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Forum Name Book Club Home
Discussion Name 2021 Book Club Discussions
Topic Name Miss Austen by Gill Hornby
Book Jacket

Miss Austen


A witty, poignant novel about Cassandra Austen and her famous sister, Jane.
Summary and Reviews
Excerpt
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Discuss Miss Austen by Gill Hornby

Discussion

Replies

Last Post

Which of the story-lines did you enjoy the most (beginning in 1795) or the present storyline (1840), and why?

8

May. 12, 2021
by djcminor

How would the sister's lives have been different had either or both of them married? What role does Cassandra play in Jane's writing life and success?

7

May. 10, 2021
by nancyh

Overall, what do you think of Miss Austen?

19

May. 10, 2021
by nancyh

Discuss this line: "For whoever looked at an elderly lady and saw the young heroine she once was?"

12

May. 10, 2021
by nancyh

Being true to history

3

May. 10, 2021
by nancyh

What were some of your favorite lines from this book?

6

May. 01, 2021
by viquig

I found the author's attempts to prepare for the story helpful.

4

May. 01, 2021
by viquig

Why does Cassy vow never to marry anyone but Tom, despite his protests?

13

Apr. 29, 2021
by jeann

After reading this novel, do you sympathize with Cassandra's actions?

13

Apr. 29, 2021
by jeann

What is your relationship with Jane Austen?

15

Apr. 29, 2021
by jeann

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?

6

Apr. 22, 2021
by nancyread

"A single woman should never outlive her usefulness." What challenges do the single women in this novel face? Are any of those challenges still present today?

5

Apr. 19, 2021
by nancyh

Jane's (and other characters') letters are sprinkled throughout the novel. What do they add to the story?

14

Apr. 19, 2021
by nancyh

What do you make of Dinah's character? Why do you think she feels so invested in Isabella's fate?

9

Apr. 15, 2021
by tswaine

Why do you think Miss Cassandra waited so long after Jane's death to look for Jane's letters and papers in order to destroy them?

4

Apr. 15, 2021
by tswaine

"Men have had every advantage over us in telling their own story..." How does this novel rewrite the story? Would you consider it to be feminist?

5

Apr. 15, 2021
by susiej

How is the idea of marriage being Cassandra and Tom's "one possible happy ending" complicated?

2

Apr. 15, 2021
by susiej

Do you think Cassandra succeeds in controlling her family's narrative? What is lost and gained in her "editing" of Jane's legacy?

5

Apr. 14, 2021
by susiej

How does Cassandra's misreading of Isabella's life parallel her fears about how people will misread her and Jane's lives?

2

Apr. 14, 2021
by susiej

Cassy is struck by how different Tom seems with his family and begins to doubt their compatabiity. Is she justified?

7

Apr. 13, 2021
by cindyb

For Cassandra, there is "no closer bond on this earth" than sisterhood. How is that relationship portrayed in Miss Austen?

2

Apr. 13, 2021
by susiej

Why is Cassy so protective of her (and Jane's) privacy? Do you feel similarly, or would you like to leave a record behind?

4

Apr. 13, 2021
by susiej

Dinah says of Eliza: "She was a perfect woman, my mistress – too perfect, as I see it…" What does she mean? Do you have sympathy for Eliza?

3

Apr. 12, 2021
by katherinep

What is your favorite Jane Austen novel? Were you surprised by any aspects of Gill Hornby's portrait of Jane and Cassandra?

6

Apr. 12, 2021
by katherinep

Sorry, Miss Austen by Gill Hornby is closed for new posts.
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