La vida novelesca de Jane Austen: Una biografía gráfica

by Janine Barchas (Writer), Isabel Greenberg (Illustrator), Isabel Márquez Méndez (Translator)

Rebosante de datos biográficos, La vida novelesca de Jane Austen nos muestra su propia perspectiva del mundo que la rodeaba: revela su afilado ingenio, sus agudas observaciones sociales y las dificultades a las que hubo de enfrentarse en un mundo dominado por los hombres, en el que no contaba con el respaldo de una gran fortuna ni de una posición privilegiada. Esta obra explora sus dinámicas familiares, la influencia de sus amistades y los momentos que inspiraron Orgullo y prejuicio, Sentido y sensibilidad, Emma, Persuasión y tantas otras novelas.

Una radiante colaboración entre Janine Barchas, célebre experta en Jane Austen, e Isabel Greenberg, autora de varias novelas gráficas que han aparecido en la lista de bestsellers del New York Times. No solo es una lectura obligatoria para cualquier austenita, sino para cualquiera que sienta curiosidad por una de las figuras más inmortales de la literatura.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Biography, Nonfiction, Comics, Biography Memoir, History, Historical

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 29, 2025

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those who best gave life to the page often have their own lives immortalized upon the page and few others have left a lasting legacy of household name recognition than the late, great Jane Austen. Though she passed at the young age of 41, her life, letters, and much loved literature have taken on a life of their own and touched countless lives. Following the ‘breadcrumbs of facts,’ as Austen scholar Janine Barchas puts it, The Novel Life of Jane Austen is a rather wonderful graphic novel on the life of the great writer, illuminated upon the page through the whimsical artwork of Isabel Greenburg. A brief yet robust account of Jane’s life that details her family life, her comings and goings from Stevenson, Bath, and, finally, Chawton, and the inspirations in her world that became inspiring novels through her pen, The Novel Life of Jane Austen is a great resource told in a fun narrative format and overflowing with tiny details from her life and books that will charm both Austen fans and those hoping to first learn a bit about this absolute icon of literature.

Barchas makes great use of the “breadcrumbs” telling the life of Austen in a way that has a nice forward drive to it without streamlining her life too much into a convenient narrative. You get pretty much what you would expect here without much in the way of surprise and the graphic novel adheres rather closely to the relationship between her family as well as the inspirations and efforts to bring her early stories to life. Much is gleaned from the letters she wrote though not many have remained. Of the over 1,300 letters Jane sent to her sister Cassandra, for instance, only 160 remain as Cassandra destroyed most of them ensuring ‘younger nieces did not read any of Jane's sometimes acid or forthright comments on neighbours or family members’ as she put it. Ouch, but also nobody could spit an heady insult like Jane and we love her for it and will just have to imagine all the epic jabs of the pen put into those letters deemed too edgy for young maidens. But we have plenty of letters here, hope you don’t get corrupted!

The art is quite whimsical, has cool use of color and reminds me a bit of Kate Beaton. Which is cool but then I also kept expecting it to fall into comical parody, which this does not but also is not intended to. It isn’t my favorite art to present this story but it is rather serviceable to the “story” and the use of frames is able to really progress the book along hoping around time quite effectively.

A quick graphic biography that is rather accessible for readers of practically any age, The Novel Life of Jane Austen is a cool little book. I would certainly recommend it for students or Austen fans in particular, and it is a fun way to engage with such an epic giant in English literature. Austen is remembered for a reason and this was a nice way to remember Austen the person as well as Austen the author.

3.5/5

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is charming. The story covers all of Austen's adult life, and doesn't touch on her near romances at all (which is refreshing), focusing rather on her relationships with her family members, especially Cassandra. Pithy quotations from Austen's letters and sometimes the novels are used to good effect, mostly as witty things for Jane to say. The illustrator has a scribbley style (and curiously is better at architecture than people), but as I noted in my review of her own very good literary graphic novel Glass Town: The Imaginary World of the Brontës, one gets used to it. As was the case in the earlier book, the world of the characters' imaginations (here only Jane's, of course) appears in a contrasting vivid color palette. Certainly this is better than the other Jane Austen graphic biography I've read, Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper, and I think maybe I even found it a more effective evocation of Austen's personality and her milieu than the Claire Tomalin biography Jane Austen A Life -- in any case, this is the one I am much more likely to reread. It is a virtue of graphic novels that they so often can be read in one sitting.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gevonden waarover ik mijn paper voor literatuur en intermedialiteit ga schrijven 😏

[Astrid Inge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natuurlijk wilde ik dit boek niet alleen lezen maar ook hebben. Jane Austen, duh.
De graphics zijn sober, enkel geel- en blauwtinten, met af en toe wat rood als het gaat om scenes uit het boek dat ze aan het schrijven is. Mooie keuze. Als biografie vind ik het vrij beperkt, hoewel dat niet per se een nadeel is. Ik heb het met plezier gelezen en zet het met plezier in de kast bij de Limited Seasons Editions van haar boeken en bij de Pride & Prejudice plexiglas vaas. I ❤️ Jane Austen.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is more fiction than biography. The dialogue is comprised of snippets from Jane's letters, family recollections and her novels. I hate "biographies" that try to show how real life inspired certain plot points in her novels. It gives the author little credit for imagination. This "biography" starts in 1796 and a visit to the "Shakspeare [sp] Gallery". Part I "Budding Writer" chronicles the young budding writer contemplating William Shakespeare's fame, life at Steventon where young Jane picks up the classical lessons her father is trying to teach young gentlemen faster than the young men. Cassandra is missing Tom, her fiancé, who went off to the West Indies to serve as chaplain to the army. Jane's father sends her manuscript of First Impressions to a publisher who sends it back. We see the devastation the rejection has on young Jane, leading her father to send the ladies to Bath to visit Uncle Leigh-Perrot. The only thing I didn't know in this chapter was their trip to Bath included visits to Sham Castle, Midford Castle and Farley Hungerford Castle, the last of which inspired Northanger Abbey - supposedly, according to this biography. This section also features Jane meeting a young man who sneers at novels in spite of never having read any!

Part Two 1801-1809 : Struggling Artist covers the dark years. We all know the story. Jane sold her manuscript "Susan" (later Northanger Abbey) for 10 pounds but it was never published. Mr. Austen announced his retirement, Jane swooned, they moved to Bath, Mr. Austen died and Jane didn't write anything during this period. Less well known is the Austen women trying to revive their fortune visiting Stoneleigh Abbey while the inheritance was sorted out. In the skimpy format of a graphic novel, it comes across as gold digging on behalf of the Austen women but a more traditional biography could explain how close the women were to destitution and how they had no way of earning money on their own. They had to rely on men to survive, the wealthier the relative, the more generous he is likely to be. That isn't usually the case but Mrs. Austen held out hope...

Also less well known is the time the Austens and Martha Lloyd spent in Southampton with Jane's brother Charles and his wife Mary. It's a charming look at domestic life and shows how difficult childbirth could be for women and also how generous Jane was whenever she had extra money.

Part Three 1908-1817: published author. With help from brother Edward, Jane, Cassandra, Mrs. Austen and Martha Lloyd finally found a permanent home in Chawton. We know these were Jane's most productive years when she finally became a published author before her untimely death at 41. Did you know the average life expectancy was 36? After Jane's death, the story continues to mention her burial in Winchester. There's even a scene explaining why Cassandra burned Jane's letters. This biography concludes with Jane's novels being sold in railway stations and finally with modern Janeites visit Jane Austen's house.

Backmatter includes what the author calls a "Glossary" which really means notes on the text. I found that interesting and helpful.

I absolutely did not at all like the illustrations. The scenes with Jane in her present lifetime are done in blue and yellow. Her imagination sequences are done in pink. The Austens and Martha Lloyd are unrecognizable. Only when Cassandra draws Jane's portrait does she remotely resemble the real Jane Austen. And only remotely. Mrs. Austen is shown as a toothless old lady even in the earliest sequences. She lived into her 80s in spite of frequent bouts of ill health (or hypochondria) so she must have been healthy. The one illustration I actually liked was Jane's deathbed. She doesn't die alone- she is surrounded by the characters she created who live on after her death.

If you are a new Janeite, I wouldn't start here. Teachers and professors like the author probably want to assign this instead of a traditional biography but I wouldn't suggest starting here. If you do, start with the glossary and then read the biography. Then do read an actual biography! And an annotated copy of at least one of the novels.

[Fini S.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich bin ein riesiger Jane-Austen-Fan und hatte große Freude an diesem Graphic Novel über ihr Leben. In liebevollen, detailreichen Illustrationen begleiten wir Jane gemeinsam mit ihrer engsten Vertrauten, ihrer Schwester Cassandra, und erleben, wie sie sich trotz familiärer Schwierigkeiten im strengen Regency-England als (zunächst anonyme) Autorin behauptet.

Wie sehr wünschte ich, sie hätte gewusst, zu welch großer Literaturikone sie einmal werden würde.
Die Graphic Novel ist in drei Teile gegliedert und lässt sich schnell verschlingen. Besonders gefallen haben mir die kleinen Anspielungen auf Szenen aus ihren Romanen. Am Ende findet sich außerdem ein Glossar, in dem die dargestellten Ereignisse auf ihre historische Genauigkeit überprüft werden.

Natürlich ersetzt dieses Buch keine umfassende Biografie – aber es ist eine wunderschöne, warmherzige Hommage an die Frau, deren Schreibfeder so viele unvergessliche Zeilen hervorgebracht hat.
Wer noch auf der Suche nach einem Geschenk für Austen-Fans ist (egal ob jung oder alt): absolute Empfehlung!

[Nicole West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first graphic biography ever read.

It was beautifully illustrated and a wonderful capture of Jane Austens.

You still get the story background of Jane Austens life, and it's always good to try different types of reading.

Different lol 😆

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun take on Jane Austin’s biography.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and I learned some things I didn't know. If you love her writing like I do I suggest that you read this.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Austen. Verteld en verbeeld. Tekst: Janine Barchas. Illustraties: Isabel Greenberg.

Ik hou van graphic novels. Ik hou van sterke vrouwen. Heel fijn als beide dingen samenkomen.

Jane Austen is een kloeke graphic novel, een heuse grafische biografie. Zo tof. Veel bijleren terwijl je naar mooie tekeningen kijkt: veel leuker wordt het niet hé?

Barchas en Greenberg vormen een geweldig goed team: ze slagen er in om met de juiste hoeveelheid woorden en een eenvoudig kleurenpalet (voornamelijk geel-blauw) toch heel veel te vertellen.

Dit boek is een hebbeding voor elke Austen-fan maar ook mensen die haar nog niet kennen (bestaan die nog?) gaan hiervan genieten.

Ik hoop dat uitgeverij Pelckmans nog meer graphic novels over boeiende vrouwen gaat uitbrengen! Ik ben fan!

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just the right thing for the Jane Austen reader in your life (which, of course, may be you).

Chock full of fun (and, I'm guessing, lesser known) facts, supplemented with a bevy of end-of-the-book informational nuggets, and peppered with, apparently, plenty of liberties and embellishments, a unique perspective and platform for examining the author's life.

Temporal quirk: I happened to read this the same weekend we saw the (entertaining and well done) French film Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, which we both thoroughly enjoyed.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic biography is an excellent place to start for young or new Austenites. It's very wink-wink-nod-nod, full of Easter eggs for fans, and quite succinct. As someone who already knows this material fairly well, I can't say that I found much new to capture my attention here, and I've never loved Greenberg's style of illustration. So, this probably doesn't have a permanent place on my shelves.

[MKF · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.
Hated the artwork.

[Iryna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Більше відгуків на моєму буктюбі https://youtube.com/@yellowbooknook?s...

Як людина, що прочитала дві версії біографії Джейн Остін, вважаю цей комікс приємним доповненням, що надає трохи деталей з повсякденного життя. Але не можу його рекомендувати як перше знайомство з біографією авторки, бо він дуже фрагментарний, не надає потрібного контексту (як наприклад біографія авторства Люсі Уорслі) і упускає багато важливих подій.

З цікавого - кольорова гама коміксу. Реальність виконана в синьо-блакитних тонах, тоді як сюжети/фантазії місс Остін червоно-рожеві.

В цілому не погана розвага на вечір. До манери письма звикаєш поступово і стає легше сприймати.

Цьогоріч виповниться 250 років з дня народження Джейн Остін, то я підозрюю, що цей комікс - спосіб віддати шану до такої круглої дати.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful illustrations enhance this graphic novel about the author's life, written in three parts: budding writer, struggling artist, and published author. I love how the author demonstrates the importance of family to Jane Austen, not just her famed closeness with her sister Cassandra, but also with the brothers who looked out for them and their mother, and a large assortment of beloved nieces and nephews. The illustrations by Isabel Greenberg are very intricate and demonstrate a lot about the times she lived in. The glossary also provides a lot of detail and context. Definitely a treat for Austen fans, published in this year of the 250th anniversary of her birth! 4 1/2 stars.

[Jess Witkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read biography for Austen fans that highlights Cassandra’s role in Jane’s life and chronicles the ups and downs of the author throughout three time periods, noting publication woes and successes, as well as the family’s financial struggles and different residences.

Delightfully reimagined. Well-researched.

[Alison Thoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

It somehow seems fitting that my first graphic novel is about Jane Austen. I really liked the different style of storytelling that still lent such a voice to Jane. It really brought her to life in this biography, and the imagery helped. The art was unexpected and modernized Jane’s life and story, bringing her novels relevance into today.

[Cathérine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 *

[Hadas · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

[DreamyFox · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐

[Maria Almaguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a long-time Jane Austen student and admirer, I know pretty much everything about the genius wordsmith that is Jane Austen. So this new graphic memoir was (dare I say it?) a tad boring to me. Barchas is a well-known Austen scholar whom I had the privilege of meeting in Pittsburgh in 2015, when she came to speak at a spring Jane Austen Society of North America regional meeting.

Austen's life was really rather ordinary. She had a small following until her untimely death at age 41, was content with remaining single at a time when being unmarried risked penury, and was beloved by her friends and family as she lived in small English villages (with a brief stint in Bath). Above all, she left us with six brilliant novels. I'd recommend this book for those unfamiliar with her who want to learn more.

[Jason Furman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific life of Jane Austen in graphic novel--and thus lightly fictionalized and somewhat speculative--form. The artwork is by my favorite graphic writer, Isabel Greenberg, and she pairs up with a Jane Austen scholar to bring something based on hints from letters, Austen's books and more.

It does not aim to be comprehensive, instead starting when Austen is around 21 and continuing through the rest of her life, focusing on her relationship to her siblings, the houses and locations she stayed in, and--most importantly of course--her writing. The book emphasizes her relationship and support from her sister, Cassandra, later her literary executor and the person that decided to burn her letters.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly charming and informative, particularly for newer readers of Jane Austen. But I learned tidbits even if I've devoured Jane Austen's canon multiple times. By recent count, I've read Pride and Prejudice at least 10 or 11 times (so far).

This graphic retelling of Jane Austen's life effectively subverts expectations. The meaningful glances of Jenny and Cassie are worthy of the Bennett sisters in "First Impressions."

[Ashley]

I wasn’t sure about the art style at first but about half way through I just fell in love with it. I loved learning more about Jane Austen’s life, and having the art to visually connect what was happening in her life to the stories she was creating was really helpful for me. I absolutely loved the relationship between Jane and her sister Cassandra.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this graphic novel interpretation of Jane Austen’s life. But I must admit I didn’t always enjoy the artwork. It’s serviceable and most times doesn’t distract from the story, but sometimes it is glaringly bad. Characters look cross eyed, or indistinguishable from each other. Jane is always dressed in yellow and her sister in blue, which helps the reader identify them at any age throughout the book, but gets boring. Meanwhile, whenever we venture into Jane’s imagination, the colors change to pink and red. Startling, but obvious. Overall interesting graphic novel biography about Jane Austen.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure about the artwork at first, but it did grow on me, and I liked the way the color scheme was used. This well-researched graphic bio is catnip for Austen fans, and I really enjoyed it. I think the author tried to incorporate too many tidbits from Austen's books and letters into the script, as well as facts about the period in which she lived. The dialogue didn't always flow that well, as a result. I did like the factual asides that weren't worked into the dialogue, and the notes at the end of the book.
She did a nice job of conveying the loving relationship between Jane and her sister Cassandra, along with the rest of their family. The end of the book was especially moving and had a nice spread of Austen, surrounded by the characters from her books.
I'm curious about the author's other books about Austen and intend to check them out too.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly delightful biographical novel of Jane Austen's life, focusing on three key time periods. The author nails the period language and details while keeping the story lively (like a Jane Austen novel!). The "glossary" at the back is actually a historical deep dive into the material used in the text, basically extremely detailed footnotes. Just the kind of thing a nerd like me would appreciate!

Isabel Greenberg's art is an acquired taste, seemingly purposefully amateur. It really worked for this book, though, as the quaint setting and simple characters required few embellishments.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read many graphic novels, but come on, it's Jane Austen. Also I heard Janine Barchas speak at the Baltimore AGM and so I wanted to read her book. This is a biography of Jane Austen as a writer. I really enjoyed that it focuses in on three periods of Austen's life. It doesn't try to be comprehensive and handle every little thing about her life, and I liked that a lot. I enjoyed the blue and yellow illustrations, mixed in with the more vivid colors for Jane's imagined scenes in her novels, and I liked the focus on Jane and her sister Cassy. This is very well done.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun. A great way to learn about Austen if her own story is new to you. The authors provide a great appendix with further explanation. I enjoyed the way they integrated quotes from the books into the dialogue of Jane and her family.

[Ana Katz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read, very happy to have stumbled across this find at the bookstore!