Jane Austen: A Companion

by Josephine Ross

The only best-selling authors in Jane Austen's league in the English language today are Shakespeare and Dickens. In the twenty-first century her boundless appeal continues to grow following the enormously successful television and film adaptations of Mansfield Park , Pride and Prejudice , Emma , Persuasion , and Sense and Sensibility .

This illuminating, entertaining, up-to-date companion is the only general guide to Jane Austen, her work, and her world. Josephine Ross explores the literary scene during the time Austen's works first the books considered classics then, the "horrid novels" and romances, and the grasping publishers. She looks at the architecture and décor of Austen's era that made up "the profusion and elegance of modern taste." Regency houses for instance, Chippendale furniture, and "picturesque scenery." On a smaller scale she answers questions that may baffle modern readers. What, for example, was "hartshorn"? How did Lizzy Bennet "let down" her gown to hide her muddy petticoat? Ross shows us the fashions, and the subtle ways Jane Austen used clothes to express character. Courtship, marriage, adultery, class and "rank," mundane tasks of ordinary life, all appear, as does the wider political and military world.

This book will add depth to all readers' enjoyment of Jane Austen, whether confirmed addicts or newcomers wanting to learn about one of the world's most popular and enduring writers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Literary Criticism, Regency, British Literature, Literature

259 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

As a finalist in Vogue talent contest, Ross won a job on Vogue and joined the magazine after graduating from London University.
She left the magazine two years later to write full time, and her publications include a biography of The Winter Queen (1979) and Beaton in Vogue (1986).
She is married to medieval historian and writer James Chambers; and her interests include history and fencing. She lives in London.

Reviews

[Nick Imrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for anyone new to Austen. It covers the details of her life, and various relevant subjects: regency politics, war, interior design, fashion, morals, and manner. A very nice introduction.

If you know anything about Austen or the regency then best to give it a miss. The style is fine, but nothing to write home about, and the information is basic.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

This non-fiction book is geared towards new readers of Jane Austen's novels. Josephine Roos opens the book with a brief biography of Jane Austen's life and continues with chapters based around themes: "A Common Daily Routine," "The Present Fashions," "The Subject of Books," "Of Lovers and Husbands," "The Beauty of the Place," "The Distinction of Rank" and "Politics and Public Events." Finally, the author provides a list of further reading.

The writing style is engaging enough but I wish the print wasn't so dense and illustrations were scattered throughout the text. The subjects were not unknown to me since I have been reading Jane Austen blogs for a long time. I wish I had this book when I first went down that rabbit hole. It's a good one for the reference shelf. Interspersed with the history and quotes from Austen's letters and novels that show how she incorporated subjects she knew about into her novels. I did learn a few small bits of information about the time period but not a whole lot.

I'm not the intended audience for this book so I would say I recommend it to those who prefer reading print to screen. If you'd rather read a screen, try Jane Austen's World

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vastly entertaining and informative context for Jane’s works, and super helpful if you don’t know much about either her life or the period. By far my favorite companion to her novels. Chapters include such thematic approaches as “The Present Fashions”, “The Common Daily Routine”, “Of Lovers and Husbands”, “The Distinction of Rank”. Ross explains and comments on aspects of Jane’s novels in terms of the time period, but doesn’t offer in-depth literary analysis.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent and captivating book! Just the thing for any devoted fan of Jane Austen who wants to read more about the world she lived in. The references to Jane Austen's major novels, minor works, and private letters are delightfully constant. Though the book explores a wide variety of subjects, it did not feel disjointed, and held my interest throughout. Josephine Ross's style is simple, respectful, but humorous. I loved it!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable and recommended for all fans of Jane Austen's novels. Ross beautifully chronicles Jane Austen's life, the era's fashion, architecture, literature, food, daily living, gener relations and current events.

Did you know it was considered rude to make a personal remark--even a compliment--in Jane's time?

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good cultural background to some of my favorite novels.

[Nora and Bekah Westby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure why I didn't like this one. It felt more like a memoir with occasional references to her books tossed in, and maybe I was looking for more book analysis.
Update: the next book I read was by John Mullan, and that was exactly what I was in the mood to read. So it is probably not Josephine Ross's fault that I only rated this one three stars!
What Matters in Jane Austen?: Twenty Crucial Puzzles Solved

[KeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for the general reader who wants to know more about Austen. It delves deeply into the realities of Austen's time and how she portrayed them in her books as well as her own personal philosophies and beliefs.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sort of lost myself in the life of Jane Austen and was surprised to learn that she wrote Pride and Prejudice when she was only 22, but it sat on a shelf for about 15 years, because a publisher turned it down! Also, she died young in her early 40's.

[Hallie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavy on quotes, light on actual information. Not worth it for the occasional interesting tidbits.

[Telyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is some interesting information here, but sloppy scholarship and a disappointing lacking substance outweigh this book's merits

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent book, but I think I started thinking there would be more information of the day to day life of the Regency day. Instead i got more insight into Miss Austin's life.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun look at all things Austen.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter was the most fascinating.