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October 1, 2025 1 min

Introducing Jane Austen's Paper Trail, a new podcast from The Conversation.

When she died aged just 41, Jane Austen's sister, Cassandra, burned most of her letters. What's left gives us tantalising clues about who she really was. Austen's characters jump to life on screen with a new adaptation for each generation… but 250 years after her birth, the woman herself remains an enigma. 

Over six episodes, one for each of her books, Jane Austen's Paper Trail takes you on a journey through Austen's life and times with the help of the UK's top experts.

We'll head to a scandal-filled tearoom in Bath to ask was Jane a gossip? Head to a glittering Regency ball to find out whether she was a romantic? And visit her house in Hampshire to find out what she thought about being a writer. Along the way we'll delve into the characters and themes that have made her writing so enduring for so many readers.

Host: Anna Walker

Reporters: Jane Wright and Naomi Joseph

Senior Producer and Sound Design: Eloise Stevens

Executive Producer: Gemma Ware

Artwork: Naomi Joseph and Alice Mason

The Conversation is an independent, not-for-profit news organisation. If you like the show, please consider donating to support our work. You can sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation here.

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