One of England's most popular novelists, Jane Austen wrote about life amid the gentry of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In her fiction, Austen analysed and satirised her world, particularly the expectations and duties of women in an unequal society. She was also a prolific correspondent, and her intimate, gossipy letters to family and friends offer unique insights into her life and work. AUTHOR: Rich with memorable characters from 19th-century English society and compelling themes of love and personal rivalries, the novels of Jane Austen (1775 1817) continue to enchant modern readers. One of literature's most celebrated women authors, Austen crafted stories remarkable for their engrossing narratives, sparkling dialogue, and psychological depth.