There's no escaping Jane Austen. Some people say she wrote trivial, light entertainment. That might be true. After all, I have been told, by a Russian, that the works of Dostoyevski were 'populistic crap'. However, even today, in the 21 century, people love to know who gets who. Love and relationships are still important. And come, on, let's be honest, her language was close to perfect.

Some people find her stories tediously straightforward, but if you know a little about history and about women's situation in her day, you'll find that she's actually put in quite a lot of irony. Back then, a single woman wasn't worth much. A female writer might make a living, if she was lucky, but she would never be hailed as a prominent member of society. Novels were seen as light reading for women.

Jane Austen didn't even have her own study where she could focus on her writing. She only had a small portable writing desk, that she had to put away, to make room for domestic activities considered 'more important' than her writing.

Jane corresponded with her sister Cassandra, and those letters have been published. So far I haven't read them, but I'd like to.

In fact, I've learned that Jane Austen's home has been preserved and is open to the public. Frankly, I'm tempted to go there one day to experience her environment.

Writing is never easy, and to work under her conditions must have been even more difficult. Remember that, the next time you pick up one of her books. She's worthy of all our admiration. Let's not forget her and other female writers. Their work paved the way for us - today's aspiring female writers.

Try these two sites for more info.

Jane Austen information page. (Part of the following.)

The Republic of Pemberley.

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