In 1775 a girl was born in a small Hampshire village. As a teenager, she began to write stories, little dreaming that one day her writings would be beloved around the world, turned into popular movies and TV adaptations, sequelled, prequelled, adapted in a myriad of ways, and studied in schools and universities globally.
Why are her novels so adored, in what ways did she change literary history, where in the world does one find Jane Austen societies, and why do readers go back to her books again and again?
Recently, when I was in Canberra to lead a literary and art tour with ASA Cultural Tours, I was invited to The National Library of Australia to talk about the extraordinary legacy that makes Jane Austen the world’s favourite female novelist 250 years after she was born. This was to become the Library’s most sought-after event in recent times, selling out instantly, with a long wait list.
Please enjoy watching this presentation from a live recording of the event.
Do you have a favourite Jane Austen novel? Tell me your thoughts by leaving a comment.
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