The Spirituality of Jane Austen

by Paula Hollingsworth

Best known for her novels Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, and Emma, published anonymously, Jane Austen commented, critiqued, and illuminated the life of the British gentry at the end of the 18th century. But did Jane’s writings highlight anything about her own spirituality?  In this celebratory book, Paula Hollingsworth explores Jane Austen's gentle but strong faith and the effect it had both on her life and her writing. Drawing on Jane’s life story, her letters, her friendships, her books, and the characters portrayed, Paula shows the depth of Jane Austin’s spirituality. Many people take the superficial view that because she made fun of some individual clergymen—Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice being the most obvious example—therefore she must have made fun of faith itself. In fact, one has only to read Mansfield Park and to see the commitment of Fanny and Edmund Bertram to realize that this was far from the case. Her letters, the memoirs of her family, and her epitaph in Winchester Cathedral give a much clearer idea of her faith.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2017

Reviews

[Ylva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Even though I like Jane Austen and would consider myself a fan, I have to admit that I never read the books except for Northanger Abbey, but watched the movies instead. And I mostly liked it because of the love stories and the dresses. I wouldn't have thought about the stories as containing lots of spiritual things. So I was very intrigued when I found this book.

Paula Hollingsworth has a clear and accessible style of writing. Her arguments seem to be well proven and convincing. I had no trouble understanding what she's talking about even though I had not read most of the books.

After a short biography of Jane Austen, she focuses on her Juvenilia, her early and late novels and explains what they can tell us about Jane's spirituality and also gives a lot of information on the role of religion in that time and place. I knew next to nothing about that subject and I found it very interesting to learn about Evangelicals and Anglicans at the beginning of the 19th century. I even read all the annotations at the end of the book where I found more interesting explanations. In the end, Hollingsworth also talks about the movie adaptions of the novels and how most of them completely miss out on the spiritual undertones and themes.

Even though "exciting" might not be the first thing that comes to mind for a non-fictional book about literature, I think that it fits the book really well. I really enjoyed reading it and it has instilled in me the desire to finally read the rest of Jane Austen's novels as well as James Fordyce's Sermons to Young Women. And when I read Jane's other novels, I will keep the spiritual themes in mind as well instead of just focusing on the love story.

I would recommend this book to any fan of Jane Austen, no matter if you've read all of her novels or if you haven't read them yet but are planning to do so in the future.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[My BookSwap Club · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have yet to read Jane Austen so when i saw the title and description of this book I was intrigued and requested. This is a good book, and you get to know more about Jane Austen's novels and her up bringing, little bit about her religious relations, her lifestyle, Last chapters include later part of her life (which i found to be most fascinating). After reading this I am inspired to read her novels.

I thought the title was little misleading, because there were more things packed other than her spirituality.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.

Paula Hollingsworth shows how Jane Austen's faith and spirituality runs through all her work and her life. It is all too easy to assume because Austen makes fun of Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice that she is making fun of faith and religion in general. But if you look more closely you will see that she only makes fun of Mr Collins in social situations and we never see him in church or about his parish duties.

Mansfield Park is probably the most spiritual of the novels and it shows clearly the importance of spirituality in daily life. Fanny and Edmund are excellent examples of faith and Christian principles in action. They do not impose their believes on other people but they set a good example to everyone else with whom they come in contact.

The author shows that Austen makes fun of the church which allows such people as Mr Collins and Mr Elton to hold office but she does also show how spirituality and faith are so important to living a good and virtuous life without being pious or pompous.

This is a fascinating book and it has shown me how there is always something new to see in Austen's six novels and I shall read them with fresh eyes having read the book. It includes a reading list and an index and is a must for anyone who loves Jane Austen and books about books.

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Very thin on the actual "Spiritually" of Jane Austen. I read the book on behalf of a friend who more interested in the topic than I.

[Carmen8094 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dispetto del titolo, La spiritualità di Jane Austen, che in un primo tempo mi aveva portato a dubitare del fatto di volerlo leggere, il bel saggio di Paula Hollingsworth non si focalizza solo sul tema principale, ma ci regala una trattazione della vita della scrittrice inglese a 360°, includendo anche più informazioni dei Ricordi di James Edward Austen-Leigh.

Traducendo le parole dell'autrice, "Il termine spirituale è spesso usata oggi laddove la parola religioso sarebbe stata usata ai tempi di Jane Austen [...] per Jane Austen, la parola religioso avrebbe significato cristiano" e " religioso sarebbe stato sinonimo di credenze e riti degli anglicani praticanti appartenenti alla Chiesa d'Inghilterra".

Si tratta quindi di un saggio che, raccontandoci la vita di una delle più conosciute scrittrici di tutti i tempi, ci rende chiaro quelli che per lei erano i temi più cari: la casa, la chiesa e la comunità.

Jane Austen nacque in una famiglia amorevole e di larghe vedute, supportiva, capace di creare un ambiente molto sereno e piacevole, nonché molto legata alla religiosità e alla chiesa, vista l'occupazione non solo del capofamiglia, reverendo, ma anche di altri parenti.

Viene a dipingersi un quadro molto delicato di quella che doveva essere Jane Austen ragazzina e poi giovane donna, cresciuta credendo fermamente nella giustizia, nella costanza e nella capacità di ognuno di migliorarsi.
Molto toccante la parte riguardante il suo trasferimento a Bath. Oltre a fornire interessantissime informazioni sulla città, l'autrice riesce a farci comprendere quanto dové essere penoso e triste per la scrittrice l'allontanamento non solo dalla casa in cui era cresciuta, ma dalla comunità di cui si sentiva parte, e da tutto ciò che aveva costituito sino ad allora la sua vita e la sua quotidianità.

Tre capitoli sono dedicati all'analisi dei romanzi completi di Jane Austen, naturalmente con un'attenzione particolare alla religiosità. C'è da dire che, pur avendoli letti e riletti innumerevoli volte, sono riuscita ancora ad imparare qualcosa.
Che in Orgoglio e pregiudizio, ad esempio, oltre al noto tema del contrasto tra essere e apparenza, vi sono quelli di morte e resurrezione (interiore) e perdita e redenzione;
che i personaggi di Mr Collins e Lady Catherine, di sicuro non un esempio di ecclesiastico e di patronessa, nascevano dalla profonda consapevolezza di Jane Austen di quanto potere e influenza avessero le persone nella loro posizione, e di quanto male potessero arrecare alla comunità.
Che in Northanger Abbey l'autrice non polemizzava contro i romanzi gotici, bensì contro il fatto che li si leggesse senza riflettere, né comprendere la differenza tra finzione e realtà.
Che in Mansfield Park, la dimora dei Bertram e i suoi abitanti possono essere visti come un microcosmo, rappresentanti la gentry inglese dei tempi di Jane Austen, in declino, soprattutto morale, salvati da Fanny, grazie alla virtù della costanza.

La stessa costanza mostrata da Anne in Persuasione, che non smette di amare nonostante si sia piegata al volere dei suoi familiari, e che, nel suo penoso trasferimento a Bath, è probabilmente il personaggio più vicino a Jane Austen, e più lontano da Catherine Morland, che nella stessa città arriva ragazzina, con tutto l'entusiasmo della sua età e l'anticipazione di nuove scoperte.

Paula Hollingsworth inoltre pone anche l'accento su una interessante questione a cui probabilmente non si pensa spesso, e cioè sul fatto che le trasposizioni su grande e piccolo schermo dei romanzi austeniani, nonché i vari prequel, sequel e variation, allontanandosi dal messaggio originale dell'autrice, così attenta alla moralità e soprattutto alla crescita e alla profonda trasformazione interiore dei suoi personaggi, abbiano contribuito a dare alle opere di Jane Austen la fama di romanzi d'amore e nulla più.

Il saggio si chiude con alcune preghiere composte dalla stessa Jane Austen. L'impressione che ne ho tratto è che la mano che le ha scritte appartenesse ad una persona estremamente sensibile e veramente amabile.

http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/20...

[Benjamin Clow · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, what I liked about this little book. The author does a good job of summarising each plot of Austen's six novels, plus some of her little known unpublished work. Her engagement with the books made me want to start rereading the Austen books immediately. I liked the author's sincere, unpretentious style and she also had a marvellous concluding chapter where she followed Austen's rise from humble popularity to the massive pop culture icon she is today such as movies, television shows, modern novel adaptations and Austen-themed wedding planners. I couldn't help but wholeheartedly agree with her ending conclusion on this topic:
"There are all sorts of ways in which people today can enjoy the legacy that Jane Austen has left to the world...but the way to get the best from Jane Austen's legacy is to read the novels and to read them slowly."
The book, however, falls flat whenever the author approaches her chief subject matter, and that is the spirituality of Jane Austen. Don't get me wrong, I think Christianity is an important and hugely underappreciated aspect to Austen's novels, yet the problem is that the author does not seem able to discuss it with any level of literary understanding. She is left between earnest statements about Austen's prayer life and her adoration towards her clergyman father, yet she struggled to analyse this within the novels.
Hollingsworth leaves us with only blanket and unconvincing statements such as the fact that Pride and Prejudice follows the biblical themes of "death and resurrection." I love these themes as much as the next Christian, yet she has to lower the rope more with sentences such as this. Who is the Christ figure? I don't remember any of the main character's dying in Pride and Prejudice? It all seems rather silly and misguided.
But it's bigger than that, and I thought I'd give a microcosm example of a huge issue that underpins this book. In discussing the plot of Persuasion, Hollingsworth states:
"In her [Austen's] mind, Sir Walter Elliot no longer deserves Kellynch Hall. So she banishes him. Banishment is another biblical reference- Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden for their disobedience."
Yet here is a huge problem. Sir Walter Elliot is not "banished" from Kellynch Hall at all. He owns the property, and no one forces him out. Circumstances, and gentle pressure from his family and lawyer, force him to rent the property due to his poor finances, but he is not banished. he can return whenever he wants, he can visit whenever he wants. He still owns the place. Banishment is a word that Hollingsworth uses to describe, what she thinks Austen is doing to her character, Sir Walter. She crosses the barrier between author and narrator, presupposes this word that's not in the text, for the sole purpose of shoehorning Adam and Eve's banishment from the garden. This sort of grasping at straws gymnastics occurs to an unhealthy degree.
I do, however, greatly appreciate Hollingsworth's enthusiastic attempt to tackle this subject, and especially for a more general audience. I hope to read more books written on this subject in the future.

[Paula Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delves into the personal faith of one of the world's most beloved British novelists, drawing from her own correspondence and personal writing. It also examines the deeper mindsets and attitudes of characters in her novels for clues of what their creator really felt.

Jane's own faith is an interesting question, considering her cheeky portrayal of clergymen in her novels, such as the pompous, servile Mr Collins, and the snobby, social climbing Mr Elton. We can't help wondering whether they were proof that she deplored the Christian faith, or if she simply considered that they represented a different brand of Christianity to hers.

Jane Austen's fondness for reading printed sermons, and some of her own written prayers indicate that she was a devout believer in her own quiet way. So do the guiding principles of her main characters. For example, I love the idea that the retiring Fanny Price actually serves the role of Old Testament prophet or seer in the novel 'Mansfield Park.'

It's revealed in these pages that Jane didn't appreciate the evangelical movement or the behaviour of its spearheads, such as John and Charles Wesley. It seems she objected to their emphasis on dramatic conversion experiences, and the sense of superiority it seemed to suggest. For Jane Austen, matters of faith should be strictly between the individual and God. She didn't think highly of the evangelical novelists of her day. In her opinion the Christianity they presented in their stories was too showy and in-your-face, although she used less modern expressions. It's all very interesting, and makes me pretty sure that if she'd been born in our time, she'd probably choose to write for the secular market, just as she did in her own.

I like the glimpse of the popular novels of her Regency time period. They tended to be either Gothic or Romantic Sentimental, neither of which was approved reading for young ladies. They were regarded as frivolous and even dangerous, but the Reverend George Austen gave his daughters uncensored access to his personal library of over 500 volumes, which did include recent hyped-up best sellers.

These days, Austen fans tend to think of him as a good dad, but back then, the majority might have thought differently. I couldn't help comparing his situation to a current question I've seen often going around, of whether conscientious parents should put filters on their kids' internet, or even forbid it altogether. I've come across parents who do either one or the other, although we never did either in our household. It makes me think we were following in the footsteps of the Austens. I love how they were self-proclaimed, unashamed novel readers, in their day and age. Jane has her 'Northanger Abbey' hero Henry Tilney declare, 'The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel must be intolerably stupid.'

Altogether, if you don't mind a fair bit of her plots being re-told, this is a good read with some interesting detail for any fan. Not only does it give another good glimpse into Jane Austen's family life, but gets us reconsidering our own attitudes alongside those of Jane and her family.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lion Hudson for my review copy.
For more reviews and book chats, visit my blog, http://vincereview.blogspot.com.au/

[Julia Simpson-Urrutia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spirituality of Jane Austen is a masterpiece of analysis, doing homage to the great 18th- century writer while providing a magnifying glass to see how the mental cogs moved in tandem with the beatings of a noble heart.

Hollingsworth demonstrates that every Austen novel was written with an ascendancy of spirit over, if not materialism, at least the story arc and character development. Aside from in-depth study of every novel, Hollingsworth examines the weave that interlaces the messages of the novels with Austen's own life.

When Edward, Jane and Cassandra’s well-off brother, lost his wife in 1808 after she gave birth to their eleventh child, Jane wrote openly of her Christian faith to Cassandra, emphasizing her belief that faith in religion comforts those who have lost loved ones. Since the death of Mr. Austen (Jane's father), the Austen women had been living with Jane and Cassandra’s brother Frank and his wife, Mary, in Southampton. However, James’s growing family and rising rents in the city had caused the usual worries. Edward’s sudden need of female relatives to be near his brood prompted him to offer his mother and sisters a cottage on his Chawton estate.

Finally back in her beloved Hampshire, Jane returned to writing with strength and determination. The patience Austen had to learn to muster to make a literary career truly successful will impress itself upon every struggling writer—yet that patience is far more about spirituality than materialist endeavor. Without the former, she would not have been the nuanced mirror for society and her own spiritual beliefs that she is.

Living in this cottage and finding security, Austen found artistic and commercial momentum. Sense and Sensibility was published by Thomas Egerton of Whitehall in 1810 or 11. Astoundingly, Austen kept her occupation of writing a secret from all visitors to her home including James’s three children. She used the creaking of a door to alarm her of the arrival of others and used letter- sized paper so that no one would think she was doing anything other than indulging in correspondence.

Hollingsworth demonstrates that in hindsight, family members realized that there were indicators that the novelist was at work. The author of this analysis also points out the sense of freedom Austen must have felt at realizing no one would expect her to marry, now, in her thirties (having moved back to Chawton at thirty-three). More than once in her life, men showed interest in Austen, but she pulled away time and again, unwilling to commit to that sacred state unless she felt true love.

While she was paid 110 pounds sterling for the publication of Pride and Prejudice, Austen did not spend her income, so worried was she about penury.

Hollingsworth contrasts Austen’s sincerity of religion and dedication to demonstrating balance of spirit and life in the world with the perspective of Jane's contemporary, the author Hannah More. Austen called More an “evangelical,” telling her sister she did not like that kind of writing.

Henry Austen, a brother who was an Anglican clergyman and wrote of her life in 1818, affirms that Jane did not like a “didactic approach” because it was not her aim to write authoritarian literature expressing one view with the intent of persuading the reader to adopt it. Knowing that Hollingsworth is herself a priest, I found it interesting to follow her line of questions into how Austen may or may not have alluded to her Christian faith in her books.

Hollingsworth cites David Cecil, a professor at Oxford, and author of A Portrait of Jane Austen, as affirming that Austen held her faith in highest significance. Indeed, Holingsworth writes, Jane Austen referred to sermons a great deal in her letters and composed prayers.

If Austen was against evangelical writing and preaching, her point of reference, Hollingsworth informs us, was the Evangelical Movement that began roughly in the 1730s. Some evangelicals stirred up such fervor that their crowds rioted. Not until she was writing Mansfield Park, and Britain was embroiled in war with America, did Austen finally embark upon “a much more overtly religious book.” Here, “the theme of improvement is introduced early on,” first pertaining to the landscape of Sotherton Estate, but in truth, in reference to the need of “the occupants of Sotherton Court.”

Hollingsworth gives an idea of what religious improvement means to each character, as superficial or erratic as that perspective may be. The threats in Mansfield Park reflect those of British society, and although Austen does not make reference to politics in her novels, her concern is clear and she shows it in the “society of Mansfield Park . . . being threatened from a number of different directions,” all having to do with moral development. From Tom, who shows no aptitude for running Mansfield Park, to Edmund who seems not to understand his religious duties as curate, to sisters Julia and Maria, who are unhappy and selfish, no one save Fanny knows how to act.

As Mansfield Park brings up the subject of slavery through Sir Thomas, whom Fanny questions, Hollingsworth defaults to authorities likes Edward Said and Paula Byrne for a discussion of whether Austen could have been perceived as pro or anti-Abolitionist. The subject of values continues via the Crawfords, coming direct from London, where all manner of goods and services were available to the consumer for the right price. This kind of value system did not transport well to the country, where the consumer was no longer king.

As Hollingsworth points out several times, every character in Mansfield Park needs improvement save Fanny, and Jane Austen's constant reference to the character as “'My Fanny’ . . . suggests her strong approbation of Fanny’s character.” If she has a fault, it is timidity, which she overcomes, “virtues . . . already in place.” These constant virtues, suggest Holingsworth, are what save Mansfield Park, almost as if Fanny has “play[ed] the role of a prophet,” withstanding all sorts of tests like deceptive charm and pressure to marry Mr. Crawford, which builds when she is exiled to Porstmouth, faces bleak squalor and is tempted to banish poverty through matrimony. Her constancy to her values wins.

This is the kind of attention Hollingsworth gives to every novel. Many readers may find the analysis of Emma of particular interest, for as Austen told her family,”’I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like’.” Less is blatantly obviously in Emma (as compared to the other novels) because, according to Holinsworth, Austen here “employs the free indirect writing style” which has become universally popular and which may be said to have been created by Austen.

Austen's new clergyman, named Mr Elton, has very human shortcomings, wishing to marry Emma so as to gain her fortune. There is nothing saintly in Mr. Elton. Emma is dedicated to the Prince Regent (an admirer of Austen’s novels). Dedication of her novel to him whom she found extravagant and wasteful was something Austen was disinclined to do until she realized her sovereign’s “invitation was in fact a royal command.”

Austen will never lose her hold with a young public who realize that whom one marries is as important today as it ever was. When Jane counsels her own niece Fanny, she does so with worry that a long engagement was not beneficial to the younger woman since Fanny already dreaded the idea enough to ask her aunt for a judgment. Jane answers, “You like him well enough to marry but not well enough to wait.”

In Persuasion, Austen applies the “what if” premise of a man and woman who decide to break off and then meet each other again when, years later, the man, (Wentworth) has finally the means to marry. Wentworth finally realizes he still loves Anne Ellliot while she is fending off a new suitor, her cousin William. Persuasion was titled by Jane’s brother, after Jane’s death, but it is clearly a spiritual undertaking for “right judgment is needed to discern whether it is right or wrong to seek to persuade others, or to heed the persuasion of others.”

Holingsworth welcomes the advent of a conscientious clergyman in Persuasion. Another strong suit for spirituality is Austen’s reminder that “ reflection of the wrong sort” leads to “self-indulgence and self-pity.” Reflection and persuasion are important only insofar as they help people cope with difficulties and become happier and more steadfastly patient as a result.

Holingsworth talks about Austen’s health struggle towards the end of her life, when she was barely a middle-aged woman, speculating about what the disease might have been. Apparently Austen felt hopeful enough of recovery to start a new novel, Sanditon, which was set in a new bathing city in a small village on the south coast of England. It is interesting to read Holingsworth’s speculations as to why the heroine was but a mere observer and not a participant in the story, and what might have been Austen’s reasoning.

at this point Austen is coming to the end of her physical journey. She was reported to have received “Holy Communion from her clergymen brothers James and Henry while she had the strength to do so," but like Fanny, her constant consideration of others was ever in evidence.

Hollingsworth shows how careful Austen was to make her spirituality a part of her life and novels. Her family “genuinely grieved her loss as their sister and aunt."

At the time of her death, Austen's fame was in no wise established, and the official approval of her remains being placed in Winchester Cathedral must have been particularly satisfying to the Austen family.

Reviews of Austen’s work emerging in the years after her death show the degree to which society had trouble appraising this writer’s careful creative work: Charlotte Bronte was critical of the lack of passion. The works of the Bronte Sisters as well as Dickens outsold Austen for decades. Austen's rise in popularity began in the later 19th century, augmenting worldwide throughout the 20th. The film versions, Holingsworth notes, have “done much to bring the wonderful stories of Jane Austen to a wider audience” although Darcy emerging wet from the lake on the grounds of Pemberley was neither Austen’s idea nor, we wonder after reading this fine book, would she have truly approved!

Hollingsworth makes a fine point when she says that “the focus on plot” has been to the detriment of the message of virtues and character development, so that many will not be aware of what Jane Austen intended in her oeuvre.

[Kelly Hodgkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paula Hollingsworth piqued my interest with this title. I have read and loved Austen for a large part of my life but didn’t perceive a Christian view in them. She outlines her task in her study of the spirituality of Jane Austen as follows:
“I do not venture to speak of her religious principles: that is a subject on which she herself was more inclined to think and act than to talk, and I shall imitate her reserve; satisfied to have shown how much of Christian love and humility abounded in her heart, without presuming to lay bare the roots whence those graces grew.”
This is elegantly achieved with a systematic, and intense, study of both Austen’s life and her works. Much of the argument is built on the biographical knowledge of the author drawn from those who knew her best and from her own letters. The way in which Austen loved both friends and family reflects her commitment to living out her faith. Each novel she wrote, including those unfinished, is dissected for religion threads as not one is Christian focused rather, in commending good behaviour and highlighting bad, Austen suggests the way in which we should all live.
“What Catherine is criticized for is reading without thought or reflection, reading with too much sensibility and not enough sense, and imposing the values of such novels on her life and the lives of those around her. She needs to learn to read with more detachment and criticism, and to balance the reading of such novels with more serious books, especially on history. For, in life and in literature, imagination must be ruled by judgment; and other people’s natures are to be critiqued with a grounded realism.”
“So the biblical story of death and resurrection is again mirrored in Persuasion, all the more strongly, for as the loss is greater so the hope and joy of new life at the end of the novel is greater…”

Being surrounded by and raised by clergy, Austen creates her commentary on the responsibilities of the church and their representatives through her novels.
““How should you have liked making sermons?” Wickham’s response is about the duty and exertion of writing sermons, and about the quiet and retirement of the life of the clergy, but the implication of Elizabeth’s question is that sermons give a moral lead to others, something she recognizes Wickham is incapable of doing. In terms of our three criteria of spirituality, Pride and Prejudice scores highly as a spiritual book. Jane Austen has a lot to say about values as she stresses the importance of inner character as opposed to outward appearance. The virtues that are particularly commended throughout the book are civility, responsibility, generosity, and goodness. An important part of responsibility is moral influence. Those in a position to influence others –such as Darcy as a landowner, Mr Collins as a clergyman, Lady Catherine as a patron, and Mr and Mrs Bennet as parents –should recognize their responsibility to others and be an example by their words and actions, though not all of them manage to do it.”

The following three quotes indicate how her brother Henry, a biographer who studied her, David Cecil, and a contemporary reviewer all find a tale of faith and an encouragement to the Christian life in her work and I think they say it best:
“Henry believed that Jane was seeking to reflect her Christian faith in her novels, but that she did not believe that a didactic approach would be either popular or beneficial.”
“For example, David Cecil, Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford from 1948 to 1970, wrote in A Portrait of Jane Austen, published in 1978: Jane Austen’s religion, so her biographer discovers as he studies her, is an element in her life of the highest significance and importance.”
“Miss Austen has the merit (in our judgement most essential) of being evidently a Christian writer: a merit which is much enhanced, both on the score of good taste, and of practical utility, by her religion not being at all obtrusive… The moral lessons… spring incidentally from the circumstances of the story; they are not forced upon the reader.” – Richard Whately of Quarterly Review
The author sums her journey up with the following:
“Jane’s spirituality was the outworking of the quiet and measured Anglican faith of her father, which is expressed implicitly rather than explicitly in her novels.”

I believe, from what I discovered through this book, Jane Austen’s spirituality exceeds beyond the faith of her father but rather it comes from her relationship, developed from that foundation, with God and her own walk in faith. She endured many trials but endured each with a commended exhibition of Christian virtues. Her wilderness years refined her. My personal favourite, Persuasion, is born of the years after her wilderness and during her illness. I wonder if part of my connection to the lead character Anne is owing to her author’s understanding of human suffering and pain. I enjoyed The Spirituality of Jane Austen thoroughly even though in parts it is a little dry and give it an en-JOY-ment rating of three. It is definitely for the Austen fanatic.
My favourite element of the whole book was finding the prayers written by Austen at the end. Beautifully crafted and so on point for today.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spirituality of Jane Austen
by Paula Hollingsworth

Lion Hudson Plc

Lion Books
Biographies & Memoirs , Nonfiction (Adult)

Pub Date 24 Mar 2017


I am reviewing a copy of The Spirituality of Jane Austen through Lion Books and Netgalley:



In 2017, the 200Th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death was marked, and this book was released.




Paul Hollingsworth offers a celebration of Jane Austen’s strong but gentle faith and explores how that impacted both her life and her writings. The author reminds us too of the importance of being mindful of the way in which we apply the word spirituality to the way we refer to Jane Austen because it was not a term used in her day the way it is today. We are reminded too that in England in Jane Austen’s time there was only a small portion of Jews, and Muslims were people far away from England, to her the word religious would have met Christian, and it would have meant Protestant Christianity.


We are reminded too of the importance of family to Jane Austen, but there were differences too, an older brother who was disabled lived away from home, and where as Catherine went away to school at ten, Jane was only seven.



It is learned too that two of Jane’s childhood books survive today, Goody Two Shoes, the book that popularized the term goody two shows, and Fable Choisies by La Fontaine.



1787 was when Jane truly began to devote her spare time to writing. She left twenty to pieces of her Juvenile writings, plays stories, and story fragments. Today they are known as Juvenillia. The first written when she was twelve, and the last pieces when she was about seventeen.





Jane communicated too through letters, the first one that we are aware of was in 1796 when she was twenty but there’s a good chance there were earlier letters.



We learn too that it was more acceptable for women to publish novels during Jane’s life than it was during the era to follow, the Victorian Era. We learn too that the first draft of Pride and Prejudice, Austen’s most popular novel was written when she was only 21.


As for Church, Jane Austen attended services regularly at Chawton Church, including twice on Sundays, and if services were not held or weather prevented them for going out the Austen’s held services at home.



I found this book to be excellent, and very informative, a perfect read for fans of Jane Austen.



I give The Spirituality of Jane Austen five out of five stars!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Austen has long been one of my favourite authors, so when I saw The Spirituality of Jane Austen by Paula Hollingsworth on NetGalley I was keen to read it. It’s a combination of a biography, which complements other biographies that I’ve read, and an analysis of Jane Austen’s works from the point of how they reveal her spirituality.

‘Spirituality‘, in Jane Austen’s day was used in the sense of the word ‘religious‘, but used in a narrower sense than we would today. It would have meant ‘Christian‘ and in particular almost exclusively ‘Protestant Christianity‘. In the Austen family that would mean the beliefs and practices of 18th century Anglicanism – ‘a faith that was tolerant and pragmatic, focusing on self-improvement and right behaviour, with a belief in change that comes not so much from miracles but through self-reflection and inner growth.’

With this definition in mind Paula Hollingsworth then considers Jane Austen’s letters, her early writings and novels, focusing on how they reveal Jane’s spirituality implicitly rather than explicitly, seeing parallels between her life and her writings. I enjoyed this way of looking at her novels in particular.

I think the last chapter in which Paula Hollingsworth considers modern adaptations and dramatisations of Jane Austen’s books is very interesting. Whilst they have brought her work to a wider audience it has meant that character development has been lost, or the values of the times in which the novels are set have been changed to make the story more acceptable to a modern audience.

And given that Jane Austen disliked Bath when she lived there, Paula Hollingsworth believes she would be disappointed by the focus on some of the activities and merchandise rather than on her books. She also considers the recent Austen Project books in which modern authors set the novels in the present day and the problems they have in making them credible to modern readers.

She describes the many ways people today can enjoy Jane Austen’s work, such as watching screen adaptations, dancing at a Regency Ball, reading books about Jane Austen and her world, dressing in Regency costume and parading through Bath and other events, but considers that the best way is to read the novels themselves and to read them slowly. I agree. I really enjoyed reading this book and it has made me want to re-read the novels, particularly those I haven’t re-read recently.

There are comprehensive notes on the chapters, an appendix of Jane Austen’s prayers and a select bibliography.

My copy is an ARC I received from the publishers, Lion Books via NetGalley. The paperback (240 pages) will be published on 24 March 2017.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spirituality of Jane Austen is amazingly insightful and informational and full of Faith. There were a lot of surprises. What kind of surprises? Well I am so very glad you asked. Let me tell you just a little about her. I was surprised at some of it. Jane was born in a family of 10 there was 8 kids she was next to the last and only one of two girls. Her father was a pastor and when she was born he immediately baptized her then later he baptized her in front of the church. When she was just a few months old they gave her to a nanny-nursemaid in town until she was 1 year and 6 months old, then they had her move back home. This is just the tiniest information you will get the rest of the information when you get the book but there is so much more serious information and not so serious information it is so enjoyable to read you will love it too. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.

if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic little book that gave me a new appreciation for the Christian morality inherent in Jane Austen's writing that I did not fully realize previously, despite a working familiarity of her work (having read each of her books at least once and having viewed multiple film adaptations). You do not have to be an Austen expert to enjoy this book and Hollingsworth does a good job of reestablishing familiarity with Austen's work, if it has been a while since you have encountered the stories. I agree with Hollingsworth that while many have been drawn to and revisited the plots of her stories they do not always reflect and understand the pious impetus towards personal growth through humility that is required for spiritual development in the Christian tradition. They have the letter, but not the spirit of the work. I'm glad that Hollingsworth has contributed her thoughts towards uncovering the beating heart of Austen's words.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the reading which I am apt to do when the subject is Jane Austen. I did, however, find the quality of the writing to be subpar with more than a few strange formulations and inconsistencies in the language that only served to confuse the reader.

I also can't say I agree with everything this writer has put to paper - few know JA was spiritual? Her father was a priest and that is a fact I would say i pretty generally know. In addition to this, I would suppose that all know England is a Christian nation and it is generally held that people in previous centuries were more pious than today. The idea of JA being a devout Christian should come as a shock to none.

If it was about anyone else it would be a three star read but I can never give Jane anything less than 4 stars.

If you love all things Jane Austen then be sure to read it but isn't a must read.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Hollingsworth writes and incredibly easy to read book of Jane Austen's Faith as a Christian and how her faith came into her books. How the Story lines and characters developed, how they realised where they had gone wrong and turned their lives around. Although not all her characters did that. Some could not see the error of their ways, and it seems Jane Austen wanted it that way, but all the main characters did and the prize was to move on in their newly reformed lives and to marry the man they had fallen in love with.

[Tom James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book in the city of Bath, the location of some of Austen's fiction. Focuses on the subtle spirituality found in Austen's books, showing that she was deeply concerned with moral/spiritual issues, although such lessons come to us indirectly through the story. Analysis of Austen's fiction is accompanied by extracts from her letters to help us better understand her religious views. Two prayers of Austen are included in the appendix.

[Iona Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. All about Jane Austens life and how she grew up in a Christian household, how her books have biblical background and where she got the inspiration from too. If you love her books or have read at least one of them, then this book is so beautifully written and explains in depth of the ideology of the Christian links.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was wonderful to read about Jane's faith and the important part & place it had in her heart, life, and to see it's influence in her works.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting analysis of the life and works of Jane Austen through the lens of faith. Thoroughly researched and well written exploration of the role faith played in Austen's daily life and how that showed up in her work.

[Autumn Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book by choosing it from a review program. My review below is my honest opinion of the book.

I have admittedly only read one novel by Jane Austen, but I love historical books that give more insight to authors. Paula Hollingsworth really did a great job at compiling historic facts through letters and Austen’s own writings to really illuminate Austen’s world. I found myself learning many different influences that Austen had in her family from her own father who was a pastor, her educational upbringing, the realization that she had a disabled brother, and interesting cultural facts of the time. Even if you aren’t the religious type and you love Austen, I would recommend this book because Hollingsworth really brings a really beautiful biographical account of Austen. I feel in the future when I read works of Austen that I will be able to understand a lot more of the nuances of writing as well as understand why she portrayed characters in the way she did from this read.

[Darcysmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Spirituality of Jane Austen from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read this exploration of Jane Austen. I had never considered the role her spirituality played in her life and how it affected her writing. Paula Hollingsworth has written a very accessible book. She lays out her ideas clearly and supports her views with a wide variety of sources. The book has a straight forward and sensible organization, making it easy to use for reference. The book is a nice mix of biography and analysis of Jane Austen's writing. Because the analysis of her novels is so thorough, plot points will be spoiled for anyone who hasn't read them. I particularly liked the extensive endnotes and partial bibliography Ms. Hollingsworth included. The appendix of prayers written by Jane Austen were illuminating and are something I will revisit.
I will definitely use this book as a reference next time I re-read an Austen novel. I think it will add considerable depth to the experience.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book covers the topic of faith in Jane Austen's life and her works with a nice and easy writing style. A book I would recommend to fans and non-fans alike, as it has a good mixture of biography with the analysis of her books.
A NetGalley Book

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this biography of Jane Austen. I loved that it explored each of her novels and related it to what she experienced or what was currently going on in her life at the time she wrote them. I thought exploring the role Religion and Spirituality played in her life was a very facinating approach. There are so many different clergymen characters in her novels and I thought it was refreshing to explore the topic without throwing in our modern bias. Hollingsworth does a good job of showing how much religion played in her life without making this preachy at all. Jane certainly didn't preach either but she did promote moral, christian doctrines and practices.

I think most of the biographical facts are things I have picked up over the years as a fan of Jane Austen so her life story wasn't new to me. I did however really enjoy the focus and insights that were shared in this biography.