Fanny Trollope [1779-1863] was contemporary with Austen (although she outlived her) but didn't publish her first book until she was 53 years old. Perhaps more remembered now as Anthony Trollope's mother, she was known in her life as Charles Dickens's chief rival selling novels. She started with her bestseller Domestic Manners of the Americans (1832) based on her experiences when she lived in the US for a few years. She produced 35 novels, 6 travel books, and amusing correspondence within European literary society. This biography was chosen as Book of the Year in both the Guardian and the Sunday Times. Viking. 1998. Hb, Dj. USED. $5.00