The Lost Books of Jane Austen by Janine Barchas review – how Austen's reputation has been warped

A deliciously original study of the cheap editions of Pride and Prejudice and other novels – ignored by literary scholars – casts new light on her readershipJane Austen aficionados think that they know the story of their favourite author’s posthumous dis-appearance and then re-emergence. For half a century after she died in 1817, her books were little known or read. A few discriminating admirers such as George Henry Lewes and Lord Macaulay kept the flame of her reputation burning, but most novelists and novel readers were oblivious to her. Then, in 1869, her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh published a memoir about her and the public got interested. Her novels started being republished and widely read. She has never looked back.Janine Barchas’s The Lost Books of Jane Austen puts us right. Her book about books is a beautifully illustrated exploration, indeed compendium, of the popular editions of Austen’s novels that have appeared over the last two centuries. This includes those decades when Austen was supposedly lost from sight. The first chapter is a “vignette” on a copy of Sense and Sensibility, published in 1851 for George Routledge’s Railway Library (books suitable for reading on the train). It cost one shilling and was bought for the 13-year-old Gertrude Wallace, the youngest daughter of a Plymouth naval officer. It is the first of many examples of cheap and popular editions of Austen’s work that kept it alive for ordinary readers and that literary scholars have... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-12-11 07:30:31 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "The Lost Books of Jane Austen by Janine Barchas review – how Austen's reputation has been warped"


Judy Chicago’s memoir settles old scores with the art world

Chicago’s memoir, “The Flowering,” looks back at the uphill battle to make it in the art world as a woman. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-07-15 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Rodrigo Garcia's memoir wrestles with the death of his father, novelist Gabriel García Márquez

In 'A Farewell to Gabo and Mercedes,' filmmaker Rodrigo Garcia writes about losing both parents — and the one event his renowned father couldn't record: his own death. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-07-07 16:19:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In Ruins: Reflections beyond Kuwait,by Mai Al-Nakib

Essay Photos by Mai Al-Nakib / Courtesy of the author Civilizations, empires, dynasties, and monarchies end, leaving behind ruins of their fabled splendor. Traces of achievements become more or less decipherable, contingent upon the mercy of... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2021-07-07 12:48:10 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Book Review: ‘Fox & I,’ by Catherine Raven

“Fox & I” is Catherine Raven’s memoir of her relationship with a bushy-tailed creature — no, not a dog. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-07-06 09:00:01 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Andrea Constand's Book Described Bringing Bill Cosby to Justice. Then He Was Freed.

Months before Andrea Constand’s memoir about the Cosby case and its aftermath was set to be published, a Pennsylvania Court overturned his conviction for assaulting her and released him. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2021-07-02 13:52:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Donald Rumsfeld’s press, then and now

On Tuesday, Donald Rumsfeld—who, as defense secretary under George W. Bush, was a driving force behind the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq—died. Major outlets wheeled out pre-written obituaries. The AP’s, by Robert Burns, bordered on hagiography. Its headline initially declared Rumsfeld “a cunning... Continue reading at Columbia Journalism Review

[ Columbia Journalism Review | 2021-07-02 12:32:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this


John Bolton Almost Gave His Donald Trump Memoir A NSFW Title, But Was Talked Out Of It

When Trump’s former national security adviser was told his proposed title had a sexual connotation, he reportedly told publishers their minds were "in the gutter." Continue reading at The Huffington Post

[ The Huffington Post | 2021-06-30 08:23:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this


4 Great LGBTQ+ Nonfiction Books for Pride

Learn about queer topics and history from a graphic history, a collection of letters, a memoir and more LGBTQ nonfiction books for Pride. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2021-06-29 10:38:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Coronet waltzes off with DJ Fat Tony's 'outrageous' memoir after pre-empt

Coronet has waltzed off with I Don’t Take Requests by DJ Fat Tony in a “significant” pre-empt. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-25 01:16:26 UTC ]
More news stories like this


A Queer Indo-Guyanese Poet’s Postcolonial Memoir of His Search for Belonging

I first came to poet Rajiv Mohabir’s work through his cutting meditation on why he will never celebrate Indian Arrival Day, which Guyana celebrates on May 5th to commemorate the arrival of indentured Indian workers in the Caribbean. In the essay for the Asian American Writers Workshop’s The... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2021-06-22 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Will Smith unveils memoir cover for Century at Miami block party

Will Smith has revealed the cover of his memoir Will, published by Century this November, at a community block party in Miami. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-21 12:22:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Akwaeke Emezi’s memoir is a healing ritual for the displaced

“Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir” finds the Nigerian-Tamil author considering their identity. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-06-21 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


A Will Smith memoir will hit bookshelves in November

Will Smith will publish "Will," a memoir co-written by Mark Manson, in November through Penguin Press. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-06-21 00:57:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Abi Morgan's 'devastating' memoir goes to John Murray in six-figure deal

Award-winning screenwriter Abi Morgan’s memoir, which follows family life after her partner's sudden illness, has gone to John Murray for “a strong six-figures". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-20 19:48:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Penguin Michael Joseph pre-empts Lim's 'poetic' memoir of family secrets

Teresa Lim’s multi-generational memoir about a long-buried family tragedy set against the Second World War in Singapore has gone to Penguin Michael Joseph.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-06-19 12:40:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Cinelle Barnes Doesn’t Care If You Think She’s Soft

In our series “Can Writing Be Taught?” we partner with Catapult to ask their course instructors all our burning questions about the process of teaching writing. This month we’re featuring Cinelle Barnes, author of Monsoon Mansion: A Memoir and Malaya: Essays on Freedom. Barnes is a regular... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2021-06-17 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


DoJ Drops Case Against John Bolton

The Department of Justice has dropped its legal claims against former President Trump's one-time national security adviser over his bestselling memoir 'The Room Where It Happened.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-06-17 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


‘On Juneteenth’: A Black historian reflects on Texas and emancipation

Annette Gordon-Reed’s “On Juneteenth” combines history, analysis, and memoir to explore the significance of the holiday and its Texas roots. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2021-06-16 22:19:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'Monster' Kody Scott, former L.A. gang member who became a bestselling author, found dead at 57

Former Eight Tray Gangster Crip member's memoir brought attention to the sobering truth of gang life in South L.A. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-06-15 23:57:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Q&A: An ‘everyday’ life in dance proves something quite extraordinary

Gavin Larsen’s ballet memoir “Being a Ballerina” opens up the dance world to show the determination, camaraderie, and physical strength at its core. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2021-06-15 15:51:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this