Helen Fielding, creator of the Bridget Jones novels, shares how Jane Austen's work influenced her writing style. Gill Hornby, author of Miss Austen, reveals insights from Austen's life that shaped her fiction. Kalika Sands from Sotheby's explores the value of rare Austen manuscripts. The discussion navigates marriage versus spinsterhood in Austen's time, and how her characters, like Mrs. Bennet, reflect societal pressures. Together, they celebrate the timeless themes of love and female autonomy in Austen's novels, proving her relevance endures.
