Episode 85: What did Jane Austen's Xmas celebrations look like? with Jessica Bull
I thought a fun Christmas episode would be to discuss Regency Christmas traditions. From mistletoe to ghost stories, we get into the festive Regency spirit on the podcast. Author Jessica Bull is joining me to share her insights and to talk about her new Christmas novella, which falls into her Jane Austen Investigates series, The Austen Christmas Murders.I hope you enjoy this episode, and as Jane Austen herself wrote, “Merry Christmas, but no compliments of the season.”Wishing you a wonderful festive period full of love and light!Jessica Bull:@jessicabullnovelisthttps://jessicabullauthor.com/
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Episode 84: Villain off 2025: Elizabeth Elliot v Fanny Dashwood (Persuasion and Sense & Sensibility) AUDIO ONLY EP
In this year’s showdown, we’re pitting two of Austen’s most calculating women against each other Elizabeth Elliot from Persuasion and Fanny Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility. Both are masters of manipulation and self-interest, but in very different ways.Elizabeth Elliot, ever-conscious of appearances, rules her social circle with icy elegance, dismissing anyone she deems beneath her while clinging to the illusion of superiority. Fanny Dashwood, meanwhile, is ruthless in her pursuit of wealth and comfort, quickly convincing her husband to cheat his half-sisters out of their inheritance and doing so with a smile.As we dig into their stories, we’ll explore what drives these women: is it greed, pride, or pure vanity? And when it comes to cruelty cloaked in civility, who truly reigns supreme?Join us as we compare their motives, methods, and misdeeds and help decide who will claim this year’s crown as the Ultimate Jane Austen Villain.Where can you find Ellis?Instagram: @historian_ellisWhere can you find Caily?Instagram: @half_agony_half_hopeWhere can you find your host, Izzy?🌐 Website: www.whattheausten.com🎧 Podcast Instagram: @whattheausten📸 Personal Instagram: @izzy_meakin📺 YouTube: What the Austen? Podcast
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Episode 83: Clermont By Regina Maria Roche | Unpacking the Horrid Novels from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey
It’s that time of year again, spooky season! 🎃 Join Martha and me as we dive into our fourth Horrid Novel, Regina Maria Roche’s Clermont. In this episode, we unravel the twists and turns of this wonderfully Gothic tale, from mysterious family secrets to dramatic reunions. We chat about the novel’s influence on Jane Austen, share plenty of laughs, and get lost in all the gloriously over-the-top moments that make these stories so much fun to revisit. Perfect for fellow Gothic literature lovers and Austen fans alike! I always love doing these Eps! Me and Martha have also read, and have episodes for: The Castle of Wolfenbach by Eliza ParsonsThe Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann RadcliffeThe Monk by Matthew Lewis#GothicNovels #JaneAusten #Clermont
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Episode 82: The Worlds of Jane Austen: Chaos, Revolution, Empire & War with Helena Kelly
What was Jane Austen’s world really like? 🤔 Far from the serene ballrooms and genteel romances we often imagine, Austen lived through decades of chaos, revolution, war, and empire. In this episode of What the Austen? I’m joined by historian and author Helena Kelly to uncover how these turbulent times shaped Austen’s life, her family, and her novels 📖We explore how Britain was at war for most of Austen’s adult life, and how the ever-present shadow of revolution, empire, and fear of invasion formed the backdrop to her writing. Helena explains how Austen’s own family connections tied her directly to politics and the military, and how her fiction reflects and sometimes conceals the radical realities of her era. Together, we also look at Austen’s sharp psychological insight into her characters, which makes her novels so enduringly relevant 👒The Worlds of Jane Austen Helena's new book which peels back the layers of myth to reveal the real Regency world behind the novels is OUT NOW! What surprised you most about the real world of Jane Austen? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🤍
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Episode 81: Paula Byrne On The Real Love Story Behind Jane Austen’s Novels | Six Weeks by the Sea
“How could Jane Austen write so convincingly about love and heartbreak if she never fell in love?”In this episode, I’m joined by author and literary critic Paula Byrne to explore Jane Austen’s love life, beyond the well-known stories.You might already know about the dashing Tom Lefroy, made famous in Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. Or perhaps you’ve giggled at the tale of Harris Bigg-Wither, whose proposal Jane accepted only to change her mind and flee less than 24 hours later.But what if there was another man in her life... one whose story is filled with passion, longing, and heartbreak?Paula and I dive into the mysterious seaside romance Jane is believed to have experienced in the summer of 1801. Could this be the man who truly captured her heart? Paula's new novel Six Weeks by the Sea is her fictional reimagining of this emotional and enigmatic chapter of Austen's life.📖 Where can you find Paula? Six Weeks by the Sea – Out 28th August (UK) / 5th August (US)Author of Jane Austen: The Genius of Jane Austen (featured in the BBC documentary)Belle: The True Story of Dido BelleAnd many more acclaimed biographies and novels.@paulajaynebyrne on Instagram and XFollow me on Instagram: @whattheaustenWhat the Austen? is available wherever you get your podcasts.
Welcome, Janeites, to the What the Austen? podcast! I’m your host, Izzy Meakin, a lifelong Janeite with a deep love for Austen. Each month, I team up with fellow enthusiasts to explore the wit, charm, and quirks of Jane’s novels. This podcast is for those who enjoy thought-provoking discussions and a good laugh, covering everything from romantic moments to quirky aspects and unpopular opinions. We embrace the full spectrum of the Austen fandom. Join me for lively conversations that deepen your love for her timeless tales.
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