June Sturrock is professor emeritus of English at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.

'Sturrock reads the novels through the lens of ethical criticism, and explores how the heroines differ from their parents in terms of morality. [...] Sturrock's contribution lies in her exploration of the various intrafamilial relations: those between sisters, between mothers and daughters, and between fathers and daughters. [...] Exhaustively researched and well written, "Jane Austen's Families" is a pleasure to read.' —'Forum for Modern Language Studies'

• Acknowledgements; References and Abbreviations; General Introduction; PART I: FAMILY DYNAMICS: Introduction; Chapter One: The Functions of the Dysfunctional Family: “Northanger Abbey,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice”; Chapter Two: Spoilt Children: “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park” and “Emma”;  Chapter Three: “Usefulness and Exertion”: Mothers and Sisters in “Sense and Sensibility,” “Mansfield Park,” “Emma” and “Persuasion”; PART II: FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS: Introduction; Chapter Four: Money, Morals and “Mansfield Park”; Chapter Five: Speech and Silence in “Emma”; Chapter Six: Dandies and Beauties: The Issue of Good Looks in “Persuasion”; Conclusion: “Creative Attention”;  Notes; Select Bibliography; Index