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Jane Austen: A Life Revealed
Jane Austenâ s popularity never seems to fade. She has hordes of devoted fans, and there have been numerous adaptations of her life and work. But who was Jane Austen? The writer herself has long remained a mystery. And despite the resonance her work continues to have for teens, there has never been a young adult trade biography on Austen.Â
Catherine Reef changes that with this highly readable account. She takes an intimate peek at Austenâ s life and innermost feelings, interweaving her narrative with well-crafted digests of each of Austenâ s published novels. The end result is a book that is almost as much fun to read as Janeâ s own workâ and truly a life revealed. Includes bibliography and index. Â
Catherine Reef changes that with this highly readable account. She takes an intimate peek at Austenâ s life and innermost feelings, interweaving her narrative with well-crafted digests of each of Austenâ s published novels. The end result is a book that is almost as much fun to read as Janeâ s own workâ and truly a life revealed. Includes bibliography and index. Â
192 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
47 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Reef
61 books44 followersCatherine Reef is the author of more than 35 nonfiction books for young people. Her books for Clarion include the highly acclaimed JOHN STEINBECK and SIGMUND FREUD, which was the recipient of the 2002 Sydney Taylor Award, presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries. She lives in College Park, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
May 14, 2024
4 solid stars for this bio. While most of the facts about Austen's life story were known to me, two things set this one apart from others I've read: 1) photos & illustrations AND 2) detailed plot summaries & literary critiques of her novels. Recommend to any that are interested in knowing more about Jane and her life & times.
June 3, 2011
Austen from the Inside
Like many people I’m an Austen fan and Reef gives lots of facts about Austen’s life in particular and the general life of her contemporaries though if you’re someone who’s read lots of 19th century British literature there won’t be anything extremely eye opening here. The book is being marketed toward young adults however, who naturally won’t have that information at hand. The problem is that this half of the book is fairly dry and not likely to keep a young audience engaged.
The second half of the book picks up with some excellent analyses of individual books and there’s some great stuff here. The drawback is that most young adults probably have not had the time or inclination to have read all Austen’s books so the analyses wouldn’t mean much to them and could spoil the storyline. Most of don’t read Austen for her plots but for the interactions between her engaging characters and for her humor so maybe this isn’t a huge issue. Also, since much of Austen’s work is ubiquitous in current culture maybe folks won’t mind the spoilers. The most revealing fact I took away from this book was that Austen hardly made any money from her writing and was not truly popular until after her early death.
3.5/5
Like many people I’m an Austen fan and Reef gives lots of facts about Austen’s life in particular and the general life of her contemporaries though if you’re someone who’s read lots of 19th century British literature there won’t be anything extremely eye opening here. The book is being marketed toward young adults however, who naturally won’t have that information at hand. The problem is that this half of the book is fairly dry and not likely to keep a young audience engaged.
The second half of the book picks up with some excellent analyses of individual books and there’s some great stuff here. The drawback is that most young adults probably have not had the time or inclination to have read all Austen’s books so the analyses wouldn’t mean much to them and could spoil the storyline. Most of don’t read Austen for her plots but for the interactions between her engaging characters and for her humor so maybe this isn’t a huge issue. Also, since much of Austen’s work is ubiquitous in current culture maybe folks won’t mind the spoilers. The most revealing fact I took away from this book was that Austen hardly made any money from her writing and was not truly popular until after her early death.
3.5/5
May 20, 2011
Some readers take on Jane Austen out of necessity for school. Others linger over her words for pleasure.
This short biography, meant for young adults, is a well-researched history lesson full of anecdotes on the various life events that shaped Jane's novels. It's also peppered with interesting facts, photographs, and historical information, including the story of how Jane initially had to self-publish her books since no one would take a chance on her, and my personal favorite, a little tidbit on the wheeled, horse-propelled bathing machines that Jane and her sister used on their family outings on the coast of Wales.
This is a nice primer for anyone who perhaps is new to the world of Jane Austen, but it's rather dry in the way the information is presented. It reads less like a nuanced portrait of a lively, opinionated woman than a very long encyclopedic entry. It's certainly difficult to write a story about a woman whose life has remained so much of a mystery since most of her personal papers were lost after her death; but it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope that the writing would be a little more engaging.
With a subject that is so famous for her sharp wit and keen observation, most readers, especially those who love and are familiar with her work, would likely want to gain a little more insight into the writer's internal life. Jane Austen's life is indeed "revealed" to readers in this brief volume, but it would have been lovely if that same life had been a little more illuminated as well.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
This short biography, meant for young adults, is a well-researched history lesson full of anecdotes on the various life events that shaped Jane's novels. It's also peppered with interesting facts, photographs, and historical information, including the story of how Jane initially had to self-publish her books since no one would take a chance on her, and my personal favorite, a little tidbit on the wheeled, horse-propelled bathing machines that Jane and her sister used on their family outings on the coast of Wales.
This is a nice primer for anyone who perhaps is new to the world of Jane Austen, but it's rather dry in the way the information is presented. It reads less like a nuanced portrait of a lively, opinionated woman than a very long encyclopedic entry. It's certainly difficult to write a story about a woman whose life has remained so much of a mystery since most of her personal papers were lost after her death; but it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope that the writing would be a little more engaging.
With a subject that is so famous for her sharp wit and keen observation, most readers, especially those who love and are familiar with her work, would likely want to gain a little more insight into the writer's internal life. Jane Austen's life is indeed "revealed" to readers in this brief volume, but it would have been lovely if that same life had been a little more illuminated as well.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
August 17, 2015
Excepcionalmente maravilhoso. Não só narrando a biografia da Jane Austen como, também, narrando os fatos historicos e culturais da Inglaterra georgiana. Jane Austen dispensa apresentação, mas saber como foi seu processo criativo e o que foi dito sobre suas obras nos dá outra visão do seu trabalho.
Infelizmente, muitas coisas são suposições, mas fica o encanto e a admiração de conhecer a vida de uma mulher que viveu de certa forma limitada mas que ousou escrever sobre as relações humanas de forma tão profunda.
Infelizmente, muitas coisas são suposições, mas fica o encanto e a admiração de conhecer a vida de uma mulher que viveu de certa forma limitada mas que ousou escrever sobre as relações humanas de forma tão profunda.
February 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this biography of Jane Austen. Reef includes many quotations from Jane's siblings and nieces, as well as her mother and father. I got a really comprehensive story about her life, with summaries of her novels interspersed throughout the biography.
---- longer review coming soon ----
---- longer review coming soon ----
February 8, 2018
Jane Austen. A young women with a passion that continues to interest everyone. Jane Austen was a women with an amazing talent of writing! She had so much truth and soul in the books she wrote. Many readers "couldn't wait to flip the page!" This women never married which is unusual for a lady of her time. Jane Austen lived an interesting life full of secrets and passion.
When Ms. Austen never wed her bank account was as dry as the desert! But isn't being poor better than marrying a man you don't love? Also Jane never complained about her sickness or bothered with it. In result of this ridiculous action she grew so ill she would never see her beloved sister Cassandra, she would never write again more importantly breath. Jane Austen was a marvelous women but just like any other person she made mistakes that changed her life forever!
In my opinion the book wasn't to great. The reason I didn't like it very much is it was full of facts about her instead of what her life was like, what adventures she went on. Also, before this book I had never even heard of Jane Austen let alone read her books. This book spoiled everything in every book she wrote! Sure I thought her books sounded interesting but now I know how each book ends! This book was not my favorite though at times it had me excited.
When Ms. Austen never wed her bank account was as dry as the desert! But isn't being poor better than marrying a man you don't love? Also Jane never complained about her sickness or bothered with it. In result of this ridiculous action she grew so ill she would never see her beloved sister Cassandra, she would never write again more importantly breath. Jane Austen was a marvelous women but just like any other person she made mistakes that changed her life forever!
In my opinion the book wasn't to great. The reason I didn't like it very much is it was full of facts about her instead of what her life was like, what adventures she went on. Also, before this book I had never even heard of Jane Austen let alone read her books. This book spoiled everything in every book she wrote! Sure I thought her books sounded interesting but now I know how each book ends! This book was not my favorite though at times it had me excited.
November 21, 2017
Very little is known about Jane Austen’s life. She left behind no diaries, and after her death Jane’s family destroyed almost all of the 3,000 letters she had written. Photography didn’t exist in her lifetime, and the one painting of her was said to be a poor likeness. From these challenges, author Catherine Reef scoured the facts available about Jane, her family, and the goings-on in history and society at that time to give middle school readers a glimpse of who Jane Austen really was and why she wrote about the characters, relationships, and places she did.
Although this book sheds light on how a woman with virtually no schooling or travel outside of her small region of England, who never married and died young, became known as one of the greatest novelists of all time, it isn't action packed and to me the writing is dry. Detailed summaries of each of Jane’s novels make up a big chunk of the book. Fans will enjoy them as well as learning the few details available about Jane’s life.
Although this book sheds light on how a woman with virtually no schooling or travel outside of her small region of England, who never married and died young, became known as one of the greatest novelists of all time, it isn't action packed and to me the writing is dry. Detailed summaries of each of Jane’s novels make up a big chunk of the book. Fans will enjoy them as well as learning the few details available about Jane’s life.
January 11, 2020
3.5 stars. As a biography of Jane Austen, this was a bit disappointing. But as a book about Jane Austen and her books and her legacy, it was interesting.
Knowing as little as we do about Jane Austen's personal life makes a comprehensive biography difficult. Catherine Reef does a wonderful job with what she has to work with.
As a note, each of Austen's major novels is highlighted in this with potential spoilers if you haven't read the novels already.
Knowing as little as we do about Jane Austen's personal life makes a comprehensive biography difficult. Catherine Reef does a wonderful job with what she has to work with.
As a note, each of Austen's major novels is highlighted in this with potential spoilers if you haven't read the novels already.
March 29, 2020
I was just expecting more from a book on the Mensa Non-Fiction list for High Schoolers. It was a decent overview of Jane’s life, but frankly I was pretty bored throughout most of the book. It would be a quick read for most high schoolers, and would give a good synopsis of all her books for anyone not familiar with her works.
May 28, 2019
This book is a good overview of Jane Austen's life. It shares the novels she wrote and her family situations in an easy and engaging way.
July 26, 2017
A nice, concise juvenile biography of Jane Austen. Includes black and white drawings, photography, scanned letters etc. throughout the book. It will give you a good overview of Jane's life without too much to bog you down.
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July 1, 2017Jane Austen: A Life Revealed is a biography by Catherine Reef. It is aimed at Teens, but going in knowing nothing of Austen's personal life, I found it to be worth reading as an Adult. It is easy to read and shortish. For Teens, it would be a good book report option, or really for any school project; quotes from personal letters and portraits provide good primary sources and the content itself is a great secondary source. For an Adult, it is a good starting point, you'll want to find a more in depth study of her work after this. Or at least rewatch all the films.
Details:
Pages: 208
Publisher: Clarion Books; June 6, 2011
Advisories: Colorful Aunt who lives a rather bohemian life. Historically accurate renditions of infant and adult mortality. Minimum age suggestion of High School.
July 28, 2017
This is quite short for a biography, however it's a very simple and easy read that introduces the author and facts about the time that you may not know.
January 9, 2011
Reef began the book with the notion that Jane Austen was a mystery. She was described in conflicting terms by family members and friends. Her own words had been lost through destruction from these same family members and friends as if Austen had asked for her correspondences to be destroyed after her death (as implied by Reef). Reef even said Austen was described by family in a way that would be favorable-- like how you would describe someone in your family to outsiders.
In other words, we can't ever discover the true Jane Austen. So why is the book called "A life revealed"? I suppose the subtitle could describe the countless other lives revealed in the book. From the Austen family's seven children to the royal family of the time. The biographical information about JANE AUSTEN was sparse and speculative.
Reef's book read like a lesson from an English class. The summaries of Austen's works were broad and confusing (if you had not read the books). It seemed as if Reef was picturing a teen working on a report when she wrote this. It would be the ideal book for the student who had read one of Austen's books and decided to write a paper. Although I could have done without the summaries, I enjoyed the reviews of her books from people in her era as well as later thoughts (like those of Mark Twain).
I think the most important part of the book was discovering Jane's relationship with her sister, Cassandra, and her other family members. In a time without chat rooms and bars (where women were permitted), women had to rely on their familial relationships. It is refreshing to find a woman who loved her family and was loved by them as is evident in their attempt to protect her good name.
As for a biography on Jane Austen's life, I'm afraid this book failed. It did not go into great detail about Jane's life, but instead passed judgement on what little correspondence is left to dissect. It made a case that Austen was not all that she was supposed to be in the eyes of her family and close friends. Yet, it did not supply any proof to refute their claims. Although there were interesting facts about the time Austen lived, I felt it detracted rather than added to her story.
I would recommend this book for a report, stressing the importance of finding other material as well. The bibliography included in the book would be a good starting point for more research. I would not recommend the book for a leisure reading or for those genuinely interested in Miss Austen's life.
In other words, we can't ever discover the true Jane Austen. So why is the book called "A life revealed"? I suppose the subtitle could describe the countless other lives revealed in the book. From the Austen family's seven children to the royal family of the time. The biographical information about JANE AUSTEN was sparse and speculative.
Reef's book read like a lesson from an English class. The summaries of Austen's works were broad and confusing (if you had not read the books). It seemed as if Reef was picturing a teen working on a report when she wrote this. It would be the ideal book for the student who had read one of Austen's books and decided to write a paper. Although I could have done without the summaries, I enjoyed the reviews of her books from people in her era as well as later thoughts (like those of Mark Twain).
I think the most important part of the book was discovering Jane's relationship with her sister, Cassandra, and her other family members. In a time without chat rooms and bars (where women were permitted), women had to rely on their familial relationships. It is refreshing to find a woman who loved her family and was loved by them as is evident in their attempt to protect her good name.
As for a biography on Jane Austen's life, I'm afraid this book failed. It did not go into great detail about Jane's life, but instead passed judgement on what little correspondence is left to dissect. It made a case that Austen was not all that she was supposed to be in the eyes of her family and close friends. Yet, it did not supply any proof to refute their claims. Although there were interesting facts about the time Austen lived, I felt it detracted rather than added to her story.
I would recommend this book for a report, stressing the importance of finding other material as well. The bibliography included in the book would be a good starting point for more research. I would not recommend the book for a leisure reading or for those genuinely interested in Miss Austen's life.
June 3, 2011
Little is known of the life Jane Austen (1775-1817), but amazingly there are some hefty, scholarly biographies in print. Two of my favorites were both published in 1997 and confusingly share the same title. Jane Austen: A Life, by Claire Tomalin and David Nokes are both detailed and far-reaching in scope, elaborating on Austen’s life, her family and historical context. That is great for the ardent enthusiasts or budding scholars but might scare the heck out of a young reader or someone who is just looking for a lighter biography to start off with.
Jane Austen: A Life Revealed is an excellent introduction for a teen or novice admirer who may have seen a movie adaptation or two and even ventured into one of the novels. It is an excellent “starter biography,” clearly written, peppered with period images, movie stills and great tidbits of historical facts. I particularly appreciated Catherine Reef’s choice of incorporating synopsis’ of the novel plots and characters into the text. It helped place Jane Austen’s choice of subject in context to what she had experienced in her own life and offered an insightful overview of her major works.
"Pride and Prejudice opens with one of the most famous sentences ever written: "“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”" With these words, Jane Austen announced to her readers that they were about to meet such a man and the people eager to marry him off. What was more, they were going to have fun. The dark cynicism of Sense and Sensibility was largely gone, blown away by a clean, fresh wind." Page 87
Calling upon known facts, Austen family recollections, and Jane’s own personal letters, Jane Austen: A Life Revealed is a beautifully designed gift quality edition offering an engaging and informative biography geared for those who seek to understand the woman behind the genius.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
Jane Austen: A Life Revealed is an excellent introduction for a teen or novice admirer who may have seen a movie adaptation or two and even ventured into one of the novels. It is an excellent “starter biography,” clearly written, peppered with period images, movie stills and great tidbits of historical facts. I particularly appreciated Catherine Reef’s choice of incorporating synopsis’ of the novel plots and characters into the text. It helped place Jane Austen’s choice of subject in context to what she had experienced in her own life and offered an insightful overview of her major works.
"Pride and Prejudice opens with one of the most famous sentences ever written: "“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”" With these words, Jane Austen announced to her readers that they were about to meet such a man and the people eager to marry him off. What was more, they were going to have fun. The dark cynicism of Sense and Sensibility was largely gone, blown away by a clean, fresh wind." Page 87
Calling upon known facts, Austen family recollections, and Jane’s own personal letters, Jane Austen: A Life Revealed is a beautifully designed gift quality edition offering an engaging and informative biography geared for those who seek to understand the woman behind the genius.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
April 19, 2015
This was a wonderful little peek into the life of Jane Austen. It is unfortunate that the majority of her letters have been destroyed, but the hundred or so that have been left behind offered an idea of her as a person. I enjoyed reading about the history of the time period, as well. I also liked the original reviews, as well as, the summaries of her books. A fun, light, read.
June 5, 2013
A short biography that is a little heavy on plot summaries, but Reef admits we know precious little about the author herself.
January 3, 2016
Brief summary of Austen's life. This book also contains a summary of each of her books. Good book for young adults or those who are not familiar with Austen's life or her works.
August 21, 2021
Jane Austen: querida por uns, por outros nem tanto. O que fazia em seu tempo de vida? De quem era mais próxima? Como era sua real aparência?
Muitas dessas perguntas não tem respostas concretas. Apenas suposições. Porém, Catherine Reef consegue expôr os fatos em uma linguagem simples e precisa, com o seu próprio ponto de vista contando com a de diversos autores ou críticos sobre essa renomada romancista.
Colocando inicialmente o contexto da época em evidência, Reef facilita a assimilação do modo de vida de Austen e de sua família. Cada capítulo contém, no começo, uma frase marcante de um dos seus romances e ao decorrer do livro, temos lembranças das pessoas que conviveram com ela em vida: seus irmãos, sobrinhos ou amigos. Vários se contradizem em suas falas. Mas todos a apreciam com carinho, isso é certo. Ela se sentia estimada no meio onde estava, e nos seus últimos dias, sempre havia alguém para preocupar-se.
Todavia, achei que Reef misturou demais os acontecimentos. Ela seguia adicionando informações mesmo quando não era o momento exato para aquilo ocorrer. Não acompanhava uma narrativa fixa com princípio, meio e fim.
As imagens contribuíram imensamente para o fluir das palavras; e gostei do modo que a autora retorna às situações que se sucederam antes, e com isso, nos lembramos com mais clareza. (3.5/5)
Muitas dessas perguntas não tem respostas concretas. Apenas suposições. Porém, Catherine Reef consegue expôr os fatos em uma linguagem simples e precisa, com o seu próprio ponto de vista contando com a de diversos autores ou críticos sobre essa renomada romancista.
Colocando inicialmente o contexto da época em evidência, Reef facilita a assimilação do modo de vida de Austen e de sua família. Cada capítulo contém, no começo, uma frase marcante de um dos seus romances e ao decorrer do livro, temos lembranças das pessoas que conviveram com ela em vida: seus irmãos, sobrinhos ou amigos. Vários se contradizem em suas falas. Mas todos a apreciam com carinho, isso é certo. Ela se sentia estimada no meio onde estava, e nos seus últimos dias, sempre havia alguém para preocupar-se.
Todavia, achei que Reef misturou demais os acontecimentos. Ela seguia adicionando informações mesmo quando não era o momento exato para aquilo ocorrer. Não acompanhava uma narrativa fixa com princípio, meio e fim.
As imagens contribuíram imensamente para o fluir das palavras; e gostei do modo que a autora retorna às situações que se sucederam antes, e com isso, nos lembramos com mais clareza. (3.5/5)
June 22, 2020
Em uma mistura do romanesco com o bibliográfico, Catherine nos regala uma obra fenomenal sobre a escritora mais importante do século XIX. Uma biografia divertida, sem rodeios e completíssima à la Jane Austen.
Dividindo-se em nove capítulos, a obra nos faz viajar de volta ao passado, nos levando à Inglaterra de 1800. Com sua linguagem simples, Catherine explora os aspectos mais profundos da vida pessoal da escritora, sempre em comparação aos seus escritos. Uma mistura de real e ficção por vezes não aclamada pelos estudiosos.
Do passado ao presente, a autora aborda desde as cartas pessoais de Jane com seus familiares e amigos até as adaptações cinematográficas de suas obras. Um verdadeiro estudo sobre a visão crítica sociocultural e socioeconômica de Austen sobre uma Inglaterra aristocrática.
Jane Austen: Uma Vida Revelada, é daquelas obras fundamentais para todos àqueles que desejam conhecer e entender mais a fundo os escritos da escritora. Uma verdadeira aula de história e literatura para fãs e curiosos de Jane Austen.
Dividindo-se em nove capítulos, a obra nos faz viajar de volta ao passado, nos levando à Inglaterra de 1800. Com sua linguagem simples, Catherine explora os aspectos mais profundos da vida pessoal da escritora, sempre em comparação aos seus escritos. Uma mistura de real e ficção por vezes não aclamada pelos estudiosos.
Do passado ao presente, a autora aborda desde as cartas pessoais de Jane com seus familiares e amigos até as adaptações cinematográficas de suas obras. Um verdadeiro estudo sobre a visão crítica sociocultural e socioeconômica de Austen sobre uma Inglaterra aristocrática.
Jane Austen: Uma Vida Revelada, é daquelas obras fundamentais para todos àqueles que desejam conhecer e entender mais a fundo os escritos da escritora. Uma verdadeira aula de história e literatura para fãs e curiosos de Jane Austen.
May 23, 2025
Good, easy-to-read (young-adult oriented) Jane bio that introduces the basics. It’s hard to fathom Jane as a docile, all-around good person given how witty her books are; I’d like to indulge myself in thinking of her as someone who sees and judges people with quite a bit of wit and bitchiness. It’s also amazing to see that, in that day and age, she’s willing to break off a marriage proposal and remain single. She’s just like Elizabeth Bennet, who said, “only the deepest love can induce me into matrimony.”
It’s also fun to see the novel summaries listed by the author. Given what I’ve read so far, S&S is indeed something I wouldn’t take pleasure in reading, P&P is her best work, and maybe I should try Mansfield Park (for the overall story and how a woman with no money also has no say in where she lives and where she goes), Emma (glad to find that I’m not the only one who finds the wording a bit tedious; thinking about trying the audiobook), Persuasion (for how mature the characters are), and Northanger Abbey (for how different this work seems compared to her other novels).
It’s also fun to see the novel summaries listed by the author. Given what I’ve read so far, S&S is indeed something I wouldn’t take pleasure in reading, P&P is her best work, and maybe I should try Mansfield Park (for the overall story and how a woman with no money also has no say in where she lives and where she goes), Emma (glad to find that I’m not the only one who finds the wording a bit tedious; thinking about trying the audiobook), Persuasion (for how mature the characters are), and Northanger Abbey (for how different this work seems compared to her other novels).
May 6, 2022
I picked this up without knowing anything about it (the library had it displayed near some of Jane Austen’s works).
I can’t quite figure out who it’s written for… It’s the right difficulty level & length for a middle or high schooler, but probably not “academic” enough for a student to use as a source when writing a paper. There are fairly lengthy summaries of most (all?) of Austen’s books—entire pages that you can skim if you’re familiar with the works. The works aren’t deeply analyzed, but the writer here makes a point to relate opinions on each work from Austen’s family as well as any notable contemporaries.
A quick read for erstwhile Janeites to refresh their memory? A whetting primer before spending a summer on the classics you only pretended to read in high school?
I can’t quite figure out who it’s written for… It’s the right difficulty level & length for a middle or high schooler, but probably not “academic” enough for a student to use as a source when writing a paper. There are fairly lengthy summaries of most (all?) of Austen’s books—entire pages that you can skim if you’re familiar with the works. The works aren’t deeply analyzed, but the writer here makes a point to relate opinions on each work from Austen’s family as well as any notable contemporaries.
A quick read for erstwhile Janeites to refresh their memory? A whetting primer before spending a summer on the classics you only pretended to read in high school?
September 16, 2017
I wondered when I chose this book how much of a biography the author could write about Austen's short life. I was right to wonder: Easily half the book are synopses of Austen's famous novels: Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, and Persuasion. 35 of the 192 pages are source notes and the index.
Having said all that, what was there was very interesting. It's a quick read stuffed with period details and I enjoyed the illustrations. I'm not sure I would've included movie stills in the book, however. A section about the movies made from her books would've been welcome, but the illustrations should've stayed true to the period, in my opinion.
Having said all that, what was there was very interesting. It's a quick read stuffed with period details and I enjoyed the illustrations. I'm not sure I would've included movie stills in the book, however. A section about the movies made from her books would've been welcome, but the illustrations should've stayed true to the period, in my opinion.
August 16, 2018
The pages within the book were disappointing though. A few tidbits of Austen's life were given, but these were very brief. The description written of her life was dry and factual (and not at all fun to read). Many of the pages described the story lines of the books she had written - books that I had already read and knew. I would have preferred a description of a day in her life, as well as a more detailed discussion of the troubles she would have had publishing in that era as a woman. Even though the book outlined in brief the life of Jane Austen, I was disappointed as I had wished for more detail.
March 24, 2022
A simple, unassuming little book chronicling what little we know of Jane Austen. "A Life Revealed" might be a bit too bold of a title, as there is not enough surviving information to give us much of an in-depth look at her life. (She is assumed to have written over 3000 letters in her life, but only 160 survive.) Oddly, though I didn't feel overly impressed with the book, it kept my attention quite well. Maybe I just love Jane Austen that much.
Either way, a quick, easy read for fans. There are also synopses of each of her books included, which may have been added for filler, but still provides a nice refresher.
Either way, a quick, easy read for fans. There are also synopses of each of her books included, which may have been added for filler, but still provides a nice refresher.
October 26, 2017
I have read several Austen biographies and this one did not add too much to the general knowledge pool, though it was well-written and organized.
I checked it out from my library's regular biography section, but I think it is more of a juvenile or student book. The author took time to explain basic differences between life in Austen's day and today, and the approach made it seem that it was written for a younger audience.
All in all, an easy read, lots of letter excerpts, some interpretive content, but essentially information available from many other sources.
I checked it out from my library's regular biography section, but I think it is more of a juvenile or student book. The author took time to explain basic differences between life in Austen's day and today, and the approach made it seem that it was written for a younger audience.
All in all, an easy read, lots of letter excerpts, some interpretive content, but essentially information available from many other sources.
November 17, 2019
A brief, entertaining biography of Jane Austen's life and novels. Because so many of Jane's letters were destroyed, we unfortunately do not know many details of her life; but based on the information we do have, Catherine Reef creates a narrative highlighting Jane's relationships with her siblings, most notably Cassandra, and how much of her personal life might have inspired the events of her novels. Though I was aware of much of the context of Jane's works, I found the biography to be enlightening and enjoyable.
October 25, 2018
This is a good, easily understood biography of Jane Austen and her family. Some parts are a bit disjointed and the author adds in unnecessary details, such as a description of Austen's father being very attractive and going into detail about his hair. Most if her information is backed up with resources, but some of it seems speculative. However, overall this book is a good beginning biography of Jane Austen which includes small synopses of her novels.
November 7, 2018
It was a quick and easy read on the life of Jane Austen. Janeites will reasonably enjoy this book, but the author assumes that the persons reading this book have no clue what Jane's books are about and describes them as though there is no understanding. It is either because she doesn't know her audience or needed extra pages to fill. It was enjoyable, but how much more so without the plots of Jane's books...
January 11, 2021
This is a fairly short biography of Jane Austen's life. As a decades-long fan of Jane, most of it is information I already knew, but I did enjoy the occasional inclusion of some of her actual letters and experiences.
The second half of the book goes through more of a summary of each of her novels and the story of the publication of those books. The summaries seemed a bit un-necessary to me, and like they were being used as page fillers. Since I've read each of the books multiple times, and I anticipate anyone who's reading this book will have read the novels, a summary of the main plot points doesn't add anything to this biography.
The second half of the book goes through more of a summary of each of her novels and the story of the publication of those books. The summaries seemed a bit un-necessary to me, and like they were being used as page fillers. Since I've read each of the books multiple times, and I anticipate anyone who's reading this book will have read the novels, a summary of the main plot points doesn't add anything to this biography.
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