Jane Austen's Best Friend: The Life and Influence of Martha Lloyd Published by Pen and Sword History by Zoe Wheddon
on April 28, 2021
Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Historical
Pages: 224
Source: Publisher
Format: eBook, ARC
Find the Author: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Find the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
ISBN: 1526763818
Rating:
All fans of 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's Best Friend; The Life and Influence of Martha Lloyd offers a unique insight into Jane's private inner circle. Through this heart-warming examination of an important and often overlooked person in Jane's world, we uncover the life changing force of their friendship.
Each chapter details the fascinating facts and friendship forming qualities that tied Jane and Martha together. Within these pages we will relive their shared interests, 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. 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 'love and friendship' with them both.
I typically stay away from non-fiction. It rarely holds my interest and I have a difficult time staying with it. But, as soon as I saw that there was a non-fiction tale of Jane Austen and her friend, Martha Lloyd, I knew I couldn’t pass it up! Anything Jane Austen and I’m there for it!
Before hearing of this book, I’ll be honest–I’d never heard of Martha Lloyd. I had no idea she even existed. But, from Wheddon’s research, I’d say that without Marth Lloyd, our Austen wouldn’t be quite the Jane Austen that we appreciate so much.
I absolutely love reading books about friendship because it’s so encouraging and wonderful. Female friendships are so important–and Martha and Jane’s friendship is no exception.
If you are an Austen fan, even if romance is normally your thing–I implore you to stop what you’re doing and give this book a shot. I feel like it explores a little more of the mystery of who Jane was.
A lovely book, from a talented author, regarding a legend… What more could anyone possible want?
About Zoe Wheddon
'A native of Jane Austen's beloved county of Hampshire, Zoe Wheddon, lives in a village on the outskirts of the touwn that she and her husband Matt grew up in, with three grown up children and a cat called Leia.
She co-presents the popular podcast What Would Jane Do and writes articles and book reviews on matters relating to friendship, self-compassion and personal development on her blog. When not researching or writing her next book, Zoe can be found in the classroom teaching Spanish and French or singing ABBA songs loudly in her kitchen.'
Oh, this sounds so fascinating. I need to read more by Jane Austen in general but no, I hadn’t heard of her best friend!!!
-Lauren