What would my life have been without
Jane Austen?
I
sat down to answer this question, thinking it would take just a few minutes.
That was before I started to really think about what it means, what it is
really asking of me. I found that I had no easy answer.
The
thought of not having read Jane Austen’s wonderful novels, of not knowing and
loving Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliott, the
Dashwood sisters and their beaus and more is beyond my comprehension, they are
so much a part of me and who I am, not just as a writer but as a person.
Jane
Austen’s wit and humour, her delightful characters and her heart-warming
stories have much to teach us about how we conduct ourselves and how we treat
those around us. She does not preach, but she has a deft hand with the pen and
conveys the lesson with spirit, warmth and a delicious sense of irony, all of
which hold us enthralled whilst simultaneously instructing us on how to be
better people.
This
is something that I try to embrace every day. No matter how old I grow, I am
still striving to be a better person, to be kinder, more patient, more understanding
and tolerant of others. Some days, I don’t do so well at this, but I recognise
it, and the next day, I start again with my efforts.
Add
to that the one most incredible thing that knowing and loving Jane Austen has
given me – a wonderful group of friends across the world with a shared love of
this incredible woman’s talent and character – and I have to say that, without
her in my life, I fear I would find it a lonelier, less fulfilling place.
So
thank you, Jane (if you will forgive the informality) and happy birthday you
dear, lovely, wonderful woman!
Cassandra
About the author
Cassandra Grafton has always loved
words, so it comes as no surprise that writing is her passion. Having spent
many years wishing to be a writer and many more dreaming of it, she finally
took the plunge, offering short stories to online communities. After that, it
was a natural next step to attempting a full-length novel, and thus A Fair
Prospect was born.
She currently splits her time
between North Yorkshire in the UK, where she lives with her husband and two
cats, and Regency England, where she lives with her characters.
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CassGrafton
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/cassie.grafton
Austen
Authors: http://www.austenauthors.net
1.
Cassandra Grafton is giving away a full set of A
Fair Prospect (3 volumes), either ebook or paperback edition. Check it out in the rafflecopter form below!
5 comments:
Hope this give away is valid for overseas as well since i am a great fan of Jane Austen from Istanbu, Turkey!
I've met a lot of new friends too! And I thank Jane every day for this beautiful gift.
Reading this post and others too, makes you realize how much friendship and contacts are based on the shared love of Jane's books. They are a great gift!
Thank you, Cassandra, for the lovely post and for sharing your thoughts with us about what Jane Austen has brought into your life! It's not an easy question, yet today I've read so many wonderful answers!
Thank you all!
Same here as well, Cassandra. Through Jane Austen's characters, I learn some of the good traits which I try to emulate and avoid the pitfalls of their mistakes. Besides I also communicate with some Austenesque authors online like you who are kind, polite and considerate.
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