Deborah YaffeJul 3, 2016That Hamilton womanJane Austen was only seven when the American War of Independence ended, and as far as I know she is not on record either pro or con –...
Deborah YaffeJun 1, 2016Who you callin' unpublished?So I’ve finally seen Whit Stillman’s Love and Friendship, the much-heralded film adaptation of Lady Susan. (I enjoyed it, if perhaps not...
Deborah YaffeMay 25, 2016On this day in 1801. . .Thirteenth in an occasional series of excerpts from Jane Austen’s letters. Finding biographical resonances in Jane Austen’s writing is a...
Deborah YaffeMay 11, 2016Finishing the already finishedExcited as I am to see Love and Friendship, Whit Stillman’s new film adaptation of Lady Susan, I’ve been more than a little skeptical of...
Deborah YaffeApr 24, 2016On this day in 1811. . .Twelfth in an occasional series of excerpts from Jane Austen’s letters. In the spring of 1811, Jane Austen stood on the cusp of great...
Deborah YaffeMar 10, 2016Emma as imaginistEmma marked its publication bicentennial in December, and celebrations are still underway across the Janeite world. I’m happy to announce...
Deborah YaffeMar 3, 2016On this day in 1814. . .Eleventh in an occasional series of excerpts from Jane Austen’s letters Henry Austen, the fourth-oldest of Jane Austen’s seven siblings,...
Deborah YaffeFeb 18, 2016Charlotte's bargainIn preparation for an upcoming discussion with my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America, I just reread Pride and...
Deborah YaffeFeb 4, 2016On this day in 1813. . .Tenth in an occasional series of excerpts from Jane Austen’s letters. Today our world is awash in writers talking about their Intentions,...
Deborah YaffeJan 21, 2016Five, six -- who's counting?So I’m reading along in my book of the moment -- Sisters in Law, Linda Hirshman’s interesting joint biography of Sandra Day O’Connor and...
Deborah YaffeDec 28, 2015The multi-faceted Mr. WoodhouseAmid the flood of tributes, appraisals and critiques unleashed by last week’s bicentennial of Emma, I’ve been intrigued to note the...
Deborah YaffeDec 24, 2015The worst Christmas ever?Despite the New York Times’ efforts to persuade us otherwise, Jane Austen is not a Christmassy writer. It’s true that the word...