Not Logged in.
Book Jacket

Miss Austen


A witty, poignant novel about Cassandra Austen and her famous sister, Jane.
Summary and Reviews
Excerpt
Reading Guide

The Austens are witty, cheerful, and prefer the company of other Austens above all. How is this both a blessing and curse for Cassy and Jane?

Created: 04/08/21

Replies: 6

Posted Apr. 08, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sbmohler

Join Date: 10/23/17

Posts: 8

The Austens are witty, cheerful, and prefer the company of other Austens above all. How is this both a blessing and curse for Cassy and Jane?

Cassy fears moving to Shropshire after she and Tom marry, because it would mean living far from her family. Later, when she does not marry Tom, the fact that her family circle remains unbroken comforts her but also constrains her. Likewise, Jane seems to relish and also chaff in her role as spinster daughter.

What are the upsides and downsides of having such a close-knit family for Cassy and for Jane? How does the much older Cassandra view these family ties that bind?


Posted Apr. 09, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: The Austens are witty, cheerful, and...

It probably limited some of the decisions they made while growing up.


Posted Apr. 09, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: The Austens are witty, cheerful, and...

The Austen family's closeness was good for them as a group. They felt loved and appreciated. But they were never made to understand the world as a different place. They were sheltered into believing they were somehow smarter, wittier, and more interesting than other families. That could well have been true, but the real world is not like that. I think this was especially hard on Jane and Cassandra because they couldn't really go anywhere to learn differently. Schooled at home, only family to visit, they came to think their way was the ONLY way. Cassy was very disillusioned with Tom's view of their future. Jane never wanted to leave her sister. Maybe this was too much of a good thing. But the women we not prepared for life and the restrictions that would be in their future.


Posted Apr. 09, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rachelh

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 50

RE: The Austens are witty, cheerful, and...

I agree, Linz. I think sometimes when you have an especially nice childhood it can set you up to have unrealistic expectations about the different types of people you'll meet in your life.


Posted Apr. 19, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolynd

Join Date: 05/16/11

Posts: 35

RE: The Austens are witty, cheerful, and...

The family set a pretty high bar for humor and conversation and just generally getting on with it. I enjoyed the parts where Cassy is several steps ahead of anyone else in knowing how to create opportunities to make their lives more comfortable.


Posted Apr. 19, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyh

Join Date: 06/25/13

Posts: 347

RE: The Austens are witty, cheerful, and...

They were the family that everyone would like to grow up with.
There are, however, few families that are really like them. It was a surprise when they became adults not every family had this upbringing. It could definitely cause when trying to start families of their own, i enjoyed reading about them and thinking about what a great family life they had.


Posted Apr. 22, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nancyread

Join Date: 12/14/18

Posts: 3

RE: The Austens are witty, cheerful, and...

An enviable way to grow up, for sure. I'm not sure that it really prepares one for life in the real world. Cassy was not able to understand Tom when she saw him interact with his family.


Reply

Please login to post a response.