The Jane Austen Companion: With a Dictionary of Jane Austen's Life and Works

by J. David Grey, A. Walton Litz, B.C. Southam

A reference work on Jane Austen, this text includes entries on a range of topics - from amateur theatrics, architecture, auction seals, through to travels, verses and The Watsons.

Genres: Jane Austen, Nonfiction, Reference, History, British Literature

511 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1986

Reviews

[Danine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was shocked to find no reviews on Amazon for this fine 1986 volume that is still one of my go-to references after 30 years. (So I wrote one.) If you are new to Austen-land, and puzzled by all the terms bandied about, do find a copy and keep it close at hand. Whatever may perplex you, there is probably an answer in this volume. And for ease of use, there is a handy dictionary of terms in the back, compiled by a precociously young Abigail Bok, which gives instant gratification. Is this a placename? A hero? A Regency dessert? Newer books have been written in the past 30 years but this one stays solidly on my bookshelf beside my Chapman editions.

[☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

most comprehensive collection of research based essays and academic journals on austen

[Susan Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess this just wasn't what I expected it to be. It was more a collection of essays (many of which I found rather dry). I skimmed through some of them, but most I skipped. I think there are much better books about the life/works/times of Jane Austen out there.

[Susan Wands · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better behind the scenes compilations spear headed by Jack David Gray