Jane Austen died in 1817; most of her famous novels were published in the years before her death.  Here we are 200 plus years after her death and her works are still immensely popular and she has gained passionate followers who reread her books regularly and watch the PBS’ series and movies repeatedly. 

 

There is an entire publishing industry devoted to adapting and retelling her works and her life.  One of the popular books of the summer is “The Jane Austen Society” by Natalie Jenner.  Set in post-World War II England, a group of residents of Chawton are brought together by their love of all things Austen.  Chawton was the final home for Jane Austen and the cottage where she wrote is about all that is left.  And that is on a diminishing estate. 

 

This situation brings together a farmer, a war widow, a doctor, a Hollywood star, a lawyer, and the heiress to the estate as they form the Jane Austen Society.  The struggle to protect her legacy and their companionship lead to “a charming and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity within us all.” 

 

Another novel with an Austen connection came out this spring, “Miss Austen” by Gill Hornby.  This follows Cassandra Austen, Jane’s sister, who does her best to protect her legacy in the years following her death.  Cassandra is on a mission to find a trove of letters that just might reveal too much about her sister and about her life.  Should she preserve them or burn them? 

 

“Miss Austen” moves between the search for the letters and Cassandra’s memories of her sister in this book that is described as “Unputdownable.”  (Claire Tomalin) 

 

Other novels about Jane Austen or retellings and expansions of her famous novels are: “Longbourn” by Jo Baker, “Jane of Austen” by Hillary Manton Lodge, “Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors” by Sonali Dev, “First Impressions” by Charlie Lovett, “Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor,” by Stephanie Barron, and “The Other Bennet Sister” by Janice Hadlow.