Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice
The most popular Austen heroine, Lizzy’s headstrong nature and complex relationship with Mr Darcy have captivated and inspired generations
Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility
One of Austen’s most complex characters (Emma Thompson was nominated for an Oscar in the role). She is as passionate as her sister and is governed by her strict sense of propriety
Mary Crawford, Mansfield Park
Curiously, it’s more tempting to side with her than with the heroine, Fanny. Mary is intelligent and captivating, but her shallow nature lets her down
Emma Woodhouse, Emma
She isn’t interested in getting married, making for a fascinating heroine of the time. Her flaws are flaunted from the start, but her warm heart makes you eager to forgive them
Isabella Thorpe, Northanger Abbey
The scenes describing her quite literal pursuits of men on the streets of Bath will make you laugh out loud
Capt Frederick Wentworth, Persuasion
The last hero Austen created before her death, he’s different to the rest—he’s not a member of the landed gentry, but makes his own fortune through hard work and good sense
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The BBC and the contender for the greatest April Fool's prank ever playedAs April 1 looms, Martin Fone tells the tale of one of the finest stunts ever pulled off.
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How to disconnect from reality and feel like a new person in under 72 hoursOur round-up of the best British retreats that work wellness wonders in under 72 hours.
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London as you've never seen it — and as you'll never see it againThe East End of London has changed rapidly in recent years, but photographer Paul Trevor chronicled it from the 1970s to the 1990s. His images have been collected in a new book, Market Day.
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The 'holy grail' of JRR Tolkien's letters are up for sale, showing his anger at his editors and the 'priggery' of Sherlock HolmesBayliss Books are selling the biggest collection of Tolkien first editions and personal letters to come up for sale in twenty years. Annunciata Elwes takes a look.
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A look inside Derek Jarman's Prospect CottageA new book by the photographer Gilbert McCarragher will give readers a first-look inside Derek Jarman's famous home on the shingle of Dungeness.
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The rare images of J.R.R. Tolkien which caused a sensation at auctionPamela Chandler's portraits of the great J.R.R. Tolkien went under the hammer recently, almost doubling the estimate set by the auctioneers.
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Anne Glenconner: How rehabilitating Princess Margaret made her a literary phenomenon on the cusp of her tenth decadeAnne Glenconner, the former lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret who has become a publishing phenomenon, speaks to Flora Watkins about finding fame late in life. Main photograph by Hal Shinnie.
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Charades: An exclusive Rebus short story for Country Life at Christmas, by Ian RankinJohn Rebus finds the truth behind a festive parlour game in this short story, written exclusively for Country Life by Ian Rankin.
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Jane Austen’s six most-famous novels, summed up in 10 words eachNovels in a nutshell.
