奧斯丁，1775年12月16日生於斯蒂文頓鄉一教區牧師傢庭。受到較好的傢庭教育，主要教材就是父親的文學藏書。奧斯丁一傢愛讀流行小說，多半是庸俗的消遣品。她少女時期的習作就是對這類流行小說的滑稽模仿，這樣就形成瞭她作品中嘲諷的基調。她的六部小說《理智與感傷》(1811)《傲慢與偏見》(1813)《曼斯斐爾德花園》(1814)《愛瑪》(1815)以及作者逝世以後齣版的《諾桑覺修道院》(1818)和《勸導》(1818)，大半以鄉鎮上的中産階級日常生活為題材，通過愛情婚姻等方麵的矛盾衝突反映瞭18世紀末、19世紀初英國社會的風貌。作品中往往通過喜劇性的場麵嘲諷人們的愚蠢、自私、勢利和盲目自信等可鄙可笑的弱點。奧斯丁的小說齣現在19世紀初葉，一掃風行一時的假浪漫主義潮流，繼承和發展瞭英國18世紀優秀的現實主義傳統，為19世紀現實主義小說的高潮做瞭準備，起到瞭承上啓下的重要作用。

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In one of Jane Austen's most morally complex and richly drawn novels, she paints a fascinating portrait of an upper-class family and the cousin who comes to live with them. Fanny Price, the timid and poor relative of the wealthy Bertrams, finds comfort only in her gentle cousin, Edmund, with whom she gradually falls in love. But the departure of the father on business, and the arrival of the worldly Henry Crawford and his sister Mary, irrevocably change the family’s fortunes. A penetrating account both of individual motives and social mores, Mansfield Park remains as fresh today as when it was written. The world's greatest works of literature are now available in these beautiful keepsake volumes. Bound in real cloth, and featuring gilt edges and ribbon markers, these beautifully produced books are a wonderful way to build a handsome library of classic literature. These are the essential novels that belong in every home. They'll transport readers to imaginary worlds and provide excitement, entertainment, and enlightenment for years to come. All of these novels feature attractive illustrations and have an unequalled period feel that will grace the library, the bedside table or bureau.