The 12 Days of a Jane Austen Christmas – Jane’s Birthday Celebration

day6Christmas


ChristmasOn the sixth day of our special Christmas celebration, we commemorate the gift of Jane Austen herself, since December 16th is her birthday!

I’m sure we all started by falling in love with Jane’s novels and characters. That’s how I began. But somewhere along the way, I became equally intrigued with the lady who created them. We can’t help being curious what she was really like and how she came to write the novels which have captivated us all.

So on her birthday, rather than focusing on her work, I thought it would be fitting to talk a little about Jane herself. Then I’ll share an excerpt that depicts an event in her life that happened at Christmastime – her flirtation with Tom LeFroy.  Read on!


 

Steventon rectory

Steventon rectory

Born at home (at the Steventon rectory in Hampshire, England), Jane Austen was the second youngest of Rev. George Austen’s and Cassandra Leigh Austen’s eight children. She was educated mostly at home, and her early writing efforts (short pieces of fiction and poetry) were encouraged by her literary family.

It seems to have been a happy childhood, but then, when she was 20, her father suddenly retired and moved his family to Bath, a place Jane never much liked. The style of life they could afford steadily declined too, especially after the death of Mr. Austen, which left his widow and two daughters dependent on the hospitality of others. Ultimately, Mrs. Austen, Jane, and her sister (and dearest friend) Cassandra were given a settled home at Chawton cottage by Jane’s brother Edward. That is where she spent the last eight years of her life, which were also the most productive for her as a writer. She never married and sadly died at age 41 of what might have been Addison’s disease.

Chawton from garden cropped

Chawton cottage

In her six beloved novels, she wrote about the world she knew: the English gentry of the Regency period, the social climate and constraints of her time, the plight of the unmarried lady of little fortune. And yet her stories still resonate with us today because her themes are timeless. We still long to find love. People still struggle to balance ideals against social and economic pressures. We still root for the human spirit to triumph over difficult circumstances. None of this has changed in the two hundred years since Jane Austen lived. That and the fairly-tale quality of her stories make them more popular now than ever.

Jane Austen was a gifted storyteller. Her novels are classics, and she is regularly voted among the top five favorite authors of all time. What a remarkable achievement! The fact that she accomplished all this without benefit of a rich patron or an expensive college education is a real inspiration.

So we celebrate Jane’s life and legacy, today on her birthday and always.

I personally wanted to give something back for all the hours of enjoyment she has given me. But what could I possibly do for Jane Austen? I decided to write for her what she had so carefully crafted for each of her heroines: a happy ending. That was the inspiration for The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen, from which I take the following excerpt. In the December Jane turned twenty, she met a handsome young Irishman named Tom LeFroy. Some think he was her one true love, but I believe there was someone else (perhaps a sea captain of her own a la Captain Wentworth?). With Tom, she enjoyed a brief but flagrant flirtation, but I’ll let her tell the story:


 


Tom LeFroy

Tom LeFroy

 “How do you like my morning coat?” he inquired of me two days after our first meeting at a ball at Manydown. He was come into the neighbourhood for a Christmas visit to his Aunt and Uncle Lefroy at Ashe, where this conversation unfolded. “Do you find it fashionable?” he continued, preening for me like a peacock.

We had liked each other at once upon being introduced at the ball, but now a new uncertainty at this second meeting needed to be overcome. Our footing with each other had to be tested once again to establish that the camaraderie we felt the other night was solid and genuine.

After a moment to ponder his question, I shrugged and replied, “It appears a serviceable enough garment. That colour, though…” I made a face and shook my head.

He tugged the white coat into sharper order and checked his reflection in the window glass. “I am surprised at you, Miss Austen. I would have you know that this is the same shade as the one worn by my favourite literary hero Tom Jones.”

“Is that so?” My countenance and manner of speaking betrayed nothing more than mild interest in the subject, when in actuality his reference to Mr. Fielding’s work intrigued me very much indeed. “Now it is you who have surprised me, Mr. Lefroy, for I did not have you marked out for a great reader. Although again, I am compelled to question your taste. Perhaps you are unaware that novel-reading is not considered quite respectable in certain circles.”

“What about in your circle, Miss Austen?” he asked, leaning a bit closer. “Yours is the opinion I most wish to hear at the moment. Do you admit to reading novels?”

I drew back in mock horror. “Really, Mr. Lefroy, this is terribly forward! I am afraid you presume too much upon our rather brief acquaintance. Is not this a very personal question to be asking a lady whom you have known for so short an interval?”

“Quite possibly so,” he said, examining the well-manicured nails of his left hand. “I truly cannot say, for I admit that I am somewhat mystified when it comes to these complex social niceties. They seem, in general, to accomplish very little of value while at the same time requiring a great deal of effort.”

“What nonsense you talk, Mr. Lefroy.”

“Do you think so? Then I must be in error, but not irretrievably so, I trust. I am not a hardened case; I am perfectly willing to be guided by the wisdom of one more expert in these matters.”

I nodded my approval, and he went on.

Tom and Jane“Perhaps you would consider undertaking the challenge of reforming me, Miss Austen. And you might start by settling the original problem for me. What would be the appropriate time to ask my impudent questions of you, such as the one concerning your reading habits? If not at our second meeting, then when?”

Instead of being so obliging as to answer at once, I deliberately left the gentleman in doubt of any satisfaction by adopting a pensive expression and taking one full tour about the room before returning to him. Then presently I said, “As to undertaking your thorough reformation, Mr. Lefroy, I can promise you nothing. That monumental task may require more time and industry than I can spare at present. However, it is my judgment that you may safely ask your more personal questions upon our third meeting.”

His aspect brightened. “This is most encouraging news, Miss Austen. So you believe we shall meet again, then, do you?”

“I think it highly probable we shall, Mr. Lefroy, especially if you are determined to persist in the neighbourhood for some little while. In fact, such an occurrence could hardly be avoided. So I suppose I must prepare myself to answer your impertinent curiosity by and by. For tonight, however, we had much better confine our discourse to the usual polite topics.”

“The weather and the state of the roads, I suppose you mean. How dull,” he said, finishing with a sigh.

I smiled. “It needn’t be, Mr. Lefroy, with a little imagination…”


 

JA with B-day cakeMy dear Cassy, I wish you a happy new year. Your six cousins came here yesterday and had each a piece of cake. This is little Cassy’s birthday, and she is three years old… (a portion of Jane’s famous backwards letter to her niece, unscrambled)

52 comments

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    • Wendy Roberts on December 16, 2015 at 12:27 am
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    Thanks for the giveaway!

    • tgruy on December 16, 2015 at 12:30 am
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    I tried to eat a cupcake but ran out of oil…

    • Kay on December 16, 2015 at 3:18 am
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    Oh to imagine the masterpieces she may have created had she not died so tragically young! Loved this post.

    • Glynis on December 16, 2015 at 3:44 am
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    I feel it is such a shame she never knew how loved her books would become. I think she must have loved someone (and been loved) to be able to write such lovely stories. It’s such a shame that she died so young and never got her own happy ending. Thanks for this post and the giveaway.

    • Joanne F on December 16, 2015 at 4:49 am
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    We appreciate what she left for us, but always wonder what might have been.

    • Michelle Hall on December 16, 2015 at 4:49 am
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    I would have loved to have met Jane Austen. She was born far too soon. I think she would be extremely witty and good fun. If she only knew how loved her books would become. Happy birthday Jane. Thank you for the give away

      • Nancy Duell on December 16, 2015 at 6:55 am
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      Happy Birthday Jane. Oh the stories she vould have written.! Thank you for the giveaway(Christmas present?)

    • Ma on December 16, 2015 at 5:30 am
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    I too wish she had lived longer and written even more books. Every time I read one of her novels again, and come to the end, it’s a wrench. I never want the stories to end. This, after reading these these books every year since I was in high school!

    • Susan S on December 16, 2015 at 7:12 am
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    Enjoyed the excerpt and appreciate the
    giveaway. Have many times wished she
    had known how beloved and respected
    her novels had become!

    • Nicola on December 16, 2015 at 7:14 am
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    Happy Birthday, Jane! * raising.my.glass.on.you*

    • Wendy on December 16, 2015 at 7:19 am
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    Thanks for the excerpt and the chance to win. Like others, I’ve often wondered what would have happened if Jane had had her happily ever after. She probably would have had less time to write her wonderful stories!

  1. Happy Birthday to our beloved Jane! How I would have loved to have met her. And thanks for the giveaway! I would love love love to win the book & totebag– yum!!

    • Kristine Shore on December 16, 2015 at 7:32 am
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    So short a life. One wonders how many other novels she would have written if she had more time.

    • Deborah on December 16, 2015 at 7:55 am
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    I loved your book, The Persuasion of Jane Austen, and can never thank you enough for signing my copy of the book. This story is most definitely worth reading. I adore the ending…..the one we all wish Jane had. Please do not enter me in the give away as I already have the ebook and paperback.

    • Lori on December 16, 2015 at 8:35 am
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    Happy Birthday Jane! And thanks for the giveaway!

    • Lori on December 16, 2015 at 8:36 am
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    I just noticed my email address is wrong on here…

    • Pam Hunter on December 16, 2015 at 9:04 am
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    Happy Birthday to our dear Jane! Thank you for your wonderful stories.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    • lynn on December 16, 2015 at 9:12 am
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    Love your books but for some reason this is one I do not have. After that except I’m going to have to make sure it’s on my wish list! And I would dearly love some cake today!

    • Laura H. on December 16, 2015 at 9:26 am
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    Thanks for sharing with us. Thanks for the give away, too.!

    • Linda A. on December 16, 2015 at 9:51 am
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    What a lovely excerpt. Thank you for the chance to win!

    • betsy j on December 16, 2015 at 10:31 am
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    Happy Birthday, Miss Austen.

    Thank you for sharing this information.

  2. My daughter shares a birthday with Jane so we’ll be having cake later today! Would love a chance to win any of these. I adore Jane’s work!

    • ellie on December 16, 2015 at 12:29 pm
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    This post is wonderful as is the great giveaway. Many thanks.

    • Annie on December 16, 2015 at 12:29 pm
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    Thanks for this great feature and excerpt which gives me pleasure.

  3. What a lovely excerpt! I would love having either a Kindle or a paper copy of your book; it looks wonderful!!

    Thank you for the short bio on Jane and for giving us a taste of your happy-ending for Jane herself.

    Wishing you joyous holydays,

    Susanne 🙂

    • Jessica Luetzow on December 16, 2015 at 12:56 pm
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    Happiest of Happy Birthdays to Jane! What she has inspired in so many readers is truly the best kind of gift! The fact that so many of us want to read and write about her is a testament to her talent!

    • Agnes Gawne on December 16, 2015 at 1:15 pm
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    Thanks Shannon – that was fun to read. I would love to read the whole thing – hoping to win one of the copies.

    • Maclaney on December 16, 2015 at 1:29 pm
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    And such a special day this is to all of us. Without Jane. . ..

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a gift and for the pleasure of your books.

    • Claudia Ward on December 16, 2015 at 1:57 pm
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    What a splendid idea! I am playing Jane in an original play entitled: “Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker: An Interactive Ball!” I am having so much fun celebrating her through this production and on her birthday!

    • Angie on December 16, 2015 at 3:31 pm
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    Thanks for the giveaway!

    • Carole in Canada on December 16, 2015 at 3:56 pm
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    Happy Birthday Miss Austen! Whenever I get a new calendar for the new year, I always put her name under the Dec 16th. That was a very flirtatious excerpt! Thank you for that and your generous giveaway!

    • Mariam on December 16, 2015 at 5:07 pm
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    Hello Mrs Winslow
    I love the introduction you made oto Jane Austen’s life and your novel brings us closer to her, there is a more intimate relationship with her like with the movie
    Since the movie when I see James Macavoy I think of Tom lefroy.
    As it is quite late now for me ,in France, I will eat some fruit so no cake .
    A short little info, no critic at all!! In French it is “à la ” and not “a la” because “a” is the verb to have. I understand that you may not have the “accent of the a on your keyboard” you can copy mine 😀 it is always a pleasure as a French reader to see now and then some French expression used by JA authour’s

    1. Yes, Mariam, although my French is VERY limited, I do know the “a” should have had an accent. I just couldn’t figure out how to make it appear. You might be interested to know that the true hero of this book (The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen) is a dashing French expatriot by the name of Captain Devereaux! For French words and phrases, though, I would refer you to another of my novels – Return to Longbourn – which boast a French music master who has retained more remnants of his native tongue. I hope you will find no errors there. I had someone fluent in the language (although not a native speaker) proof read the French bits.

    • Heather on December 16, 2015 at 7:21 pm
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    Wonderful article 🙂

    • mariam on December 16, 2015 at 7:26 pm
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    Hello Mrs Wislow, please understand I was trying to offense you. And I had no idea you has French heroes in tour novels. If I had known I would not have told you about the “à”. I was referrg to it as a mere information in case you did not know about the différence (but you do know). I wrote it as I often see in English speaking media and even books “a” instead of “à” and some other grammar mistake, not the French words That English assimilate through centuries.
    Your novels do looks quite unique(characters) and If I have some time I Will tryn at the moment I already have such a long list that I do not know where to start.

    • mariam on December 16, 2015 at 7:39 pm
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    Using a Person fluent in French (even if he /she is not a native) Is a good idea. I am quite about your work 🙂
    If it is modern novel then it is modern French and if it is,Regency Era (Napoléon) then it is Classical French

    1. Don’t worry, Mariam. No offense taken, I assure you! 😀

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on December 16, 2015 at 8:07 pm
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    Thanks for your tribute and I LOVE giving Jane her happy ending!

  4. Celebrating Jane Austen’s birthday is so much fun! I’ll dream up a piece of gluten-free cake for the occasion…

  5. Thankd for the giveaway. I have often wondered what type of man Jane would fall in love with.

    • Dung on December 16, 2015 at 9:22 pm
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    Happy Birthday Jane Austen!

    • Marlo on December 16, 2015 at 9:55 pm
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    I don’t have any cake but I will celebrate her birthday with a cookie.

    • Anji on December 17, 2015 at 4:23 am
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    Thanks for the giveaway Shannon. I loved The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen when I read it last year. I think it’s my favourite of all your books. The story you crafted for our beloved Jane is just the sort of life I would have wished for her. I already have the ebook but would love to be entered for the paperback and tote if it’s open internationally.

    Our son’s girlfriend made me a Jane Austen cake for my birthday this year. I’ve posted a photo of it in The Jane Austen Picture Wall and Mr. Darcy’s Extensive Readers on FB to celebrate Jane’s own birthday.

    • Laura on December 17, 2015 at 4:56 am
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    Thanks for the giveway. I love Jane Austen. My favorite book is Persuasion. Happy birthday Jane Austen!!!.
    Greetings from spain

    • BeckyC on December 17, 2015 at 9:33 am
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    Happy birthday, Jane. Wonderful post. Thank you for the giveaway.

    • Brenda in B.C. on December 17, 2015 at 12:40 pm
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    There are so many authors who you grieve over the loss of all the subsequent works they might have written. A few get taken up by new authors who try to fill the void (and some even succeed), but I’m afraid Jane has spoilt the field for most people trying to carry on her work – she’s just too sharp, imaginative, and firmly rooted in her own era. It’s too easy for a modern author to use newer idioms and ideas. Don’t get me wrong – I love all the books written by modern authors from this website and more, and while I enjoy getting more information about the characters I love, we sadly all know that there aren’t going to be any new wonderful romances with new characters directly from Jane’s imagination. Sigh! Thanks for help keeping her work alive, all.

    1. Very true, Brenda. No one can equal Jane Austen

      When I started writing in this genre it was because I wanted more and she wasn’t available. So I began with the two things I wished for most: a sequel to Pride and Prejudice (The Darcys of Pemberley) and another original story with original characters, like she wrote (For Myself Alone). I can never expect to measure up, but I hope my books help to fill the void in a way that does her legacy justice.

  6. I have read about The Persuasion of Jane Austen and it is on my TBR list.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    • Sarah on December 19, 2015 at 9:35 pm
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    Ha, ha. No nonsense Jane and flirty Tom make an amusing subject. Thank you also for the link about the backwards words letter which I had not heard about before.

    • Janis on December 21, 2015 at 4:08 pm
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    I don’t know if I’m in time for the giveaway, but this bittersweet story is absolutely charming. After “meeting” JA through her writings I was saddened by the limitations of her own life. As, I suppose, are most Janeites, who no doubt join me in wishing that Jane had lived to a ripe old — and more worldly — age. Alas, we take what we can. And thank the authors of pastiches for filling in the blanks for us.

    • Eva E on December 22, 2015 at 8:12 pm
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    Thank you for the lovely excerpt. If Jane Austen had married, I have often thought that she would not have been able to write the marvelous few books that we have and then what would have happened with JAFF! Thank you for the giveaways.

    • Sheila L. M. on December 25, 2015 at 11:35 pm
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    I do have a copy of that movie…teasing man. I have been so busy and am just getting to read some of these short snippets. I found it amusing that Tom Jones was the one book taken up in conversation. Thank you for this glimpse into what might have been.

    Happy New Year everyone.

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