Jane’s Fame by Claire Harman

Subtitle: How Jane Austen Conquered The World.

… or did she … ?

Claire Harman’s eloquent introduction talks of publishers sent the first copy of Pride and Prejudice with the names changed and only one noticing that; of titles and contents used in ways in no way related to their original use; of sequels, prequels and adaptations.

Is it Jane Austen that is famed or is it just an idea associated with her name?

We shall see!

First there is Jane Austen’s life and career to consider. Just how was she able to write and be published. Of course there must have been something inborn, but her family was undoubtedly a major factor. They read, they wrote, they talked about books and they quite clearly esteemed the written word.

And Jane wrote and was published. With some, but not outstanding, success.

Nobody thought though that her six novels would endure beyond her times. The lengthy inscription on her gravestone makes no reference to the lady beneath it being a writer. Her papers and letters were scattered, many given away by her family to anyone who asked. Her books fell out of circulation.

The revival began in 1871 when Jane Austen’s nephew published a biography of his aunt. It stuck a chord, an enterprising publisher reissued her novels and their popularity grew and grew.

It would be the beginning of a snowball effect.

The Jane Austen Society was founded, and set to work gathering the scattered papers.

Then came film. Television. And the many, many spin-offs.

And yes, of course Jane Austen’s words are still there at the heart of things. It’s just that their success has accumulated so much paraphernalia. Some is lovely but some is awful, and it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees.

Claire Harman has written a lucid and compelling book. There is a wealth of fascinating detail and I definitely recommend reading – and reading slowly to appreciate every morsel.

And jane’s Fame has brought a question to mind.

And all this success starting from a reissue. Could any of today’s reissues propel an author to so lofty a position I wonder?Maybe Persephone Books begun the process of making Dorothy Whipple a national treasure? Maybe Virago’s championing of Barbara Pym is just the start of something much bigger? Maybe there’s somebody else I haven’t thought of, or somebody still to be rediscovered?

I wonder …..