Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper by Manuela Santoni, Matteo Benassi
Published by Graphic Universe (TM) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1541523660
Pages: 96
Goodreads

This graphic novel, originally written in Italian, imagines what Austen’s impetus for her love of reading and writing may have been, along with her one failed relationship that we know of, all from her letters to her sister Cassandra. The illustrations are all black and white and very simplistic, making it at times difficult to tell characters apart. The timeline begins at her deathbed, then moves to her teen years, through her adulthood, and back to her deathbed. The back matter includes factual information about Austen’s time and her novels, along with a timeline of her life.

Particularly since this is not a factual accounting of Austen’s life, the audience for this book is incredibly narrow, its audience laying mostly in ardent Austen fans. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook