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The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman
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The Jane Austen Guide to Life playfully and poignantly examines Austen's life and novels 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.
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Jane Austen's Guide to Life is a short collection of advise based on Jane Austen's books and personal letters. This was a light, easy read although it was not as good as I was hoping. It is the sort of thing I would have eaten up at age fifteen or sixteen, but now it felt somewhat feeble. The advise was good but generic.
As an Austen fan myself, I understand how growing up on those books leads one to feel a degree of ownership over the characters and Austen herself. You feel like you know her and ...more
As an Austen fan myself, I understand how growing up on those books leads one to feel a degree of ownership over the characters and Austen herself. You feel like you know her and ...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
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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
I thought I would really, really love this book, because I really, really love Jane Austen's books. But I think it's precisely that I am so familiar with her books that I didn't really, really love this book.
Huh?
Okay, let me explain.
I have read her books. Some multiple times. I have seen the plays made from the books. I have seen the movies made from the books (again, some multiple times). I'm familiar with her books, her style of writing, the plot points, etc. I thought that this book would hav ...more
Huh?
Okay, let me explain.
I have read her books. Some multiple times. I have seen the plays made from the books. I have seen the movies made from the books (again, some multiple times). I'm familiar with her books, her style of writing, the plot points, etc. I thought that this book would hav ...more
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
I quite liked it! I don't usually enjoy "self-help" books or books that try to give you advice on how to make your life better/easier/happier/more-Pinterest-worthy. But this book has no floofy advice about cleansing your inner cupboards or letting go of your fixations or whatever. This book, like Jane Austen herself, is very sensible, helpful, witty, and fun.
The book is broken up into chapters that each deal with a subject, such as "living your dreams" and "finding a good man" and "saving and s ...more
The book is broken up into chapters that each deal with a subject, such as "living your dreams" and "finding a good man" and "saving and s ...more
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.
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.
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.
Easy, light non-fiction read. A bad tendency to be a bit repetitive though.
A definite read for Austen fans. That's me!
Although this book would probably appeal mostly to Jane Austen fans, it does deliver some good life lessons, taken from Austen's life and writings, with applications in today's world. Suffering from chronic lupus disease, the author may have had a special outlook on Austen's life. Thorough research (citations for letters as well as the novels) shows how deeply Lori Smith immersed herself in all things Austen.
I really appreciated the good advice that came from Austen's life and her novels. I got to know and love her better, I got to know and love her books better, and the advice really made me think about how I live my life. I aspire one day to be like Jane.
Jun 11, 2018
Diva
added it
Not bad, A good visitation to the Austen books. But obviously, as it is situated after the "Lord of the Rings trilogy" In the scheme of my reading , it did suffer by comparison. Shining through most are the words by Austen, as of course they would. Even Tolkien admired them.
Lots of lessons here, and information not only on the books Austen wrote but on her own life.
At first I began to think this book was only about finding 'the right one'. Lessons like 'Finding the Right Man', 'Recovering from a Broken Heart', 'Marrying Well', 'Thinking About Love', etc., all took up the first half of the book (and being already married I was getting a bit weary of reading them!) However there were also worthwhile lessons like, "Cherishing Family and Friends," "Saving and Spending ...more
At first I began to think this book was only about finding 'the right one'. Lessons like 'Finding the Right Man', 'Recovering from a Broken Heart', 'Marrying Well', 'Thinking About Love', etc., all took up the first half of the book (and being already married I was getting a bit weary of reading them!) However there were also worthwhile lessons like, "Cherishing Family and Friends," "Saving and Spending ...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
"In our era we are eminently comfortable with questioning, but we do so with an aim that is the opposite of Austen's. We tend to question standards with a view to relaxing them"
"If Austen equated goodness with happiness, we may be tempted to turn that equation on its head, to make happiness the supreme good and to justify anything in the name of getting there. For Austen, that would represent a great moral poverty."
"[Austen] doesn't aim for her characters to set about changing the world or refor ...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
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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
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An enthusiastic, well-researched, and invested biography. The format of this book is very unique and really amazingly organized in way that you don't realize that you are essentially reading a biography. I thoroughly enjoyed the book in both its advice, filled with wisdom, and its excerpts from Jane Austen's amazing literary works. Jane Austen is the epitome of good habits, great wit, and the best values. As a Jane Austen fanatic, this novel is very enjoyable and was a much appreciated look into
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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
Not for Janeites! The first half of the book was mainly reciting to me the different characters of Austen's novels. Yes, I've read the novels; I know the characters and their flaws. Why do I need you to 'categorize' and state it back to me? The latter half of the book adds slightly more value, in that it is focused on Jane Austen's personal life, pulling examples from family letters to demonstrate her character - humorous and witty. (Although there were instances without examples or supporting e
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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.
Lori Smith takes Jane Austen's books and letters and finds patterns within them. Smith then devises the patterns into sections (chapters) and then subcategories. Smith does her research into Austen's work, but a lot of the book is based on assumption and personal opinion. I thought the book was laid out well and cleverly written. I would tend to agree with most of what Smith assumes Austen might have meant with her works and letters.
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 ~
This is a great book for any Jane Austen fan. While she didn't have the most perfect life, Jane always tried to see the good in every situation. She adored her family and close friends and would do anything for them. We could definitely learn a lot from her. I also think I was born 200 hundred years too late. Life just seems so much simpler then.
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.
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?
Interesting enough. I got some good insights and realized even more, this day and age are messed up.
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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
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