“The Difficult Miss Austen”

We are delighted to welcome the acclaimed novelist and Esteemed Patron of Jane Austen’s House Salley Vickers for a fascinating and intimate evening talk in the Drawing Room of Jane Austen’s House, examining some of the dangers and difficulties that Jane Austen explores in her last three novels.

Jane Austen’s novels remain perennially popular not least because of their enthusiastic adaptations as films in which the romantic is inevitably emphasised at the expense of more subversive, socially critical elements in her writing.

This talk will consider some of the themes in the last three great novels, Mansfield Park, Emma and Persuasion, in which Jane Austen explores the dangers and difficulties, particularly for women, of living within the constraints of a socially conservative and potentially punitive society.

Salley Vickers published her first novel, the word-of-mouth bestseller, Miss Garnet’s Angel, in 2000 and now writes full time. Before that she worked as a tutor in adult education, a university teacher of literature and a psychoanalyst. She is proud to be a Patron of Jane Austen’s House.

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This event will be filmed for an online audience (watch this space for details!), but a small number of tickets are also available for the live event! As our live audience you will enjoy special access, you’ll be invited to ask questions, and you’ll enjoy the unique atmosphere of Jane Austen’s House out of normal opening hours.

After the talk, join us for drinks in the Historic Kitchen and raise a glass to our favourite authoress!

Details:
Saturday 13 September
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Location: This event is at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us
Tickets: £35
*This event is now fully booked*

🍷 This event will include a glass of wine or non-alcoholic alternative. Please let us know of any dietary requirements upon booking.

🎥 Capacity for this event is very limited, to allow for the event to be filmed in our historic Drawing Room. Seating will be arranged around the filming equipment.

🕓 As this event will be filmed, unfortunately latecomers cannot be admitted. Please arrive in good time to take your seat.

🏠 The House will be closed for this event so access will be restricted to the Drawing Room, where the talk takes place. General House entry is not included with the event ticket.

 This event is part of our Persuasion Festival, running from 12 – 21 September 2025