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Only a Novel: The Double Life of Jane Austen
An intimate portrait of the two sides of the inimitable Jane Austen: the extraordinary public life of England’s best loved novelist and the more private world of the woman behind the words.
Pulling together the decorous and genteel young woman dedicated to family life and the enigmatic author who shied away from the spotlight, this biography sheds light on the great mind that, with acerbic wit and razor-sharp observation, illuminated women’s lives ruled by English manners.
Weaving in historical records and family letters, Aiken Hodge’s endearing and affectionate profile of the esteemed author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion unites these two worlds and finally answers the question: who, exactly, was Jane Austen?
Only a Novel was first published in 1972.
Pulling together the decorous and genteel young woman dedicated to family life and the enigmatic author who shied away from the spotlight, this biography sheds light on the great mind that, with acerbic wit and razor-sharp observation, illuminated women’s lives ruled by English manners.
Weaving in historical records and family letters, Aiken Hodge’s endearing and affectionate profile of the esteemed author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion unites these two worlds and finally answers the question: who, exactly, was Jane Austen?
Only a Novel was first published in 1972.
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
70 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Jane Aiken Hodge
54 books80 followersJane Aiken Hodge was born in the USA, brought up in the UK and read English at Oxford. She received a master's degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University.
Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.
She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.
She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.
She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.
She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 6, 2019
Any Austen fans out there? Then this is definitely one to get your hands on. Dealing with the life of our beloved author, Hodge delves into Jane Austen’s past, showing readers the person who created arguably literature’s most famous heroes and heroines.
Hodge doesn’t intend for this to be a dense, historical read. One thing that appealed when reading this was that this isn’t a historical textbook, but an exploration of Austen’s life. Hodge openly speculates on gaps in knowledge about some of Austen’s life because of the lack of letters that reveal what was happening. However, I think this makes the book more honest and the omissions credible, particularly when they are linked to Austen’s novels. As Hodge moves towards the end of her life, I found Austen’s decline in health rather poignant and it made it all the more real that her final work was never even completed (Sanditon).
Not only do we learn about Jane Austen’s life, but also the time she lived in. This enriches the information provided and adds to the historical appeal, particularly if you are interested in the Regency era or are indeed a student of Austen’s works. Again, this added to my interest in the book as Hodge refers to various sources to support her ideas.
It is beneficial to have a good memory of Austen’s writings when considering this novel. Hodge makes many detailed references to key characters, speculating how events in Austen’s life may have shaped certain characters within her novels. This was certainly a memory test for me as there are a few Austen books that I haven’t read for many years! Yet, this shouldn’t be off-putting because it definitely doesn’t lessen the historical and biographical element of this read.
Perhaps best to read alongside one of Austen’s books or as accompaniment to your main read, I found this a fascinating biography of an author so close to my heart. I consider Austen as a great heroine and, knowing very little about her as a person, think Hodge provides a new element to this author’s background: she is more than just the brains behind so many global classics. If you are an Austen fan then I definitely recommend considering this to add to your fandom! It may be perceived as a little hard-going in places but I know for certain that I will look at Austen’s novels from a far more informed perspective which will naturally further enhance my enjoyment of her books.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Hodge doesn’t intend for this to be a dense, historical read. One thing that appealed when reading this was that this isn’t a historical textbook, but an exploration of Austen’s life. Hodge openly speculates on gaps in knowledge about some of Austen’s life because of the lack of letters that reveal what was happening. However, I think this makes the book more honest and the omissions credible, particularly when they are linked to Austen’s novels. As Hodge moves towards the end of her life, I found Austen’s decline in health rather poignant and it made it all the more real that her final work was never even completed (Sanditon).
Not only do we learn about Jane Austen’s life, but also the time she lived in. This enriches the information provided and adds to the historical appeal, particularly if you are interested in the Regency era or are indeed a student of Austen’s works. Again, this added to my interest in the book as Hodge refers to various sources to support her ideas.
It is beneficial to have a good memory of Austen’s writings when considering this novel. Hodge makes many detailed references to key characters, speculating how events in Austen’s life may have shaped certain characters within her novels. This was certainly a memory test for me as there are a few Austen books that I haven’t read for many years! Yet, this shouldn’t be off-putting because it definitely doesn’t lessen the historical and biographical element of this read.
Perhaps best to read alongside one of Austen’s books or as accompaniment to your main read, I found this a fascinating biography of an author so close to my heart. I consider Austen as a great heroine and, knowing very little about her as a person, think Hodge provides a new element to this author’s background: she is more than just the brains behind so many global classics. If you are an Austen fan then I definitely recommend considering this to add to your fandom! It may be perceived as a little hard-going in places but I know for certain that I will look at Austen’s novels from a far more informed perspective which will naturally further enhance my enjoyment of her books.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2019
One of the difficulties of trying to piece together the full story of what Jane Austen the living person was really like is the lack of surviving materials from her life. Cassandra Austen held a large number of the letters written by Jane and she destroyed the majority of them in order to keep family business private as well as to protect her sister's personal thoughts and opinions. Written in 1972 this book doesn't provide anything new for fans of Jane Austen because there just doesn't seem to be anything tangible surviving the destruction of the personal letters. Ms. Hodge provides a very good history of what was happening in the life of Jane Austen privately as the novels were published. This work covers the life of Jane Austen from birth to her death.
This is a very readable book but it is almost a requirement that you be more than just ordinarily acquainted with the major Jane Austen novels in order to feel comfortable with the book. Names of people, homes and locations from all the novels are presented throughout this book without differentiating whether they are factual or taken from the fiction. You just already have to know. The "double life" referred to in the title is actually the private and the public life of the person who wrote the novels which have come to be so famous and beloved by so many. Nothing new was revealed by Jane Aiken Hodge but it is obvious she loved this subject matter and that contributed enormously to my enjoyment of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for an eGalley of this book.
This is a very readable book but it is almost a requirement that you be more than just ordinarily acquainted with the major Jane Austen novels in order to feel comfortable with the book. Names of people, homes and locations from all the novels are presented throughout this book without differentiating whether they are factual or taken from the fiction. You just already have to know. The "double life" referred to in the title is actually the private and the public life of the person who wrote the novels which have come to be so famous and beloved by so many. Nothing new was revealed by Jane Aiken Hodge but it is obvious she loved this subject matter and that contributed enormously to my enjoyment of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Agora Books for an eGalley of this book.
April 22, 2013
Before I started this I was aware that there are a number of varying opinions of this book, most of them bad. I enjoyed it, but I was fully aware of all the errors (some of which are understandable given when the book was written, though calling both Charlotte Palmer and Fanny Dashwood 'Lady Middleton' is completely inexcusable) and the even larger number of conclusions that I disagreed with. It was worth reading, and I'm glad I read it, but more because I'm an indiscriminate and voracious reader rather than from any worth of its own.
May 31, 2019
Jane Aiken Hodge blends in her biography about Jane Austen facts from the countless other memoirs already published, cites frequently from the letters Jane wrote or received (sadly, many of them are lost forever, probably the most interesting ones) and interprets characters, settings or situations from her novels to draw parallels to her personal life. This results in a very thorough and very detailed account of Jane Austens life. Every visit to or from someone is mentioned, as well as every new addition to the ever growing family. Jane was one of 8 siblings, and 2 of her brothers had 11 children each. It was interesting to read about the closeness of the family, where they really helped each other out - with money, or with nursing sick children or the sister-in-law when she was bedridden due to a pregnancy. I found this remarkable, especially since two of the brothers (James & Edward) that helped Jane, her sister and their mother the most financially, didn't even grow up with them. They were given away and adopted by rich relatives who didn't have a heir themselves. Obviously not uncommon at that time. But as adults both still - or again - had strong ties to their 'original' family.
Although the book has only 290 pages, it is very detailled in describing Jane Austens life. I shy away from the term "double life" here, as it is alleged in the title, because actually there is none. Hodge refers to the fact that in her life as "Aunt Jane" she was quite shy and, moreover, a spinster. While as an author she always let her heroines find their final happiness in matrimony. But I don't think that she 'behaved' so very differently in her books compared to the real life. It is also explained in this books why Jane Austen never married. It was not for a lack of suitors! But none of them was really suitable(!) to Jane, at least not in her opinion. And as she wrote in one of her letters: "...nothing can be compared to the misery of being bound without love, bound to one, and preferring another." Wise words from a lady who herself often had worries about money, which a marriage would have most probably solved. Especially after her father died (and with him the family income) money was rather tight in the household of the ladies. Additionally, her first manuscripts got declined from publishers. Only a few years before her death she got "Pride & Predjudice" published, written more than 15 years before but revised and polished in between. 3 more novels followed during her lifetime, but she did not get very rich from them because she either sold the copyrights for 'too less' (not knowing what they would be actually worth) or had the editions printed with her own money and at her own risk. Furthermore, Jane Austen was known in literary circles at that time (although she herself never wanted any publicity and didn't want her name printed on the books - her brother Henry let is slip among friends anyway); but she was by no means as famous as she is now. One reason for that might be that novels were viewed as rather inferior literature, compared to prose and the plays. Luckily, this view has changed a lot since then.
Sadly, this book does not contain any pictures, and not even a family tree. This would have been very helpful in keeping track of who is who. Also distinguising between the names of family & friends or of characters of one of the books (that Hodge referes to constantly throughout the book) was sometimes a challenge for me (since I have only read "Pride & Prejudice" so far).
Also a timeline of the main events of Jane Austens life would have been great, or at least a map of the main locations and who lives where (at what time).
These missing supplements are what brings this book down to 4 stars for me. One has to help himself with other sources to complement this book.
Although the book has only 290 pages, it is very detailled in describing Jane Austens life. I shy away from the term "double life" here, as it is alleged in the title, because actually there is none. Hodge refers to the fact that in her life as "Aunt Jane" she was quite shy and, moreover, a spinster. While as an author she always let her heroines find their final happiness in matrimony. But I don't think that she 'behaved' so very differently in her books compared to the real life. It is also explained in this books why Jane Austen never married. It was not for a lack of suitors! But none of them was really suitable(!) to Jane, at least not in her opinion. And as she wrote in one of her letters: "...nothing can be compared to the misery of being bound without love, bound to one, and preferring another." Wise words from a lady who herself often had worries about money, which a marriage would have most probably solved. Especially after her father died (and with him the family income) money was rather tight in the household of the ladies. Additionally, her first manuscripts got declined from publishers. Only a few years before her death she got "Pride & Predjudice" published, written more than 15 years before but revised and polished in between. 3 more novels followed during her lifetime, but she did not get very rich from them because she either sold the copyrights for 'too less' (not knowing what they would be actually worth) or had the editions printed with her own money and at her own risk. Furthermore, Jane Austen was known in literary circles at that time (although she herself never wanted any publicity and didn't want her name printed on the books - her brother Henry let is slip among friends anyway); but she was by no means as famous as she is now. One reason for that might be that novels were viewed as rather inferior literature, compared to prose and the plays. Luckily, this view has changed a lot since then.
Sadly, this book does not contain any pictures, and not even a family tree. This would have been very helpful in keeping track of who is who. Also distinguising between the names of family & friends or of characters of one of the books (that Hodge referes to constantly throughout the book) was sometimes a challenge for me (since I have only read "Pride & Prejudice" so far).
Also a timeline of the main events of Jane Austens life would have been great, or at least a map of the main locations and who lives where (at what time).
These missing supplements are what brings this book down to 4 stars for me. One has to help himself with other sources to complement this book.
August 27, 2019
A very enjoyable biography of Jane Austen. Well-researched, measured, insightful and beautifully written, it’s both scholarly and entertaining. I don’t think it adds anything new to the wealth of material out there about Austen, but it’s a useful addition to it all the same and it would make an excellent introduction for anyone not already familiar with the life.
April 13, 2016
An all round good read. It took me a while to get into this book and I can't put my finger on why. I've read lots of books about Jane Austen. Maybe it was a bit of over load.
There are a lot of people to keep track of and it doesn't help that they called children after relatives quite frequently. There were a lot of Marys, Cassandras and Fannys. I was reading it on kindle (because of the bigger print) but kept my old hardback copy beside me to keep flicking back and making sure who I was reading about.
I felt quite sad reading it. She really did scrimp and scrap all her life and depended on the kindness of family. As it said in the book, there was a lot of money floating around from dead wealthy relations but none of it seemed to come to the Steventon branch of the family. When you compare it with now and the multi-million pound estate that is Austen it really is a depressing thought.
Also, I was sad to learn that her favourite niece, Fanny, who became Lady Knatchbull and seemed full of her position, wrote a letter to a cousin and was quite derogatory about 'the aunts' as she put it. Talking about the out dated clothes they wore (which was most likely on account of having to make do and mend) and they're eccentric ways. Very unkind I thought.
There's a list in the back of the book which shows her earnings for her novels and a synopsis of each novel. For any Austen fan this is well worth a read.
There are a lot of people to keep track of and it doesn't help that they called children after relatives quite frequently. There were a lot of Marys, Cassandras and Fannys. I was reading it on kindle (because of the bigger print) but kept my old hardback copy beside me to keep flicking back and making sure who I was reading about.
I felt quite sad reading it. She really did scrimp and scrap all her life and depended on the kindness of family. As it said in the book, there was a lot of money floating around from dead wealthy relations but none of it seemed to come to the Steventon branch of the family. When you compare it with now and the multi-million pound estate that is Austen it really is a depressing thought.
Also, I was sad to learn that her favourite niece, Fanny, who became Lady Knatchbull and seemed full of her position, wrote a letter to a cousin and was quite derogatory about 'the aunts' as she put it. Talking about the out dated clothes they wore (which was most likely on account of having to make do and mend) and they're eccentric ways. Very unkind I thought.
There's a list in the back of the book which shows her earnings for her novels and a synopsis of each novel. For any Austen fan this is well worth a read.
March 26, 2019
If you’re a Jane Austen fan, you must read this book! Originally published in 1972, Jane Aiken Hodge’s Only a Novel combs through the existing letters between Jane and her sister Cassandra (as well as the letters between Jane and other members of the Austen family) to illuminate the details of Jane’s personal life during the periods she was writing each of her books and thus help to identify the incidents and actual people behind her fictional plots and characters.
Much of this book, of course, is speculative—we can’t know for sure what Jane was thinking or intending while she was writing her masterpieces, all the more so because Cassandra destroyed so many of their most personal letters—but I found Hodge’s painstaking work in matching threads from the remaining letters with their counterparts in the books fascinating; it was great fun to read and deepened my enjoyment and appreciation of Austen’s books, as well as my image of Jane herself. I certainly don’t agree with all Hodge’s assertions (she is quite dismissive of Sense and Sensibility, for example, and considers Northanger Abbey to be the better book, which I just cannot get on board with), but I admired the scholarship behind them. Highly recommend. (One tip: If you haven’t read the novels recently, it might be worth a re-read before beginning this book. I hadn’t read Mansfield Park in years before embarking on Only a Novel, and was consequently a little frustrated with myself in the sections of Hodge’s book that dealt with it because I just wasn’t as conversant with the plot and character details as I am with the other books and therefore couldn’t fully appreciate the analysis.)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Agora books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Much of this book, of course, is speculative—we can’t know for sure what Jane was thinking or intending while she was writing her masterpieces, all the more so because Cassandra destroyed so many of their most personal letters—but I found Hodge’s painstaking work in matching threads from the remaining letters with their counterparts in the books fascinating; it was great fun to read and deepened my enjoyment and appreciation of Austen’s books, as well as my image of Jane herself. I certainly don’t agree with all Hodge’s assertions (she is quite dismissive of Sense and Sensibility, for example, and considers Northanger Abbey to be the better book, which I just cannot get on board with), but I admired the scholarship behind them. Highly recommend. (One tip: If you haven’t read the novels recently, it might be worth a re-read before beginning this book. I hadn’t read Mansfield Park in years before embarking on Only a Novel, and was consequently a little frustrated with myself in the sections of Hodge’s book that dealt with it because I just wasn’t as conversant with the plot and character details as I am with the other books and therefore couldn’t fully appreciate the analysis.)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Agora books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I truly enjoyed this book; I loved the integration of Austen's writings and real life for all of her life. Jane Austen was a complicated women (as all of us are), but analysis usually seems to focus on one area or another, usually romantic. This examines all aspects of her novels and life and brings them together. There are a few mis-speakings (the wrong name given to a character, here or there), but overall, Hodge really does know her subject, and it shows.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves their Austen! It could be overwhelming if you aren't intimately acquainted with Austen's writings, but there are many books to fit into that niche. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to examine all of Austen's writings at once, and to look at how her life impacted them. It is particularly useful for anyone who wants to learn more about when each of the novels was actually written, edited, and published, because it is a confusing path to follow but once understood, it makes such a difference.
I truly enjoyed this book; I loved the integration of Austen's writings and real life for all of her life. Jane Austen was a complicated women (as all of us are), but analysis usually seems to focus on one area or another, usually romantic. This examines all aspects of her novels and life and brings them together. There are a few mis-speakings (the wrong name given to a character, here or there), but overall, Hodge really does know her subject, and it shows.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves their Austen! It could be overwhelming if you aren't intimately acquainted with Austen's writings, but there are many books to fit into that niche. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to examine all of Austen's writings at once, and to look at how her life impacted them. It is particularly useful for anyone who wants to learn more about when each of the novels was actually written, edited, and published, because it is a confusing path to follow but once understood, it makes such a difference.
May 25, 2019
I've read several Austen biographies and I think this is my favourite. Somehow Jane Aiken Hodge managed to put all the story together without getting me hopelessly confused with all the "Mary" and "Martha" relatives. Her suppositions during the "fill in the blanks" period of Austen's life seemed very plausible. I high-lighted lots of passages. The comments on the novels and Austen's development as an author were very interesting, although I am such a Janeite I am always a little taken aback when someone says something critical about one of her novels. In my imaginary Jane Austen book club, the question would be: which part do you find the most wonderful? At any rate, if you want to do something special to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Austen's death, you could try this biography.
April 27, 2015
A look at Jane Austen's life through her writings, her family and available contemporary records.
December 27, 2016
Will be reviewing as soon as I finish my reading goal for 2016!
May 28, 2019
Jane Aiken Hodge scrive negli anni settanta questa biografia, che ho trovato molto scorrevole, cercando di far quadrare le discrepanze che ci sono tra le due Jane Austen: quella dei parenti vittoriani, che la vedono come una donna pia, dolcissima e remissiva, senza alcun guizzo di ironia o di malizia, e quella che i suoi scritti - che siano lettere, romanzi o anche opere giovanili e incompiute - lasciano trapelare.
È come se Jane Austen vivesse, tramite i suoi personaggi, una doppia vita.
È una biografia interessante, perché scritta molto prima di tutte le teorie - spesso spacciate per vere - che si sono scatenate dopo il 1995, con il boom della fanfiction legata alla diffusione degli scritti e di tutto ciò che è connesso a Jane Austen, in seguito al planetario successo delle trasposizioni cinematografiche e televisive.
E la Aiken Hodge riesce a raccontare la vita di Jane Austen in modo scorrevole, attingendo a diverse fonti: le lettere e i romanzi, il Ricordo di Jane Austen di James Edward Austen-Leigh, ma anche le lettere e i ricordi del resto della famiglia e degli amici e documenti dell'epoca, facendo a volte delle ipotesi, che però restano sempre tali quando l'autrice non riesce ad appurarne la veridicità.
Una cosa mi ha lasciata un po' perplessa. Ma come mai negli anni 70 erano tutti convinti che il frammento di Sanditon fosse di undici capitoli anziché di dodici? E non sono d'accordo con l'autrice quando dice che Sir Edward Denham sarebbe stato probabilmente un coprotagonista e avrebbe fatto coppia con Clara Brereton (che invece, secondo me, ci sta come coprotagonista assieme a Charlotte Heywood).
Jane Aiken Hodge writes this biography in the '70s. It's a flowing text in which she tries to fill the gap between the Jane Austen described by her "victorian relatives" and the Jane Austen we know through her letters and her writings. It's a very interesting biography, because it was written in the '70s, before the "Austenmania" provoked by the diffusion of her works through cinema and television, that brought also many fictitious theories about her life. I just can't understand why she tells that the fragment of Sanditon has just 11 chapters, when, in fact, it has 12 of them. Anyway, it might be something that was believed in the '70s, because even Mary Dobbs, who wrote the completion of Sanditon in the same period, ends the text of Jane Austen at chapter 11.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Agora books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Recensione completa in italiano QUI:
https://ildiariodellelizzies.blogspot...
È come se Jane Austen vivesse, tramite i suoi personaggi, una doppia vita.
È una biografia interessante, perché scritta molto prima di tutte le teorie - spesso spacciate per vere - che si sono scatenate dopo il 1995, con il boom della fanfiction legata alla diffusione degli scritti e di tutto ciò che è connesso a Jane Austen, in seguito al planetario successo delle trasposizioni cinematografiche e televisive.
E la Aiken Hodge riesce a raccontare la vita di Jane Austen in modo scorrevole, attingendo a diverse fonti: le lettere e i romanzi, il Ricordo di Jane Austen di James Edward Austen-Leigh, ma anche le lettere e i ricordi del resto della famiglia e degli amici e documenti dell'epoca, facendo a volte delle ipotesi, che però restano sempre tali quando l'autrice non riesce ad appurarne la veridicità.
Una cosa mi ha lasciata un po' perplessa. Ma come mai negli anni 70 erano tutti convinti che il frammento di Sanditon fosse di undici capitoli anziché di dodici? E non sono d'accordo con l'autrice quando dice che Sir Edward Denham sarebbe stato probabilmente un coprotagonista e avrebbe fatto coppia con Clara Brereton (che invece, secondo me, ci sta come coprotagonista assieme a Charlotte Heywood).
Jane Aiken Hodge writes this biography in the '70s. It's a flowing text in which she tries to fill the gap between the Jane Austen described by her "victorian relatives" and the Jane Austen we know through her letters and her writings. It's a very interesting biography, because it was written in the '70s, before the "Austenmania" provoked by the diffusion of her works through cinema and television, that brought also many fictitious theories about her life. I just can't understand why she tells that the fragment of Sanditon has just 11 chapters, when, in fact, it has 12 of them. Anyway, it might be something that was believed in the '70s, because even Mary Dobbs, who wrote the completion of Sanditon in the same period, ends the text of Jane Austen at chapter 11.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Agora books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Recensione completa in italiano QUI:
https://ildiariodellelizzies.blogspot...
April 17, 2019
Most of what we know about Jane Austen is based on a closely-curated series of letters (many were purposefully burned) passed down by family members. In her non-fiction work Only A Novel: The Double Life of Jane Austen, Jane Aiken Hodge looks to explore the ‘lives’ of Jane Austen as a family member and as an author.
Only A Novel is playfully written, addressing a smart reader without demanding the reader be smart. Despite this, it definitely veers more towards historical text than light or narrative biography. And that works well - from the introduction, it’s clear that it’s more an analysis into Jane than a chronicling of her life.
While it would help for a reader to know a bit about the period, Jane Austen and her novels, it is not a requirement. While I have a fair knowledge of the era, I am a just casual Austen fan and the book is still easily digestible.
My favourite line from the book comes early on, with Aiken Hodge noting that Jane and her sister Cassandra had an education consisting of “plenty of books, plenty of time, and plenty of good talk”, much like those of her heroines. What better education could there be than that?
Overall, it was great but definitely oriented towards those looking for a more analysis-based text (albeit a lively one) than a mass-market biography. Worth a read.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Only A Novel is playfully written, addressing a smart reader without demanding the reader be smart. Despite this, it definitely veers more towards historical text than light or narrative biography. And that works well - from the introduction, it’s clear that it’s more an analysis into Jane than a chronicling of her life.
While it would help for a reader to know a bit about the period, Jane Austen and her novels, it is not a requirement. While I have a fair knowledge of the era, I am a just casual Austen fan and the book is still easily digestible.
My favourite line from the book comes early on, with Aiken Hodge noting that Jane and her sister Cassandra had an education consisting of “plenty of books, plenty of time, and plenty of good talk”, much like those of her heroines. What better education could there be than that?
Overall, it was great but definitely oriented towards those looking for a more analysis-based text (albeit a lively one) than a mass-market biography. Worth a read.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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August 8, 2025Well written and witty, just wouldn’t recommend for your first Austen biography, as it was mine and I had trouble following it
November 8, 2021
For my full review: https://girlwithherheadinabook.co.uk/...
First published in 1972, Only a Novel is a divisive read. Hodge's premise is that Jane Austen the author and Jane Austen the spinster aunt were two entirely separate people. The former expressed bitterness and despair and irony while the latter promoted decorum and domestic virtues. This has long been the conundrum for Austenites; if we are to believe James Austen-Leigh's Memoir, the kind-spirited and benign Aunt Jane figure was responsible for the sharp social satires depicted in Emma and Mansfield Park. It has never quite added up. Using letters and Austen's own fiction writing, Aiken attempts to navigate who exactly the true Austen may have been.
I have a feeling that I did not give this book a fair hearing. First of all, it made me realise that I am completely biographied out when it comes to Austen. I have read more than my fair share and another description of Austen's shock at being told that her parents were giving their parsonage to her brother James just feels ridiculously repetitive at this point. This is also a real piece of vintage Austen non-fiction so I really have read it all before. It is also slightly blighted by the author's assertions concerning Austen's novels which I just could not get on board with. Hodge describes Elizabeth Bennet as a 'gold-digger'. No. No. Had she had been such, Elizabeth would have accepted Darcy's first proposal or indeed Mr Collins' as either would have guaranteed a roof over the head of herself and her sisters. This really is a pretty basic misconception. She has similar leading judgments about the rest of Austen's novels too. Surprisingly, Hodge prefers Northanger Abbey to Sense and Sensibility. She describes Elinor as 'too sensible to be borne' and Marianne as 'too silly'. The background characters 'drift dangerously towards caricature'. Most bafflingly, Hodge describes Mansfield Park as Austen's 'Pilgrim's Progress, with Edmund and Fanny, the Christian hero and heroine, fighting their way through temptation'. At this point I really wondered if Hodge and I had been reading the same books. Just as strange was her description of Emma as Austen's 'least feminine' book and implying that Austen is turning up her nose at Robert Martin. To summarise, I think that Hodge and I would have had some spirited disagreements if we had ever tried to sit down and take tea.
Still, the book does have its interesting moments as Hodge works to find links between the events in Austen's personal and professional life. I had had heard little about Lady Craven, relative of Austen friends Martha and Mary Lloyd so it was intriguing to think of another possible inspiration for Lady Susan other than Austen's own sister-in-law Eliza. I was pleased too that Hodge chose not over-emphasise Austen's feelings for Tom Lefroy, a figure given far too much significance within Austen's story. Only a Novel felt like a step back in time in terms of literary criticism, making it a fascinating antique piece in terms of what it revealed about past trends in Austen scholarship. Still, unlike a number of other pieces of Austen literary criticism, I am unlikely to revisit it. Hodge writes with conviction and with huge admiration for her subject but somehow the figure she describes never quite sounds like the Austen I recognise. A worthwhile read but a peculiar one.
First published in 1972, Only a Novel is a divisive read. Hodge's premise is that Jane Austen the author and Jane Austen the spinster aunt were two entirely separate people. The former expressed bitterness and despair and irony while the latter promoted decorum and domestic virtues. This has long been the conundrum for Austenites; if we are to believe James Austen-Leigh's Memoir, the kind-spirited and benign Aunt Jane figure was responsible for the sharp social satires depicted in Emma and Mansfield Park. It has never quite added up. Using letters and Austen's own fiction writing, Aiken attempts to navigate who exactly the true Austen may have been.
I have a feeling that I did not give this book a fair hearing. First of all, it made me realise that I am completely biographied out when it comes to Austen. I have read more than my fair share and another description of Austen's shock at being told that her parents were giving their parsonage to her brother James just feels ridiculously repetitive at this point. This is also a real piece of vintage Austen non-fiction so I really have read it all before. It is also slightly blighted by the author's assertions concerning Austen's novels which I just could not get on board with. Hodge describes Elizabeth Bennet as a 'gold-digger'. No. No. Had she had been such, Elizabeth would have accepted Darcy's first proposal or indeed Mr Collins' as either would have guaranteed a roof over the head of herself and her sisters. This really is a pretty basic misconception. She has similar leading judgments about the rest of Austen's novels too. Surprisingly, Hodge prefers Northanger Abbey to Sense and Sensibility. She describes Elinor as 'too sensible to be borne' and Marianne as 'too silly'. The background characters 'drift dangerously towards caricature'. Most bafflingly, Hodge describes Mansfield Park as Austen's 'Pilgrim's Progress, with Edmund and Fanny, the Christian hero and heroine, fighting their way through temptation'. At this point I really wondered if Hodge and I had been reading the same books. Just as strange was her description of Emma as Austen's 'least feminine' book and implying that Austen is turning up her nose at Robert Martin. To summarise, I think that Hodge and I would have had some spirited disagreements if we had ever tried to sit down and take tea.
Still, the book does have its interesting moments as Hodge works to find links between the events in Austen's personal and professional life. I had had heard little about Lady Craven, relative of Austen friends Martha and Mary Lloyd so it was intriguing to think of another possible inspiration for Lady Susan other than Austen's own sister-in-law Eliza. I was pleased too that Hodge chose not over-emphasise Austen's feelings for Tom Lefroy, a figure given far too much significance within Austen's story. Only a Novel felt like a step back in time in terms of literary criticism, making it a fascinating antique piece in terms of what it revealed about past trends in Austen scholarship. Still, unlike a number of other pieces of Austen literary criticism, I am unlikely to revisit it. Hodge writes with conviction and with huge admiration for her subject but somehow the figure she describes never quite sounds like the Austen I recognise. A worthwhile read but a peculiar one.
January 3, 2019
It can't be easy to write a biography of Jane Austen. The evidence of her life is contained in family memoirs written long after her death, and from letters that were heavily redacted by her sister and executrix, Cassandra. There were no great incidents that would prompt others to memorialize their encounters with Austen. Her life centered on the same events that her heroines experienced: visits, caring for sick or indisposed family members, and domestic chores consistent with a middle class life. Where letters are missing, and family members either unable or unwilling to disclose the events that might have been covered by the missing letters, there is little for the biographer to do but speculate.
To her credit, Hodge-with one glaring exception--doesn't do much of this. She quotes extensively from the existing correspondence as she tells Austen's lifestory, and, usually, her conclusions are well-supported by the evidence. I found her assumption that Austen had some kind of emotional or intellectual estrangement from her mother unsupported, however; it may be true, but Hodge doesn't lay out the evidence she relies upon.
The more glaring exception is the author's conclusion that Austen experienced some kind of religious or moral crisis in the years between her writing of Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. Certainly, Mansfield Park is a different and more mature work, but I don't know that the most compelling explanation is that Austen experienced some kind of crisis in the interim. As there is absolutely no information regarding Austen's experiences or feelings during this time, Hodge's theory is totally without any basis in anything but her own speculation. And yet Hodge writes as if this is the only explanation for why Austen's tone and focus changed.
Hodge also seeks the source of Austen's various characters in her family members, friends, and acquaintances. Some of what she points out is convincing, but, especially, as the biography progresses, Hodge overreaches and her comparisons become intrusive. For example, when describing a visit of her niece, Caroline (one of three children, and one of those siblings several years' older), with her 11 cousins at their home, Austen mentioned that Caroline did not enjoy the visit as much as her brother. At this point, Hodge says that this reaction forms part of the basis of Fanny Price's character. Maybe, or maybe Austen saw nothing more surprising than a child with only two siblings understandably overwhelmed by the noise and activity of a house with 11 children (plus at least 2 visitors). Not everything Austen observed necessarily made it into her books. I found this insistence on drawing parallels to be somewhat annoying, as if Austen couldn't create such vivid characters without having actual examples of each component part before her.
To her credit, Hodge-with one glaring exception--doesn't do much of this. She quotes extensively from the existing correspondence as she tells Austen's lifestory, and, usually, her conclusions are well-supported by the evidence. I found her assumption that Austen had some kind of emotional or intellectual estrangement from her mother unsupported, however; it may be true, but Hodge doesn't lay out the evidence she relies upon.
The more glaring exception is the author's conclusion that Austen experienced some kind of religious or moral crisis in the years between her writing of Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. Certainly, Mansfield Park is a different and more mature work, but I don't know that the most compelling explanation is that Austen experienced some kind of crisis in the interim. As there is absolutely no information regarding Austen's experiences or feelings during this time, Hodge's theory is totally without any basis in anything but her own speculation. And yet Hodge writes as if this is the only explanation for why Austen's tone and focus changed.
Hodge also seeks the source of Austen's various characters in her family members, friends, and acquaintances. Some of what she points out is convincing, but, especially, as the biography progresses, Hodge overreaches and her comparisons become intrusive. For example, when describing a visit of her niece, Caroline (one of three children, and one of those siblings several years' older), with her 11 cousins at their home, Austen mentioned that Caroline did not enjoy the visit as much as her brother. At this point, Hodge says that this reaction forms part of the basis of Fanny Price's character. Maybe, or maybe Austen saw nothing more surprising than a child with only two siblings understandably overwhelmed by the noise and activity of a house with 11 children (plus at least 2 visitors). Not everything Austen observed necessarily made it into her books. I found this insistence on drawing parallels to be somewhat annoying, as if Austen couldn't create such vivid characters without having actual examples of each component part before her.
August 6, 2016
This book contained some interesting information and at times I really did enjoy the writing. The author used a lot of words that were new to me, and that always makes me happy. However, the book didn't flow well and I would get distracted easily.
May 15, 2011
See my review on my book blog: http://quirkyreader.livejournal.com/2...
January 16, 2023
Intelligent speculation on the life of a beloved author.
I love autobiographies, but almost never read biographies. Yet in the last two months, I've read two books on the life of Jane Austen. Both seemed to take an unusual approach to the deep secrecy that surrounds Austen's life and both use Austen's novels to support their claims. Since I know those novels well, I can follow along easily and enjoyably.
Jane's life should have been an open book. She lived at a time when literate people (especially women) wrote voluminous letters to absent friends and relatives and those letters were saved and cherished. Tragically, Jane's sister Cassandra destroyed most of the letters written to her through the years, believing them to be private and of no interest to strangers. Some of the letters which did survive were lost for decades.
Four of Jane Austen's books were published during her life and well received, but they were published anonymously and brought her little money and no public recognition. It wasn't until after she had been dead for years that her books became classics and her fans demanded to know about her. By that time, the people who had known her well were dead. A nephew wrote a biography, but he had little first-hand knowledge and was limited by his own Victorian biases. The prim, pious lady he described bears no resemblance to the wickedly humorous woman we know through her books.
This author is a successful writer herself and a devoted "Janite." She has access to resources to uncover every possible clue about Austen's life and the intelligence to use that information properly. I think all of her conclusions are sound ones.
It's important to remember that in 1800, England offered limited opportunities for men and none for women. The feudal system of wealthy landowners and farm workers who were little more than slaves still kept most people in poverty. A middle class was emerging, but slowly.
Jane's childhood was privileged. Her father was a scholar and clergyman with a good "living" (salary) which he augmented by taking in boy pupils for tutoring. His country parsonage included land that allowed the family to grow their own food and even sell some. His energetic wife made full use of her opportunities to provide for her large family.
They were also a happy family. The parents were both bright and broad-minded. There was little outside entertainment, but Mr and Mrs Austen encouraged their children to read books, put on plays, visit with neighboring families, and (when they were old enough) go to local dances.
What the Austens lacked was money to help their children get started in the world. Even so, they were relatively fortunate. The oldest son inherited money from a wealthy relative on his mother's side and became a prosperous clergyman like his father. Another son was adopted by a wealthy family of relatives and inherited their fortune. One son went into banking, then became a clergyman. The two youngest went into the Navy and were successful there.
There was no money to dower the two daughters. Is that why they didn't marry? Or (as this author suggests) were they too attached to each other to need romance and (perhaps) too critical of the men they met to land husbands? Both were attractive and intelligent and it's difficult to believe that they couldn't have married if they wanted to.
It's important to remember that marriage then meant a baby every year. Childbirth was dangerous and caring for huge families meant many wives died long before their husbands. Marriage may have been "the pleasantest preservative from want" (as Jane wrote in one of her novels) but it wasn't without drawbacks.
The author traces Jane's life from her happy childhood to the hardships she and Cassandra suffered after their father retired and then died. Eventually, their wealthy brother Edward gave them a country house, where they lived until the end of their lives. Both were affectionate aunts to many nieces and nephews and were much in demand to look after sick relatives or sisters-in-law who were having yet another baby.
Jane's writing was a matter of pride in her family, but there was still prejudice against women writers. Furthermore, it was difficult for even established writers to get their works published. Unable to negotiate for herself and too poor to hire an agent, Jane was dependent on her well-meaning, but bumbling brother Henry. Frankly, it's a miracle any of her books ever saw the light of day.
This is a wonderfully readable book, at least for fans of Austen's books. I think the author does an exceptional job of weaving together the information from the existing Austen records with what is known about life at that time and what Austen herself tells us in her novels. She left no autobiography, but she told us about herself in her books. I learned from this book and enjoyed it.
I love autobiographies, but almost never read biographies. Yet in the last two months, I've read two books on the life of Jane Austen. Both seemed to take an unusual approach to the deep secrecy that surrounds Austen's life and both use Austen's novels to support their claims. Since I know those novels well, I can follow along easily and enjoyably.
Jane's life should have been an open book. She lived at a time when literate people (especially women) wrote voluminous letters to absent friends and relatives and those letters were saved and cherished. Tragically, Jane's sister Cassandra destroyed most of the letters written to her through the years, believing them to be private and of no interest to strangers. Some of the letters which did survive were lost for decades.
Four of Jane Austen's books were published during her life and well received, but they were published anonymously and brought her little money and no public recognition. It wasn't until after she had been dead for years that her books became classics and her fans demanded to know about her. By that time, the people who had known her well were dead. A nephew wrote a biography, but he had little first-hand knowledge and was limited by his own Victorian biases. The prim, pious lady he described bears no resemblance to the wickedly humorous woman we know through her books.
This author is a successful writer herself and a devoted "Janite." She has access to resources to uncover every possible clue about Austen's life and the intelligence to use that information properly. I think all of her conclusions are sound ones.
It's important to remember that in 1800, England offered limited opportunities for men and none for women. The feudal system of wealthy landowners and farm workers who were little more than slaves still kept most people in poverty. A middle class was emerging, but slowly.
Jane's childhood was privileged. Her father was a scholar and clergyman with a good "living" (salary) which he augmented by taking in boy pupils for tutoring. His country parsonage included land that allowed the family to grow their own food and even sell some. His energetic wife made full use of her opportunities to provide for her large family.
They were also a happy family. The parents were both bright and broad-minded. There was little outside entertainment, but Mr and Mrs Austen encouraged their children to read books, put on plays, visit with neighboring families, and (when they were old enough) go to local dances.
What the Austens lacked was money to help their children get started in the world. Even so, they were relatively fortunate. The oldest son inherited money from a wealthy relative on his mother's side and became a prosperous clergyman like his father. Another son was adopted by a wealthy family of relatives and inherited their fortune. One son went into banking, then became a clergyman. The two youngest went into the Navy and were successful there.
There was no money to dower the two daughters. Is that why they didn't marry? Or (as this author suggests) were they too attached to each other to need romance and (perhaps) too critical of the men they met to land husbands? Both were attractive and intelligent and it's difficult to believe that they couldn't have married if they wanted to.
It's important to remember that marriage then meant a baby every year. Childbirth was dangerous and caring for huge families meant many wives died long before their husbands. Marriage may have been "the pleasantest preservative from want" (as Jane wrote in one of her novels) but it wasn't without drawbacks.
The author traces Jane's life from her happy childhood to the hardships she and Cassandra suffered after their father retired and then died. Eventually, their wealthy brother Edward gave them a country house, where they lived until the end of their lives. Both were affectionate aunts to many nieces and nephews and were much in demand to look after sick relatives or sisters-in-law who were having yet another baby.
Jane's writing was a matter of pride in her family, but there was still prejudice against women writers. Furthermore, it was difficult for even established writers to get their works published. Unable to negotiate for herself and too poor to hire an agent, Jane was dependent on her well-meaning, but bumbling brother Henry. Frankly, it's a miracle any of her books ever saw the light of day.
This is a wonderfully readable book, at least for fans of Austen's books. I think the author does an exceptional job of weaving together the information from the existing Austen records with what is known about life at that time and what Austen herself tells us in her novels. She left no autobiography, but she told us about herself in her books. I learned from this book and enjoyed it.
April 15, 2019
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this in exchange for a fair review.
Also this is a re-issue of a book published quite a while ago - but really does not read other than contemporary.
Jane Aiken Hodge presents a factual biography of Jane Austen with some interpretation. I have not read other biographies, but I imagine (and I have read here and other places) that they have been less than factual, and very speculative.
Hodge presents a flesh and blood woman, with a wicked sharp wit and a sense of the ridiculous. Hodge also comments on how trapped Austen and other women were by burden of their sex and the era in which they were born; commenting on how their mobility was quite literally limited by their male relations.
A factual biography was a good place to start with reading more about Austen, but this was a bit dry for my liking. Or perhaps Ma’am Darling: 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret has just ruined me for any other biography...
I would definitely recommend that anyone who pick this up have read all of the 6 finished novels. The only one I haven't read is Mansfield Park - saving it, don't want to be done with Austen for good!! And I also haven't read Sanditon, or Love and Friendship and have only gotten through a bit of the Juvenilia but there are quite a few references to events and characters that require a degree of familiarity. And if you haven't read them well then #spoileralerts as well!
All in all - good place to start with Austen academia, just a bit dry.
Also this is a re-issue of a book published quite a while ago - but really does not read other than contemporary.
Jane Aiken Hodge presents a factual biography of Jane Austen with some interpretation. I have not read other biographies, but I imagine (and I have read here and other places) that they have been less than factual, and very speculative.
Hodge presents a flesh and blood woman, with a wicked sharp wit and a sense of the ridiculous. Hodge also comments on how trapped Austen and other women were by burden of their sex and the era in which they were born; commenting on how their mobility was quite literally limited by their male relations.
A factual biography was a good place to start with reading more about Austen, but this was a bit dry for my liking. Or perhaps Ma’am Darling: 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret has just ruined me for any other biography...
I would definitely recommend that anyone who pick this up have read all of the 6 finished novels. The only one I haven't read is Mansfield Park - saving it, don't want to be done with Austen for good!! And I also haven't read Sanditon, or Love and Friendship and have only gotten through a bit of the Juvenilia but there are quite a few references to events and characters that require a degree of familiarity. And if you haven't read them well then #spoileralerts as well!
All in all - good place to start with Austen academia, just a bit dry.
April 26, 2019
I found this account of Jane Austen’s life really enjoyable. I had been looking around for a biography of the author but I wanted to discover a more personal side too. Jane Aiken Hodge uses family letters to do this. However, many had been destroyed by Jane’s sister Cassandra who wanted to protect the family’s privacy. Consequently, the only surviving letters were ones that Cassandra deemed too mundane to be of interest. This means that there are large gaps in what we know of Jane Austen’s life.
It was interesting to read about young women in the late 1700s and early 1800s whose ‘only future was matrimony’ and academic education was considered unimportant. The women did, however, need to be accomplished in singing, dancing, music, handwriting and ‘listening to the gentlemen talk’
I do feel that someone with a good understanding of Jane Austen’s novels would enjoy this biography the most. It has a few references to the books which may be confusing if you are not familiar with Jane Austen’s characters and locations. For devoted Jane Austen fans, it is a highly informative and enjoyable read.
It was interesting to read about young women in the late 1700s and early 1800s whose ‘only future was matrimony’ and academic education was considered unimportant. The women did, however, need to be accomplished in singing, dancing, music, handwriting and ‘listening to the gentlemen talk’
I do feel that someone with a good understanding of Jane Austen’s novels would enjoy this biography the most. It has a few references to the books which may be confusing if you are not familiar with Jane Austen’s characters and locations. For devoted Jane Austen fans, it is a highly informative and enjoyable read.
April 20, 2025
I highly enjoyed reading this only because I am very interested in Jane Austen and hadn't read anything as in depth as this biography. I learned a lot and enjoyed the author's commentary on and references to other scholars.
However, the writing is rather hard to follow. The author never presents her thesis directly, beyond the title, and just kind of assumes you can infer from there. I kept waiting for her to explain and ahe never does.
Beyond that, Austen had a very large and complex family, in addition to a wider circle of friends, with many names repeated. The author doesn't do a particularly good job disambiguating, and also throws in references to the characters in Jane Austen's novels, unfinished work, and early drafts as though they were just more neighbors. It's all very difficult to keep track of, even with the helpful family tree included. It's also of course very dated (copyright 1972), so there's some sweeping assumptions that I can't tell whether they're rooted in Regency era norms, or the author's.
However, the writing is rather hard to follow. The author never presents her thesis directly, beyond the title, and just kind of assumes you can infer from there. I kept waiting for her to explain and ahe never does.
Beyond that, Austen had a very large and complex family, in addition to a wider circle of friends, with many names repeated. The author doesn't do a particularly good job disambiguating, and also throws in references to the characters in Jane Austen's novels, unfinished work, and early drafts as though they were just more neighbors. It's all very difficult to keep track of, even with the helpful family tree included. It's also of course very dated (copyright 1972), so there's some sweeping assumptions that I can't tell whether they're rooted in Regency era norms, or the author's.
April 8, 2019
Only a Novel
The Double Life of Jane Austen
by Jane Aiken Hodge
Agora Books
Biographies & Memoirs , Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 25 Mar 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Only A Novel through Agora Books and Netgalley:
In this book not only is Jane Austen’s book and writing covered but her private life as well. We learn of the genteel young woman who was dedicated to family life as well as the life of an author who avoided the spotlight, while illuminating the lives of women ruled by English Manners with her wit and observations.
The facts from this books are weaved from both historical records, as well as family letters. This biography by Jane Aiken Hodge is meant to unite both sides of Austen, the author as well as the woman who was devoted to her family.
I found this book to be a bit short, but to the point, and it gave me new insights on Jane Austen, therefore I give it a rating of five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
The Double Life of Jane Austen
by Jane Aiken Hodge
Agora Books
Biographies & Memoirs , Nonfiction (Adult)
Pub Date 25 Mar 2019
I am reviewing a copy of Only A Novel through Agora Books and Netgalley:
In this book not only is Jane Austen’s book and writing covered but her private life as well. We learn of the genteel young woman who was dedicated to family life as well as the life of an author who avoided the spotlight, while illuminating the lives of women ruled by English Manners with her wit and observations.
The facts from this books are weaved from both historical records, as well as family letters. This biography by Jane Aiken Hodge is meant to unite both sides of Austen, the author as well as the woman who was devoted to her family.
I found this book to be a bit short, but to the point, and it gave me new insights on Jane Austen, therefore I give it a rating of five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
October 23, 2023
*3.5 stars*
An ambitious biography…
I admire any author writing about someone who has been gone for centuries and had so much already written about them. What could they bring that was new to the table?
Well, this author managed to bring some interesting facts, and her own interpretations, to an author I’ve long since admired. Gathering information from various sources, the execution of this biographical read was not as smooth as I would have hoped. I didn’t realize how scarce first-hand information was on Jane Austen, given how much her life has been inspected, tracked and written about.
Did this author achieve her goal? I think so. Though a score card to track and identify the many, many relatives, friends and acquaintances would have been super helpful. Overall, a challenging read, but a lover of Jane Austen would find it worth it…
*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to Agora Books and NetGalley
An ambitious biography…
I admire any author writing about someone who has been gone for centuries and had so much already written about them. What could they bring that was new to the table?
Well, this author managed to bring some interesting facts, and her own interpretations, to an author I’ve long since admired. Gathering information from various sources, the execution of this biographical read was not as smooth as I would have hoped. I didn’t realize how scarce first-hand information was on Jane Austen, given how much her life has been inspected, tracked and written about.
Did this author achieve her goal? I think so. Though a score card to track and identify the many, many relatives, friends and acquaintances would have been super helpful. Overall, a challenging read, but a lover of Jane Austen would find it worth it…
*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to Agora Books and NetGalley
July 7, 2025
It took me a long time to finish this one. While it was informative, I basically had the same issue with it as with the collection of Jane Austen's letters: there were so many names and ordinary events. Marriages, childbirth, visits, illnesses, gossip, many of these regarding acquaintances or distant relatives.
The sections about when and how her novels were written and the info on their publication were what interested me the most, and consequently I found these the easiest to read. The other passages didn't hold my attention so well, and several times I found myself reluctant to pick up the book.
All in all, it's a well researched and comprehensive biography, and the author is clearly passionate about her subject matter. However, I personally would have been happier with fewer details about the wider circle around Jane Austen.
The sections about when and how her novels were written and the info on their publication were what interested me the most, and consequently I found these the easiest to read. The other passages didn't hold my attention so well, and several times I found myself reluctant to pick up the book.
All in all, it's a well researched and comprehensive biography, and the author is clearly passionate about her subject matter. However, I personally would have been happier with fewer details about the wider circle around Jane Austen.
August 5, 2019
I've read quite a few biographies of Jane Austen, so in a way, there's not a lot left to discover, given the limited information about her life. I'm aware, however, that the general opinion is that this particular biography has been somewhat superseded by more recent ones (NB this book was first published in 1972). Nonetheless, I enjoyed Jane Aiken Hodge's book - she seemed very much in sympathy with Austen as a person and, although there is of necessity a good deal of speculation, it seemed to be in keeping with the personalities in question.
I wouldn't read this as the definitive version of Austen's life, therefore, but I think it offers a good overview, and it would certainly be a good place for Austen readers to start, before going on to more recent works.
I wouldn't read this as the definitive version of Austen's life, therefore, but I think it offers a good overview, and it would certainly be a good place for Austen readers to start, before going on to more recent works.
August 18, 2019
Writing a biography about Jane Austen is a very difficult task considering that the information about her life is scarce as she was deliberately trying to keep her life private. This book is a worthy attempt to gather information in all the available sources: Jane Austen's own writings, family records, and some contemporary sources. For those who love Jane Austen's novels, by reading this book they will be able to make some very interesting connections between some real-life people and the characters in her novels. I liked reading this book but I think someone who knows Jane Austen better than I do would enjoy it more.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
April 8, 2021
This is a brilliant insight into the great author’s life. While I love Jane Austin’s books and have read modern day spin offs and books that focus on her characters.I hadn’t read a biography of Austen before and found that this was a very interesting. One thing that I liked when reading this was that the writing flows as the author explores and speculates on Jane’s Life. There were times in Austen’s life that were unknown as there seem to be no letters or other source material to rely on and Hodge speculates what might have taken place. The engaging prose show just how much this writer respects Austen both as a woman of her time and as an incredible author, not afraid to satirise the somewhat ridiculousness of 19th century aristocracy.
March 25, 2024
It took me a while to get through this book.
I love Jane Austen and I love her books. I've read and watched all of her works and adaptations. Normally I really enjoy anything about JA, but honestly, I really struggled with this book. It was very dry and factual (which isn't a bad thing) and made the whole read a little bit of a chore. I've come away knowing that a lot of JA's letters were destroyed by her sister and there is a lot of speculation and assumptions made by historians about those periods and what might have been happening on JAs life and writings.
I'm glad I persevered and I have learnt a little bit more about one of my favourite authors.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc. Here is my honest review.
I love Jane Austen and I love her books. I've read and watched all of her works and adaptations. Normally I really enjoy anything about JA, but honestly, I really struggled with this book. It was very dry and factual (which isn't a bad thing) and made the whole read a little bit of a chore. I've come away knowing that a lot of JA's letters were destroyed by her sister and there is a lot of speculation and assumptions made by historians about those periods and what might have been happening on JAs life and writings.
I'm glad I persevered and I have learnt a little bit more about one of my favourite authors.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc. Here is my honest review.
June 2, 2019
This book is a highly informative and interesting biography of Jane Austen's life. As with most works about Jane Austen, most information is gleaned from the numerous letters she sent throughout her life to her family and most importantly to her sister, Cassandra who she shared an incredibly close relationship with. Although this book doesn't tell us anything new about Jane Austen, the author, Jane Aiken Hodge's obvious love and admiration for her subject makes this a very pleasant read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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