A Truth Universally Acknowledged: 40 Days With Jane Austen

by Rachel Mann

155 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2023

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Reviews

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to give this 4.5 stars but definitely deserved more than 4. It's a book I'll go back and read again. Rachel provides fresh insights into the Austen world that will appeal to lay fan and academic reader.
It will certainly make you want to go back and revisit the books too. The lengthy quotes at the beginning of each chapter are helpful (as are the book synopses at the start) but there was no need therefore to repeat further sections in the 2 to 3 page reflections.
Austen is so good as her observations of people it's easy to critique other people we also like or dislike. Rachel's comments are a good director to self reflection. Some of her summary prayers may not be the angle or expression I'd take but they're a good starting block for personal growth and group discussion as I've met with friends to discuss the book.

[Abby Salmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and enjoyable book of reflections to read throughout Lent. It did make me realise that I am not very good at reading things slowly as I got behind fairly quickly and then tended to read a couple of days at a time and then fall behind again! Even in the slightly disordered manner I read the book, it was still a good companion through lent in encouraging deeper reflection both on Jane Austen's novels and on how we can relate them to a wider context.

[Eliot Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one reflection at a time for each day in Lent and it was a good companion to me on that journey.