A MEMOIR OF JANE AUSTEN

Jane Austen’s nephew James knew her fondly as Aunt Jane when he was a child, attended her funeral in Winchester Cathedral as a young man, and wrote this memoir of her some 50 years after her death, as her fame was growing. He could not have imaged Austen’s immense importance as a writer, and the curiosity about her, in today’s world. That is part of the charm of James Austen-Leigh’s memoir, which remains the touchstone for all later biographers. He highlights Jane’s special relationship with sister Cassandra, through her letters. He shows that her writing fell into two distinct periods of creativity with a barren patch in between. An amusing passage reveals the admiration of the Prince Regent for her work, and the irony of her response. This is a touching personal account from one who actually knew this great writer of our time. It includes the fascinating cancelled chapter of Persuasion, and is accompanied by the full text of The Watsons, Lady Susan and Sanditon.