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The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman
by
Lori Smith (Goodreads Author)
The Jane Austen Guide to Life playfully and poignantly examines Austen's life andnovels for the timeless advice that still applies for today's women. Austen may not understand texting or tweeting or platform heels, but as an astute student of human nature, she can surely teach us an awful lot about ourselves--and we might just be surprised by what she has to say....more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
May 1st 2012
by skirt!
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Did you ever wish you could sit down with Jane Austen and share a cup of tea? I'm sure if you're like me, you'd have a million questions you'd want to ask her. Who was your inspiration for Mr. Darcy? Do you have any good love advice? What do you think of the modern-day internet dating phenomenon? Well, if you've ever wished to share your Lady Grey with lady Jane, this is your opportunity. Lori Smith's, "The Jane Austen Guide to Life," is everything Austen is: captivating, winsome, insightful, wi...more
I was first introduced to Jane Austen when I was in college. I signed up for a semester class thinking that it would be something fun and would fulfill needed credits. I didn't know how very much I would fall in love with her writing, wit, and the time period in which she lived.
Since then, I devour as many books as I can get my hands on that give insight into Jane's life, works, or the Regency period.
I read Lori's book A Walk with Jane Austen several years ago. It was like being on a journey w...more
Since then, I devour as many books as I can get my hands on that give insight into Jane's life, works, or the Regency period.
I read Lori's book A Walk with Jane Austen several years ago. It was like being on a journey w...more
Every bit as irresistible as Jane or one of her novels, this book charms, delights, stirs, and works its way into your heart and head. Lori Smith gets Jane, a woman of substance, and gives her to us simply and beautifully. You see Jane at the piano and enjoying her tea as she secretly writes, going for long walks, and amusing her friends with clever repartee. And you see yourself in these pages too. The chapters are illuminating on how to live: learning how to love completely, work through heart...more
I could criticize this author for ignoring half her potential audience with the subtitle and cover art, but I will leave those comments for a feminist to make. All her chapters addressed contemporary concerns of mine; even the exception--"Becoming a Woman of Substance"--was easily adaptable to my own situation. Further, the author made it clear that Austen's discovery and popularity were fueled by men as well as women: her six brothers, the Prince Regent, and even the Sir Walter Scott, the most...more
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TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Biography/Guide
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS:
I was intrigued by the combination of a biography and self-help guide
Even though I've read The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After (Elizabeth Kantor), The Jane Austen Handbook (Margaret C. Sullivan), and What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love and Romance (Debra White Smith), I can never get enough of Jane Austen's wise and valuable counsel!
Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose and Vic Sanborn of Jane Austen's World both appear o...more
WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS:
I was intrigued by the combination of a biography and self-help guide
Even though I've read The Jane Austen Guide to Happily Ever After (Elizabeth Kantor), The Jane Austen Handbook (Margaret C. Sullivan), and What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love and Romance (Debra White Smith), I can never get enough of Jane Austen's wise and valuable counsel!
Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose and Vic Sanborn of Jane Austen's World both appear o...more
As with any interpretation of an author's work, Lori Smith uses what we know about Jane from her letters and those of her family to advise us on how Jane might advise us to live our lives. She uses examples from the books and it makes a nice little, light advice book.
I have had one little problem with the book and it's kind of had me question some other information in the book. Lori Smith writes "Compared to Austen, we are a generation of hopeless romantics, just waiting to catch sight of the ri...more
I have had one little problem with the book and it's kind of had me question some other information in the book. Lori Smith writes "Compared to Austen, we are a generation of hopeless romantics, just waiting to catch sight of the ri...more
If you could be swept back in time two hundred years ago to have a cup of tea with Jane Austen, what would you ask her? Any question. No bars held. If I had the courage, I might ask her how did she become so wise in the ways of human nature and love? Or, did she intend to craft stories to entertain, or to enlighten?
Since time-travel has yet to be invented, we can only surmise how Austen would have replied. Yet, for centuries she has been speaking to readers in an intimate way without many of us...more
Since time-travel has yet to be invented, we can only surmise how Austen would have replied. Yet, for centuries she has been speaking to readers in an intimate way without many of us...more
This is definitely a book for Janeites! I *heart* the many lessons and morals presented in this book. Taking a theme approach, chapters make reference to not only her books but also her personal letters and draw thoughts on 'what would Jane do?' and I think the author did quite a good job. Testament to the enduring qualities of Austen's writing, this book has much to offer the reader of today.
The author doesn't pick up on any nuances or hidden lessons- she just rehashes the plot of the books, which I've already read. This seems to be written for someone unacquainted with Jane Austen's works, which is funny, because who other than an established Austenite read this book?
I really don't like giving a bad review, I mean the author worked hard and all. But I skipped a lot of this book. The actual advice was just fine, but the way it was presented was tedious. It also seemed a bit sexist to me.
The author basically took samples off of the novels written by Jane Austen to elaborate the life lessons and moral values she wanted to point out to readers. A simple and practical read for everyone who loves Jane Austen's works, what it teaches us and an insight into her life as well.
What a delightful read! If you are a Jane Austen fan, this is a must-read for your collection! The author explored not only Austen's works, but also her life, for this well-documented work. I was amazed at the author's complete knowledge of all things Jane Austen and how she formulated practical how-to's from her comprehensive writings and entire lifespan. Witty comments, thought-provoking lessons and morsels of truth are generously sprinkled throughout each chapter.
Though I am myself a huge Austen junkie, I personally didn't enjoy reading this. I found it rather dry and a chore to get through, while Austen's novels themselves take very little time to finish. Rather than mention specific examples, the writer seems to waste pages on rehashing Austen's works. I know what happens in her works; I've read them! Simple quotes and examples to connect to the lessons would have been sufficient. It was a struggle to get through, and I would avoid reading it again.
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Interesting enough. I got some good insights and realized even more, this day and age are messed up.
A definite read for Austen fans. That's me!
Loved it. A must-read for any Janeite! Lori Smith's writing is beautiful and the ideas, quotes, and lessons from Jane Austen lift off the page, linger in the reader's mind to ponder and to capture into the every day; a sweet look at bringing Jane Austen's life and books into the situations of the modern girl's world. A book to savor and re-read through the years.
Enjoying Lori's insights shared from the various writings of Jane Austen and benefits of seeing our contemporary life situations from her varied characters' perceptions of life and relationships.. definitely a rich benefit having these life lessons learned before mistakes and misunderstandings become our life experience ~
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| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jane Austen: Life lessons from Jane Austen + book giveaway | 21 | 103 | Jun 09, 2012 07:46am |
Lori Smith is the author of The Jane Austen Guide to Life, A Walk with Jane Austen, and The Single Truth. She is an adorer of Jane Austen and a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She feels connections to Austen on many levels—as a writer, a single woman, an Anglican, and as someone struggling with a mysterious chronic illness. She spent a month in England tracing Austen’s life bef...more
More about Lori Smith...
