i think that the english probably feel a sense of ownership over jane austen. Their affections are clearly equally strong. But their behaviour at conferences, and that the americans, they tend to dress up in regency clothing,. And there is a yearly bath festival in the city of bathin england, m that has that element to it. I think it's 70, point four. Ah, that's really, that's a joke for my listeners. A, the point four makes it more convincing. It makes it sound more scientific. i doubt it's 70 either. But it might be less. It might there might be something less that's retained through a electronic screen.
Author and professor Janine Barchas of the University of Texas talks about her book, The Lost Books of Jane Austen, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. The conversation explores Austen's enduring reputation, how the cheap reprints of her work allowed that reputation to thrive, the links between Shakespeare and Austen, how Austen has thrived despite the old-fashioned nature of her content, Colin Firth's shirt, and the virtue of studying literature.