Jane Austen: The Critical Heritage, Volume I

by B.C. Southam, MR B C Southam (Editor)

The Critical Heritage gathers together a large body of critical sources on major figures in literature. Each volume presents contemporary responses to a writer's work, enabling student and researcher to read the material themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Literary Criticism

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1976

Reviews

[Elliot A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of my ongoing research in preparation for my graduate thesis.

As far as I can see, all of the initial responses to Jane Austen’s work were collected in this volume. It includes letters, diary entries and essays discussing and recommending Austen’s works, and Austen’s own assortment of opinions she gathered of family and friends about the novels that were published during her lifetime.

The editor’s introduction contains a few interesting points. Most of the reviews and opinions included in this collection have been cited in various biographies that were composed following its publication, but it is convenient to have all resources present in one volume.

Overall, it is a good source for initial critical letters on Austen’s primary works.

ElliotScribbles

[Arianna Mandorino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference book for reviews and critical literature upon the works of Jane Austen. Clear and concise.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find selections of letters Austen kept with bits of reviews, long essays about fiction and its role as a moral arbiter for flippant females, Sir Walter Scott's glowing reviews and (surprise surprise) Charlotte Bronte's indignant letters decrying the coldhearted reality of Austens world. Ms. Bronte, for all her strengths, clearly didn't see the heart behind the satire.