So… who is Jane Austen & why does she matter?

Jane Austen is one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her books are read by people all over the world and have been made into countless TV, film, theatre and radio adaptations.

This is all the more impressive because she only wrote six full-length novels. In order of publication, these were: Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

But Jane Austen was writing over 200 years ago. Why are her books still relevant, and why should you read her today?

Historian Alice Loxton has five reasons why Jane Austen still matters…

So, why is Jane Austen important?

Click on a topic below to find out more…

• She created great characters
• She’s very funny
• She was an important social commentator…
• …and an early feminist
• She was a literary genius, and pioneered new writing techniques 
• She was ambitious, determined and inspirational
• Her works have stood the test of time