Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius

How did Jane Austen, a clergyman's daughter with limited prospects, become a literary icon? In the fascinating series *Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius*, historian Lucy Worsley investigates this very question. She acts as a detective, diving into Austen's personal letters and early manuscripts to uncover the woman behind the beloved novels. The series blends Worsley's insightful exploration with dramatic reconstructions, bringing Austen's restrictive 18th-century world vividly to life. It reveals the real people and social challenges that inspired timeless characters and plots in works like *Pride and Prejudice*. This compelling journey shows how Austen honed her sharp, witty craft in secret to become a celebrated author against all odds. The series has ended, but sign up for a reminder just in case it returns.