The second half of a reworking of Jane Austen's Persuasion, written from the point of view of Captain Wentworth. It was somewhat enjoyable, but there...moreThe second half of a reworking of Jane Austen's Persuasion, written from the point of view of Captain Wentworth. It was somewhat enjoyable, but there was one bit that just rang wrong with me -- those who have read this will know what scene I am talking about. Still, compared to most of the vast array of Jane Austen sequels, prequels and more-quels, this is better than most of them.
A charming little book that would be great for a book club meeting based around Jane Austen. Tea customs, recipes, lovely photographs.
For the more co...moreA charming little book that would be great for a book club meeting based around Jane Austen. Tea customs, recipes, lovely photographs.
While I did like this one somewhat, there were some problems that kept it from being a four star read -- namely that given how the relationship betwee...moreWhile I did like this one somewhat, there were some problems that kept it from being a four star read -- namely that given how the relationship between Willoughby, Marianne and Brandon ends, that Willoughby would ever come within sight of the Brandons again. It's just not believable. Oh well.
I was really unhappy with this followup to Pride and Prejudice. While the dialog felt right, it was the silly plot twists that ruined the novel for me...moreI was really unhappy with this followup to Pride and Prejudice. While the dialog felt right, it was the silly plot twists that ruined the novel for me. Only for the die-hard Austen fans, and even then, I'd still have some cautions. I tried to give it a fair chance, I really did, but this was a failure for me.
This is a great addition to the library of anyone who loves to read Jane Austen. The annotations are clear, and the pictures throughout the text add a...moreThis is a great addition to the library of anyone who loves to read Jane Austen. The annotations are clear, and the pictures throughout the text add a great deal towards visualizing a great deal of the book. A great many of the nuances that most modern readers would miss or find confusing are given a fuller aspect here and really did help to understand more of the social boundaries and codes. I gained new understanding into Marianne's character and behaviour with this one as well. Five stars overall and worth the effort to work through.
A wonderful look at P&P, accompanied by a very good scholar of the book, and plenty of new insights and discoveries. Quite a few drawings, and map...moreA wonderful look at P&P, accompanied by a very good scholar of the book, and plenty of new insights and discoveries. Quite a few drawings, and maps help to make the setting more complete.
Not one of my favourite Jane Austen spin-offs. The first half of the book is interesting, but the second half bombs with a contrived Mary-Sue plot. Bl...moreNot one of my favourite Jane Austen spin-offs. The first half of the book is interesting, but the second half bombs with a contrived Mary-Sue plot. Blech! Only for the die-hard Austen fans. Otherwise, not one I'd recommend.
This was a book on Jane Austen's novels that I wish I had in my own college days. The author is a young, arrogant graduate student who starts to see h...moreThis was a book on Jane Austen's novels that I wish I had in my own college days. The author is a young, arrogant graduate student who starts to see his own flaws, and grows up in the three years that it takes him to work his way through the six novels and his dissertation. Very readable, a touch presumptuous in spots, but also very good.
Ugh. While I found the first book of this series, Austenland, interesting, this one turned out to be a real flop for me. I could not sympathise with o...moreUgh. While I found the first book of this series, Austenland, interesting, this one turned out to be a real flop for me. I could not sympathise with or find the heroine, Charlotte, at all appealing. Instead of people having a good time playing at dress up, there's a very thin plot of a mystery, and some fairly stupid contrivances -- I was heartily bored by this one, and was ready to toss it as it ground to a finish. It's very dull book and I could only give it two stars. Not recommended.
A terrific annotation of Jane Austen's Emma, and there are plenty of notes and illustrations to help the reader along. Shapard's notes are clear and h...moreA terrific annotation of Jane Austen's Emma, and there are plenty of notes and illustrations to help the reader along. Shapard's notes are clear and help the reader to understand some of the characters' more cryptic actions, as to why Harriet Smith isn't quite suitable, Jane Fairfax's troubles, and the like. Very enjoyable, and while the editor/annotator gives some spoilers, they are very clearly marked as so in the notes, so they can be skipped. The book, however, comes in at close to a thousand pages with everything, so it will take some time to get through it all. Don't let that stop you. Five stars overall, and very much recommended.
Ok, so the title is cheesy. It sounds like one of those awful self-help books that litter the bookstores, and it turns out that this book is anything...moreOk, so the title is cheesy. It sounds like one of those awful self-help books that litter the bookstores, and it turns out that this book is anything but. Elizabeth Kantor looks at the relationships pictured in Jane Austen's novels and separates out the good ones -- Darcy and Elizabeth, Anne Eliot and Captain Wentworth, Emma and Mr. Knightley, and the bad ones -- Lydia and Wickham, Marianne and Willoughby, Frank Churchill and just about everyone in Emma, and so on. What I really liked are the comparisons with modern culture -- the whole Romantic, 'swept away' that we're fooled into thinking is the right way to fall in love and plan a future, and the reality that lies beneath. It's also some darn good literary commentary about the Romantic movement and on Jane Austen. I really enjoyed this one, and it made me think about my own failures in relationships in the past. If you're brave enough to read this one, this should prove to be enlightening. Four and a half stars rounded up to five and a very much recommended.
I was really happy with this book, full of insights into both Latin America and also on reading Jane Austen. The author is smart, intelligent and wise...moreI was really happy with this book, full of insights into both Latin America and also on reading Jane Austen. The author is smart, intelligent and wise enough not to make this a 'ALL ABOUT ME!' memoir. Along the way I got to learn quite a few things, especially South American authors I should be reading, and of course, Jane Austen. This one had all sorts of surprises. I can happily recommend this one to anyone who enjoys Austen, and travel. Five stars overall.
A fascinating and well-written book about the life of Jane Austen as seen through a collection of objects that she used. There are writing books, a wr...moreA fascinating and well-written book about the life of Jane Austen as seen through a collection of objects that she used. There are writing books, a writing slope, a card of lace, a shawl from India, and the like. I really enjoyed reading this method of writing, and the end result was a deeper look at what and where and who Jane Austen used to create her novels. Along with the narrative, there are drawings and photographs of the objects, along with extensive notes and a bibliography. Five stars overall and a very enthusiastic recommendation from me.
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