This volume explores the multiple connections between the two most canonical authors in English, Jane Austen and William Shakespeare. The collection reflects on the historical, literary, critical and filmic links between the authors and their fates. Considering the implications of the popular cult of Austen and Shakespeare, the essays are interdisciplinary and comparative: ranging from Austen’s and Shakespeare’s biographies to their presence in the modern vampire saga Twilight, passing by Shakespearean echoes in Austen’s novels and the authors’ afterlives on the improv stage, in wartime cinema, modern biopics and crime fiction. The volume concludes with an account of the Exhibition “Will & Jane” at the Folger Shakespeare Library, which literally brought the two authors together in the autumn of 2016. Collectively, the essays mark and celebrate what we have called the long-standing “love affair” between William Shakespeare and Jane Austen—over 200 years and counting.

Book 1: Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of “Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.” Follow the spirited Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates love, societal expectations, and the enduring charm of Mr. Darcy in this timeless tale of wit, romance, and social commentary. Book 2: Discover the unparalleled genius of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare.” Traverse the vast literary landscape crafted by the Bard himself, encompassing tragedy, comedy, and sonnets that continue to captivate readers with their timeless themes and profound insights into the human experience. Book 3: Plunge into the depths of human struggle and resilience with “Long Day's Journey Into Night by Eugene O'Neill.” O'Neill's poignant play, set against the backdrop of familial conflict, delves into the complexities of addiction, regret, and the elusive pursuit of happiness, leaving a lasting impact on the theatrical landscape.

Thoroughly innovative and occasionally irreverent, this book will appeal in equal measure to book historians, Austen fans, and scholars of literary celebrity.

Many rumors abound about a mysterious gentleman said to be the love of Jane's life—finally, the truth may have been found. . . . What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen's memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? That's the premise behind this spellbinding novel, which delves into the secrets of Jane Austen's life, giving us untold insights into her mind and heart. Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and Sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last. Deft and witty, written in a style that echoes Austen's own, this unforgettable novel offers a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author's romantic tales. It's a remarkable book, irresistible to anyone who loves Jane Austen—and to anyone who loves a great story.

THE PERFECT VISIT: A NOVEL The Perfect Visit tells the story of two bibliophiles who go back in time to rescue lost books and manuscripts. Vanessa Horwood decides on Regency England; Ned Marston goes to Shakespeare's. But Vanessa wants to rewrite history. And Ned wants to meet the Bard himself. The novel takes its title from Jane Austen's Emma: "it was a delightful visit - perfect, in being much too short." Vanessa and Ned both plan such perfect visits. And both reach their destinations. Then things go wrong and their sojourns become longer and more dangerous than either had ever imagined. Vanessa falls foul of the law, transported from Jane Austen's genteel world to the dark underbelly of a Regency prison. 1607 London shows an equally black side to Ned when he antagonises one of Shakespeare's rivals, escaping with his life only to find that an accident of time takes him only halfway home. Advance praise for The Perfect Visit: "Stuart Bennett's remarkable visit to Regency England is compulsive reading, a treasure house of observation, perceptiveness and detail. Admirers of Jane Austen's novels will feel that they have truly come home." - Stephen Orgel, General Editor, The Pelican Shakespeare.

* INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER * "This novel delivers sweet, smart escapism." —People "Fans of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will adore The Jane Austen Society... A charming and memorable debut, which reminds us of the universal language of literature and the power of books to unite and heal." —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris Just after the Second World War, in the small English village of Chawton, an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable. One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England's finest novelists. Now it's home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen's legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people—a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others—could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society. A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, Natalie Jenner's The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.