Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius review – even the author herself would be a fan of this spot-on tribute

This prestigious documentary celebrating 250 years since the novelist’s birth is a passionate, detailed – but never OTT – take on Austen. It will leave you rushing back to her booksIt is a truth universally acknowledged that if ever a novelist deserved a three-hour documentary deploying all the experts, all the excerpts from book and screen, all the re-enactments, all the life, all the literature, every bell and whistle, it is Jane Austen in the year 2025, the 250th anniversary of her birth.So, here it is – Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius. It’s a title that doesn’t mess around and neither does the programme, a prestigiously-bound triple-decker narrated by Juliet Stevenson that takes us through Austen’s birth, background, personal life, creative imagination, publishing history, private and professional setbacks and successes, with all the care and close attention a fan could wish for. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Netflix fans rave over ‘perfect cast’ as The Thursday Murder Club trailer drops

Metro

Comments

Similar News

‘Not everybody spoke posh’ in Jane Austen’s era, says top producer

Jane Austen die-hards: this documentary is unmissable

‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Review: It’s Not Me, It’s Jane

‘Jane Austen Wrecked My Life’ Review: It’s Not Me, It’s Jane

Jane Eyre at Sadler’s Wells: 'thickets of men blunt the emotional force'

Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth review – a riotous roadtrip

Emma Jane Unsworth: ‘I blush when I think of Miranda July’s All Fours. I became a changed woman’

Emma Jane Unsworth on new book ‘Slags’: ‘Women are encouraged to feel ashamed of our fantasies’

As Jane Austen’s Sister, Keeley Hawes Keeps a Controlled Burn

Jane Gardam, author of Old Filth and The Hollow Land, dies aged 96

Jane Gardam: An Appreciation

Jane Gardam Dead: ‘Old Filth’ Author Was 96

Culture

Netflix fans rave over ‘perfect cast’ as The Thursday Murder Club trailer drops

The Ballad of Wallis Island is an unexpectedly upbeat spin on Stephen King’s Misery

The Salt Path is a tale of homelessness that’s just too neat and tidy

The View hosts slam Trump pardoning ‘tax cheats and frauds’ Todd and Julie Chrisley

Jameela Jamil addresses disparaging Laurence Fox remarks: ‘I sounded like an idiot’

Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha criticises ‘out of the blue’ ITV daytime cuts

The Real Housewives of London cast announced — including a Ladies of London alum

I read crime novelist Denzil Meyrick’s final book. It is a fitting tribute to the man

Former Doctor Who stars confirmed to return in special anniversary episode

Rose Ayling-Ellis reveals why Doctor Who role left her tearful

Kool & the Gang's Michael Sumler dies in car crash

Chinese hackers used Google Calendar to target government agencies

As Supreme Court rulings on religious liberty cases loom, observers see hope for challengers

United Airlines will return to JFK with several daily flights in a deal with JetBlue

Mark Cuban and Wyclef Jean to headline Global Citizen's first Detroit summit on the future of cities

Race Across the World viewers complain after show ‘ruined’ by ‘sob stories’

Matthew Fox shares thoughts on divisive Lost ending in rare interview about hit series

Eamonn Holmes admits to feeling ‘sad’ when sharing throwback photo: ‘I could walk’

Amazon Prime fans can now binge all 8 episodes of ‘juicy’ thriller

Phineas and Ferb return to screens after a decade, with one change

Katherine Ryan claims male co-stars sent her frightened texts after she warned about industry predator

John Mulaney loses fight against three teenage boys in finale of live Netflix talk show

R&B star arrested and charged with animal cruelty

John Cooper Clarke reveals how Arctic Monkeys collaboration changed his life

He is Scotland's greatest novelist but no-one reads him nowadays. Why?

Scotland's oldest cinema crowned nation's best in new study

Scots noir is sharp, witty - and a wee bit SNP. What would Taggart say?

Dates confirmed for return of Aye Write book festival

Oasis Edinburgh gigs 'to deliver £136m boost to local economy'

'A real show-stopper' - Another cracking show at classical music festival

Pre-sale tickets to Kneecap Glasgow gig sell out in seconds after TRNSMT ban

What is Google even for anymore?

Harry Potter fans annoyed about casting detail no one’s got right in 25 years

Rescheduled Kneecap Glasgow gig sells out pre-sale in seconds

Michael Sumler death: Kool & the Gang star dies in car crash, aged 71

Sirens star reveals she had private health condition written into hit Netflix show

Jenna Ortega hits out at ‘patronising’ Wednesday detail

Matthew Goode insists Downton Abbey remark ‘was not meant to be derogatory’

New BBC drama smashes records despite viewers ‘switching off’ after 5 minutes

Trump reduces Chicago gang founder's sentence after lobbying by Kanye West

Marriage Material at the Lyric Hammersmith review: a raucously funny and often moving family saga

Want to cut through small talk? Try asking a 'magical question'

11 movies to watch this summer: Sequels, a new 'Superman,' and edgy originals, too

Taylor Jenkins Reid on ‘Atmosphere’ and Her Favorite Books

10 New Books We Recommend This Week

A Guide to Taylor Jenkins Reid and Her Books

NYC Pride Events 2025: Where to Celebrate

Zarna Garg Knows That Sometimes Pretty Hurts

‘Dept. Q’ Review: Netflix’s Nordic-British-American Noir

White Lotus burning mystery solved as Mike White reveals answer

Babe star reveals stage four cancer diagnosis

The White Lotus fans terrified season 4 will be delayed after major announcement

Doctor sent to Welsh beach in summer for freezing actors

Australian comedian Magda Szubanski diagnosed with cancer

Smokey Robinson files $500m case against rape accusers

Sophie Habboo joins husband Jamie Laing as Radio 1 co-host

Fans to join family and friends of musician Mike Peters at his funeral in Wales

Dept Q is the best police procedural Netflix has ever made

Nathan Fielder reveals he spent two years training to fly a 737 for jaw-dropping The Rehearsal finale

Dolly Parton: My faith has sustained me after my husband’s death