I\u2019ve always been intrigued by Jane Austen’s friendship with Martha Lloyd. (Who wouldn\u2019t want to be close friends with Jane Austen?) When I saw Z\u00f6e Wheddon\u2019s new book, Jane Austen\u2019s Best Friend<\/em>: The Life and Influence of Martha Lloyd<\/em><\/a>, I knew I had to have it.<\/p>
As a lifelong student of Jane Austen\u2019s life and works, I particularly enjoy books that focus on one aspect of her life. It\u2019s helpful to have gathered into one place all of the information I want to read on a certain topic. Jane Austen\u2019s Best Friend<\/em><\/a> tells the story of Jane and Martha\u2019s friendship and brings together many of the finer details of Martha\u2019s life and her impact on Jane as a person and a writer.<\/p>
I find the closeness shared by Cassandra, Jane, and Martha particularly touching. Jane\u2019s deep affection and care for both her sister and her friend are clear. Jane formed her strongest bonds with women who were wise and clever, devoted and kind. Her active mind needed people who could keep up with her quick wit\u2014and even challenge her and keep her on her toes\u2014and Martha seems to have fit the bill perfectly.<\/p>
\u201cI would not let Martha read First Impressions again upon any account, & am very glad that I did not leave it in your power.\u2014She is very cunning, but I see through her design;\u2013she means to publish it from Memory, & one more perusal must enable her to do it.\u201d<\/p>Jane Austen in a letter to Cassandra, June 11, 1799.<\/cite><\/blockquote>
I enjoyed the light, more modern tone and the thorough, detailed research. Jane\u2019s letters to and about Martha reveal yet another warm, loving relationship in her close circle. The early years of their friendship were marked by silliness, witty remarks, dresses, and balls. Later, their relationship deepened as they walked through pain, loss, change, and grief together. Martha\u2019s inner strength seems to have been particularly important in Jane\u2019s life, especially as she grew older, began to see success as an author, and later became ill.<\/p>
MARTHA LLOYD<\/h2>
When I set out to read Jane Austen\u2019s Best Friend<\/em><\/a>, I wasn\u2019t sure how much information could be found about Martha herself. After reading it, I am amazed at just how much there is to learn about Martha Lloyd. I enjoyed reading about the bosom friendship between Jane and Martha, but I was blown away by Martha herself. She was truly a remarkable woman, and I could have just as happily read a book based solely on her life. It\u2019s easy to see why she and Jane became as close as sisters. I\u2019ve always wished I could spend a day with Jane Austen, but now I\u2019d like to spend a day with these two friends. It certainly seems like they never ran out of things to say or do\u2014and they always had a lot of fun along the way.<\/p>
A native of Jane Austen\u2019s beloved county of Hampshire, Z\u00f6e lives in a North Hampshire village, on the outskirts of the town that she and her husband Matt both grew up in, with their 3 grown up children and their cat Leia. When she is not researching or writing, Z\u00f6e can be found in the classroom teaching Spanish and French or singing ABBA songs loudly in her kitchen. People can get to know her better at www.zoewheddon.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>
JANE AUSTEN\u2019S BEST FRIEND: THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF MARTHA LLOYD<\/a><\/em><\/strong> is a heart-warming examination of the \u2018recipe for friendship\u2019 between Jane Austen, (with whom all Janeites are best friends in their imaginations,) and Martha Lloyd. In looking back somewhat longingly at Martha and Jane\u2019s strong and enduring bond we can examine all their interests, including the hits and misses of their romantic love lives, their passion for shopping and fashion, their family histories, their lucky breaks and their girly chats.<\/p>
All fans for Jane Austen everywhere believe themselves to be best friends with the beloved author and this book shines a light on what it meant to be exactly that. JANE AUSTEN\u2019S BEST FRIEND: THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF MARTHA LLOYD<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>offers a unique insight into Jane\u2019s private inner circle. Each chapter details fascinating facts and friendship forming qualities that tied Jane and Martha together. This book offers a behind the scenes tour of the shared lives of a fascinating pair and the chance to deepen our own bonds in \u2018love and friendship\u2019 with them both.<\/p>
Available in the USA with Pen and Sword\/Casemate.<\/p>
Amazon<\/a> (US)
Barnes and Noble<\/a> (US)
Bookshop.org<\/a> (UK)<\/p>
RACHEL DODGE<\/strong> teaches college English classes, gives talks at libraries, teas, and book clubs, and writes for Jane Austen\u2019s World<\/a><\/em> blog and Jane Austen\u2019s Regency World<\/a><\/em> magazine. She is the bestselling author of The Anne of Green Gables Devotional: A Chapter-By-Chapter <\/a>Companion for Kindred Spirits<\/a><\/em> and Praying with Jane: 31 Days Through the Prayers of Jane Austen<\/a><\/em>. Her newest book The Little Women Devotional<\/a> <\/em>is now available for pre-order and releases later this year. You can visit Rachel online at www.<\/a>RachelDodge.com<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"