
A warm and intimate portrait emerges from the pages of this memoir, written by the author's own niece who remembered Jane Austen as a gentle, witty presence within a close‑knit family. The narrative weaves together recollections of her childhood in the Hampshire parsonage, the modest rhythms of her domestic life, and the subtle traits that later flourished in her beloved novels. Readers gain a sense of the woman behind the celebrated characters, feeling the same affection that endeared her to her relatives.
Beyond personal reminiscences, the memoir expands with newly included letters, a fragment of a cancelled chapter from Persuasion, and a short, previously unpublished tale titled “Lady Susan.” A glimpse of the unfinished story “The Watsons” and excerpts from her final, unfinished novel also appear, offering fresh material for admirers. The account balances factual detail with heartfelt observation, presenting a vivid snapshot of Austen’s world before the later fame that would surround her name.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (290K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-02-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1798–1874
Best known as the nephew who helped introduce Jane Austen to a wider public, he wrote the first full memoir of her life. His 1869 book played a major role in shaping how generations of readers came to know Austen.
View all books
by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

by Anthony Trollope

by Anthony Trollope

by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

by George Willis Cooke

by David Christie Murray

by Mrs. Humphry Ward