Patchwork: A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen

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Description

In the later years of her life, English novelist Jane Austen made a quilt. Acclaimed graphic novelist Kate Evans deconstructs this patchwork coverlet and uses the fabrics to illustrate Austens life story. The arc subverts that of the romantic heroine and turns it into a heros journey. The world is ready for the story of a middle-aged, formidable, maiden aunt creating success on her own terms.

This is a bold re-imagining of the graphic biography format where the textures and colours of snippets of the cloth that Austen works are given new resonance, interwoven with a period-accurate retelling of the events of her life and her books. Evanss art style a cross between Raymond Briggs and Beatrix Potter and the historically accurate and quintessentially English vision of Austens world that she creates will be appealing to Austenites. Kate Evans' love for Jane Austen shines through in the work. Her incredible eye for historical detail allows for the creation of an immersive vision of Regency England. The little details panes of glass, bits of lace, hedgelaying styles, the cut of a coat or the architecture a Hampshire cottage vividly recreate Jane Austen's world.

Reviews

A thing of beauty. -- Mary Talbot, author of The Dotters of Her Father's Eyes
A fresh and vibrant reimagining of Austen's life, literally stitching her story into the wider tapestry of capitalism and colonialism. Kate Evans ties her well known talents for research and storytelling in with humour and heartbreak, reclaiming Austen from the dusty pages of history and rendering her with colour and energy. This stunning graphic biography is sure to draw new and diverse audiences into Austen's world and bring her story firmly into the 21st century. An impressive achievement! -- Karrie Fransman, author of Death of the Artist
A beautiful thing woven round a brilliant device, with snags to make you pause and think deeply, and maybe even cry as well as laugh. -- Martin Rowson, author of As I Please
A treasure trove of a book -- Lucy Adlington, creator of Bad Girls in Bonnets
I'm an Austen fan who loved Kate Evans's Red Rosa, so I'm basically the target audience here. Particularly, I'm excited to see how Austen's patchwork quilt is handled as a storytelling device, and what that means for the book's artwork, panel to panel. It's so cool when narrative and form meet. * Lit Hubs Most Anticipated Books of 2025 *

Author Bio

Kate Evans is a writer, cartoonist, illustrator and public speaker with thirty years experience. Patchwork is her eighth work of graphic non-fiction.