Description

Book Synopsis

250TH BIRTHDAY EDITION

Almost as good as finding an unpublished novel' The Lady

Is there any sex in Jane Austen?
Why do her plots rely on blunders?
Which important characters never actually speak?

Jane Austen's novels have been a staple of the British canon since the nineteenth century. Yet critics of the time did not appreciate the true complexity of her work. Neither Austen's literary innovations nor the cunning intracacy of her novels were understood much less the fascinating patterns and puzzles thrown up by some of the most famous works of English literature. Nothing, John Mullan argues, is accidental or coincidental in Austen. As she herself said, she wrote for readers who have a great deal of ingenuity themselves'.

What Matters in Jane Austen? gets to the heart of what it is that makes Austen's work so singular. In twenty chapters, answering questions her novels have posed for over two centuries, Mullan uncovers the hidden truth of an extraordinary fictional world and reveals the true brilliance and underappreciated complexity of Austen's oeuvre.

Sends the reader back to the originals with fresh pleasure' Tessa Hadley, Guardian

What Matters in Jane Austen

    Product form

    A Hardback by John Mullan

    £13.49

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £14.99 – you save £1.50 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Thu 3 Sep 2026.

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of What Matters in Jane Austen by John Mullan

      Book details

      Publisher Bloomsbury
      Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
      Published 1/22/2025
      ISBN-13 9781526693945
      978-1526693945
      ISBN-10 1526693941
      Also in:
      Non Fiction Biography Biography: writers

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      250TH BIRTHDAY EDITION

      Almost as good as finding an unpublished novel' The Lady

      Is there any sex in Jane Austen?
      Why do her plots rely on blunders?
      Which important characters never actually speak?

      Jane Austen's novels have been a staple of the British canon since the nineteenth century. Yet critics of the time did not appreciate the true complexity of her work. Neither Austen's literary innovations nor the cunning intracacy of her novels were understood much less the fascinating patterns and puzzles thrown up by some of the most famous works of English literature. Nothing, John Mullan argues, is accidental or coincidental in Austen. As she herself said, she wrote for readers who have a great deal of ingenuity themselves'.

      What Matters in Jane Austen? gets to the heart of what it is that makes Austen's work so singular. In twenty chapters, answering questions her novels have posed for over two centuries, Mullan uncovers the hidden truth of an extraordinary fictional world and reveals the true brilliance and underappreciated complexity of Austen's oeuvre.

      Sends the reader back to the originals with fresh pleasure' Tessa Hadley, Guardian

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account