95 episodes

The Thing About Austen is a podcast about Jane Austen's world — the people, objects, and culture that shape Austen's fiction. Come for the historical context and stay for the literary shenanigans. Think of us as your somewhat cheeky tour guides to the life and times of Jane Austen.

The Thing About Austen The Thing About Austen

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 46 Ratings

The Thing About Austen is a podcast about Jane Austen's world — the people, objects, and culture that shape Austen's fiction. Come for the historical context and stay for the literary shenanigans. Think of us as your somewhat cheeky tour guides to the life and times of Jane Austen.

    Episode 94: The Thing About Anne Steele's Beaux

    Episode 94: The Thing About Anne Steele's Beaux

    Anne Steele has one thing on her mind, and she would like to tell you all about it. No, really. ALL about it. This episode we take a look at Miss Steele's favorite topic of discussion and try to answer the all important question: where are all the smart beaux?

    If you have ever wondered where you can find all the beaux, smart or otherwise, this episode is for you.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

    We have merch! Check out https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

    • 27 min
    Episode 93: The Thing About Austen's Teenage Writings with guest Dr. Kathryn Sutherland

    Episode 93: The Thing About Austen's Teenage Writings with guest Dr. Kathryn Sutherland

    Jane Austen's early works, contained within three surviving notebooks, are funny, sharp, and brimming over with personality. This episode we are joined by Dr. Kathryn Sutherland, one of the editors of the Oxford World’s Classics edition of Austen’s Teenage Writings, to discuss the nature of these writings, the way they were consumed by her family audience, and their relationship to her later novels.

    Thank you so much to Kathryn for joining us for this episode! You can learn more about her and her work at https://www.english.ox.ac.uk/people/professor-kathryn-sutherland.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

    We have merch! Check out https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

    • 51 min
    Episode 92: The Thing About Mr. Knightley's Strawberries

    Episode 92: The Thing About Mr. Knightley's Strawberries

    The strawberries are ripe, so gather up your best bonnet and your beribboned basket and head on down to Knightley's U-Pick Farm. We've got all of your favorite strawberries, from the hautboy to the Chili to the white wood. This episode we visit Donwell Abbey to take a look at Mr. Knightley's very fine strawberry beds.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

    We have merch! Check out https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

    • 28 min
    Episode 91: The Thing About the Lakes

    Episode 91: The Thing About the Lakes

    Lizzy is headed to the Lake District with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Or is she? This episode we get into the trip that didn't happen and discuss the picturesque splendors of the Lakes.

    If you have ever been curious about the ideal cow configuration (and you know you are), this episode is for you.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

    We have merch! Check out https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

    • 34 min
    Episode 90: The Thing About Captain Wentworth's Letter with guest Margaret H. Willison

    Episode 90: The Thing About Captain Wentworth's Letter with guest Margaret H. Willison

    Anne Elliot has just received a very important letter, and we are all overcome. This episode we're joined by guest Margaret H. Willison of Not Sorry Productions as we unpack Captain Wentworth's letter to Anne, aka the letter to end all letters.

    If you have ever been half agony, half hope, this episode is for you.

    Thank you so much to Margaret for joining us for this discussion! You can follow her on Instagram @MrsFridayNext and subscribe to her newsletter at twobossydames.substack.com. You can learn more about everything mentioned by Margaret at the following links: Taylor Swift Pilgrimage in November: bit.ly/capetaylor2024; The Common Ground Newsletter: bit.ly/cgpnews; Future Austen-themed classes: instagram.com/therompod; Upcoming Patron Saint workshop: bit.ly/nathaliesaints2024

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

    We have merch! Check out https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

    • 42 min
    Episode 89: The Thing About Henry Crawford Reading Shakespeare

    Episode 89: The Thing About Henry Crawford Reading Shakespeare

    If you thought that Mary Crawford with her harp was the only siren in the Crawford family, think again. Henry Crawford is here with a volume of Shakespeare, and WOW. Prepare yourselves. This episode we unpack this scene's particular Shakespearean allusion, examine the status of reading aloud during Austen's time, and discuss Fanny's reaction to Henry's reading.

    You can find us online at https://www.thethingaboutausten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com.

    We have merch! Check out https://www.redbubble.com/people/aboutausten/shop to see the current offerings.

    • 31 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
46 Ratings

46 Ratings

ashcharlea ,

For all Regency fans!

Hearing deeper context and history makes these stories I already love come alive in new ways. Especially after certain episodes, I’ve had to go back and read or listen to a particular story again. I highly recommend this pod, it’s quickly become a favorite!

McUrchin ,

This podcast is wonderful…

Do you have an excitable and delightfully nerdy best friend who comes round your house to discuss well researched niche Jane Austen minutiae with you?

Do you have two excitable and delightfully nerdy best friends who come round your house to discuss well researched Jane Austen minutiae with you and sometimes bring a subject matter expert with them?

Now you do.

CharlotteLucas84 ,

Episode suggestion

Hello! Love the podcast and am listening to relevant episodes as I re-read the different novels. One thing which I’d love to hear an episode on is meals in Jane Austen’s novels - I get very confused over timings and importance of the different meals: dinner, tea, luncheon etc…

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