Jane Austen's novels are still relevant today, even though they were written over 200 years ago. This decade, from 2011 to 2017, celebrates the bicentenary of the publication of his six novels. His novels are classics and still appear on many required college reading lists, but his works are also read by ordinary people who simply love a good story. During his lifetime, his books were well received, but quickly forgotten after his death (Harman 65). Considered one of Britain's most revered authors, her legacy is now passed down through generations and is ingrained in popular culture (Swisher 13). One of eight children born to George and Cassandra Austen in 1775, Jane grew up in a happy and loving world. house, filled with lively and frank conversations (Teuber 5, 8). Although Jane was "discovered" again in the Victorian era, she grew up in the Georgian era, considered a period of enlightenment (Laski 24). She was particularly close to her only sister, Cassandra, and when she was sent to school, Jane accompanied her even though she was only six years old (Swisher 16). Her mother commented, “If Cassandra were to have her head cut off, Jane would insist on sharing her fate” (Laski 23). At the age of eleven, Cassandra and Jane returned home and the remainder of their education was supervised by their father (Swisher 16). Mr. Austen had distinguished himself at the university as a scholar and had amassed a vast library available to the girls (Laski 24). The entire family were avid readers and no restrictions appear to have been placed on what the girls could read (Halperin 26). Although not very organized, the girls received a better education than most girls of the time (Laski 24). Jane was...... middle of paper...... age. Yet his novels endure because the themes are timeless. They contain all the elements that make up readers' treasure, including love, wrong assumptions, humor, and like all fairy tales, the couple lives happily ever after. Works Cited Halperin, John. The Life of Jane Austen. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 1984. Print. Harman, Claire. Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World. 1st ed. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010. Print. Laski, Marghanita. Jane Austen and her world. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975. Print.Shields, Carol. Jane Austen. New York: Penguin, 2001. Print. Swisher, Clarice, ed. Readings on Jane Austen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1997. Print. Teuber, Andreas. “Biography of Jane Austen.” Brandeis University. Brandeis U, and Web. March 9. 2014. .