cover image Jane Austen: Her Life: The Definitive Portrait of Jane Austen: Her Life, Her Art, Her Family, Her World

Jane Austen: Her Life: The Definitive Portrait of Jane Austen: Her Life, Her Art, Her Family, Her World

Park Honan. Ballantine Books, $25 (484pp) ISBN 978-0-449-90319-3

Aptly subtitled, this biography concentrates on the novelist's personal and family life at Steventon, Bath, Chawton and, finally, Winchester, with full treatment of the writings given only in the Chawton period. ``A detailed and winning portrait emerges of Austen and her relationships with friends and family,'' remarked PW. Photos. (May)