Jane Austen discussion
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Reading in the Regency Period
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Elena wrote: "Hi,I just joined and I have a question that has been lurking around in my mind for some time. In the Regency Era what did people read? I know in the Sense and Sensibility movie (with Emma Thompso..."
I should imagine that authors like Fanny Burney, Henry Fielding, Sir Walter Scott, and possibly Maria Edgeworth would have been relatively popular. I'd bet that some women (and men) probably read Mary Wollstonecraft (the mother of Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, who later married Percy Bysshe Shelley).
Poets probably would have included Robert Burns, and the First Generation 'Romantics' like Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Blake; and maybe even some of the Second Generation Romantics like Keats, Byron, and Shelley.
Christopher wrote: "Elena wrote: "Hi,I just joined and I have a question that has been lurking around in my mind for some time. In the Regency Era what did people read? I know in the Sense and Sensibility movie (with..."
Don't forget Ann Radcliffe! The Mysteries of Udolpho andThe Romance of the Forest are referred to in Northanger Abbey and Emma.
Alicia wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Elena wrote: "Hi,I just joined and I have a question that has been lurking around in my mind for some time. In the Regency Era what did people read? I know in the Sense and Se..."
Ye Gods! However did I forget Radcliffe; or what about Matthew Lewis's The Monk, a total creep-fest! Good catch, Alicia!
I've always wondered about novels printed chapter by chapter week by week in newspapers. What if you missed a week or two. Did people rush out to the news stand dying to find out what David Copperfield would do that week and then did people talk about the characters like we do about movies now.I bet there were a lot of books that we don't know about because they were garbage. I always wonder what they are reading too. People like to speculate what Anna Karenina is reading on the train.
Thanks for all the info, everyone! I remember The Mysteries of Udolpho, etc. from Northanger Abbey, but I thought that was considered trash?
Elena wrote: "Thanks for all the info, everyone! I remember The Mysteries of Udolpho, etc. from Northanger Abbey, but I thought that was considered trash?"Truth be known, Elena, I think it kinda was. I think it was considered kind of risque and over-the-top. I suppose folks then looked at Udolpho the same way that some look at the 'bodice-rippers' of today.
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I suppose Udolpho would have gathered differing opinions just as books do today. We have batted around the subject here on this group as to whether Austen was putting the Gothic novel down or if she was bringing it out in good fun but with a little respect.
In reading a portion of Udolpho and the literary essays about it, I wouldn't term it trash in the modern day. It actually has a storyline (ha ha) and some pretty valid literary qualities.
Elena, you may want to look at our discussion on The Mysteries of Udolpho in this group. I'm glad I read it, but am unlikely to reread it. I certainly do not consider it trash. I can see how people in those days could have considered it a waste of time for young women to read it. They would have considered that their time was better spent reading sermons or studying more serious literature.
Alicia wrote: "Elena, you may want to look at our discussion on The Mysteries of Udolpho in this group. I'm glad I read it, but am unlikely to reread it. I certainly do not consider it trash. I can see how peopl..."I hope no one thought that I was considering Udolpho trash? I was simply speculating on how Ms. Radcliffe's novel may have been perceived in the day. I don't think I would ever re-read it again either; but I'm glad I did read it.
No, Christopher, I didn't think you were saying that it was trash. It's kind of like today, some of the most popular books--for example, the Twilight series--are considered trash by some and loved by others. Two hundred years from now, they will most likely not be as popular as they are today. Jane Austen's books are probably more popular now than they were when they were originally published.
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I would say most people with a good bit of reading experience wouldn't be offended by someone using the word trash about even their favorite books. I read romantic suspense growing up that I know were called trash, and I didn't mind even back then. Then some people call the world's most classic books a waste of time. Same thing.
And what are those crazy O'Brian books, Chris? Those are really wild. ha ha
Thanks for the input, everyone. I just thought of something.....has anyone seen the newest film adaptation of Emma? There is a part in it where she makes up a list of books to read. I can't remember if they showed the list or not, but I wonder what would have been on it! :)
Elena wrote: "Thanks for the input, everyone. I just thought of something.....has anyone seen the newest film adaptation of Emma? There is a part in it where she makes up a list of books to read. I can't remembe..."Yeah, I remember that too; and Mr. Knightley commenting that Emma was famous for compiling lists, but then not doing anything with them. As I recall, I don't think they actually showed what she had on her list though.
That would have been interesting to see what Emma would have named as worthy reading assignments! If only we knew what Jane Fairfax read! But I think that Northanger Abbey was one of the only books in which a particular book was mentioned in what I've read of Austen.
If only Austen would have know we'd be wondering all this time into the future. Sigh. I love lists. Emma's list would have been interesting. And I would like to know on what knowledge of books she based it.
In Austen's day, books were not cheap, and only the rich had large personal libraries. (Darcy "cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library"). At one point in Northanger Abbey it is observed that Catherine's mother "...very often reads Sir Charles Grandison herself; but new books do not fall in our way." People who did not have the means, bought subscriptions to circulating libraries - you paid a fee for access to their collection. At one point in her letters Jane Austen mentions that she was asked to put her name on the subscription list to a library (I think it was in Bath).The scandalous novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses was published in English in the 1780s, and you see correlations between that and "Lady Susan". Austen also refers to reading "The Heroine" in her diaries.
Her novels mention Cowper, Scott, Pope, Shakespeare, Byron.
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Anita wrote: "If only Austen would have know we'd be wondering all this time into the future. Sigh. I love lists. Emma's list would have been interesting. And I would like to know on what knowledge of books she ..."Yes, Emma's list would definetly be interesting! She was well educated, but in my mind, not as well read as she liked to think.
Anita wrote: "I've always wondered about novels printed chapter by chapter week by week in newspapers. What if you missed a week or two. Did people rush out to the news stand dying to find out what David Copperf..."
I took this quote from a Wiki article, but I have read this elsewhere, too. People did wait, impatiently, for the next installment!
The hype surrounding the conclusion of the series [The Old Curiosity Shoppe:] was unprecedented; Dickens fans were reported to storm the piers of New York City, shouting to arriving sailors (who may have read the last installment in the United Kingdom), "Is Little Nell alive?"
I took this quote from a Wiki article, but I have read this elsewhere, too. People did wait, impatiently, for the next installment!
The hype surrounding the conclusion of the series [The Old Curiosity Shoppe:] was unprecedented; Dickens fans were reported to storm the piers of New York City, shouting to arriving sailors (who may have read the last installment in the United Kingdom), "Is Little Nell alive?"
J. wrote: "In Austen's day, books were not cheap, and only the rich had large personal libraries. (Darcy "cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library"). At one point in Northanger Abbey it is observed t..."Thanks that was one of the best and concise explanations I've read so far.
Elena wrote: "Thanks for the input, everyone. I just thought of something.....has anyone seen the newest film adaptation of Emma? There is a part in it where she makes up a list of books to read. I can't remembe..."Elena, I LOVE the new Emma. :) <3 But I do remember her making the book list...but they don't tell what they are. :(
Yeah, I like how Emma just tossed her list aside for more "romantic" pursuits. lol That was funny. I wonder if the list was comprised of books that Austen herself would have wanted to read?? Interesting stuff to think about, imo. :)
I agree, Elena. I'd never really wondered...but now I'm terribly curious!
I think, like myself, she may write lists, but doesn't stick to them. I think she really wanted to be well-read, but with all that matchmaking she was doing, she didn't have enough hours in the day to pursue both.
I always thought the list were like New Year's resolutions - Emma has great intent and then her real life gets in the way.
Megan wrote: "I always thought the list were like New Year's resolutions - Emma has great intent and then her real life gets in the way."How true . . . my favorite motto of myself is "I have great intentions, but horrible follow-through" Something I've been trying to work on for a couple of years
I think we all do that Sabrina! ;-)
Especially when I make my grocery list. Something always catches my eye that is not on my list, but I need to buy it.LOL
I just joined and I have a question that has been lurking around in my mind for some time. In the Regency Era what did people read? I know in the Sense and Sensibility movie (with Emma Thompson) Marianne reads poetry, but did they read novels? If so, could someone name some novels they might have read. When I see an Austen character in a film picking up a book to read, I wonder what it is. :) Also, is it true that books were expensive and that's why, say, The Dashwoods had such small books (in the movie)? Thanks!