In her recent book, Jane Odiwe attempts to answer some of the lingering questions we might have, by filling in some of these gaps with letters written, as if by Cassandra, in response to known letters of Jane's. Added to this are sumptuous watercolors depicting daily life for the Austen girls from their early childhood through Jane's residence in Bath.

While Jane Austen excelled in writing, Cassandra was the artist of the family. While we may thank her for the only authenticated portraits of Jane as well as other family members, there is, to the true devotee, always a desire for more. With this in mind, Jane Odiwe has expanded this collection with paintings of the Austen Family, a "younger" portrait of Jane, and what is perhaps her most excellent work, a completion of the "Jane in a Blue Dress" sketch done by Cassandra, in which Jane turns her head to the painter, finally allowing us to see her face. She rounds out the collection with a love letter to Jane from her mysterious Sidmouth admirer. At last we have the opportunity to see, at least for a moment, the happiness she wished for all her heroines, visited on Jane. Everywhere full of facts, details and minutiae from the Austen's lives, this book is sure to be treasured, along side of Austen's own novels and letters. Nowhere is liberty taken too greatly to be believable. We are not presented with more that is already known and verified. Instead, we see a more complete picture of this sister who was more than all to Jane and are given a delightful hour's read, which is, like its subject's own, "Light, Bright, and Sparkling."

Laura Boyle for the Jane Austen Centre on-line magazine

February 16 2004

Review by Anne Woodley for the The Regency Ring. Anne Woodley is the founder and Patroness of The Regency Ring

New Book of Interest
Effusions of Fancy: Consisting of Annotated Sketches from the Life of Jane Austen in a Style Entirely New   Jane Odiwe This book is available through Amazon UK or from Jane Odiwe's website - and is a very nice, light read. "Effusions of Fancy" is a new Jane Austen book with a difference, a mixture of letters and watercolour pictures depicting Jane's life through Cassandra's eyes. It is a light hearted portrayal of a youthful Jane Austen, and perhaps a good likeness of the vibrant, charming, smart woman that she was. Certainly the watercolour sketches and paintings depicting events and scenes from the novelist's life are annotated with facts and accompanied by illustrated letters - they are also very much in keeping with the style of painting at the time and so have an extra appeal.

The letters are based on Jane's correspondence with her sister and presented as Cassandra's lost letters. The paintings are varied in scenes but cover most of the year and the events which would have been important to a Georgian/Regency family of the time. They have been inspired by Cassandra's sketches, other contemporary paintings and historical costume. Illustrations include, Jane Austen's birth, childhood scenes, a family wedding, the Austen family, a new portrait inspired by Cassandra's sketch, love and dancing with Tom Lefroy, balls, shopping and social gatherings in Bath and Jane with her mysterious Sidmouth beau.

There are 36 beautifully illustrated pages and the presentation is excellent - soft cover - it would make an ideal keeper for Jane Austen fans, or a gift for anyone interested in the Regency or Georgian eras.

Anne Woodley is also a reviewer for Amazon – her review of the book is shown below