Jane Austen's writing advice

[sartorias]

Because sister Cassandra burned most of Jane Austen's letters, we have few touching on serious matters, but what there remains is full of trenchant observations and delightful sarcasm as well as the joy and exasperation of daily life

Comments

[osprey_archer]

I'm always so sad when I hear about family burning letters, like Jane Austen's. I can see why they did it, but still, I grieve for all the hilarious details and trenchant observations lost!

[sartorias]

Oh, me. too. And I want to smack Charlotte Bronte upside the head for burning Anne's juvenilia while keeping her own. And ditto for burning Emily's second novel.

[kalimac]

Some snotty critic (male, of course) once described Jane and Cassandra's correspondence as resembling the meowing of a couple of harpies.

I thought that unfair. Extremely catty, yes; but they weren't broadcasting them to the world. If you can't make catty remarks in private to your sister, life has come to a pretty pass.

[sartorias]

Exactly.

[steepholm]

That's all excellent. I'd read the one about Scott, but the rest were new to me, so thank you!

[sartorias]

Excellent!