The Thing About Austen

We hope you set an alarm! It's time for breakfast with General Tilney, and he does not like to be kept waiting. On the plus side, he will tell you exactly what he's planning to give you for a wedding present. This week we're joining Catherine for breakfast at Northanger Abbey and learning more about the General's taste in housewares. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follo...

Mr. Collins is here, and he is ready to enumerate the many fine qualities of all the furnishings at Rosings Park. No really, sit down. This could take awhile. This episode we're all about Lady Catherine's very fancy chimney-piece. If you have ever been given a dubious compliment involving a small summer breakfast parlour, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten....

Nothing says "I'm over you" like a ceremonial burning with your bestie. Guest Damianne Scott joins us to break down the scene where Harriet finally moves on from Mr. Elton. If you have always known that Robert Martin was the real prize, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Dami for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @BlackGirlLoves3 and on the Black Girl Lo...

Every dog has its day! Dr. Stephanie Howard-Smith is here to answer all of our many questions about Lady Bertram's pug in Mansfield Park, covering everything from Pug's name, why Austen might have chosen a pug for Lady Bertram, and the gendered aspects of 18th-century dog ownership. Thank you so much to Stephanie for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @SAHowardSmith. You can...

John and Fanny Dashwood are sadly waving goodbye to some valuable household objects, and we're here to explain why they really need to get over themselves. This episode we're looking at the linens in Sense and Sensibility, and the role of such objects in Austen's time. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Thin...

This week we're joined by guest Dr. Matthew Reznicek as we discuss one of the most pivotal scenes in Persuasion. In addition to Louisa's injury and the treatment she receives, we also examine the role of Anne as caregiver and the various ways that health and illness come up in the novel. Episode content warning: Discussion of traumatic brain injury and depression Thank you so much to Matthew for j...

If General Tilney's chaise leaves Bath at 10 am and Henry's curricle also leaves Bath at 10 am and there are x postilions and y outriders and Catherine really, really, really just wants to get to the abbey, how many capes are on Henry's greatcoat? This episode we're all about schedules and mileage (and Henry's greatcoat), as we journey along with Catherine and stopover at Petty-France. You can fin...

Raise the curtain! Guest Lauren Wethers is here this week to provide us with an introduction to attending the theatre in Austen's time. We also chat a bit about Bridgerton, so mild spoiler warnings for season one. If you have ever wanted to be on stage, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Lauren for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @LaurenWethers. You can learn mo...

Sir Walter is peeved, and we're here to explain exactly why our favorite snob is in such a snit. Obviously, no one explained to Mr. Elliot that Tattersall's is not to be trifled with. If you have ever wanted a pony, this episode is for you. Episode content warning: discussion of gambling and debt You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten...

Mistaken identity! Mystery hair! Edward is sporting a new ring, and now everyone is feeling uncomfortable and confused. Fortunately, Dr. Sally Holloway is here to help us examine this hairy intrigue. If you have ever regretted your choice of accessories, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Sally for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @sally_holloway. You can find us...

Take me out to the ball game! This week we're getting sporty as we discuss Catherine Morland's love of baseball. If you have ever imagined a romcom moment for Catherine and Henry involving baseball, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAust...

Jane Fairfax has recently received a selection of music, and we're here to unpack the significance of that "new set of Irish melodies." Spoiler alert: Frank Churchill has some explaining to do. If you have ever received a mystery gift, this episode is for you. Thank you to Salonnières for letting us share part of their gorgeous arrangement of "The Last Rose of Summer" as our ou...

Pull up your fainting couch because have we got a revivifying episode for you! Dr. Emily C. Friedman is here to take us through the olfactory delights of smelling bottles, as well as breaking down what their various scents and applications tell us about characters like Marianne Dashwood and Lady Bertram. Thank you so much to Emily for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @fried...

Why exactly was Lydia Bennet so eager to visit Brighton and why was Elizabeth so right to be concerned? Brighton was the playground of the wealthy and free-wheeling in Austen's time, and we're here to give you the tour. If you have ever wanted to vacation with royalty, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten an...

This episode we're taking a look at portrait miniatures and Captain Benwick's love of regifting with the help of art historian and portrait miniatures specialist, Emma Rutherford. Plus, Emma provides some fascinating backstory behind the possible inspiration for Lydia Bennet. Thank you so much to Emma for joining us for this episode! You can find her at www.emmarutherford.com and @_emma_rutherford...

Wave goodbye to Henry and Eleanor Tilney because this week we're headed to Blaize [Blaise] Castle. Except not really, because John Thorpe is a big liar. If you have ever gone on an ill-advised outing, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAboutAu...

Valentine's Day is around the corner, so this week we're bringing you a special episode on Jane Austen and romance with our guest Bea Hodges-Koch of The Ripped Bodice bookstore. We cover everything from Austen's influence on historical romance to just why Pride and Prejudice makes us swoon, plus some trope talk in-between. Thank you so much to Bea for joining us for this episode! You can find her...

Pack your telescope and grab your star charts! This episode we're headed to a very specific location at Mansfield Park to examine Fanny's foray into celestial poetry. If you have ever wished upon a star, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThingAbou...

How did one keep tabs on a crush or former romance in a time before social media? In the case of Anne Elliot, you turn to newspapers and navy lists for the word on Wentworth. This week we're all about the role of naval news in Persuasion, with the help of our guest Katherine Cowley. If you have ever pined for a lost love through scrapbooking, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Katherine...

Mr. Collins is preparing to read aloud to all of us, and the chosen volume is Fordyce's Sermons. We discuss the rise and fall of Fordyce's popularity, and take a look at how Austen's reference to Fordyce in Pride and Prejudice serves as both cultural commentary and comedy. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_...

This episode we cover the history of circulating libraries in the UK with a little help from our Northanger Abbey friends. We also discuss the reputation of novels in Austen's time and offer up at least one excellent hiding place for your most scandalous books. If you have ever hidden your novel behind a decoy dust jacket, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten...

Happy birthday, Jane! It's Jane Austen's birthday, and we're marking the occasion with an episode on Regency birthday celebrations. If you have ever had countless fans celebrate your 246th birthday, this episode is especially for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThi...

You have been cordially invited to Christmas at Pemberley! The Darcys have welcomed us to their home for the festive season, and we are here to walk you through the experience. If you have ever reached your hand into a flaming bowl of raisins, this episode is for you.

Is Brandon into grunge? Going through a lumberjack phase? Embracing Santa chic? We're here to uncover just exactly what Colonel Brandon has on under his coat. If you have ever advocated for dressing in layers, this episode is for you. You can find us online at www. TheThingAboutAusten.com and follow us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things. You can also email us at TheThi...

Take a deep breath, everyone! This episode we're discussing Mr. Woodhouse's concerns about the air in London with epidemiologist, Dr. Rena Jones. If you have ever played a game of dueling apothecaries, this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Rena for joining us for this episode! You can find her on Twitter @Epi_Rena. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Th...