A Bend in the Road

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Episode 40: Author and Rare Book Dealer Rebecca Romney: Jane Austen’s Bookshelf … and Beyond

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Aug 6, 2025

Guest

Rebecca Romney

Join Rebecca Romney, a rare book dealer and author, as she delves into the literary world surrounding Jane Austen. Discover the influence of Frances Burney on Austen through an intriguing find that initiated her research. She discusses Austen's unique style and how societal factors shaped the writing careers of women like Radcliffe and Inchbald. The conversation also explores the significance of rare book provenance and the use of social media to bring these treasures to a wider audience. A captivating exploration of literature and its hidden gems!

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ANECDOTE

Cranford Cover That Changed A Career

Rebecca Romney bought a Cranford-series copy for its cover and discovered Frances Burney's Evelina inside.
That accidental find launched her quest into the women writers who influenced Jane Austen.

insights

INSIGHT

Austen As Part Of A Female Literary Tradition

Jane Austen borrowed phrases, models, and techniques from earlier women writers like Frances Burney.
Seeing those connections revealed a broader literary tradition beyond Austen alone.

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INSIGHT

Different Strengths, Not Hierarchies

Different authors excelled at different techniques, so comparisons are taste-based rather than absolute.
Anne Radcliffe, for example, performs narrative feats Austen does not, and vice versa.

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A Cranford Shelf and Frances Burney Discovery

03:40 • 7min

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Austen's Style: Contemporaries, Voice, and Lydia

10:30 • 10min

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Material Conditions: Family, Support, and Women Writers

20:36 • 10min

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Books as Objects: Marginalia, Poison Bindings, Social Media

Jane Austen's Bookshelf

A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend

Rebecca Romney

#89

• Mentioned in 141 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.

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Evelina

or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

Frances Burney

In 'Evelina', Frances Burney crafts a vivid and satirical account of late 18th-century London society through the eyes of its protagonist, Evelina Anville. The novel follows Evelina's journey as she navigates the complexities of high society, encountering various characters that reflect the social norms and excesses of the time. It is both a commentary on the societal pressures faced by women and a love story, with Evelina attracting the attention of the charming Lord Orville.

#1141

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

Emma

Jane Austen

juan perez

The novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a beautiful, clever, and rich young woman who has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little distress. Emma decides to take up matchmaking, despite the advice of her friend Mr. Knightley. Her attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith with various men lead to complications and ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance. The novel explores themes of education, courtship, and social class in Georgian-Regency England, highlighting Emma's journey of self-discovery and learning from her mistakes.

#1101

• Mentioned in 25 episodes

Of mice and men

John Steinbeck

Published in 1937, 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck is a novella that tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression. The narrative revolves around their dream of owning a small farm, a symbol of the American Dream. However, their plans are continually thwarted by circumstances, including Lennie's accidental killing of the ranch owner's daughter-in-law, which leads to a tragic conclusion. The book is known for its vivid portrayal of farm life, its exploration of themes such as loneliness, friendship, and the harsh realities of the labor system, and its objective narrative style. It has been widely adapted into stage and film versions and remains a significant work in American literature.

#3922

• Mentioned in 9 episodes

Howl

Allen Ginsberg

Published in 1956, 'Howl and Other Poems' is a seminal work of American literature. The collection includes Ginsberg's most famous poem, 'Howl,' which is a powerful critique of modern society and a celebration of the Beat Generation's values of nonconformity and creative expression. The book also features other notable poems that reflect Ginsberg's unique voice and poetic style.

#256

• Mentioned in 71 episodes

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City. The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships. Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe. The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world.

#15617

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Cranford

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Elizabeth Gaskell

Cranford, a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, depicts the lives of women in a small, fictional English village. The story is known for its gentle humor, charming characters, and nostalgic portrayal of village life. Gaskell explores themes of community, friendship, and the changing social landscape of 19th-century England. The novel is celebrated for its detailed descriptions of village life and its memorable cast of eccentric characters. Cranford remains a beloved classic, offering a heartwarming and insightful portrayal of women's lives in a bygone era.

#2742

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is a coming-of-age story that satirizes the Gothic novels of the late 18th century. The novel follows Catherine Morland, a young and naive girl who loves reading Gothic novels. When she is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey, the home of the Tilney family, her imagination runs wild with expectations of mystery and horror. However, the reality of the abbey is far from her Gothic fantasies. The novel explores Catherine's growth as she learns to distinguish between fiction and reality, and it critiques the societal norms and expectations of her time. Written by Jane Austen, the book was completed in 1803 but published posthumously in 1817 along with Persuasion.

#1244

• Mentioned in 23 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.

Jane Austen inspired millions… but who inspired her? That is the question rare books dealer and author Rebecca Romney set out to explore in her new book Jane Austen's Bookshelf. Join Roberta Panjwani as she sits down to talk with Rebecca about the lives and works of the women writers Austen admired, the fascinating world of rare books, and the stories they still have to tell.

Watch this episode on YouTube!

Things we talked about in this episode:

Rebecca Romney and Jane Austen’s Bookshelf

Rebecca Romney on Instagram

Rebecca Romney on TikTok

Type Punch Matrix (Rare Book company)

Jane Austen @ 250 RPL Celebration

Rebecca Romney A Bend in the Road episode on YouTube

JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America)

Frances Burney and Evelina

Ann Radcliffe and The Mysteries of Udolpho

Amy Winehouse’s, Allen Ginsburg, and Howl

Pride & Prejudice (2005 film)

Episode Credits

Our thanks to Rebecca Romney for joining us today.
You can learn more about Rebecca, Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Who Shaped a Legend, and Type Punch Matrix rare book firm at rebeccaromney.com.
A Bend in the Road from the Ridgewood Public Library is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgewood Library and created by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
A Bend in the Road is written, hosted, and produced by Roberta Panjwani and created by Roberta Panjwani and Diane Sims.
Our Assistant Producer and Digital Media Producer for this episode is Elias Rosner.
Our Editors are Roberta Panjwani and Elias Rosner.
Our Technical Directors and Audio Engineers are Matt Giannotti and Elias Rosner.
Original Music is written and performed by Diane Sims.
Logo and Website created by Parker Gaidimas.

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