Episode 81: Paula Byrne On The Real Love Story Behind Jane Austen’s Novels | Six Weeks by the Sea

“How could Jane Austen write so convincingly about love and heartbreak if she never fell in love?”In this episode, I’m joined by author and literary critic Paula Byrne to explore Jane Austen’s love life, beyond the well-known stories.You might already know about the dashing Tom Lefroy, made famous in Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. Or perhaps you’ve giggled at the tale of Harris Bigg-Wither, whose proposal Jane accepted only to change her mind and flee less than 24 hours later.But what if there was another man in her life... one whose story is filled with passion, longing, and heartbreak?Paula and I dive into the mysterious seaside romance Jane is believed to have experienced in the summer of 1801. Could this be the man who truly captured her heart? Paula's new novel Six Weeks by the Sea is her fictional reimagining of this emotional and enigmatic chapter of Austen's life.📖 Where can you find Paula? Six Weeks by the Sea – Out 28th August (UK) / 5th August (US)Author of Jane Austen: The Genius of Jane Austen (featured in the BBC documentary)Belle: The True Story of Dido BelleAnd many more acclaimed biographies and novels.@paulajaynebyrne on Instagram and XFollow me on Instagram: @whattheaustenWhat the Austen? is available wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by actress and writer Susannah Harker forever beloved to many of us as Jane Bennet in the iconic 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice. Nearly thirty years on, Susannah is stepping back into Jane’s world, but this time, she’s reimagining the character’s life (and her own) in a brand-new comedy-drama, Jane Bennet’s Second Spring.In this episode, we trace her journey from becoming Jane Bennet during the height of Austenmania, to exploring the complexities of midlife, resilience, and reinvention. We talk about the quiet strength of Jane Bennet, the stereotypes women face as they age, and why telling multifaceted, authentic women’s stories matters more than ever.Susannah also shares the inspiration behind her new film, a witty, moving, and deeply relatable story of a woman whose golden age is just beginning. This conversation is part nostalgia, part creative deep-dive, and part rallying cry for women to own all their stories. Not just the ones others expect us to tell.Where can you find Susannah? Support the Kickstart and get involved with the film: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/susannahharker/jane-bennets-second-spring@[email protected] me on Instagram:  @whattheausten  Support my other channel  @Izzymeakin ​

Join me, Sophie, and Abbie for a post-ball debrief as we spill all the tea from my very first Regency ball experience—hosted at one of their fabulous seasonal events! From dance floor dos and don’ts to must-have accessories, we’re sharing our top tips, tricks, and lessons learned to help you feel confident and have the time of your life at your next historical ball. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a first-time attendee, this episode is packed with laughs, helpful advice, and behind-the-scenes stories.🎉 GIVEAWAY: 18th–25th JulyWin a ticket to a 2026 Regency Ball in Reading! Sophie and Abbie are kindly giving away one ticket exclusively to one of my listeners. See my instagram post @whattheausten for the info on how to enter! Where to Find Sophie & Abbie:📸 @laughingwithlizzie🎨 @abigailrosecreative🛍️ Lizzie & Rose – Reasonably Priced Regency Accessories✨ Sign up for Laughing with Lizzie’s newsletter via the link in her Instagram bio to stay up to date on future events and releases.Want the full first-time ball experience? Watch my vlog from their Springtide Ball on YouTube! @IzzyMeakin

In this episode, I’m joined by Neha and Shruti from The Novel Tea podcast to talk all things Emma, the most Marmite of Jane Austen’s heroines. From her unshakable confidence to her curated little world in Highbury, is Emma Woodhouse the blueprint for today’s “That Girl” trend? We explore how shifting attitudes around singledom, self-assurance, and main character energy might just mean that Emma’s time has finally come.Where can you find Neha and Shruti? The Novel Tea on all podcasting platforms @thenoveltea.podSubstack - https://thenovelteapod.substack.com/

It’s my 27th birthday or as we Janeites like to say, my Charlotte Lucas birthday! To mark the occasion, I opened up the floor to your questions about all things Austen, books, podcasting and life. In this episode, I’m answering all the questions I was sent e.g. which Austen character would I interview? What books did I read growing up? etc. Thank you to everyone who sent in a question 🤍 it was such a lovely way to reflect and connect. I hope you enjoy this slightly more personal episode of What the Austen? 📖@abigailrosecreative  @laughingwithlizzie6038 ​

In this episode I'm joined by Caily to unpack the enduring allure of Fitzwilliam Darcy. Together, we explore The Darcy Effect—why this seemingly aloof gentleman continues to captivate readers over two centuries later. Is Mr. Darcy truly the archetype of the Romantic hero, or does he lean closer to the brooding complexities of a Byronic figure? We take a deep dive into his character. Join us for a rich discussion full of nuance and theory 🤍I've done loads of episodes with Caily over the years including unpopular opinions and Villain off's so be sure to check those out too! Please also subscribe and if you want to support the podcast further leaving a review on one of the podcasting platforms like Apple and Spotify makes such a huge difference! Thanks Janeites 🤍

IMPORTANT NOTE (fetch the smelling salts!!): Dolly Alderton reached out! Yes, she listens to the podcast! And yes, she is a true fellow Janeite. The festival referred to was a literary festival. Dolly was invited to debate with Sebastian Faulks. You don’t get to choose what you debate or which side you’re on. Dolly said yes because she loved the book (Pride and Prejudice), as does Sebastian, and it was just fun to talk about Darcy on stage. She hadn’t read Wuthering Heights — which is in fact what she said on stage. Dolly noted she would never have debated a book she hadn’t read. It wasn’t about the TV show or film as this was at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. You know I’ll always be honest with you Janeites, and I’ve apologised to Dolly — I should have done more due diligence when researching for the episode. I’d hate to spread any information that isn’t true, so I’m really glad to now have the full story! Also, no shade at all to my lovely listener who shared the initial information with me, it was down to me as the host to check all the data. Love, Izzy xPinned by @whattheausten@whattheausten5 seconds agoNetflix has just announced a brand new Pride and Prejudice adaptation, and you know I had to weigh in! In this episode, I’m chatting through all the early details—from Dolly Alderton writing the screenplay to the fresh marketing strategy, which seems much more tailored to the Janeite and bookish community.We talk about what we’ve loved in past adaptations, where there might still be space for a new take on this beloved novel, and yes... we do share our concerns (especially after the whole Persuasion situation).Hope you enjoy it!Where can you find Dr Kayla Jones:  @regencyrumours  on all platforms

In this episode, I’m joined by Hilary Davidson – dress historian, curator, and author of Jane Austen’s Wardrobe and Dress in the Age of Jane Austen. We dive once again into the fascinating world of Regency fashion and explore how clothes can tell stories just as powerful as words. Hilary shares the incredible process of recreating Jane Austen’s pelisse, what dancing shoes of the era can reveal about society, the purpose of fashion plates and how they were used. We also chat about the evolution of menswear, and how Austen herself used fashion in her novels not just for flair, but as subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) indicator of morality and social standing.So whether you're a history lover, a fashion enthusiast, or just obsessed with all things Jane Austen, this one’s for you. Pour a cup of tea and join us for a cozy, richly woven conversation that’s all about fabric and fiction 🌿👗📚Places to research more on Fashion plates mentioned in the episode: https://www.hathitrust.org/ https://archive.org/ https://lib.bunka.ac.jp/english/ Hilary’s Davidson books: Jane Austen’s Wardrobe (2023)Dress in the Age of Jane Austen: Regency Fashion (2019)A Guide to Regency Dress OUT 2025 Where can you find Hilary: @fourredshoeshttps://www.hilarydavidson.net/

In this episode, I’m joined by author Molly Williams and illustrator Jessica Roux, the brilliant minds behind Jane Austen's Garden: A Botanical Companion to Her Novels. Together, we explore the plants, flowers, and gardens that shaped Austen’s world and how they feature in her beloved works.We delve into the influence of Capability Brown, the fascinating world of Floriography—the secret language of flowers—and how gardening in Austen’s time was not just a pastime but a political rebellion against the French. From the grand estates of Pride and Prejudice to the wild, romantic landscapes of Sense and Sensibility, we uncover the deeper significance of nature in Austen’s novels.Watch the video on YoutubeBooks & Oracle Deck Mentioned:🌸 Jane Austen's Garden: A Botanical Tour of the Classic Novels🌸 Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers🌸 Woodland Wardens Oracle Deck Find them on Instagram:📷 @jessicasroux📷 @theplantladi

Join me for an insightful conversation with Gill Hornby, author of Miss Austen, a captivating novel that reimagines the life of Cassandra Austen — Jane Austen’s beloved sister. We delve into Cassandra’s pivotal role in Jane’s life and legacy, the inspiration behind the book, and the journey of adapting it into the widely popular BBC mini-series.Gill shares her thoughts on bringing Cassandra’s untold story to life, balancing fact with fiction, and what viewers can expect from her upcoming novel The Elopement out 22nd May. Gills books are available in local bookshops and Waterstones. KindleAudiobookMiss Austen is now available in the UK on BBC iplayer and will be out in the US in [email protected]@whattheausten