Holly Luetkenhaus

Zoe Weinstein

This book explores online fan spaces in search of "Janeites" all over the world to discover what fans are making, how fans are sharing their work, and why it matters that so many women and nonbinary individuals find a haven not only in Jane Austen, but also in Jane Austen fandom. In relatable chapters based on firsthand experience, the authors explore how Austen fandom has and continues to build communities around women, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.

The Evolving World of Jane Austen Fans

Austentatious

Alexia Cambaling

I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to NetGalley!

I picked up this book not because I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, but because I have an interest in online fandoms and how they create their own niche subcultures. I've dipped my toes a few times in fandom a few times and I like the idea of it, but I never really could muster enough energy to get actively involved in one.

This book was a legit eye-opener. I didn't know the Jane Austen fandom could be so intense and fascinating. They really love her work and they're incredibly passionate about it. The added bonus of all her work being in the public domain only meant that they can get more creative about their projects and really go big. I'm kind of aware of the multitude of Jane Austen spin-offs and tributes and essentially fanwork that's available commercially, but I didn't know there was a bigger online subculture of people who don't make their works commercially available, but instead free for everyone to consume.

I think that fanfiction is a very fascinating topic and I'd love to see it explore in more academic contexts. It's a subculture that has spawned subcultures of its own and now forms part of our media diet. Fanfiction has grown exponentially and I loved how this work explores it in the context of the Jane Austen fandom.

Austentatious The Evolving World of Jane Austen Fans

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