Becoming Jane Austen discussion

In her review of my book 'Becoming Jane Austen', Mala B. asks this question:

'At one point, Spence says (paraphrasing) "Jane started to feel ill about this time but told no one, not even Cassandra." So how on God's green earth does HE know she was 'feeling ill'.

I will tell you how I know: In a letter to her niece Caroline Austen dated 23 January 1817, Jane Austen writes: 'I feel myself getting stronger than I was half a year ago. . . .' (JA's Letters, p. 326).

The full context of what Mala B. 'paraphrased' was that sometime in the summer of 1816 Jane Austen began to feel 'unwell'--the word I actually used. Six months before January 1817 is c. July 1816. And that is how I know she began to feel unwell in the summer of 1816.

Next question, Ms. B?

Wow, such research.

Go get her Jon! Loved your book, by the way, read it 3 times.