sometimes, however, we crave external guidance: and when this happens we could do worse than seek it in Jane Austen's own subtle novels. Written to coincide with Austen's 250th birthday, this approachable and intimate work shows why and how - for over half a century - Austen has inspired and challenged its author through different phases of her life. Part personal memoir, part expert interaction with all the letters, manuscripts and published novels, Janet Todd's book reveals what living with Jane Austen has meant to her and what it might also mean to others. Todd celebrates the undimmable power of Austen's work to help us understand our own bodies and our environment, and teach us about patience, humour, beauty and the meaning of home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Literary Criticism, Literature, Biography Memoir, Historical

246 pages, Hardcover

Published March 20, 2025

About the author

Janet Todd (Jan) is a novelist, biographer, literary critic and internationally renowned scholar, known for her work on
women’s writing and feminism. Her most recent books include
the novel: Don't You Know There's A War On?;
edition and essay: Jane Austen’s Sanditon;
memoir: Radiation Diaries: Cancer, Memory
and Fragments of a Life in Words;
biography: Aphra Behn: A Secret Life;
the novel: A Man of Genius 2016.
Jane Austen and Shelley in the Garden: An Illustrated Novel, forthcoming 2021

A co-founder of the journal Women’s Writing, she has published biographies and critical work on many authors,including Jane Austen, Mary Wollstonecraft, her daughters, Mary (Shelley) and Fanny (Death And The Maidens) , and the Irish-Republican sympathiser, traveller and medical student, Lady Mount Cashell (Daughters of Ireland).

Born in Wales, Janet Todd grew up in Britain, Bermuda and Ceylon/Sri Lanka and has worked at schools and universities in Ghana, Puerto Rico, India, the US (Douglass College,
Rutgers, Florida), Scotland (Glasgow, Aberdeen) and England (Cambridge, UEA). A former President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, she is now an Honorary Fellow of
Newnham College.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of a few Jane Austen books I plan to read in celebration of her 250th birthday this year. I didn’t always agree with the author’s perspectives and ideas, but she challenged my thinking in a way that was almost nostalgic for me. It was as if I were sitting in a literature class once again, which really took me back to my college days.

We both admire Jane Austen and upon that foundation I found much to be enjoyed in this unique book. Part memoir, part scholarly examination of various topics from the 18th and 19th centuries, and part meandering musings on Jane Austen and her works, this book is unlike any other Austen nonfiction I’ve ever read.

Thank you, Cambridge University Press and Austenprose for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the primrose or peony, Jane Austen’s novels (or Schubert’s Lieder) have become more beautiful to me now that I take time with them than they were half a lifetime ago. from Living with Jane Austen by Janet Todd

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. When I studied her in 1978 not only had I never read her before, it was before television and movies brought her to attention, before her plots were updated for contemporary romances and satires, before her image appeared on a bank note. What a delight to read the thoughts of an academic who has studied Austen and her contemporaries, connecting her own experiences to Austen’s thoughts.

Janet Todd arranges the book by theme, exploring how Austen connects with readers, and how Austen’s advice has impacted Todd over her lifetime. She notes, “what I write are my own thoughts inspired by Jane Austen,” informed by her personal memories and reading life.

I hope that in what follows I can convey a little of the excitement that still overwhelms me as I go on reading Jane Austen. from Living With Jane Austen by Janet Todd

There is a chapter on Darcy as the prototype of the dark romantic hero, another on illness in Austen’s novels and in her personal life. Nature, advice giving, and even death are considered. She plumbs Austen’s candid letters (which shocked E. M. Forster), her satiric juvenilia, and novels for insights.

A wonderful portrait of Austen emerges. We almost believe we understand and know her. It inspires me to reread her novels one more time.

The book includes delightful illustrations, intricate hand cut silhouettes by Austen’s nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Janet Todd. She is one of my favorite literary people and I've used some of her books for my own research so I was excited and pleasantly surprised when I saw this come across my NetGalley dash. A memoir mixed with Jane Austen? Yes, absolutely yes.

This book is for the Austenites. It's an academic and slightly personal way of literary analysis but I really enjoyed it. Now, I am a PhD literature graduate student and one of my research specialities does involve Austen, so I may be a tad biased. However, I think this was a rather accessible piece of literary analysis. Although some people struggled with the memoir aspect in that it wasn't as reflective and personal, I think Todd had just the right amount.

Overall, I felt very seen as a literary scholar and academic. I also felt seen as someone who grew up in the world of Austen (read the books and watched as many adaptations as I could when I was growing up). I would recommend this for the more academically minded of the Austenites, otherwise this may be a little too much academia for you.

This took a lil long for me to read cause of school, BUT it was a good read.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m excited to be reading more books this year that have to do with Jane Austen to celebrate her 250th birthday. This was a really interesting and scholarly work that delved into so many different subjects in regard to Austen, her life and her works. This is part memoir, part academic work and overall a wonderful feminist ode to Miss Austen! I didn’t necessarily agree with all of the authors opinions, but that’s the joy of “to each her own.” The book was well researched and the author is an expert on Austen. The Janeite in me in me loved all the references to her works and excerpts from her writings.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a more academic discussion of Jane Austen's life and works, this is the book for you.

Divided into various themes, there were two standouts for me. In 'Making Patterns' it is suggested that Northanger Abbey and Sanditon may have 'shared the same ink' in that supposedly Jane Austen continued to edit Northanger Abbey just before starting to write Sanditon. I particularly enjoyed 'Into Nature' chapter. How "In almost all the novels rain accelerates plots."

At times it did feel like the title should have been Living with Jane Austen and Mary Wollstonecraft. Lots of comparison between them. I know Wollstonecraft is considered to be an important early female writer but her personal life was a mess and I honestly have no interest in her. But that's just me. Besides this, I enjoyed reading, even if it was a bit over my head at times.

ARC courtesy of Austenprose and Netgalley.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a poignant and well written memoir meets academic paper. The connections and opinions about Austen and her novels were plentiful and specific. Janet obviously knows her Austen and that knowledge shines throughout the work. This book screams Austen and I loved that.

At times a bit heavy and a bit boring. But I enjoyed the many quotes from Austen's works and the descriptions of her characters. I would have liked more connections to the author's own experiences. Sometimes, it got heavy on this history of Austen's time.

Overall, a worthwhile read especially this year in celebration of Austen's 250th birthday.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable and insightful read, and a lovely study of the incomparable Jane Austen.

I think it’s a great book for Austen enthusiasts, and those who are looking for an academic approach and literary analysis of Jane Austen and her life and writing.

It also includes a nice personal touch as the author inserts some personal experiences into the book, which I appreciated.

I received a copy from the publisher and Austenprose PR via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Christina O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Living with Jane Austen" is a very conversational exploration of Austen's works by a scholar reflection on Austen's life and her own. Some literary criticism can feel abrasive in their interpretations, but Todd's feels more like a welcoming reflection, inviting readers into exploring the themes and connections across Austen's writings. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the journey.

[Tabs Hannam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicately written, touching lit crit which moves away from the purely literary to become something akin to Teju Cole’s Open City. A blending of biography - both Austen’s and Todd’s - and the evolution of reading the classics across your life.

[Debra Slonek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy a close reading of this book and pair it with your favorite Jane Austen novel. You won’t be disappointed. While reading this book, it became clear that the author is a dedicated reader herself, a true lover of books. I get the feeling that the author enjoyed writing this particular book and I enjoyed reading it.

This delightful book is for Jane Austen fans. Whether you are a novice tourist or an oft returning and welcomed guest, you will find the writing and subject matter so very enjoyable. The author takes us on a guided, insightful tour of everything that is important to and created by Jane Austen.

The author contemplates the value of proprieties and properties while considering the relationships between the masters and mistresses of each novel. I learned from and enjoyed the author’s insights and commentary about Jane’s life and her writings of social comedy.

I found it fascinating to read about which authors, books and social norms had most influenced and shaped Jane’s writing, her outlook and her life choices. I loved that Jane participated in and promoted the joys and therapeutics of simple walking, especially when done outdoors.

Now that I have finished this book, it is time for some buttered toast and tea. Oh, and cheers to all the witty, clever and impertinent women out there!

I received copies of this book from Cambridge University Press through AustenProse and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts expressed in this review are mine.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

As a lover of Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice, obviously being my favorite), I was delighted to get a free copy of this book. I tried to think of how to describe it, and the closest I came to (although it is one-sided and in a book) is a conversation about all of your favorite Austen characters and books. It doesn't take one book at a time but weaves them all together seamlessly, like a group of Janeites might do when getting together.

This book would be perfect not only just for those who read everything of Austen, but those who perhaps haven't read her works in years and maybe want to review it without taking the time to read all of her books. It also would be good for someone who knows absolutely nothing of her work but wants to pretend that they do in front of someone they are trying to impress, beyond just reading a wiki page.

I would definitely recommend this book!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What author would you like to learn more about? I always love learning more about Jane Austen.
Living with Jane Austen is Janet Todd’s journey through Austen. It was written to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth this year. It is Todd’s relationship with Austen throughout her life as well as a deep dive into different topics in Austen’s life and in her novels.

My thoughts on this book:
• I thought this was interesting and it gave me a lot to ponder about Austen. For example, it made me want to read Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson. Austen enjoyed the novel and apparently the estate in it has similarities to Pemberley. It is one of the longest novels in the English language which sounds daunting.

• This was a literary analysis mixed with memoir.

• Todd compared and contrasted Mary Wollstonecraft and Jane Austen’s lives and works. I thought that was interesting. Their lives were so very different but were around the same time period.

• The book is arranged by themes such as: The Brightness of Pemberly, the Darkness of Darcy, Poor Nerves, Into Nature, How to Die, etc. I liked this arrangement and learning more about these topics.

• This was a slower read for me, but it was thought provoking and fascinating.

Overall, Living with Jane Austen by Janet Todd is part scholarly literary analysis part memoir, but 100 % intriguing. It’s a great book for anyone that is interested in Jane Austen and her works.

Book Source: Review copy from Cambridge University Press as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been an amazing year reading books celebrating Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. This beloved author continues to inspire & intrigue. In the fascinating novel Living With Jane Austen by renowned author Janet Todd, the author explores Jane Austen’s life & writings juxtaposed with reflections from her own experiences.

It was interesting dissecting Jane’s writings & life from an academic POV. Sharing everything from the “Brightness of Pemberley” to the “Unruly Body,” the author finds commiseration & solace in experiences from her own life through Jane Austen’s writings. While I bristled a bit at my beloved Darcy being portrayed as anything but wonderful, I did appreciate her thoughts on his darker side. Brief sketches of Jane Austen’s life are shared including stories with siblings, nieces, & nephews leading up to her final years. When describing Jane Austen’s death, I was touched as the author shared all the sorrowful details along with her feelings on her own father’s death.

All in all, an interesting, thought provoking read that lends new insights into all things Jane Austen. I enjoyed the witty writing style & the author’s ability to weave vignettes from her own personal life into a fascinating discussion of the characters, writings, & life experiences of Jane Austen. Recommend this book to those who would enjoy a scholarly, feminist approach to Jane Austen & her writings. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. I was not obligated to provide a review.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fascinating and immersive new book about Jane Austen, Janet Todd explores how Austen challenged and inspired her in different phases of her life. A combination of a memoir and an analysis of Austen’s personal papers and novels, Todd celebrates Austen’s work, what she means to Todd, and what Austen can mean to others. Considering the lessons and stories that Austen has to offer, this is a deeply personal yet relatable read that Austenites will resonate with in the leadup to Austen’s 250th birthday. The mix of genres and the open dialogue with Todd and Austen makes this book incredibly unique and engages readers with every page. The length and tone are perfect for all readers, and the book is incredibly well-written -- straightforward, engaging, and open. Offering unique insights into Austen’s books and papers, Todd cleverly engages with the primary materials and draws readers into conversation with the documents. Fun, entertaining, and absolutely worth a read, Austenites have to pick up this book to relate with Todd’s experiences and connect their own with this interpretation of her works. Fun, interesting, and a fascinating insight into an author’s relationship with Jane Austen, this is a great new book perfect for Austenites.

Thanks to NetGalley and Cambridge University Press for the advance copy.

[Joelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating read. A unique experience that I haven’t had before with a book.

Jane Austen fans who enjoy academic approaches to her writing may find this a fascinating read as well. It is a semi memori, for Janet Todd, and an academic look at Iane Austen, her life and her writing that come together for a book that gets the mind going. And I mean truly going. I thought about her ideas and insights long after I put the book down. While I may not agree with all she said I found these ideas taking my mind and thoughts of Jane Austen places they hadn’t been before.

Janet Todd’s writing is witty, scholarly and interesting. The way she lays this book out was one of my favorite aspects of it all. Overall I’m pleased to have read this book prior to release and especially pleased to have read it in 2025 as we celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen. If you enjoy scholarly takes on Jane Austen and her writings along with author memoir pieces woven throughout this may be the book for you!

*I received an advanced copy from the publisher/author and all opinions are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Janet Todd's books since coming across her wonderful, 'Death and the Maidens: Fanny Wollstonecraft and the Shelley Circle,' so I was delighted to read this on the 250th anniversary of Austen's birth. Todd has often written about, and taught, Jane Austen and this is an enjoyable, reflective and intelligent look at Austen's work as well as being partly a memoir of Todd's life.

It looks at many things - from property to illness, through nature and onto death, as well as touching on many other subjects. Todd herself considers her own work, what Austen means to her, how feminism has changed throughout her life, what this has meant to her teaching and her love of literature. Jane Austen is a favourite of mine and reading this has been a wonderful way to celebrate her life, her genius, and her work.

[Debra Schoenberger]

Part memoir and part scholarly exploration, Janet Todd has invited us to take a closer look at what made up Jane Austen's world. She covered subjects relating to health such as headaches and nerves. She includes numerous quotes from Jane's letters. She even takes Darcy down a couple of notches! There were also comparisons and contrasts between Mary Wollstonecraft and Jane Austen’s lives and works.

I was intrigued by Todd's points of view and delightful insights into the life of Austen that were refreshing and new. Who would have thought of dedicating a whole section to toast?

If you are an Austen fan, you'll appreciate all the research Janet Todd has put into this book as well as the connections she's personally made.

[Kaley]

DNF @ 19% (50ish pages)
I love Jane Austen but I did not love reading this book. Maybe I just didn't know what I was getting into but it was far more academic than I expected - even though I think she was trying to make it accessible? I'm also a few generations removed from the author - which I can mention because SHE mentioned it. All the time. I got it. She was a woman of a certain age. She didn't need to constantly bring it up in a book like this.
Not even my love of Austen and the upcoming 250th celebration of her birth could get me to finish this one right now.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to read LIVING WITH JANE AUSTEN! I have always held an interest in Jane’s writing and this was a very nice memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed. I definitely learned a few things a long the way. What a unique lady and way ahead of her time!

Many thanks to Janet Todd for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully discursive and meandering, this literary critique of Jane Austen ranges far and wide from Mary Wollstonecraft to Hannah More, covering both the novels and the letters … The exquisite Chapter Headings are from silhouettes cut by Austen’s nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh … also included are memories from the author’s long career in academia … fresh and frothy …

[Richard Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking riff on Jane Austen and the author’s life, with lots of comparison also to Mary Wollstonecraft. It made me want to re-read Austen, as well read for the first time those I never got around to before.

[Fiona Purdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, fascinating, educating, wistful, thoughtful and a layered response to Jane Austen’s works and life.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting combination of partial memoir and musings from the author’s studies of Jane Austen and some of her contemporaries, particularly Mary Wollstonecraft. An engaging read.