Thank you to Titan Books for a copy of Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia in exchange for an honest review.
March is Women’s History Month and I cannot think of a better way to start things off than learning all about one of the most celebrated female authors of all time, Jane Austen. Although Austen is a world-renowned author today, very little is known about the woman herself. Thankfully, Gwen Giret and Claire Saim have compiled everything there is to know about the beloved author’s legacy in Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia.
Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia
Immerse yourself in the world of Jane Austen through this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated hardback coffee table book. With over 200 illustrations, photographs, and film posters, the Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia explores the author’s work, life, inspirations, and everlasting influence.
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A Woman of Her Time
Part I explores Jane Austen’s life beginning with her family and upbringing. One of the first illustrations in the book is a charming representation of the author’s family tree. The detail and aesthetic of this page immediately drew me in and the rest of the encyclopedia did not disappoint. Learn intimate details about Jane and her relationships with family members like her dearest sister Cassandra or cousin Eliza. Then, take a walk in Jane’s footsteps through all of the important places in her life including the famous Chawton House.
Additionally, this part includes what little information exists about Austen’s romances and what she may have looked like. There is also a helpful list of Jane Austen biographies for those wanting a more thorough portrait of the author.
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Discover Austen’s favorite authors especially those that most influenced her works and see how Austen’s writing was received by fellow writers. Part 1 ends with a panorama of women’s literature in the 18th and 19th centuries which is a list of “dangerous” female writers who were ostracized for their love of literature. Once you have finished reading all of Austen’s classics, you can refer to this list for even more literary ladies. Things like this little tidbit are why I love this encyclopedia.
Well-read women were considered dangerous and female writers, even more so. However, the encyclopedia reminds us that, “In a world where appearances counted for so much and where a woman had so little room to develop, Jane Austen constantly pushed the restrictions of her era, on the strength of her talent alone.”
The World of Jane Austen
Part II explores the world of Jane Austen through her publications. Each of her famous novels gets its own complete breakdown including plot and character overviews. There are also explanations of various aspects of society that influenced Austen’s perspective including religion, education, and law. Explore anecdotes, locations, and fun facts about Jane Austen’s most well-known works. Then, dive into the numerous adaptations for each novel which is the perfect thing for creating your Jane Austen watch list (after you’ve read the novels, of course).
Most literary nerds know of Austen’s most famous novels Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. However, this encyclopedia includes overviews of all of Austen’s writing from her early works to unfinished novels and even a couple of letters. Even these lesser-known works get the full visual encyclopedia treatment complete with pictures, illustrations, and other interesting extras.
Jane Austen’s Legacy
This beautiful journey ends with an exploration of Austen’s ever-expanding legacy because “Jane Austen is an integral part of our everyday lives.” Take a deep dive into Austen-themed festivals with fun things like a visual guide on dressing the part. Next are the numerous museums located all over the world that are dedicated to the beloved author. Maybe these will inspire your next vacation destination.
Jane Austen’s legacy knows no limits as there have been countless artists and writers inspired by her around the globe for two centuries. Discover the limitless projects, products, and creatives that have been inspired by Austen over all of these years.
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To Read or Not to Read
Although Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia, it is so much more than just pages of boring facts. As informative as it is beautiful, every single page is packed with information paired with gorgeous pictures or illustrations. This is the kind of book you can read from front to back or simply pick a page and start reading. However, I do highly recommend reading it in its entirety.
As I read through the visual encyclopedia, I found myself daydreaming about everything from the English countryside to British high society. I can almost guarantee that this volume will make you want to reread Austen’s classic novels or at least watch the movies. Even the most knowledgeable Austen fans will find something new here. So, whether you are a Janeite or know someone who needs an introduction, the Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia is a must-have.
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Get Jane Austen: Visual Encyclopedia at your favorite local bookstore or here from Titan Books.
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