First Editions and Contemporary Works
In addition to first editions of Austen’s novels, this page contains works by Austen’s contemporaries, including a handful of works mentioned directly in Austen’s novels. Austen’s characters often read poetry to one another, particularly while forming a romantic attachment. Romantic poetry is often taught separately from Austen’s novels, but the works are contemporary to one another, and in conversation to a certain degree: scholars have studied narrative irony in Byron’s and Austen’s works side-by-side, for example. Austen notes works by Byron, Radcliffe, and Lathom in passing in her letters.
Works Included
The Discarded Son
This is one of the novels Isabella lists in Northanger Abbey.
Call number: 823 R583D
The Mysteries of Udolpho
This is the second edition of the highly popular book that Catherine and Isabella discuss throughout Northanger Abbey.
Call number: 823 R11m1794
