I'm trying to force myself to like her books but I can't help but get bored whenever they start gossiping or talking about marriage. I wonder if straight people find them more interesting or if that's just a stereotype?
I'm not sure I agree that sexuality would necessarily have anything to do with liking Jane Austen or not. The gossiping about marriage is a result of social norms and expectations in Austen's time. I don't see why they couldn't be appreciated a great novels and romances within context of their time. I love Pride and Prejudice, not because I would want Mr Darcy for myself, but because I think Elizabeth and Darcy belong together and I love a happy ending. I like how the feelings, flaws and journeys of the characters are portrayed. It makes them believable, whole people, which makes me invested in finding out what happens to them. I also have an interest in social history, which I studied at university but focused on an earlier period.
