“JANE AUSTEN: A Life Revealed,” by Catherine Reef, Clarion Books, June 6, 2011, $18.99 (young adult)
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
— “Pride and Prejudice”
“There are so many who forget to think seriously ill it is almost too late.”
— “Persuasion”
“There is no charm equal to the tenderness of heart.”
—”Emma”
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
— “Northanger Abbey”
Reading books by Jane Austen has almost become a right of passage. Even those who haven’t read any of her books have most likely seen a movie adaptation or at least heard of the author.
Austen’s popularity never seems to fade. If anything, it seemingly continues to grow. She has hordes of fans the world over, connecting through blogs, websites and conventions.
People love her work, but many have no idea about Austen’s own life. There have been quite a few books written about the author, but until now, none for young adults.
“Jane Austen: A Life Revealed,” by Catherine Reef, attempts to make Austen’s life accessible to younger readers, and it does so successfully.
It’s fun to learn the stories behind Austen’s novels and also to learn how her own experiences shaped her creations. And images from both Austen’s era and different film adaptations help to break up text and give readers a visual on clothing and customs of the time.
This well-researched book reads more like a novel than a biography, making it accessible and enjoyable for a large variety of age groups.
