HarperCollins Publishers Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius: Her Love of Theatre and Why She is a Hit in Hollywood

'I relished every page This is the best book on Jane Austen I have ever read Spectator 'Compelling a delightful and engrossing book Byrnes passion is nothing if not persuasive Sunday Times Was Jane Austen a woman of prim manners and genteel calm? Or someone who behaved outrageously, filled with sharp wit and wild comedy? Looking afresh at adaptations of Austens work from the BBCs Pride and Prejudice to Emma Thompsons Sense and Sensibility and the wildly successful Clueless bestselling biographer Paula Byrne presents a bold new portrait of Austen as youve never seen her before. A definitive and pioneering study of a wholly neglected aspect of Austens art' Michael Caines, TLS Entertaining and engaging Literary Review . . (Previously published as The Genius of Jane Austen]