Reading Jane Austen
Episodes
S05E10 Persuasion, Chapter 22
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we look at the published version of Chapter 22. We talk about how proactive Anne is in these final chapters, the arrival of Charles, M...
S05E09 Persuasion, Chapter 21 and the cancelled Chapter 22
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this much-delayed episode (recorded months ago, but stuck in editing limbo), we look at Chapter 21, and the original version of Chapter 22, which J...
S05E08 Persuasion, Chapters 19 to 20
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about private communications in public spaces, Wentworth’s possible feelings in the encounter at Mollands and in the Assemb...
S05E07 Persuasion, Chapters 16 to 18
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the upward and downward social interactions taking place, what the implications are behind the Dalrymples being Irish a...
S05E06 Persuasion, Chapters 13 to 15
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about these transitional chapters between the events at Lyme and the move to Bath. We consider the position of the old nurse ...
S05E05 Persuasion, Chapters 11 and 12
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about Lyme, the connection between Anne and Captain Benwick, whether these chapters make us wonder if Anne will end up with s...
S05E04 Persuasion, Chapters 9 and 10
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen has solved the problem of the infodump, the realism of the scene with little Walter, how she shows ...
S05E03.5 Persuasion, EXTRAS from Chapters 7 and 8
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is an in-between ‘extras’ episode. Our episodes are normally not more than an hour in length, which means that we usually have to cut a certa...
S05E03 Persuasion, Chapters 7 and 8
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about how how Jane Austen tells us about the feelings of Anne and Captain Wentworth, and how the narrator captures Anne’s e...
S05E02 Persuasion, Chapters 4 to 6
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about how the backstory of Anne and Wentworth is presented without comedy, and yet is absolutely enjoyable. We then move on t...
S05E01 Persuasion, Chapters 1 to 3
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the publishing history of Persuasion, the precise dates we are given in the book, the fact that we learn very little ab...
Persuasion season starting in November
06 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Just a quick update to let you know that our Persuasion season will be starting in November. We've recorded the first few episodes, but Harriet h...
S04E11 Emma, Chapters 51 to 55
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we finish up Emma with chapters 51 to 55. We talk about the decision for Mr Knightley to move to Hartfield, the resolution of Harriet...
S04E10 Emma, Chapters 46 to 50
07 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Harriet’s partner, Michael, and read chapters 46 to 50 of Emma. We talk about Emma’s emotional roller coaster, r...
S04E09 Emma, Chapters 42 to 45
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 42 to 45 of Emma. We talk about the dropping of clues about Jane and Frank, Donwell Abbey and Mr Knightley’s arran...
S04E08 Emma, Chapters 37 to 41
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 37 to 41 of Emma. We talk about the parallel narratives, the ball at the Crown, Emma’s awareness of Mr Knightley, ...
S04E07 Emma, Chapters 32 to 36
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 32 to 36 of Emma. We talk about the civil society of Highbury, why Jane puts up with Mrs Elton, and Emma’s dinner ...
S04E06 Emma, Chapters 27 to 31
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 27 to 31 of Emma. We talk about the entwined group of people who visit one another, how so many scenes read differen...
S04E05 Emma, Chapters 22 to 26
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 22 to 26 of Emma. We talk about Frank’s arrival, the dinner at the Coles, and the way so much looks different in a...
S04E04 Emma, Chapters 16 to 21
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we are joined by Harriet’s partner, Michael, and read chapters 16 to 21 of Emma. We talk about the mystery plots, Emma’s fantasie...
S04E03 Emma, Chapters 11 to 15
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 11 to 15 of Emma. We talk about the introduction of John and Isabella Knightley, how Emma really doesn’t understan...
S04E02 Emma, Chapters 6 to 10
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read chapters 6 to 10 of Emma. We talk about the hints Jane Austen gives us about Emma’s blunders, Emma’s manipulation of Harr...
S04E01 Emma, Chapters 1 to 5
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read the first five chapters of Emma. We give a brief publishing history, and talk about how much we learn about the occupants of ...
S03E11 Mansfield Park: Episode 11, Chapters 46-48
06 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we finish up reading Mansfield Park, with Chapters 46 to 48. We talk about contrasts within the book, the attitude to Maria and Henry...
Bonus mini-episode - 'Rational Creatures' co-creators
02 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus mini-episode, Harriet has a discussion with three of the co-creators of webseries Rational Creatures. This series, based on Persuasion,...
S03E10 Mansfield Park: Episode 10, Chapters 40-45
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 40 to 45 of Mansfield Park. We talk about the plot of a girl brought up in privileged circumstances returning to her...
S03E09 Mansfield Park: Episode 9, Chapters 35-39
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 35 to 39 of Mansfield Park. We talk about how Edmund and Mary dismiss Fanny’s concerns about Henry, Sir Thomas’s...
S03E08 Mansfield Park: Episode 8, Chapters 31-34
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 31 to 34 of Mansfield Park. We talk about Fanny's initial failure to realise she has received a true proposal, ...
S03E07 Mansfield Park: Episode 7, Chapters 26-30
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 26 to 30 of Mansfield Park. We talk about Fanny’s preparations for the ball, the amber cross, her emotion reaction...
S03E06 Mansfield Park: Episode 6, Chapters 22-25
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 22 to 25 of Mansfield Park. We talk about the friendship between Fanny and Mary, the tension between Mary and Edmund...
S03E05 Mansfield Park: Episode 5, Chapters 17-21
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 17 to 21 of Mansfield Park. We talk about Fanny’s moral trajectory during the theatricals, Mary’s casual accepta...
S03E04 Mansfield Park: Episode 4, Chapters 12-16
27 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 12 to 16 of Mansfield Park. We talk about why Fanny refuses to act, why Edmund agrees to join in, the sheer amount o...
S03E03 Mansfield Park: Episode 3, Chapters 8-11
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 8 to 11 of Mansfield Park. We revisit the issue of how Jane Austen opposes Fanny and Mary, and look at the flirting ...
S03E02 Mansfield Park: Episode 2, Chapters 4-7
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 4 to 7 of Mansfield Park. We talk about the character-revealing scenes, how the presentation of Fanny may make some ...
S03E01.5 Mansfield Park, Extras from episode 1
05 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bit of an in-between episode. About two months ago, when we were getting ready to record Episode 2, Ellen came down with a bad virus – not...
S03E01 Mansfield Park, Chapters 1 to 3
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read the first three chapters of Mansfield Park. We give a brief publishing history, and talk about how the opening chapters reall...
S02E10 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 47 to 50
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read the final chapters of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about Elinor being the ‘moral spokesperson’ for the book, why Marian...
S02E09 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 42 to 46
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 42 to 46 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Marianne’s illness is presented (including the un-dramatic wa...
S02E08 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 37 to 41
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 37 to 41 of Sense and Sensibility (which was where Volume 3 started in the original publication). We talk about how ...
S02E07 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 32 to 36
17 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 32 to 36 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how this is a transitional section, and yet contains some of the fu...
S02E06 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 26 to 31
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
 In this episode, we read Chapters 26 to 31 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how unsatisfying Ellen found several of these chapters, the role ...
S02E05 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 21 to 25
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 21to 25 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about Jane Austen’s use of compound sentences, Lady Middleton’s concer...
S02E04 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 16 to 20
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read Chapters 16 to 20 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Marianne indulges her feelings, whether Jane Austen knew what M...
S02E03 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 12 to 15
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
 In this episode, we read Chapters 12 to 15 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Margaret's contribution to the plot, how Elinor and Mari...
S02E02 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 6 to 11
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
 In this episode, we read Chapters 6 to 11 of Sense and Sensibility. We talk about how Barton Cottage and its location are described in some detail, ...
S02E01 Sense and Sensibility, Chapters 1 to 5
27 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read the first five chapters of Sense and Sensibility. We give a brief publishing history, and talk about the themes of sense and ...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 58 to 61
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we read the final chapters of Pride and Prejudice. We talk about the dialogue in the final proposal scene, and more generally about p...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 53 to 57
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
 In this episode, we talk about how Jane Austen keeps up the suspense so close to the end of the book, the fact that Kitty has forgotten Mr Darcy, El...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 47 to 52
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the steps taken to find Lydia and Wickham, how much Darcy paid to get them married, the moral and social approach towar...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 42 to 46
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the way Darcy is reintroduced into the narrative, Jane Austen’s thoughts on architecture and landscaping, the possibl...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 35 to 41
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about Darcy’s letter and Elizabeth’s reaction to it, consider what Wickham might have done in his youth, revisit the Coll...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 27 to 34
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about Elizabeth’s feelings towards Wickham and Colonel Fitzwilliam, the married life of the Collinses, why we find Lady Cat...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 19 to 26
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the two marriage proposals by Mr Collins, the precise timetabling of the events, and the matter of obedience to one’s...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 13 to 18
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the arrivals of Mr Collins and Mr Wickham, and the Netherfield Ball: we consider how Mr Bennet didn’t give the family...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 7 to 12
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about Jane and Elizabeth's visit to Netherfield: we consider why Jane was invited, Darcy's feelings about Elizabeth...
Pride and Prejudice, Chapters 1 to 6
02 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at chapters 1 to 6 of Pride and Prejudice. We talk about how the book sets up the relationship between love and marriage, the...
Introduction
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We explain what our podcast is going to be about, and how it will be structured.