Comments on: Jane Austen: a Life by Claire Tomalin

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:27:49 +0000

I agree – her bio of Pepys is excellent!

By: J

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:39:37 +0000

I love claire tomalin’s biographies – if you haven’t read her one of pepys I highly recommend it.

By: Gentle Reader

Gentle Reader — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:36:18 +0000

I have this book sitting on my (large, almost toppling over) stack. This is giving me a push to actually read it! I so love Jane Austen, but have resisted reading about her life–but I think it’s time I did

By: stacybuckeye

stacybuckeye — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:59:24 +0000

Great review. I would be perfect for the Everything Austen Challenge.

By: Dorothy W.

Dorothy W. — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:07:22 +0000

I’m glad you enjoyed this book. It’s so sad to think of all those lost letters! What a treasure trove those would have been. They might have transformed our view of Austen entirely.

By: Margot

Margot — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:27:53 +0000

Thank you Margaret for this excellent review. I joined the Everything Austen Challenge and have listed a biography of Austen as one of my six things to do. I didn’t have a clue what to read until now. This helps so much.

By: JoAnn

JoAnn — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:48:14 +0000

This is an excellent review, Margaret! Tomalin’s book has been on my nightstand for the last year, but I seem to be reading just a page here and there. I love the quotes you chose, and am finding the map very helpful, too. The Everything Austen Challenge will hopefully provide some motivation to finish the book.

By: Amy Reads Good Books

Amy Reads Good Books — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:53:33 +0000

This bio is sitting on my shelf now. I know that I read it years ago, but it feels a little foggy! Perhaps, I’ll give it another go!

By: rhapsodyinbooks

rhapsodyinbooks — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:06:21 +0000

It sounds like the author did a good job, and I love also when maps are included. And what a great point about hats: why *is* it considered more natural to have flowers than fruits coming out of your head?!!!