Table of Contents

Illustrations; Foreword Joan Impey; Preface; Acknowledgments; Notes and Abbreviations; Chronology of Jane Austen's life; 1. Austens and Leighs, 1600–1764; 2. Deane and Steventon, 1764–75; 3. India and France, 1752–85; 4. Childhood and Steventon, 1775–86; 5. Family Life, 1786–92; 6. First compositions, 1787–92; 7. The young Jane, 1792–6; 8. Later years at Steventon, 1796–9; 9. The Leigh-Perrots and Bath, 1799–1801; 10. Bath and the West Country, 1801–4; 11. Bath and Southampton, 1804–8; 12. Southampton and Chawton, 1808–9; 13. First publication, 1809–12; 14. Pride and Prejudice, 1813; 15. Mansfield Park and Emma, 1814–15; 16. Emma and Persuasion, 1816–17; 17. Biography, 1817 and after; References; Bibliography; Family pedigrees; Origin and descent of biographical information on Jane Austen.

Promotional Information

An account of Jane Austen's life, background and literary career drawn largely from family letters and diaries.

About the Author

Deirdre Le Faye has been actively researching the life and times of Jane Austen and her family for the last thirty years. In 1995 she prepared a completely new edition of Jane Austen's Letters. She has also written several other books: a short illustrated biography, Jane Austen (1998), Jane Austen's 'Outlandish Cousin', the Life and Letters of Eliza de Feuillide (2002), and Jane Austen: The World of Her Novels (2002), as well as numerous articles in literary journals.

Reviews

'Indispensable ... it is impossible to overestimate the value of this book.' The Jane Austen Society Newsletter 'Clear and quick-witted, this biography offers insights into Jane's personality and her relationships with her family and acquaintances ... Not to be missed.' Good Book Guide