Chawton House, like many a private museum, is feeling the financial pinch at the moment:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/20...to-coronavirus

*For those who remember CW.

I remember CW well, and share his sentiments, though less about the author than her rabid fans. I love libraries and museums and there I was, feeling all sorry for the place when I read this whopper " Hmm. Now I admire her prose style, but find her subjects lightweight. In the end I suppose I agree more with Mark Twain, who wrote, "Jane Austen's books, too, are absent from this library. Just that one omission alone would make a fairly good library out of a library that hadn't a book in it." - Following the Equator

Jane Austen's novels are many things, but lightweight they aren't.

I apologize for the confusing link in my post. I was trying to quote a line which went something like "Every sentient reader's favorite author" or some such nonsense. Instead of just text, the line must have contained a link.

In my 20s I visited Chawton and Jane Austen's House - so I am concerned to hear this. I just sent a donation to them and I hope others will too.

I�m not a rabid fan, but her works highlight the plight of women of her time - status and finances being entirely dependent upon marriage.

If you donate, you should do it in CW’s name.

That is not something many male critics call "content"

>>>I’m not a rabid fan, but her works highlight the plight of women of her time - status and finances being entirely dependent upon marriage.<<<

Very true. She was also a witty observer of manners and had a wicked eye for hypocrisy.

I sent a small donation - just checked and they have so far exceeded their goal by nearly 10% . . . but I was surprised the initial goal was only �75k. That wouldn't support most US museums for 2 days let alone through the foreseeable pandemic closure. That must be solely for very basic utilities and maintenance.

And male critics who do not understand women's issues are the only ones who matter?

Personally I think they don't

Culturally, they're still the pinnacle of literary criticism.

"women's issues". There you go already.

PatrickLondon, fully agree with your and Cholmondley Warner's sentiments on the subject of Ms Austen. Despite the fact that he was a fan of Tottenham Hotspur, at least he got this right!

Don't get me wrong. I found his antipathy amusing, but I don't share it. I'm all for a bit of bonnet action (otherwise known as Dench warfare).