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The book is organised thematically. I don’t think this works very well for Jane Austen’s life. But I do get some extra knowledge about Austen from it.

In this section, the author deals with the underrated female roles in agriculture and the design of the products that ignores women’s needs, especially smartphones and cars. The design of cars leads to women being more likely to injured in a car crash.

The author tackles the problems women faced in workplace, including unpaid works outside the workplace, the standards of promotion favoured males, the harmful effects of working conditions that get ignored, and the workplace violence faced most women regardless of the industry they are in. I’ve learnt a lot from this section!

It takes time to get the main ideas expressed in the book. The author emphasises the interplay between capitalism and printing technology that laid the foundation of modern states.

The author tackles the problems of gendered public facilities, especially public toilets and public transport. Very interesting!

The author tackles the problems of gendered public facilities, especially public toilets and public transport. Very interesting!

Elizabeth began to know more about Darcy. But sometimes the style of the book could be too romantic for me to enjoy it.

Very interesting. The hierarchical and disorderly society was depicted vividly.

It’s great at the beginning of the book, with the internal dialogue of Elizabeth and Darcy being illustrated vividly. But for now, the part after Elizabeth agreed to the proposal was a a bit dragged-out.

One thing learnt from this book so far: refraining from being too greedy and ambitious is important in maintaining your financial health. But the book is also very boring to read.

One thing learnt from this book so far: refraining from being too greedy and ambitious is important in maintaining your financial health. But the book is also very boring to read.

The chapter on landscape is boring. The second chapter on the people and the three estates is interesting and easy to read.

The content on Edward VIII is so difficult to read. He was such a despicable man with no responsibility whatsoever. Reading about his character and his relationship with various women made me feel unsympathetic to him.

It was hard to read the part of about the WWI, especially regarding the murder of the family of Nicolas of Russia. It’s an understandable but still tragic decision that the British Royal Family gave up on the rescue of these people.

When reading about the Delhi Dubar in 1911, I can’t help but feel the complex, imperialist hubris regarding India and its people…

It’s getting towards the end of the book! The story of how science, imperialism, and capitalism are correlated and reinforced one another and fuelled the rise of European empires in history is so fascinating.

I enjoyed reading about Mary’s early years and her relationship with Prince Eddy. But the book becomes increasingly boring after she became the Princess of Wales as many events are written with too many details. And her children really suffered a lot because of the way she and her husband treated them.

Interesting, eye-opening and easy-to-read. A great start!

Interesting, eye-opening and easy-to-read. A great start!

There’re so many similarities between Camilla & Kate that made them both suitable to live a royal life. Both are also lucky & clever that their marriages were between the Diana years & the crisis of Megxit & Andrew. The relationship between the Royal Family & media has always been complicated but the stalking & the hacking are a bit too much.

The Queen Mother is a spendthrift. She was lucky that she lived her life in an age of deference to the monarchy. The Royal Family is so out of touch with the people that they are so mean to the household staff who served them. Camilla got the last laugh and now she is ‘the Queen’, can’t tell how to feel about this.

Such a different perspective from Spare. Charles & Camilla got what they wanted but poor Diana! There’s no Camilla was destined for her role as Charles’ consort.

Thomas Hayward reminds me of Henry Tilney. He is a charming character.

Mary’s communication with Mr & Mrs Collins are so poignant to read. The life in the household of the Gardiners is such a relief.

It’s so poignant to read how Jane Austen suffered professionally and physically as she approached the end of her life.

I didn’t expect for the plot of Pride & Prejudice to end so quickly. The author only spent several chapters to cover the storyline from Mr Collins’ marriage to Charlotte to the Bennet sisters’ marriages. Now, Mary is the only unmarried sister. Look forward to what happens next.

Surprisingly, Charlotte Lucas & Mr Collins received more attention in this book than in P&P. The depictions of both gave more insights into Mary’s character, as she could relate to both of them in different ways.

Mr Bingley arrived at Netherfield, finally! So excited. Also, Mary is a character so relatable, especially when I read how she tried but dismissed by Mr Bennet.

It’s interesting that the Austen family had complicated feelings towards Jane’s publishing success.

Poor Mary, poor Mr Sparrow. Class is indeed an essential part of society, especially and blatantly so in Regency era.