Library Journal Review of An A-Z Guide to Jane Austen's World
"Although Jane Austen’s books are still widely read, certain aspects of their settings and backgrounds may be less familiar to contemporary readers than they were to readers at the time her works were published. This winsome book helps with that, offering an A-to-Z list of concepts that come into play in Austen’s works and life. Each chapter examines a new topic, beginning with a different letter of the alphabet, in which Brodey (English and comparative literature, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Jane Austen and the Price of Happiness) provides background information on a subject pertinent to Jane Austen’s time while also giving examples of the subject’s appearances and relevance in Austen’s works. For instance, the chapter dealing with money describes various forms of English currency in use when Austen was writing, relates the ways in which money is relevant in her works, and provides a list of Austen characters and their incomes. Softly shaded drawings by Wu further illuminate the topics at hand." Reviewed by Amber Gray , Sep 01, 2026
LIBRARY JOURNAL VERDICT: This accessible book is recommended for public libraries where Austen’s works circulate well.
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