Pride and Prejudice: A Regency Romance

Two hundred years ago, in January 1813 Jane Austen’s second novel Pride and Prejudice was published in London. Born in Hampshire in 1775, Jane Austen is one of the most widely read authors in English Literature. 

She started writing at a young age and shared her work with her family of five brothers and a sister, but it was not until 1811 that her first novel, Sense and Sensibility was published. In total she wrote only six romantic novels, but these are known worldwide. Not only have they been translated into many languages, but many non-readers are also familiar with the world of the landed gentry and the aristocracy in Regency England due to the numerous film and television adaptations. 

Although the writer of such romantic stories, neither Jane nor her sister Cassandra ever married. In December 1802 Jane received her one proposal of marriage from Mr Harris Bigg-Wither and accepted. The next morning she realised her mistake and withdrew her acceptance. 

Writers such as Georgette Heyer were influenced by Austen’s work and have continued her theme of the Regency Romance. Jane Austen’s books have become a model formula for today’s romance writers. 

You can find out about Jane Austen; enjoy reading one of her novels; or read a spirited romp from an author influenced by her writings. Choose from this selection in the Calibre library, but be warned – smelling salts are not included!

Jane Austen

EMMA ( 7369)                                                                 

MANSFIELD PARK  (7381)                                                

NORTHANGER ABBEY (7386)                                          

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE  (7421)                                      

PERSUASION  (7417)                                                         

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY     new recording coming soon

Joanna Trollope is one of six contemporary authors who are rewriting the books of Jane Austen for The Austen Project. Sense & Sensibility will be published in October by HarperFiction.

Biographies

JANE AUSTEN        by David Noakes                 (5105)

JANE AUSTEN        by Carol Shields                  (6107)

JANE AUSTEN: A Life    by Claire Tomalin         (4958)

And coming soon is:

JANE AUSTEN: A Companion    by Josephine Ross

Jane Austen Inspired Fiction

THE  EXPLOITS OF MISS ALETHEA DARCY by  Elizabeth Aston  (8361)

THE SECOND MRS DARCY    by  Elizabeth Aston       (8360)

THE TRUE DARCY SPIRIT   by   Elizabeth Aston         (8368)

THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB by  Karen Joy Fowler     (6980)

BATHTANGLE                       by  Georgette Heyer          (9200)

COTILLION                            by  Georgette Heyer         (7032)

FREDERICA                          by  Georgette Heyer         (9201)

THE TALISMAN RING          by  Georgette Heyer       (7047)

THE TOLL-GATE                  by  Georgette Heyer        (5650)

DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY  by P D James       (9167) 

CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laura Viera Rigler     (8847)