Bath is well-known for its literary associations, the most famous being Jane Austen, who spent only a few years in the city and had a conflicted relationship with it. In a letter to her sister Cassandra, Jane wrote of her ‘happy feelings of Escape’ on leaving. That said, Bath is mentioned in all her novels and features most prominently in Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, where the heroine Catherine Morland declares ‘Oh! Who can be ever tired of Bath?’ Certainly not the thousands from all over the world who will gather here this year to attend the balls and events to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth.
Jane died in Winchester in July, 1817 and, in the same year in Bath, a very young Mary Shelley was writing the final draft of Frankenstein. The house where she lodged from 1816 to 1817, at No. 5 Abbey Churchyard next to the entrance to the Pump Rooms, has since been demolished with just a plaque to mark the significance of her presence in the city. We do not have a Mary Shelley festival in Bath ─ yet ─ but her contribution to literature cannot be underestimated. Frankenstein may well be the first science fiction novel and certainly its exploration of morality and ethics through science, using the framework of good Gothic horror, makes it a tour de force. And written by a woman too. The first edition was published in 1818 anonymously and it wasn’t until 1821 that Mary Shelley was credited as the author. Jane Austen suffered the same lack of recognition as her early works carried ‘By a lady’ in lieu of her name. In December 1817, five months after her death, Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, which is basically a parody of bad Gothic fiction, were published with Austen identified as the author.
Early 19th Century book lovers would be spoilt for choice in the offerings of that time and we’re delighted that Bath continues to champion literature through its many excellent independent bookshops especially Mr B’s who have continued to support our award, the local festivals and opportunities for writers.
Bath Short Story Award, in its fourteenth year, continues to attract an exciting range of talent from all over the world. Our current prize closes on March 31st and we’re looking for stories in any genre. All shortlisted stories will be published in our 2025 anthology.
Jane