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758 Jane Austen in 41 Objects (with Kathryn Sutherland) | 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez (#5 Greatest Book of All Time)

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Dec 15, 2025

Guest

Kathryn Sutherland

Kathryn Sutherland, a Senior Research Fellow at St. Anne's College, Oxford, shares fascinating insights from her book, which explores Jane Austen through the lens of 41 objects that shaped her life. They discuss how these objects debunk sanitized family narratives about Austen and the significance of her social class and possessions. Additionally, they delve into the origins and global impact of Gabriel García Márquez's '100 Years of Solitude', examining its role in the magical realism genre and its influence on writers like Salman Rushdie.

57:21

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insights

INSIGHT

Objects Counter Family Hagiography

Objects provide tangible evidence that can correct or balance hagiographic family biographies.
Kathryn Sutherland argues objects reconnect Jane Austen to everyday life and show suppressed aspects of her ambition.

insights

INSIGHT

Forty-One As A Thoughtful Constraint

Summarizing Jane Austen's life in 41 objects is deliberately partial and ironic.
Sutherland chose 41 to echo Austen's 41 years and to signal that any life is selective and cannot be fully known.

insights

INSIGHT

Shopping As Female Agency

Jane Austen lived in a proto-consumer age where shopping became a structured daily activity for women.
Sutherland links that emerging consumer culture to female agency and narrative structure in Austen's novels.

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Kathryn Sutherland's Jane Austen beginnings

02:13 • 58sec

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Early impressions and pacing of Austen's novels

03:11 • 1min

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Family biography versus real Jane Austen

04:16 • 6min

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Objects as corrective to biography

10:19 • 3min

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Why 41 objects? The book's concept

13:30 • 2min

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Jane Austen's social class and possessions

15:11 • 3min

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Shopping, agency, and high-end purchases

18:32 • 3min

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Criteria for selecting objects

Research access and museum collections

26:50 • 2min

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The flower spray: a trigger for imagination

28:25 • 2min

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Detail in Austen's shopping letters

30:51 • 2min

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Dancing, lost objects, and fleeting life traces

32:24 • 1min

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Objects as partial but meaningful portraits

33:48 • 5min

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Personal resonance and memorial objects

38:30 • 6min

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Wrapping up: the book and final thoughts

100 Years of Solitude — origin story

45:47 • 2min

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Publishing struggles and serendipity

47:56 • 2min

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Global impact and El Boom

49:55 • 1min

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Magical realism explained and debated

50:58 • 1min

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Influence on other writers

52:28 • 3min

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Marquez's Nobel reflection

A Memoir of Jane Austen

James Edward Austen-Leigh

#48527

Jane Austen in 41 Objects

Katherine Sutherland

#2258

• Mentioned in 16 episodes

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie

The novel tells the story of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, the moment of India's independence from British rule. Saleem's life is intricately linked with the history of India, and he possesses telepathic powers that allow him to communicate with other 'midnight children' born between 12 a. m. and 1 a. m. on that date. Each of these children has unique magical powers, and Saleem acts as a conduit to connect them. The story spans various historical events in India, including the partition, wars, and the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi. It explores themes of identity, history, and the fragmented nature of a newly independent nation.

#1173

• Mentioned in 28 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.

#1692

• Mentioned in 21 episodes

A Room of One's Own

Virginia Woolf

In 'A Room of One's Own', Virginia Woolf delivers a groundbreaking essay that addresses the status of women in literature and society. The essay, originally based on a series of lectures given at women's colleges, posits that for women to write fiction, they must have money and a room of their own. Woolf explores the historical limitations faced by women in accessing education, careers, and artistic endeavors, and she critiques the societal structures that have hindered women's creative expression. Through the fictional character of Judith Shakespeare, Woolf illustrates the tragic fate of a talented woman denied the opportunities available to men. The essay concludes with an exhortation to women to claim their intellectual and creative freedom, advocating for economic and intellectual autonomy as essential for fostering creativity and self-expression.

#917

• Mentioned in 33 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.

#1780

• Mentioned in 20 episodes

100 Years of Solitude

Gabriel García Márquez

The novel tells the story of the Buendía family and the town of Macondo, which they founded. It spans over a hundred years, from the postcolonial 1820s to the 1920s, and explores themes of solitude, family destiny, and the cyclical nature of time. The story is marked by magical realism, blending mundane and extraordinary events, and reflects on the impact of modernization, civil wars, and social changes on the town and its inhabitants. The novel is an epic tale that intertwines historical and fictional elements, highlighting the repetitive patterns and destinies of the Buendía family.

#50

• Mentioned in 212 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.

#1707

• Mentioned in 21 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.

How well can we know someone through the objects they encountered? In this episode, Jacke talks to Kathryn Sutherland, Senior Research fellow at St. Anne's College, Oxford, about her new book Jane Austen in 41 Objects, which examines the objects Jane Austen encountered during her life alongside newer memorabilia inspired by the life she lived. PLUS Jacke takes a look at Gabriel García Márquez's classic multigenerational magical realist novel 100 Years of Solitude, which lands at #5 on the list of the Greatest Books of All Time.

Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠John Shors Travel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Mid-December update: Act soon - there are only two spots left!

The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gabrielruizbernal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Help support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/literature ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com/donate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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