The Amateur Austenite

Fanny goes to her first party and while there gives her first telling off. If you'd like to support the podcast you can donate on Ko-fi You can find Frances on Twitter or at her website Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch...

Fanny finally steps into the spotlight but has to deal with Edmund's feelings for Miss Crawford her new friend.  If you'd like to support the podcast you can donate on Ko-fi You can find Frances on Twitter or at her website Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube ,...

In this New Year episode we discuss Chapter 21 and plans for 2022. We are still feeling sorry for Maria as she throws herself into marriage. The slave trade has it's one mention in the novel. If you'd like to support the podcast you can donate on Ko-fi You can find Frances on Twitter or at her website Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time...

In celebration of the season we talk about some traditions, where they may have come from, and when Christmas is mentioned in Jane Austen's fiction. Whether you celebrate or not thanks for listening this year. If you'd like to show us some love this season you can support the podcast on ko-fi Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support...

Whew you can tell I'm excited because I'm talking really fast as we get into chapter 20. Sir Thomas is too polite, Maria is heartbroken, you could argue so is Mr Yates, Mrs Norris continues to be selfish and Fanny is (surprise, surprise) absent Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find...

The most important question is raised in this discussion - is Fanny furniture? We talk about the funniest scene in the book and pity Sir Thomas on his return home. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book...

Everything is spinning out of control - the theatre is going well, then everyone starts complaining, Fanny is induced to act and then....Sir Thomas arrives Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a J...

In chapter 17 the theatre drama continues. Fanny is not involved but silently watching and, let's be honest, judging.  Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa N...

This scene introduces us to the East Room; a room no one else wants so it goes to Fanny. Edmund visits her and instead of calming her stresses about the theatre he adds to them. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble...

The play was chosen in the last chapter, now it's time to cast the actors! Will Fanny be forced into acting? Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zealand...

The theatre drama continues and they finally settle on a play. Fanny observes all. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zealand event on Humanitix

In chapter 13 we are properly introduced to the Honourable Mr Yates who delights the company with talk of theatre. Edmund is a kill joy but who is the snake in this garden? Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Za...

It's Fanny's first (impromptu) ball! Sadly she has to listen to Mrs Norris gossip and continues to witness Mr Crawford making moves on her cousins. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a...

Can you tell Sian is excited to be back? In chapter 11 Sian speculates that Mary Crawford would try to Keep Up With The Kardashians. Sir Thomas has a date for heading home but no one seems to be happy about what his return will bring - Maria's wedding and Edmund's ordination. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and h...

Sian is back! We discuss the visit to Southerton - the selfishness of all the parties. I make a brief mention of  Mansfield Revisited  by Joan Aitken. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a Jane A...

The Mansfield social group have finally arrived at Southerton - they tour the house then escape into the grounds. Miss Crawford says several stupid things and refuses to back down while her brother continues to flirt with Maria in front of her fiancé. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Fr...

The trip to Southerton is resurrected, after some negotiations on Edmund's part the whole party sets off for Southerton. Maria is bitchy and Mrs Norris is pissy but this isn't new.  Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch...

Poor Fanny is consulted by Edmund then neglected by him. Edmund begins a romance with Miss Crawford which includes listening to her play the harp and teaching her to ride. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zaz...

Mum joins me again, we discuss Mary being condescending, Mr Rushworth being awkward and Maria being a little bitchy. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zeal...

NZ is back in lockdown so my guest this week is my mother Brenda. We discuss the need for a transition period between being a girl and a woman, and just how many characters there are in Mansfield Park . Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Bu...

The Crawford's arrive. Are the Bertram girls lacking ears? And I decide Lady Bertram is my role model. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Zazzle Book for a Jane Austen Society of Aotearoa New Zealand event...

This week we're trying something different. I read chapter 3 and we talk about it as we go.  Mr Norris dies, the Grants come and there is a threat that Fanny may have to move in with Mrs Norris. Let us know if you like this format! Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTub...

Fanny arrives at Mansfield Park and we can see how her character is  built through the trauma she suffers in being ripped from her family, a place where she was of use and valued, to a place where no one really wants her. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram o...

We start our read of Mansfield Park by meeting the Ward sisters and witnessing their arguments. Miss Frances gets disowned by her sisters then comes begging for forgiveness. Want to join a private one-on-one book club with Frances? Contact her to request a time Support the podcast and hear episodes early on Ko-fi Find Frances on YouTube , Instagram or at her website Buy our merch on Redbubble or Z...

And now for something completely different... Before we start our analysis of Mansfield Park I take a little interlude with my friend Craig and dip into some Juvenilia. Henry and Eliza is a hilarious short story, written by a young Jane Austen, following the adventures of Eliza. This episode includes very few facts but quite a few laughs. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it. Yo...