Susan Watkins (2)

For a non-fiction book, this one was as engaging as a novel and just as easy to read. Watkins takes us through an in-depth look at the styles of the Georgian era in English history, describing what life would have been like for Jane Austen. She has broken this investigation into 5 chapters: Grace and Manners; The Country House; Interior Styles; Fashion; and Entertainment and with the exception of the interior chapter, I was quite smitten.

She also cleverly weaves excerpts form the Austen novels, along with snippets from the many letters Jane Austen wrote or those that were written to her by family, and this interaction between fact and fiction illustrates the many styles of the day and is beautifully done.

I never knew much about the Georgian era before but it was a time of great changes, both in lifestyle and in the people themselves, and I have learnt so much more than what you can gleam from the stories. I read this book across two days which should be a testament in itself as to its readability, and would recommend it as a great companion piece for the Austen novels.… (altro)