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A Dance with Jane Austen: How a Novelist and Her Characters Went to the Ball
"The period illustrations and dance diagrams are charming, but Fullerton's discussion of dance in Austen's novels is both incisive and entertaining. From the Netherfield ball in Pride and Prejudice to Anne Elliot playing the piano as her friends dance in Persuasion, Fullerton explains how dancing moves the action forward in each book and what it reveals about various characters. (She even draws heavily on the unfinished The Watsons.) By the end, readers will long to revisit the dance scenes in Austen's world and follow her heroines' practice of talking over the ball afterward with friends over a cup of tea. A beautifully illustrated exploration of dance in the life and novels of Jane Austen." -Shelf Awareness
Drawing on contemporary accounts and illustrations, and a close reading of the novels as well as Austen's correspondence, Susannah Fullerton takes the reader through all the stages of a Regency Ball as Jane Austen and her characters would have known it.
Drawing on contemporary accounts and illustrations, and a close reading of the novels as well as Austen's correspondence, Susannah Fullerton takes the reader through all the stages of a Regency Ball as Jane Austen and her characters would have known it.
162 pages, Hardcover
First published October 9, 2012
5 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
About the author
Susannah Fullerton
25 books22 followersSusannah Fullerton has been President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia since 1996. She is a worldwide authority on Austen's life and fiction, and her books have been praised by Claire Tomalin, Maggie Lane, Deirdre le Faye and Hazel Jones.
She has lived in Australia since 1986 and her book 'Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia' looks at 11 famous authors who spent time in Australia.
She grew up in New Zealand and her audio CD 'Finding Katherine Mansfield' is the first ever audio CD about New Zealand's greatest writer.
She has lived in Australia since 1986 and her book 'Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia' looks at 11 famous authors who spent time in Australia.
She grew up in New Zealand and her audio CD 'Finding Katherine Mansfield' is the first ever audio CD about New Zealand's greatest writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 23, 2015
Like so many of my research books, this one's exactly what it sounds like. Unlike so many of my research books, this one's definitely intended for a popular readership. It's full of information while managing to be a fairly light and pleasant read. It's also quite pretty – there are lots of full-color illustrations, including a photo of a pair of gorgeously worn-out embroidered satin dance shoes.
The information is presented in an engaging fashion, which is a decent accomplishment for a book that really is everything anyone ever wanted to know about Regency balls: clothing (men's as well as women's – dress correctly, gentlemen, or you might be barred at the door); transportation (sedan chairs in Bath, walking or carriages everywhere else); the dances (everything from a reel to a quadrille described in loving detail); the food served at the all-important supper (pineapple for dessert was the height of fanciness); even the fact that the dance right before supper was served was an especially significant one, since when that dance ended, "a gentleman accompanied his partner into the supper room, sat talking with her while they ate, and plied her with the best things from the table," providing "a wonderful courtship opportunity."
If you're researching the Regency or are a full-on Austen fan, I recommend this book.
The information is presented in an engaging fashion, which is a decent accomplishment for a book that really is everything anyone ever wanted to know about Regency balls: clothing (men's as well as women's – dress correctly, gentlemen, or you might be barred at the door); transportation (sedan chairs in Bath, walking or carriages everywhere else); the dances (everything from a reel to a quadrille described in loving detail); the food served at the all-important supper (pineapple for dessert was the height of fanciness); even the fact that the dance right before supper was served was an especially significant one, since when that dance ended, "a gentleman accompanied his partner into the supper room, sat talking with her while they ate, and plied her with the best things from the table," providing "a wonderful courtship opportunity."
If you're researching the Regency or are a full-on Austen fan, I recommend this book.
November 15, 2013
This short, full-color book uses anecdotes from Jane Austen's novels, letters and other period resources to explain everything about going to a ball from the dance steps to the clothing, the etiquette, and music and much more. This is a very nice book and I learned a few things about dance in the Regency era. I especially liked the use of period images contemporary to Jane Austen's lifetime. There's an extensive bibliography in the back that leads to more resources including blogs and websites. This is a nice little book for a beginning Janeite who wants to know more about the history behind the dances in her novels.
November 17, 2012
Fine white muslin, warm negus, dainty slippers, dancing masters – oh how I wished I lived in a time where towns had assembly balls, couples danced in figures, and young men considered “a country dance as an emblem of marriage!” Jane Austen was so fortunate to live during this age of dancing, elegance, and assemblies; and we know from her novels and letters that she was extremely fond of dancing and balls.
Similar to Tea with Jane Austen and In the Garden with Jane Austen, which are both by Kim Wilson, publisher Frances Lincoln release another exquisite, entertaining, and educational illustrated hardcover book about Jane Austen. Just like the previous two books, A Dance with Jane Austen is well-researched, organized, and visually appealing. With twelve divided chapters, this book covers topics such as: learning to dance, getting ready for a ball, ballroom etiquette, suppers, musicians, and ballroom conversation. There is even a slim chapter titled, “Dance in Jane Austen films,” which I greatly appreciated since Jane Austen films provide brilliant and oftentimes very accurate visuals of Regency balls. I wish this chapter was extended a little bit more though, it was only three pages.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Similar to Tea with Jane Austen and In the Garden with Jane Austen, which are both by Kim Wilson, publisher Frances Lincoln release another exquisite, entertaining, and educational illustrated hardcover book about Jane Austen. Just like the previous two books, A Dance with Jane Austen is well-researched, organized, and visually appealing. With twelve divided chapters, this book covers topics such as: learning to dance, getting ready for a ball, ballroom etiquette, suppers, musicians, and ballroom conversation. There is even a slim chapter titled, “Dance in Jane Austen films,” which I greatly appreciated since Jane Austen films provide brilliant and oftentimes very accurate visuals of Regency balls. I wish this chapter was extended a little bit more though, it was only three pages.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
December 13, 2012
Every Savage Can Dance
Come potevo non leggere un libro che racchiude nel titolo le mie due più grandi passioni: il ballo e Jane Austen?
In questo esaurientissimo saggio, Susannah Fullerton sviscera ogni aspetto legato al ballo nel periodo Regency, non lasciandosi sfuggire neanche un rigo dei romanzi di Jane Austen o della sua corrispondenza dedicato ad esso e a tutto ciò che gli gravita intorno.
Perché il ballo era innanzi tutto un mezzo fondamentale per socializzare. Come poteva mancare, dal momento che si trattava di una delle rarissime occasioni in cui giovani donne e gentiluomini si ritrovavano insieme e avevano la possibilità di avvicinarsi e di chiacchierare?
E come si possono considerare futili i balli, quando rappresentavano una delle pochissime occasioni in cui il sesso considerato 'debole' poteva dedicarsi a una corroborante attività fisica?
Da estimatrice del ballo — di ogni genere di ballo — mi rendo conto che in ogni società esso rappresenta un modo per mettersi in mostra, per corteggiare e farsi corteggiare. Anche nelle società primitive — ecco il nostro Mr Darcy che ribatte a Sir William Lucas dichiarando che esso non è soltanto una raffinatezza delle società più eleganti, ma che è in voga anche presso le società meno civili, dato che 'qualunque selvaggio può ballare' — il ballo rappresenta tutto ciò che rappresentava per Jane Austen. Anche nei romanzi sci-fi/fantasy ambientati sul pianeta Darkover di Marion Zimmer Bradley (un'altra delle mie scrittrici preferite) la danza ha un ruolo fondamentale. Un famoso proverbio darkovano recita: “Only men laugh, only men weep, only men dance” (Solo gli uomini ridono, solo gli uomini piangono, solo gli uomini danzano). E un altro dice: “Get three Darkovans together and they hold a dance” (Prendi tre Darkovani insieme e daranno un ballo).
Perché dico tutto questo e sembra che sia partita per la tangente? Perché fondamentalmente il ballo ha sempre rivestito e ancora riveste un ruolo fondamentale nelle società umane.
Cambiano il modo di danzare, la musica, le regole, ma essenzialmente si danza perché danzare fa parte dell'etologia umana.
Però, quando è Jane Austen a parlarne, esso sembra entusiasmarci ancora di più, forse perché la scrittrice ne parla con il fervore dell'appassionata. Ecco perché oggi nascono associazioni di ballo ottocentesco e i Janeites, nei vari convegni, sono prontissimi a buttarsi in stage di danza in costume Regency, quasi con lo stesso entusiasmo di Lydia e Kitty Bennet!
E dunque, per noi Janeites, il ballo riveste un ruolo importantissimo, proprio perché la nostra adorata Zia ce lo fa amare ancora di più!
Ecco che Susannah Fullerton ci espone tutte le regole fondamentali seguite da Jane Austen e dalle sue eroine dalla A alla Z; da quando, fin da bambini, si prendevano lezioni di ballo, a tutti i generi di danza praticati ai suoi tempi, fino a descrivere cosa veniva offerto per cena agli ospiti di un ballo. Credetemi, nulla è sfuggito all'occhio esperto di Susannah Fullerton.
E, mentre leggevo dei balli pubblici frequentati dalla nostra scrittrice preferita a Basingstoke, o del dialogo fra Catherine Morland e Henry Tilney alle Upper Rooms a Bath, dei preparativi per presentarsi al meglio a un ballo, pensavo che, in fondo, non è cambiato niente. Ancora oggi ci si agghinda il sabato sera per andare in discoteca o in balera, non è vero? E si spera di trovare un partner con cui danzare e flirtare o — se lo si ha già — di fare un soddisfacente esercizio fisico, dimostrando di essere dei bravi ballerini. Si perpetra perfino la penuria di cavalieri, che ha portato a nuovi sviluppi nel ballo di oggi, facendoci orientare verso balli di gruppo, piuttosto che di coppia, in cui si balla tutti insieme ma in coppia con se stessi, perché nessuno rimanga a fare da tappezzeria se ama ballare. Inutile dire che tali gruppi sono composti per la stragrande maggioranza da donne, in barba ai vari Mr Darcy che restano in disparte a osservare, perdendosi tutto il divertimento. Anche se la Fullerton ha menzionato persino coloro che si mettevano ai bordi della pista a osservare i ballerini — o meglio, le ballerine — traendo maggior diletto che non danzando, quasi una sorta di guardoni della pista da ballo (nel cui novero si potrebbe contare anche Mr Darcy!)
Dunque, la prossima volta che mi preparerò per una gara di ballo, tirando su i miei capelli, fissandovi strass, piume o acconciature di metallo, mi truccherò accuratamente per l'occasione e indosserò il mio abito da ballo e le mie scarpe di raso (però quelli li indosserò al palazzetto, per evitare che si sciupino), mi sentirò per l'ennesima volta Lizzy, la protagonista di un meraviglioso ballo, in cui mettermi in mostra col mio cavaliere, seguendo le regole — che sono cambiate, è vero, ma che talvolta sono curiosamente somiglianti — e il giorno dopo riparlerò della gara e di tutti i partecipanti, esattamente come avrebbe fatto Jane Austen dopo un ballo, perché, in fondo, non è cambiato nulla.
Un saggio appassionante e ricco di curiosità e bellissime immagini, che sarebbe meraviglioso veder tradotto, per la gioia di tutti i Janeites italiani.
Potete leggere la recensione completa QUI
Come potevo non leggere un libro che racchiude nel titolo le mie due più grandi passioni: il ballo e Jane Austen?
In questo esaurientissimo saggio, Susannah Fullerton sviscera ogni aspetto legato al ballo nel periodo Regency, non lasciandosi sfuggire neanche un rigo dei romanzi di Jane Austen o della sua corrispondenza dedicato ad esso e a tutto ciò che gli gravita intorno.
Perché il ballo era innanzi tutto un mezzo fondamentale per socializzare. Come poteva mancare, dal momento che si trattava di una delle rarissime occasioni in cui giovani donne e gentiluomini si ritrovavano insieme e avevano la possibilità di avvicinarsi e di chiacchierare?
E come si possono considerare futili i balli, quando rappresentavano una delle pochissime occasioni in cui il sesso considerato 'debole' poteva dedicarsi a una corroborante attività fisica?
Da estimatrice del ballo — di ogni genere di ballo — mi rendo conto che in ogni società esso rappresenta un modo per mettersi in mostra, per corteggiare e farsi corteggiare. Anche nelle società primitive — ecco il nostro Mr Darcy che ribatte a Sir William Lucas dichiarando che esso non è soltanto una raffinatezza delle società più eleganti, ma che è in voga anche presso le società meno civili, dato che 'qualunque selvaggio può ballare' — il ballo rappresenta tutto ciò che rappresentava per Jane Austen. Anche nei romanzi sci-fi/fantasy ambientati sul pianeta Darkover di Marion Zimmer Bradley (un'altra delle mie scrittrici preferite) la danza ha un ruolo fondamentale. Un famoso proverbio darkovano recita: “Only men laugh, only men weep, only men dance” (Solo gli uomini ridono, solo gli uomini piangono, solo gli uomini danzano). E un altro dice: “Get three Darkovans together and they hold a dance” (Prendi tre Darkovani insieme e daranno un ballo).
Perché dico tutto questo e sembra che sia partita per la tangente? Perché fondamentalmente il ballo ha sempre rivestito e ancora riveste un ruolo fondamentale nelle società umane.
Cambiano il modo di danzare, la musica, le regole, ma essenzialmente si danza perché danzare fa parte dell'etologia umana.
Però, quando è Jane Austen a parlarne, esso sembra entusiasmarci ancora di più, forse perché la scrittrice ne parla con il fervore dell'appassionata. Ecco perché oggi nascono associazioni di ballo ottocentesco e i Janeites, nei vari convegni, sono prontissimi a buttarsi in stage di danza in costume Regency, quasi con lo stesso entusiasmo di Lydia e Kitty Bennet!
E dunque, per noi Janeites, il ballo riveste un ruolo importantissimo, proprio perché la nostra adorata Zia ce lo fa amare ancora di più!
Ecco che Susannah Fullerton ci espone tutte le regole fondamentali seguite da Jane Austen e dalle sue eroine dalla A alla Z; da quando, fin da bambini, si prendevano lezioni di ballo, a tutti i generi di danza praticati ai suoi tempi, fino a descrivere cosa veniva offerto per cena agli ospiti di un ballo. Credetemi, nulla è sfuggito all'occhio esperto di Susannah Fullerton.
E, mentre leggevo dei balli pubblici frequentati dalla nostra scrittrice preferita a Basingstoke, o del dialogo fra Catherine Morland e Henry Tilney alle Upper Rooms a Bath, dei preparativi per presentarsi al meglio a un ballo, pensavo che, in fondo, non è cambiato niente. Ancora oggi ci si agghinda il sabato sera per andare in discoteca o in balera, non è vero? E si spera di trovare un partner con cui danzare e flirtare o — se lo si ha già — di fare un soddisfacente esercizio fisico, dimostrando di essere dei bravi ballerini. Si perpetra perfino la penuria di cavalieri, che ha portato a nuovi sviluppi nel ballo di oggi, facendoci orientare verso balli di gruppo, piuttosto che di coppia, in cui si balla tutti insieme ma in coppia con se stessi, perché nessuno rimanga a fare da tappezzeria se ama ballare. Inutile dire che tali gruppi sono composti per la stragrande maggioranza da donne, in barba ai vari Mr Darcy che restano in disparte a osservare, perdendosi tutto il divertimento. Anche se la Fullerton ha menzionato persino coloro che si mettevano ai bordi della pista a osservare i ballerini — o meglio, le ballerine — traendo maggior diletto che non danzando, quasi una sorta di guardoni della pista da ballo (nel cui novero si potrebbe contare anche Mr Darcy!)
Dunque, la prossima volta che mi preparerò per una gara di ballo, tirando su i miei capelli, fissandovi strass, piume o acconciature di metallo, mi truccherò accuratamente per l'occasione e indosserò il mio abito da ballo e le mie scarpe di raso (però quelli li indosserò al palazzetto, per evitare che si sciupino), mi sentirò per l'ennesima volta Lizzy, la protagonista di un meraviglioso ballo, in cui mettermi in mostra col mio cavaliere, seguendo le regole — che sono cambiate, è vero, ma che talvolta sono curiosamente somiglianti — e il giorno dopo riparlerò della gara e di tutti i partecipanti, esattamente come avrebbe fatto Jane Austen dopo un ballo, perché, in fondo, non è cambiato nulla.
Un saggio appassionante e ricco di curiosità e bellissime immagini, che sarebbe meraviglioso veder tradotto, per la gioia di tutti i Janeites italiani.
Potete leggere la recensione completa QUI
December 31, 2012
For those who have seen a ball room dance scene in a Jane Austen movie adaptation, or witnessed a group of ladies and gentlemen dressed in Regency finery engaged in a country dance, you know the awe and energy that it generates can be quite thrilling. Then imagine what it would be like in Jane Austen’s day and you have a good notion what to expect in Susannah Fullerton’s new book A Dance with Jane Austen. Everything from frocks, carriages, music, dancing and flirting, and so much more are included in this tidy volume. Ready your fans ladies and take a stiff bracer of brandy gentlemen; we have entered the ball room.
Did you know that Austen featured dance scenes in all six of her major novels and that Pride and Prejudice has no less than three? (The Meryton Assembly, an impromptu dance at Lucas Lodge, and the private ball at Netherfield Park.) Our heroine Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters meet, spark, fuel, or flee from romance illustrating how dance was not only the pinnacle of social activity – but key to attracting a mate. Yes. I may be pointing my inelegant finger, but there it is. Balls and dances where the primary stage to attract the opposite sex and snag a partner. Jane Austen knew this fact very well and used it to her advantage in each of her novels. Here is a foreshadowing of its importance from the Bennet household:
"The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy’s looks and behaviour. The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended less on any single event, or any particular person; for though they each, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham, he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her family that she had no disinclination for it." – Pride and Prejudice chapter 17
Written in a lively and accessible manner Fullerton delves into the subject with the energy of a fluttering fan cooling an overheated dancer. As an Austen enthusiast, and president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, her knowledge and authority take us on a journey from learning to dance, dressing for a ball, types of balls, transportation, music, food, etiquette, conversation and even a short bit about the movie adaptations. It is primarily a cultural reference, but she liberally uses quotes from her novels, letters and family recollections throughout making it very personal and incisive.
Aimed at those who crave more knowledge of the cultural history of the Georgian era and insights into Jane Austen’s novels, A Dance with Jane Austen is inspiring, discerning and richly crafted. The illustrations add to each topic, but are sadly not credited, so the reader does not know who created them or when. However, there is a partial list of image credits, a plump bibliography, and short index to assist the reader with the paper trail.
It was a pleasure to dance with Jane Austen and her characters. I now have a better understanding of the importance of social position and wealth in marrying the right partner and how instrumental balls and dances were in attaining them.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
Did you know that Austen featured dance scenes in all six of her major novels and that Pride and Prejudice has no less than three? (The Meryton Assembly, an impromptu dance at Lucas Lodge, and the private ball at Netherfield Park.) Our heroine Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters meet, spark, fuel, or flee from romance illustrating how dance was not only the pinnacle of social activity – but key to attracting a mate. Yes. I may be pointing my inelegant finger, but there it is. Balls and dances where the primary stage to attract the opposite sex and snag a partner. Jane Austen knew this fact very well and used it to her advantage in each of her novels. Here is a foreshadowing of its importance from the Bennet household:
"The prospect of the Netherfield ball was extremely agreeable to every female of the family. Mrs. Bennet chose to consider it as given in compliment to her eldest daughter, and was particularly flattered by receiving the invitation from Mr. Bingley himself, instead of a ceremonious card. Jane pictured to herself a happy evening in the society of her two friends, and the attentions of their brother; and Elizabeth thought with pleasure of dancing a great deal with Mr. Wickham, and of seeing a confirmation of everything in Mr. Darcy’s looks and behaviour. The happiness anticipated by Catherine and Lydia depended less on any single event, or any particular person; for though they each, like Elizabeth, meant to dance half the evening with Mr. Wickham, he was by no means the only partner who could satisfy them, and a ball was, at any rate, a ball. And even Mary could assure her family that she had no disinclination for it." – Pride and Prejudice chapter 17
Written in a lively and accessible manner Fullerton delves into the subject with the energy of a fluttering fan cooling an overheated dancer. As an Austen enthusiast, and president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, her knowledge and authority take us on a journey from learning to dance, dressing for a ball, types of balls, transportation, music, food, etiquette, conversation and even a short bit about the movie adaptations. It is primarily a cultural reference, but she liberally uses quotes from her novels, letters and family recollections throughout making it very personal and incisive.
Aimed at those who crave more knowledge of the cultural history of the Georgian era and insights into Jane Austen’s novels, A Dance with Jane Austen is inspiring, discerning and richly crafted. The illustrations add to each topic, but are sadly not credited, so the reader does not know who created them or when. However, there is a partial list of image credits, a plump bibliography, and short index to assist the reader with the paper trail.
It was a pleasure to dance with Jane Austen and her characters. I now have a better understanding of the importance of social position and wealth in marrying the right partner and how instrumental balls and dances were in attaining them.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
January 6, 2013
Physically, this is an absolutely lovely book - the layout, illustrations, paper are all delightful. I also really enjoyed the "play by play" of all the dance scenes in each of Austen's novels, as well as details on the dress and social customs of Austen's time. I really wanted to love this book, but I have two major issues with it. Firstly, I found it to be a bit repetitive, with the same material reappearing in successive chapters. Because the writing is smooth and entertaining, I could have lived with that.
However, my second, and major complaint is with the coverage of the actual dances themselves. I have been involved with modern English country dancing since the late 1970's, and while I'm no historical expert, I do think Fullerton should have attended some English country dances and balls herself, as well as interviewed dance callers and experts in the field. If she did indeed do so, that is not reflected in the final descriptions.
The amount of actual material on the dances, associated music, and choreographic details makes for less than a full chapter, but perhaps that is just as well. The author makes it sound as if all dances were triple minors, and that the majority of the dancers were standing still throughout the course of the dance, with only the initial top, or active, couple and two other couples at a time dancing. If this was, indeed, the way things were done, I will stand corrected; if not, Fullerton needed to do more research and make her writing clearer.
Austen fans will still find much to like about this book, and I would recommend it to my English dance friends as well - but please let me know if I'm totally off base here. I would love to see Fullerton do justice to the dance section, do some more extensive, detailed research, and produce a second, expanded/corrected edition.
Update : Thanks to Kris, an English Country Dance friend, who directed me to Susan de Guardiola's excellent blog "Capering & Kickery." After reading Susan's posting on "What Did Jane Austen Dance?" I can see that Fullerton's information is not incorrect, but lacking in detail, particularly for those of us who currently do English country dances. I still do hope she gets to go to a contemporary English dance if she hasn't yet.
However, my second, and major complaint is with the coverage of the actual dances themselves. I have been involved with modern English country dancing since the late 1970's, and while I'm no historical expert, I do think Fullerton should have attended some English country dances and balls herself, as well as interviewed dance callers and experts in the field. If she did indeed do so, that is not reflected in the final descriptions.
The amount of actual material on the dances, associated music, and choreographic details makes for less than a full chapter, but perhaps that is just as well. The author makes it sound as if all dances were triple minors, and that the majority of the dancers were standing still throughout the course of the dance, with only the initial top, or active, couple and two other couples at a time dancing. If this was, indeed, the way things were done, I will stand corrected; if not, Fullerton needed to do more research and make her writing clearer.
Austen fans will still find much to like about this book, and I would recommend it to my English dance friends as well - but please let me know if I'm totally off base here. I would love to see Fullerton do justice to the dance section, do some more extensive, detailed research, and produce a second, expanded/corrected edition.
Update : Thanks to Kris, an English Country Dance friend, who directed me to Susan de Guardiola's excellent blog "Capering & Kickery." After reading Susan's posting on "What Did Jane Austen Dance?" I can see that Fullerton's information is not incorrect, but lacking in detail, particularly for those of us who currently do English country dances. I still do hope she gets to go to a contemporary English dance if she hasn't yet.
October 9, 2014
A short and excellent book that looks at dancing and the ties to Jane Austen's novels and the various adaptations on film and television. I really do recommend this one, as there is a -lot- of information packed into this. Also the photos and illustrations are plentiful and enjoyable. Four and a half stars rounded up to five. Very much recommended.
For the longer review. please go here:
http://www.bubblews.com/news/8682367-...
For the longer review. please go here:
http://www.bubblews.com/news/8682367-...
November 11, 2018
Susannah Fullerton has written an excellent little book about all the details surrounding the dances and balls we read about in our beloved Austen novels. Because she wrote it for a contemporary audience, Jane herself never explains the dance, as everyone should understand. But 200 years have gone by and the dances, and some of the rules surrounding the dance are completely unknown to the general public. I never knew what it meant to "open the ball", and now I do! It also helps me understand just how bad it was to be partnered with Mr Collins!
Now, if only someone could explain the logistics of changing horses!
Now, if only someone could explain the logistics of changing horses!
February 8, 2021
Zelo lušno branje, še posebej zame, ker preberem veliko zgodovinskih romanc z dogajanjem na plesih. Vedno je treba upoštevati kodeks bontona, pravila, korake. Knjiga zelo lepo predstavi priprave na sam ples (izbira oblek, obutve), družbeno ozadje, ter sama dogajanja na plesih. Opremljena je s številnimi ilustracijami in fotografijami.
Zelo hitro berljivo neleposlovno delo.
Zelo hitro berljivo neleposlovno delo.
February 7, 2013
I like dancing, and apparently, books about dances too. This one goes over the country style dances of olden days, when Jane Austen attended and wrote about the balls of her day. It goes over dress and etiquette on the dance floor, famous dance halls, supper food, and music. Jane often wrote to her sister about balls she attended, and this book was clearly well-researched. I liked seeing how dancing shows up in Jane's novels to move plot along (important scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice take place at balls, for instance). I haven't read a lot of Austen so lots of specific references didn't resonate with me, but they do sort of make me want to read more and remember what event or character at that ball was so important. Who knew the waltz came so late and created such a scandal when it arrived? I love the waltz!
September 10, 2014
Beautiful and sprightly book that does a great job of analyzing the dances in Austen's books and the roles they played in the plot, as well as the general history of dancing and balls in the Regency period. I would have liked to have seen more captions accompanying the pictures and a large part of the info isn't particularly groundbreaking. Still, this is an enjoyable read that offers some excellent tidbits.
May 18, 2018
The centrality of the role of the ball to Regency society is highlighted by the well-known Janeian researcher, Deidre le Faye, in her foreword to this guide to such assemblies, as presented in all of Jane Austen’s six novels, and as experienced in her own life, and recounted in her letters to her sister, Cassandra. In addition, Fullerton has, according to le Faye, “studied all mentions of dances in the novels to show how they advance the plot as well as adding to the skilful betrayal of the nature and motives of some of the characters in the tale.”
Not only, in fact, does Fullerton describe the significance of such occasions, which enabled young people of the time to meet together on their best behavior and in their finest dress in an extravagant form of courting ritual, as Austen herself wrote about them, but also how such grandiloquent events have been portrayed in the filmed versions of Austen’s work (to which Fullerton devotes an entire chapter). One aspect of this work that I did find rather scanty was the two-page index, which I felt could have been more fleshed out with the names of the characters involved, especially as their attitude towards dance, and all that it entailed (including mannerisms and dress), is so revelatory to their own development in the novels. How the protagonists choose to comport, and disport, themselves, within the strict confines of the rules of etiquette holding sway over such gatherings reflects the way in which they relate to the outside world. The author, consequently, pays great attention to discussing what the rules of the day were, and shows how woe betide was anyone who flaunted them—such was taken as a lack of breeding, and as a very poor show of character!
Fullerton, as the president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, has plainly gone to considerable lengths to explore the minutiae of leading aspects of the ball (including transport arrangements and culinary feasting), within the context of Regency society. The multiple illustrations are colorful and represent the various aspects of such assemblies with great vividness and alacrity. For young people especially, many of whom are required to study at least one of Austen’s novels at school and college, A Dance with Jane Austen: How a Novelist and Her Characters Went to the Ball should provide both an instructive, and an enjoyable, glimpse into the world of the Regency period.
Not only, in fact, does Fullerton describe the significance of such occasions, which enabled young people of the time to meet together on their best behavior and in their finest dress in an extravagant form of courting ritual, as Austen herself wrote about them, but also how such grandiloquent events have been portrayed in the filmed versions of Austen’s work (to which Fullerton devotes an entire chapter). One aspect of this work that I did find rather scanty was the two-page index, which I felt could have been more fleshed out with the names of the characters involved, especially as their attitude towards dance, and all that it entailed (including mannerisms and dress), is so revelatory to their own development in the novels. How the protagonists choose to comport, and disport, themselves, within the strict confines of the rules of etiquette holding sway over such gatherings reflects the way in which they relate to the outside world. The author, consequently, pays great attention to discussing what the rules of the day were, and shows how woe betide was anyone who flaunted them—such was taken as a lack of breeding, and as a very poor show of character!
Fullerton, as the president of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, has plainly gone to considerable lengths to explore the minutiae of leading aspects of the ball (including transport arrangements and culinary feasting), within the context of Regency society. The multiple illustrations are colorful and represent the various aspects of such assemblies with great vividness and alacrity. For young people especially, many of whom are required to study at least one of Austen’s novels at school and college, A Dance with Jane Austen: How a Novelist and Her Characters Went to the Ball should provide both an instructive, and an enjoyable, glimpse into the world of the Regency period.
October 28, 2023
Quando ho comprato questo libro, non pensavo che avrei trovato tutto, ma proprio tutto quello che c'è da sapere sui balli nel periodo della Reggenza (con qualche accenno al periodo precedente e successivo)...
e invece mi sono ritrovata a sottolineare quasi l'intero saggio, contenta di scoprire in ogni pagina dettagli interessanti non solo su come si svolgevano questi balli a cui chiunque abbia letto Jane Austen ha fantasticato di partecipare, ma anche sull'importanza sociale di queste occasioni.
Erano gli unici momenti in cui si poteva conoscere i potenziali partner senza rischiare scandali, ma anche i momenti in cui la comunità si riuniva per garantire ad ogni suo membro di divertirsi: non è un caso che molte delle danze fossero balli di gruppo, in cui sì, si aveva l'occasione di ballare con qualcuno, ma anche di realizzare insieme una bella coreografia mediante la collaborazione delle diverse parti coinvolte.
E non parliamo dell'etichetta del ballo: potevi essere la persona più importante della stanza, ma se trasgredivi una di queste regole, eri marchiato per un bel po' di tempo (vero Fitzwilliam 'ogni selvaggio può danzare' Darcy?).
Detto questo, Janeites e appassionat* del regency, recuperate questo libro perché farà un figurone nella vostra collezione di libri ambientati in quell'epoca storica!
e invece mi sono ritrovata a sottolineare quasi l'intero saggio, contenta di scoprire in ogni pagina dettagli interessanti non solo su come si svolgevano questi balli a cui chiunque abbia letto Jane Austen ha fantasticato di partecipare, ma anche sull'importanza sociale di queste occasioni.
Erano gli unici momenti in cui si poteva conoscere i potenziali partner senza rischiare scandali, ma anche i momenti in cui la comunità si riuniva per garantire ad ogni suo membro di divertirsi: non è un caso che molte delle danze fossero balli di gruppo, in cui sì, si aveva l'occasione di ballare con qualcuno, ma anche di realizzare insieme una bella coreografia mediante la collaborazione delle diverse parti coinvolte.
E non parliamo dell'etichetta del ballo: potevi essere la persona più importante della stanza, ma se trasgredivi una di queste regole, eri marchiato per un bel po' di tempo (vero Fitzwilliam 'ogni selvaggio può danzare' Darcy?).
Detto questo, Janeites e appassionat* del regency, recuperate questo libro perché farà un figurone nella vostra collezione di libri ambientati in quell'epoca storica!
February 7, 2018
4 stars!
Such a delightful book to have if you are a lover of Jane Austen and her works! I've always been fascinated with the dances while watching Austen adaptations, and if you are too this book will prove to be very enlightening. I enjoy the way Fullerton applies scenes from the novels to the various pertinent topics involved. This book can simultaneously act as a character study as well. Whether one sits out during a dance, if a gentleman refuses to stand up with a lady, or what kind of conversation is being taken up during the course of a dance brings to light a deeper understanding of some of Austen's well-loved characters.
This was a very interesting read and I actually had to make myself put it down at times. I would recommend this to any fan of Jane Austen!
Such a delightful book to have if you are a lover of Jane Austen and her works! I've always been fascinated with the dances while watching Austen adaptations, and if you are too this book will prove to be very enlightening. I enjoy the way Fullerton applies scenes from the novels to the various pertinent topics involved. This book can simultaneously act as a character study as well. Whether one sits out during a dance, if a gentleman refuses to stand up with a lady, or what kind of conversation is being taken up during the course of a dance brings to light a deeper understanding of some of Austen's well-loved characters.
This was a very interesting read and I actually had to make myself put it down at times. I would recommend this to any fan of Jane Austen!
November 5, 2017
I would recommend this book to anyone especially enamoured with the films based on Jane Austen's novels. Although you may be in want of a list of characters from each story to better keep track of whom the author refers in any given section, I believe you will enjoy chapters explaining the different kinds of balls, how one would dress for such an occasion , and the specifics of a ball including the music and supper.
Although I cannot foresee a repeat visit to this book, I enjoyed it a great deal.
Although I cannot foresee a repeat visit to this book, I enjoyed it a great deal.
November 18, 2020
If you know nothing about dancing in Austen / the Regency period, this may prove informative. For me, it was very basic. The analyses are not in depth, they just summarize the dance scene. While some of the info on specific dances and music was new, it consists pimarily of a list of songs or dances with very little context or additional information. The lack of formal citations does not lend credibilty to the work, and I was especially disappointed that the illustrations included no captions. Overall, I find Shepard's annotated Austen novels more informative by far.
April 11, 2022
This gave a lot of interesting insights into the ball scenes and dancing from Jane Austen's books, but I felt it got a bit repetitive, with multiple scenes from the books quoted verbatim multiple times throughout the book. It was only 150 pages, with lots of images, but felt like the author tried to stretch out less information than that to 150 pages.
August 10, 2024
An examination of dancing in Jane Austen's novels and life: where the dances took place, what everyone would wear, the dances performed, and the expected etiquette.
A fun, light read for Jane Austen fans. This is not an in-depth look into dance during the Regency era, but enough to be interesting!
A fun, light read for Jane Austen fans. This is not an in-depth look into dance during the Regency era, but enough to be interesting!
February 21, 2025
An absolutely delightful book about regency balls and the part they played in Jane Austen’s life and the life of her characters. A wonderful, informative and thoroughly entertaining read. Complete with beautiful illustrations, this book is a treasure for any Janeite.
April 6, 2018
Delightful.
March 10, 2020
For Janeites Only, but if you're already a fan, this is a treat.
June 29, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It was well organized and very entertaining.
August 15, 2021
This was a quick, enjoyable read. It contains spoilers of all of Austen’s works so be aware of that before reading.
March 5, 2024
Really good popular history book on the significance of dances in the Regency period and how this is conveyed in Jane Austen's books.
February 27, 2017
Extremely helpful reference book about regency era balls, including details of dance styles, etiquette, preparations, financial realities, courtship and more. I'm fairly well-read in this period but this book provided lots of new information; would recommend for period novices as well, since the basics are laid out in clear and enjoyable form.
December 15, 2016
Imprescindibile per gli estimatori della Austen soprattutto se, come la sottoscritta, hanno del ballo una conoscenza assai rudimentale. Descrivendo le danze tipiche dell'Inghilterra tra la fine del Settecento e l'inizio dell'Ottocento, l'autrice spiega i molti significatidelle scene che la Austen ha ambientato a un ballo - e che cita puntualmente - alcuni altrimenti del tutto persi per il lettore odierno. Il ballo, come evento sociale che doveva risultare piacevole a tutti i partecipanti, richiedeva un comportamento codificato al fine di garantire la soddisfazione generale, qualcosa che si è andato perdendo a partire dall'introduzione del valzer (di pari passo con una diversa concezione dell'individuo e del suo rapporto con la società).
Quattro stelle invece di cinque perché l'autrice cita alcune scene di ballo delle versioni cinematografiche, ma non entra nel merito né li utilizza per arricchire la sua analisi, che a mio parere avrebbe giovato di un ausilio visivo facilmente disponibile al lettore.
Quattro stelle invece di cinque perché l'autrice cita alcune scene di ballo delle versioni cinematografiche, ma non entra nel merito né li utilizza per arricchire la sua analisi, che a mio parere avrebbe giovato di un ausilio visivo facilmente disponibile al lettore.
September 17, 2013
A delightful premise- (the history of ballroom dancing in the recency era) as told through examples in the works of Jane Austen- is less than fully realized in this book. The descriptions of the dances themselves were difficult to follow if one was not already well versed in this topic- additional pictures, diagrams, or even recommendations about where to see the dances would have been helpful. Even the list of dances in the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice didn't include which sequence the dances were included in:Meryton Assembly, private ball at the Lucas', or the ball at Netherfield. The book also came to a rather abrupt end and felt very unfinished.
I did learn some dancing etiquette, but enjoy more that Austen the author uses behavior at dances in her novels as an illustration of poor character at least as often as she does good character.
I did learn some dancing etiquette, but enjoy more that Austen the author uses behavior at dances in her novels as an illustration of poor character at least as often as she does good character.
April 1, 2016
This is another book where the expectations were high--and largely met--but when they weren't, it was jarring. There are frequent repetitions (there are, after all, only so many balls in Austen's writings). The book ends so abruptly I thought there'd been a printing mistake, leaving me with missing pages, but, no, they were contiguous. And on page 54: Jane Austen's parents "married in Bath in 1864."
Georgian dancing is not my area of expertise, which is why howlers like that 1864 are worrisome. If that slipped through, what else could have? This is a great book to start from, but if you're using it as a reference source, you might want to dig deeper. Most sources in the bibliography are secondary, but the primary sources listed are good.
Georgian dancing is not my area of expertise, which is why howlers like that 1864 are worrisome. If that slipped through, what else could have? This is a great book to start from, but if you're using it as a reference source, you might want to dig deeper. Most sources in the bibliography are secondary, but the primary sources listed are good.
April 25, 2015
This book is for the popular audience; I regret that there were no endnotes or sources given for the pictures, which were well-chosen and reproduced in color. The author's references to the JA movies produced since the 1990's and comments on how they do/not illustrate the customs of the times and her references to Austen's characters (juvenile works as well as the unfinished Sanditon and The Watsons) help the reader understand the nuances of this important public and private form of entertainment. A must for any "Janeite."
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