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149th out of 184 books
—
67 voters
The Lost Years of Jane Austen: A Novel
Jane Austen's letters and diaries from the period preceding her first novel have never been found. It's believed that they were intentionally destroyed by her sister Cassandra, but no one knows why. Many people claim it was to hide a family scandal or a failed romance involving Jane herself. The Lost Years of Jane Austen includes both these possible intrigues and more as i...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
November 1st 2008
by Ulysses Press
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Feb 21, 2009
Wayne
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Intelligent Austen Fans
Recommended to Wayne by:
I saw, I bought, I was very pleased!!
Jane Austen and Australia!!??!!!
Well, her Aunt Jane Leigh Perrot was almost sent here for shopliftng!!
In Bath. In 1799.
Barbara Ker Wilson's re-creation of this incident is nothing short of brilliant!!!
And Austen fans will be pleased to know that her expertise is born of a lifelong devotion to Jane Austen's works.
Up until early in Chapter 13 we have an historically accurate novelization of the Austen Family's life and their relatives-in-crisis, the Leigh Perrots. What is more it is well-written,...more
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Well, I finished it. But it was a near thing.
I blame the back cover copy, which made the bold claim that this book is "written in the style of Jane Austen." I had considerable trouble reconciling that claim with the scene on page 9 when Sam Filby propels lonely shopkeeper Susan Gregory into the back room of her haberdashery shop for a bit of sans-culotte action. I've reread every word of Austen's works this summer and I don't remember Austen ever writing anything like that.
Fortunately, by page...more
I had to will myself to actually keep reading this book. The main plot took place in New South Wales (Australia) for about a year. Jane Austen's aunt & uncle invite her to join them on a trip for which the main purpose is to look at the plants, animals and insects of the new colony. I found this whole idea so far fetched and uninteresting. I gave it two stars only because there were a few subplots that redeemed it. Strangely though, it had very little to do with Jane Austen and more to do wi...more
A rather quaint take on what might have happened in Jane Austen's life as she is disappointed in love and travels to Australia with some family. Fascinating as a historical novel too, this might be the only one I've ever read that focused on Australia during the regency period. Jane is taken by this new world, but after a surprising encounter realizes that England will always be her first home and decides to get serious about her writing. While the descriptions of Australia get a bit tedious, th...more
Did not capture Jane Austen's voice at all, not to mention that the story itself just dragged on and on.
I had a feeling reading this book that i imagine is akin to the feelings that the none litterary minded would have when being forced to read Jane Austin in high school. something along the lines of... "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu@#$#! Isn't there a BBC movie we can watch to find out how it ends? What not even a made for T.V. movie? Dayyem."
It's not a feeling I get much I like reading and i like Jane Auste...more
I had a feeling reading this book that i imagine is akin to the feelings that the none litterary minded would have when being forced to read Jane Austin in high school. something along the lines of... "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuu@#$#! Isn't there a BBC movie we can watch to find out how it ends? What not even a made for T.V. movie? Dayyem."
It's not a feeling I get much I like reading and i like Jane Auste...more
I'm always interested in anything Jane Austen! This was about a two year period in Jane's life that are somewhat undocumented. She went to Australia with an aunt and uncle. For some reason her sister Cassandra burned all of the letters from Jane during this time (perhaps to cover up an affair?) Really enjoyed it!
Oct 10, 2011
Karen Jagow
added it
If you love Jane Austin then you'll love this novel. Almost a Romeo and Juliet feel to it!
So boring - I didn't even really read this book. I skimmed this book because I just couldn't put the time into it.
Interesting although a little bit boring
I am so very glad to have this book done and overwith! This is by far the worst Jane Austen ... inspired/spin-off, what have you, that I have ever read!
I really didn't like it at all.
I really didn't like it at all.
History of the Sydney felons colony with Jane Austen as an observer. Some inoffensive speculation about her romantic life.
A must-read for any Austen fan.
Jun 15, 2013
Stephanie Ureña
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Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (1999).
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