I learn so much about JA (not enough) and her life through the Letters! It is so Delightful! ;D

I have learned that her life was very full and in addition she wrote the marvelous stories that brought all of us to Pemberley in the first place. The number of social events attended is a little mind boggling for a hermit-dwelling homebody like me, from visits, diners, and balls, it seems there were always places to go and people to see. It is no wonder that her acquaintance was so wide and varied; considering the Lady herself, I am always surprised to learn she had to sit through any set at a ball for want of a partner. ;D

I agree BarbaraB, I also feel letters were entertainment as well as vehicles for news but I do feel JA’s are extraordinary—I feel secure that no one will contradict me on this point. (;D) JA put a lot of herself into her Letters—love certainly, quirky humor, wicked wit (per Reeba), keen observation and a penchant for the honest description of people at their best and worst makes it hard to believe these Letters disappointed anyone upon publication. How the sheer entertainment value of the Letters could be lost upon them is beyond me not to mention the insight into those times they give. ;D

Finding similar situations or comments in her Letters and Novels has provided a great deal of fun for me during this GR; this reinforces for me that JA wrote about what she knew from her life experience and is, I think, why her novels are so believable and translate so well into our time. Who does not know a Caroline Bingley or been deceived by a handsome or pretty face? If I could only convince my friends that JA is relevant to our lives today and aside form being a genius, was interested in much the same things as we are then I am sure they would be captured by this as well as the stories and the humor. ;D