Memoir of Jane Austen

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

17797

Title

Memoir of Jane Austen

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

James Edward Austen-Leigh offers an intimate, affectionate portrait of his aunt Jane Austen, revealing the quiet domestic life behind her famous novels. This memoir captures her sweet temper, modesty, and the singular charm that made her beloved by family and friends, providing a rare glimpse into the woman who created the Dashwoods and Bennets.

Summary up to 500 words

Written by James Edward Austen-Leigh, the nephew of the celebrated author, *Memoir of Jane Austen* offers a warm and accurate chronicle of his aunt's life, correcting the scandalous misrepresentations that plagued her reputation during her lifetime. The narrative begins with Austen's birth in 1775 at Steventon, Hampshire, tracing her uneventful yet contented existence defined by close family bonds and the witty influence of her long-lived uncle, Dr. Theophilus Leigh. Austen-Leigh details her early literary efforts and her move to Chawton, where she wrote her major novels in secret amidst household interruptions, carefully concealing her work from servants and visitors. The memoir highlights her modest financial success, noting that the profits from her first four novels had not yet reached seven hundred pounds by the time of her death in 1817. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to refuting the inaccurate description of Austen as a 'butterfly' provided by Miss Mitford; Austen-Leigh proves this error by demonstrating that Miss Mitford's mother could not have known the young Jane, who was merely a child at the time. Through preserved letters and family recollections, the book presents a balanced view of Austen as a person of good sense, fixed principles, and deep affection. It emphasizes that her fame was entirely posthumous, as her talents did not introduce her to the notice of other writers or pierce through the obscurity of her domestic retirement. The memoir concludes by portraying Austen not as eccentric, but as a woman with a mind well-balanced on a basis of good sense, sweetened by an affectionate heart, distinct from the morbid sensibilities often attributed to great talents.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Biography