A whole family assembling regularly for the purpose of prayer is fine!
Fanny Price, Mansfield Park
For the first time you can read Jane’s original prayers in her neat handwriting that she wrote over 200 years ago.
Jane Austen is well-known as the beloved author of novels including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, and her unfinished novel Sanditon.
What is lesser known is that Jane Austen’s wrote prayers to read to herself and out loud to her family in the evenings. ’Prayers composed by my ever dear sister Jane’ is written on the fold and were treasured by Jane’s sister Cassandra until her death. They remind us that Jane was a deeply religious person and devoted to God.
Jane strongly held the Christian belief that what a person did each day was more important than what a person said, and this is reflected throughout her prayers. They are written in a similar style to those found in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer which she would have known by heart from a young age.
Jane asks for forgiveness, prays for the sick and afflicted, asks for safety and protection, and gives thanks for the blessings received from Him. They are personal, beautifully written and give us a glimpse into her heart.
In this expanded edition of Jane Austen’s prayers, Emma Darlington explores Jane’s feelings and thoughts about religion, and how growing up surrounded by clergymen influenced her novels and inspired her unforgettable characters, from the comical Mr. Collins to the dedicated Edmund Bertram.
The illustrations and photographs complement the theme and include items relating to Jane’s life, faith and death that are rarely seen. These include the record of Jane’s birth, her confirmation, the Austen family bible, Jane’s topaz cross, the Marriage Bans she scribbled in, Mary’s diary marking her death, personal letters, and many more.
This Special Edition is now available to pre-order from Amazon UK, Amazon USA
Reviews from the reading group
“I really love this book. Being able to read Jane’s handwriting so clearly, as well as the text next to it gave me goosebumps.” – Jenny
“Jane Austen’s prayers includes things you may not know about Jane as she was brought up surrounded by clergymen as a Christian. I especially liked reading the prayers and how her relationship with God influenced her novels.” – Victoria H
“You rarely see large pictures of Jane’s writing, so I liked how they featured in this book which is slightly larger so I can read her perfect handwriting. I loved it!” – Catherine
“I didn’t know the prayers even existed so I enjoyed reading them and finding out about Jane’s family. I especially liked the piece about clergymen as I like funny Mr Collins the most!” – Margaret
Details
Imprint: Brite Bird Press
Author: Emma Darlington
ISBN: 978-1-8382811-6-8 Print
ISBN: 978-1-8382811-7-5 eBook
Length: 160 pages
Dimensions: 6in x 9in / 152mm x 229mm