The History of Literature 746 Wild Jane Austen (with Devoney Looser) | #9 Greatest Book of All Time
Nov 3, 2025
Devoney Looser, an English professor and Jane Austen scholar at Arizona State University, reveals her fascinating dual life as a roller derby performer known as Stone Cold Jane Austen. In a spirited conversation, she discusses her new book, which champions a reimagined, rebellious Austen. Looser highlights Austen's overlooked 'wild' side and her feminist nuances. She also explores Austen's sympathy for social outcasts and her ironic narrative style that challenges moralizing norms. Expect a fresh perspective on Austen and her impact across generations!
01:04:37
Scholar Skates As 'Stone Cold Jane Austen'
- Devoney Looser is a Jane Austen scholar who also skates roller derby as Stone Cold Jane Austen.
- She uses that alter ego to highlight Austen's rebellious and untamed qualities.
Don Quixote's Immediate Global Impact
- Don Quixote was widely read across Europe and became a universal classic soon after publication.
- It sold out repeatedly, spawned translations, and remains a cornerstone of Western literature.
Cervantes' Reach Across Classes
- Cervantes' Don Quixote sold millions and influenced major writers across Europe.
- Its mix of humor and humanity made it beloved by both elites and common readers.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Why Don Quixote Is Number Nine
01:46 • 6min
How 18th-Century Readers Praised Cervantes
08:05 • 4min
Don Quixote's Early Popularity and Editions
11:52 • 3min
Transition to Jane Austen Conversation
15:01 • 39sec
Ad break
15:40 • 5min
Guest Introduction: Devoney Looser and Her Background
20:31 • 37sec
Who Were Jane and Anna Maria Porter?
21:08 • 1min
Did Sir Walter Scott Eclipse the Porters?
22:30 • 3min
Devoney's First Encounter with Austen
25:30 • 3min
Why Austen Appeals Across Generations
28:04 • 3min
When Did You See Austen's 'Wild' Side?
30:40 • 1min
Why Austen Seems Mild Compared to Contemporaries
31:56 • 3min
Was Austen Personally Racy or Prudish?
34:50 • 2min
Does Austen Sympathize with 'Fallen' Women?
36:34 • 3min
Ad break
39:11 • 1min
What Does Wild Mean for Austen?
40:21 • 6min
Austen and the Romantic Era
46:33 • 1min
What You'll Find in Wild Writings
47:58 • 2min
How Austen's Family Life Was Less Provincial
49:55 • 3min
How Did Fame Affect Austen's Identity?
52:54 • 2min
How Austen's Narrator Challenges Moralizing Novels
54:51 • 3min
How Has Austen's Afterlife Become 'Shambolic'?
57:43 • 2min
What If Listeners Prefer a 'Safe' Austen?
59:54 • 3min
How Would Austen Portray a Modern Roller Derby Character?
01:02:42 • 2min
Book Plug and Closing Thoughts
01:04:34 • 20sec
Outro
01:04:53 • 3min
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The making of Jane Austen
Devoney Looser
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Sister Novelists, the Trailblazing Porter Sisters, who paved the way for Austen and the Brontes
None
Devoney Looser
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The Scottish Chiefs
Jane Porter
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Thaddeus of Warsaw
Jane Porter
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Wild for Austen
A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane
Devoney Looser
#1241
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel.
It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death.
The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby.
Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.
#1066
• Mentioned in 27 episodes
Persuasion
Jane Austen
Published posthumously in December 1817, *Persuasion* is Jane Austen's last completed novel.
The story revolves around Anne Elliot, a 27-year-old woman who, at the age of 19, was persuaded to break off her engagement to Captain Frederick Wentworth due to his lack of wealth and connections.
Eight years later, Anne and Captain Wentworth, now a successful naval officer, meet again, setting the stage for a second chance at love and marriage.
The novel explores themes of love, social class, regret, and the consequences of pride and persuasion, reflecting the societal norms and expectations of the Regency era in England.
#1972
• Mentioned in 17 episodes
Mansfield Park
Jane Austen
monica arcija
The novel follows Fanny Price, a young girl from a poor family who is sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at Mansfield Park.
Fanny navigates the complexities of her new environment, dealing with the mistreatment by some family members and the kindness of her cousin Edmund.
The story unfolds with the arrival of the charming but morally dubious Crawfords, leading to a series of scandals and moral dilemmas.
Ultimately, Fanny's integrity and compassion guide her through the challenges, and she finds love and a sense of belonging with Edmund.
#22440
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Waverly
Amelia Elizabeth Walden
#134
• Mentioned in 113 episodes
The Iliad
Homer
The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events.
The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris.
The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war.
The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.
#55
• Mentioned in 185 episodes
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts.
However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it.
The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events.
The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.
#504
• Mentioned in 45 episodes
Dom Quixote
Xavier, Alberto
Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes, tells the story of Alonso Quixano, a middle-aged gentleman who, influenced by his extensive reading of chivalric romances, decides to become a knight-errant.
He renames himself Don Quixote and, with his squire Sancho Panza, embarks on a series of adventures.
These adventures often involve Don Quixote's misinterpretation of reality, such as mistaking windmills for giants and inns for castles.
The novel explores themes of reality vs.
imagination, the decline of chivalry, and the human condition.
Eventually, Don Quixote returns home, regains his sanity, and renounces his chivalric ambitions before his death.
#718
• Mentioned in 35 episodes
Robinson Crusoe
Daniel Defoe
The novel follows Robinson Crusoe, a young and impulsive Englishman, who ignores his parents' advice and sets out to sea.
After a series of misadventures, including being captured by pirates and sold into slavery, he is eventually shipwrecked on a deserted island near the coast of Venezuela.
There, he spends 28 years surviving against incredible odds, encountering cannibals, captives, and mutineers.
The story is influenced by real-life castaways such as Alexander Selkirk and blends elements of Puritan spiritual autobiography, travel literature, and adventure stories.
It is considered one of the first modern novels in the English language and explores themes of ambition, self-reliance, civilization, and power.
#338
• Mentioned in 60 episodes
The pilgrim's progress
Geoffrey Murray
The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory that follows the journey of Christian, a man burdened by his sin, as he travels from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City.
Along the way, he encounters various characters and obstacles that symbolize spiritual realities.
The book is presented as a dream sequence and is divided into two parts, the second part following Christian's wife, Christiana, and her children on a similar journey.
The narrative is rich in biblical references and explores themes of redemption, faith, and perseverance.
#81
• Mentioned in 156 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
Author Devoney Looser may be a mild-mannered English professor to most people, but roller derby fans know her as Stone Cold Jane Austen, her smashmouth alter ego. In this episode, Devoney tells Jacke about her new book Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane, which suggests we also rethink the commonly held view of "spinster Jane." PLUS Jacke reveals #9 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time.
Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup closing soon)! The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel. Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Find out more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Or visit the History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary at John Shors Travel.
The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com.
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