Evelyn’s Reviews > Jane Austen's Bookshelf > Status Update

Page 329 onwards contains all the sources and specific details cited throughout the book via the Appendix, Bibliography, Notes, and Index.

"As a collector investigating Austen's favorite women authors, I found the warmth and affirmation of models. I didn't 'discover' these writers; I reconnected with them, like my predecessors had done before me. I gave a chance to writers like Radcliffe, Inchbald, and Edgeworth, and I loved their books so much that they're now part of my personal canon. I hope you find yours, too." Nice conclusion

Why Read the Classics? by Italo Calvino "A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say."

On Search of Our Mother's Gardens by Alice Walker quote "that wonderful feeling [...] of being with a great many people, ancient spirits, all very happy to see me consulting and acknowledging them, eager to let me know, through the joy of their presence, that, indeed, I am not alone."

Seriously even on 309 "I followed that with a 1973 biography of Edgeworth issued via Bucknell Umiversity Press as a part of their Irish Writers Series - the series name yet another tell in Edgeworth's transformation, focusing on her importance as an 'Irish Writer'." and what?? Say more. Explore WHY her Irishness was enough to split her from western "universal" canon.

Finished Edgeworth's ch. Tell me how Romney wrote more about profession, her journey + started making concluding remarks before her conclusionary ch (next)! These 32 pages were meant to be about Maria Edgeworth but it lost that focus after the 17th. Where Piozzi and Smith had chapters bursting at the seams with details about their lives, struggles, accomplishments, circles, etc, Edgeworth seems neglected

So we seem to have skipped over any possible analysis why Maria Edgeworth, labeled an IRISH novelist, and Walter Scott labeled a SCOTTISH novelist, were seen as regional, while ENGLISH authors were universal. Romney was quite able to pick out the xenophobia present in Piozzi's chapter regarding her Italian 2nd husband, but has yet to note how any of the Irish women in this book were being impacted for being Irish!

"[Maria Edgeworth] became known not as a novelist, but as an Irish novelist." It's funny how just that slight distinction, which Iwould frankly see as a compliment (Ireland churns out amazing writers), was see at that time as a proclamation that she was no longer seen as universal. English ppl in England were "universal" and so enjoyed, but the Irish were a regional experience.. and that was enough to shove her aside

Elizabeth Inchbald's chapter felt largely skippable + had lines like "Inchbald wrote a part two so Austen would never have to" - not only overdramatic but distorting. She did it bc SHE had to. The ROMANTICS are who helped the lit landscape, giving Austen freedom that Inchbald didn't have. HOWEVER Hester Thrale Piozzi's chapter was so good. A very interesting woman and a good look at English xenophobia etc.