Paula Byrne @Edbookfest

   

     Paula Byrne's latest book is The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things, and in it she takes a series of objects owned by or associated with Jane Austen and uses them to shed light on her life. She talked briefly about this type of 'microbiography' or 'partial life', contrasting it with the traditional 'womb to tomb' work which would not have been appropriate in the case of this subject as so much has already been said and nothing new has been unearthed.

    Speaking with great verve and passion, Paula gave a most lively lecture on some of the objects she covers in the book, using them to set Jane Austen's life in context and correct what are frequent misapprehensions about her. She illustrated the overlapping areas between the author's life and her novels - what she said would have any fan rushing back for a re-read - and was at pains to show that far from the very confined, limited existence she is often thought to have had, Jane Austen was engaged with the world, went about the place, and of course, translated what she saw and heard into prose of genius.

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    Has anyone read Paula's previous book, Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the Secrets of Brideshead? I like the sound of it.

Comments

[Danielle]

I like the sound of this--sort of a social history with Jane Austen at its center--must add it to my wishlist. There is something about the coming of fall (though it is so hot here now it is hard to think the season is just around the corner) that puts me in the mood to read a Classic (or maybe read about a 'Classic' author).

[Cornflower]

I know what you mean about the change of season and change of reading 'mood', Danielle, but Paula was so enthusiastic and vibrant in talking about her subject that she could convert the most sceptical reader, I'm sure!

[Claire]

A Life in Small Things will be on my Christmas (sorry!!!!) list. I'm going to read Persuasion when the leaves start to turn.

[Cornflower]

Good idea, Claire.
For the record, Paula said her favourite novel was Mansfield Park for its "embarrassment of riches". It was the first one she read as a youngster and she keeps on coming back to it, finding something new every time.

[Carol Norton]

Yes, I've read Mad World and it too is a partial life. She writes with the narrative drive of a novel and I whizzed through it - enjoyed it very much. Her enthusiasm is very infectious isn't it? When she spoke here in Bath her husband Jonathan Bate was in the audience, looking on admiringly.

[Cornflower]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the book, Carol, and you're right about Paula's enthusiasm being infectious - she was great. (Re. her husband, as he's a Shakespeare scholar, theirs must be quite a household, and the dinner table conversation very stimulating!)

[Juxtabook]

I like the idea of microbiography. The much quoted, "What should I do with your strong, manly, spirited Sketches, full of Variety and Glow? -- How could I join them on to the little bit (two Inches wide) of Ivory on which I work with so fine a Brush, as produces little effect after much labour?", almost compares the two biogrpahical forms for us, in favour of the micro!

[Cornflower]

Yes, you're right, and Paula said that herself!