The Thing About Austen

This week it's a bit of a Fanny Price character study as we head to Mansfield Park to discuss Fanny's love of nature. Fanny is an often dismissed character, but we're here to celebrate her quiet strength and her introverted and philosophical ways. Come for the defense of Fanny, stay for us dunking on Edmund. Also, we forgot to properly welcome our guest because we paused for a train going by, but...

It's spooky season, so we're headed to Northanger Abbey! This week we investigate the black veil that so fascinates Catherine, and uncover some of the faint-worthy mysteries of Udolpho. If you have ever stayed up way too late reading a book, this episode is for you. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAusten@gmail.com. Music...

There's this very cool trend called acrostic and chill, and we're here to tell you all about it. This episode we're diving into Emma and taking a look at Harriet's riddle book with our guest, Dr. Lynn Festa. Will we uncover any salacious tidbits? Let's just say that Mr. Woodhouse might know a dirty joke or two. Consider yourself warned. Thank you so much to Lynn for joining us for this episode! Yo...

We're so excited to be participating in this year's Austen Con, so we're breaking with our usual format to bring you this conversation with Sharmini Kumar, Artistic Director of 24 Carrot Productions, the organization behind Austen Con. We chat about the upcoming con, Bridgerton , adapting Austen, and even do a little Pride and Prejudice fan casting. Austen Con is Saturday the 6th of November 2021....

This week you get two episodes in one! In the first half we discuss Emma's unfinished artwork with Georgie Castilla of Duniath Comics. Then we chat with Georgie about his own work creating Austen inspired comics and learn more about his creative process. Thank you so much to Georgie for joining us for this discussion! You can find him online at www.duniathcomics.com and follow him on Instagram @du...

Captain Wentworth is headed to Lyme Regis, so obviously we must tag along. Pack a pair of sturdy shoes and tie your bonnet strings on extra tight because this episode, we're out walking on the Cobb. If you have ever wished you had a wind machine to follow you around in real life, this episode is for you. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us a...

Mary Crawford is playing the harp over at the Mansfield Parsonage, and we've got front row seats to the hottest performance in town. If you have ever wondered about all those mornings Edmund spent listening to his "prime favourite," this episode is for you. Thank you so much to Dr. Lidia Chang for joining us for this discussion! You can find her online at www.lidiachang.com or follow her...

Although it no longer exists, Steventon Rectory was the birthplace of Jane Austen and where she lived for the first 25 years of her life. This week we travel back to Steventon Rectory and learn more about this place that was so formative to Austen's development. And most importantly, we dig up some excellent Austen potato content. This biographical episode was the result of multiple listener reque...

This episode we're all about Emma as we head out to Box Hill to take in the view. There's nothing like sublime landscape and awkward social tension to get your day off to a great start! If you have ever made it seem like you had a great time when the reality was a dumpster fire, this episode is for you. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at...

Sex! Scandal! This week we're headed to Mansfield Park where a matrimonial fracas is brewing. Actually, it happened in Twickenham, and it's already fully steeped. If you ever thought Jane Austen was just about polite tea parties, this episode is for you. A huge thanks to Dr. Ellen Campbell for joining us for this discussion, despite suffering from new semester laryngitis — thank you, Ellen! You ca...

We're deep in the nerdery weeds this week as we unpack the beginning of Persuasion and discuss Sir Walter's obsession with status and prestige and how that manifests in his love for his favorite book. If you've ever trawled LinkedIn looking for potential dates, this episode is for you. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingAboutAust...

While the word "spinster" never comes up in Austen's novels, the role of spinster or "old maid" is a frequent occurrence. This episode we're having a bit of etymological fun with the word spinster, in addition to digging into just why a woman might choose marrying Collins over remaining blissfully single. If you have ever been the lone singleton at the annual turkey curry buffe...

This week we come to you live from Caroline Bingley's Pen Mending Emporium, where all your pens will be mended with utmost care and attention to detail. At least if your name is Fitzwilliam Darcy, that is. If you ever attempted to flirt over office supplies, this episode is for you. And for the extra observant listener — we had a bit of a technical difficulty, so The Thing About Rushworth's Divorc...

This week we're all about the mysterious (or are they stupid?) pamphlets that General Tilney reads late at night. We talk about the political tumult of the 1790s and pamphlets as a form of blogging, and even make a nod to Bridgerton and scandal sheets. If you ever accidentally thought your boyfriend's dad was a murderer, this episode is for you. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten an...

This episode we're all about the connection between Romanticism and Marianne's passion for dead leaves. We also discuss the ways in which the recent film adaptations have amped up the Romanticism factor. If you were ever a teen with a lot of BIG FEELINGS, this episode is for you. Content warning for this episode: Grief and parental loss are briefly mentioned at a few points throughout the episode...

We could have just as easily called this episode The Thing About Frank's Blunder, as that is the moment in question. On this episode we provide some context for what we are calling Regency Scrabble before unpacking Frank's blunder with the help of Detective Knightley. Grab your deerstalker hat and join us as we attempt to solve the mystery of why Frank thinks any of this is a good idea. You can fi...

This episode we unfurl the history of umbrellas and why the English were so reluctant to adopt them. And, of course, we get into the gallantry of everyone's favorite sea captain, Frederick Wentworth. If you have ever pined for someone whilst the rain lightly drips down your face, this episode is for you. Also, please consider this episode our official request to have "Umbrella" by Rihann...

We're diving deep into the pivotal moment in Pride and Prejudice when Elizabeth gazes upon Darcy's portrait at Pemberley. And what a moment it is. If you have ever spent an evening scrolling through Instagram photos of your crush or had an awkward encounter with an ex, this episode is for you. You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things and email us at TheThingA...

Introducing The Thing About Austen! A new podcast about Jane Austen's world. Meet your hosts in this introductory episode. We talk a little about our personal backgrounds with Jane Austen and the idea behind the podcast. Stay tuned for the first official episode to drop in a couple of weeks! You can find us on Instagram @TheThingAboutAusten and on Twitter @Austen_Things.