A fun exploration of underlying meanings in Austen's works. Twenty chapters, each on a topic. Explains the significance of money, age, blunders, illnesses, sex, weather, the seaside, and shows how these kinds of topics spoke in subtle and not-so-subtle ways to Austen's contemporary readers. And her scenes still speak to us today. Did she know how good she really is? Mullan tries to solve that problem, among others. Notes, bibliography. Hb, Dj. List $30.00. Bloomsbury Press. NEW. $25.00