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Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love
Advice delivered with sense and sensibility just in time for the major motion picture Becoming Jane
Women have looked to Jane Austen’s heroines as models of appropriate behavior for nearly two centuries. Who better to understand the heart of a heroine than Austen? In this delightful epistolary “what if,” Austen serves as a “Dear Abby” of sorts, using examples from her novels and her life to counsel modern-day heroines in trouble, she also shares with readers a compelling drama playing out in her own drawing room. Witty and wise—and perfectly capturing the tone of the author of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice—Dear Jane Austen is as satisfying as sitting down to tea with the novelist herself.
Women have looked to Jane Austen’s heroines as models of appropriate behavior for nearly two centuries. Who better to understand the heart of a heroine than Austen? In this delightful epistolary “what if,” Austen serves as a “Dear Abby” of sorts, using examples from her novels and her life to counsel modern-day heroines in trouble, she also shares with readers a compelling drama playing out in her own drawing room. Witty and wise—and perfectly capturing the tone of the author of Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice—Dear Jane Austen is as satisfying as sitting down to tea with the novelist herself.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
157 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
11 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Hannon
3 books2 followersPatrice Hannon is the author of Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine’s Guide to Life and Love (Plume, 2007) and 101 Things You Didn’t Know About Jane Austen (Adams Media, 2007). The latter won the Jane Austen’s Regency World Award for “Best New Regency Know-How Book,” presented by The Jane Austen Centre in Bath. Patrice holds a B.A. from Saint Peter’s College and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, both in English. During her nine years of full-time college teaching she taught Austen’s novels and the works of other great writers to hundreds of students at several colleges, including Vassar, Rutgers, and The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. She has also taught literature classes at Makor, a branch of the 92nd Street Y in New York, and, most recently, at The Morgan Library, where she was invited to lead the museum’s first reading group, initiated in conjunction with its stunning exhibition, “A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen’s Life and Legacy.”
Patrice has also published essays on Austen, Dickens, Wilde, and Tolkien, in addition to short fiction. Among her publications in nineteenth-century British literature is an article on film adaptations of Austen’s novels that appeared in Persuasions: The Journal of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Patrice is a member of JASNA (New York region) and has been a featured speaker at the meetings of several regional chapters. She has lectured on Jane Austen at The 92nd Street Y. Patrice is also a member of the Authors Guild and The National Arts Club, where she is an active member of the Literary Committee. Originally from New Jersey, she now lives in New York City. Although Patrice appreciates Henry Tilney’s wit and Mr. Darcy’s wealth, her favorite Austen hero is Captain Frederick Wentworth—a preference that exposes her as a romantic despite a thorough understanding of the dangers of romanticism.
Patrice has also published essays on Austen, Dickens, Wilde, and Tolkien, in addition to short fiction. Among her publications in nineteenth-century British literature is an article on film adaptations of Austen’s novels that appeared in Persuasions: The Journal of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Patrice is a member of JASNA (New York region) and has been a featured speaker at the meetings of several regional chapters. She has lectured on Jane Austen at The 92nd Street Y. Patrice is also a member of the Authors Guild and The National Arts Club, where she is an active member of the Literary Committee. Originally from New Jersey, she now lives in New York City. Although Patrice appreciates Henry Tilney’s wit and Mr. Darcy’s wealth, her favorite Austen hero is Captain Frederick Wentworth—a preference that exposes her as a romantic despite a thorough understanding of the dangers of romanticism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 20, 2016
More of a 3.5 rather than a 4, but I'm not part of the target audience. I really enjoyed the parts of the book where Jane talks to various family. Also enjoyable is when Jane slams other authors, such as the three twisted English sisters!
January 16, 2012
In the course of your daily life, have you ever stopped and wondered “What Would Jane Do?” When dealing with difficult decisions or in need of some advice, do you ever find yourself wishing you could ask Jane Austen? We all know Jane Austen is intelligent, moral, and observant, and we know that she often dispensed wise counsel and advice to her brothers and nieces, but is she able to help us modern-day heroines who live in the twenty-first century?
Of course she is! Jane Austen is timeless and in this instructive guide/epistolary novel modern-day readers can see how her advice and sensible counsel is always relevant to heroines no matter what era they come from!
Written in a “Dear Abby” format, Patrice Hannon creates a novel where Jane Austen (writing from her home in Chawton Cottage in 1816) can some how exchange correspondence with readers in the twenty-first century. There are ten chapters in this novel, each with its own theme (i.e. family, friends, heroes, sex, marriage, money). In each chapter there are between one and five different exchanges of correspondence.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Of course she is! Jane Austen is timeless and in this instructive guide/epistolary novel modern-day readers can see how her advice and sensible counsel is always relevant to heroines no matter what era they come from!
Written in a “Dear Abby” format, Patrice Hannon creates a novel where Jane Austen (writing from her home in Chawton Cottage in 1816) can some how exchange correspondence with readers in the twenty-first century. There are ten chapters in this novel, each with its own theme (i.e. family, friends, heroes, sex, marriage, money). In each chapter there are between one and five different exchanges of correspondence.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
September 2, 2014
Dear Jane Austen might seem like a fun little read for any Austen-lover, but while her work is iconic, there are many modern cases in which Austen's 200+ year old advice cannot apply. The author wrote Austen in a very unlikable way and dispensed VERY dated advice that - while obviously not intended to be something people would actually follow - wasn't the slightest bit entertaining to read. Hand-holding on a first date?! TOO FORWARD! CO-HABITATION?! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?! Altogether, it was an awkward and judgmental read that I just couldn't get into.
November 30, 2014
I liked the premise of this book -- that Jane Austen would give "column" advice to modern day women, by using her published heroines as examples -- but not the execution.
The author put too much of her own voice into Jane, who ended up coming off as self-important. She disparaged the work of other authors while crediting her own work. (Granted, if Jane was that way, it would be allowed because her novels are just that worthy, but she wasn't)
The author put too much of her own voice into Jane, who ended up coming off as self-important. She disparaged the work of other authors while crediting her own work. (Granted, if Jane was that way, it would be allowed because her novels are just that worthy, but she wasn't)
October 12, 2018
I was honestly so excited when I saw this lying at home - it looked so interesting and it was fun to believe that the Authoress would write an advice column :P
However, I was sorely let down. The writing felt forced, unnatural and completely out of character. There was no way I suspend my belief enough to even pretend to imagine Austen writing this. She seemed arrogant, spiteful, bitter and self-obsessed whilst the style and tone of the novel (from the letters addressed to her and the narration) was boring, shallow and draining to read. If you're going to write in the present tense, please do it properly, and try not add details (oh look a new letter has appeared let me open this up with my pen knife --- and that's me making it up. Trust me.. It was a lot worse) cause it just seems contrived.
This book would have worked either on the author's own terms. Totally. Write a novel giving dating advice from Austen's book without the epistle format (like what Austen thought and Dickens ate) OR writing it like this but from a fictional character giving advice. Even if it wasn't to modern women - but imagining if they had advice columns back then. Anything, anything would have worked than this boring book that drags Austen's name down.
I agree with another reviewer. If you want Austen's advice on dating. Read Emma, or Northanger Abbey. Or you know, any of her books.
However, I was sorely let down. The writing felt forced, unnatural and completely out of character. There was no way I suspend my belief enough to even pretend to imagine Austen writing this. She seemed arrogant, spiteful, bitter and self-obsessed whilst the style and tone of the novel (from the letters addressed to her and the narration) was boring, shallow and draining to read. If you're going to write in the present tense, please do it properly, and try not add details (oh look a new letter has appeared let me open this up with my pen knife --- and that's me making it up. Trust me.. It was a lot worse) cause it just seems contrived.
This book would have worked either on the author's own terms. Totally. Write a novel giving dating advice from Austen's book without the epistle format (like what Austen thought and Dickens ate) OR writing it like this but from a fictional character giving advice. Even if it wasn't to modern women - but imagining if they had advice columns back then. Anything, anything would have worked than this boring book that drags Austen's name down.
I agree with another reviewer. If you want Austen's advice on dating. Read Emma, or Northanger Abbey. Or you know, any of her books.
June 2, 2018
This was a delightful book written very much in Jane Austen’s style. I think I would give it to my teenage children and to any friends approaching a point in their lives where they would like to reset themselves.
May 19, 2017
I didn't really feel as if I was reading Jane Austen's advice. As a whole for me, I didn't hear Austen's voice. Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed the book and found some of the letters amusing. It's a fun read.
September 2, 2018
I am not a fan of fan fiction but this was ok.
January 15, 2012
Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide To Life could have been better, but it could have been much, much worse. It's categorized as fiction, but it's really literary analysis crossed with advice/philosophy couched as fictional cross-dimensional communication. But not quite.
The premise is not exactly simple. The author is writing as Jane Austen, in her own time. She's prescient and I guess omniscient. She knows of the 20th/21st century -- TV and movie adaptations of her book, the internet, popular themes. She knows how her own life will turn out, about what Cassandra will do with her letters after she's done, and so on.
The conceit is that she's receiving handwritten letters, by post, from modern-era would-be heroines in the fashion of Dear Abby. She gives advice to these women based on the actions and descriptions of her own Jane Austen characters, even the ones she hasn't "officially" written yet. An updated "The Rules" perhaps, written by a text-based time traveler. It's obvious the author, Patrice Hannon, is well-grounded in literary theory. She's got a PhD in English literature from Rutgers, and she shows it off. By writing from Jane's perspective, she offers up mostly good advice that trickles down to platitudes, but it's her analysis of the situations via comparisons with the characters that makes it hold one's attention.
I sometimes felt I was in a really good senior English seminar, though sometimes I found the inclusion of works other than the novels (i.e., the unfinished Sanditon and The Watsons) to drag. And I really disagree with her characterization of Mr. Woodhouse as having been "no worthier of the woman he somehow managed to win as a bride" than Walter Elliot. I believe, and continue to believe, that Mr. Woodhouse's timid wobbles of hypochondria and fear are entirely the result of his beloved wife having died and that he fears any change as potentially bad and terrifying. Sir Walter is an ass and deserves no pity; Mr. Woodhouse deserves a cup of tea, a warm fire and a daily appointment with a therapist. I wonder what our peering-through-the-time-vortex Jane would say to that!
The premise is not exactly simple. The author is writing as Jane Austen, in her own time. She's prescient and I guess omniscient. She knows of the 20th/21st century -- TV and movie adaptations of her book, the internet, popular themes. She knows how her own life will turn out, about what Cassandra will do with her letters after she's done, and so on.
The conceit is that she's receiving handwritten letters, by post, from modern-era would-be heroines in the fashion of Dear Abby. She gives advice to these women based on the actions and descriptions of her own Jane Austen characters, even the ones she hasn't "officially" written yet. An updated "The Rules" perhaps, written by a text-based time traveler. It's obvious the author, Patrice Hannon, is well-grounded in literary theory. She's got a PhD in English literature from Rutgers, and she shows it off. By writing from Jane's perspective, she offers up mostly good advice that trickles down to platitudes, but it's her analysis of the situations via comparisons with the characters that makes it hold one's attention.
I sometimes felt I was in a really good senior English seminar, though sometimes I found the inclusion of works other than the novels (i.e., the unfinished Sanditon and The Watsons) to drag. And I really disagree with her characterization of Mr. Woodhouse as having been "no worthier of the woman he somehow managed to win as a bride" than Walter Elliot. I believe, and continue to believe, that Mr. Woodhouse's timid wobbles of hypochondria and fear are entirely the result of his beloved wife having died and that he fears any change as potentially bad and terrifying. Sir Walter is an ass and deserves no pity; Mr. Woodhouse deserves a cup of tea, a warm fire and a daily appointment with a therapist. I wonder what our peering-through-the-time-vortex Jane would say to that!
December 9, 2014
Jane Austen receives letters from 21st century heroines-in-training seeking advice on friends, family, marriage and such. She responds by making references to characters in her novels, and sometimes her own family and experience. The letter-writing is interspersed with interactions between Jane and her siblings and nieces who come to visit (it seems to be an especially busy day at Chawton Cottage).
This 'novel' (it is labelled as fiction) did not live up to my expectations. The blurb and author's preface promises a 'compelling drama' in the background, and although the date (18 July 1816) and some of the circumstances point to the onset of Jane's fatal illness, nothing dramatic ever happens. Jane also comes across as arrogant and self-centred, poking fun at her contemporaries (namely Brontè) whose narrative styles and plots differ from hers. And despite her advice that heroines move on from romantic disappointments, she is constantly reminiscing about Tom Lefroy.
There are enjoyable moments, though. The novel gives a glimpse into her life and history of some family members, and an analysis of her novels' characters, including secondary and minor ones. I also discovered one of her unfinished novels, 'The Watsons', from this book - that would have been a favourite had it been completed.
This 'novel' (it is labelled as fiction) did not live up to my expectations. The blurb and author's preface promises a 'compelling drama' in the background, and although the date (18 July 1816) and some of the circumstances point to the onset of Jane's fatal illness, nothing dramatic ever happens. Jane also comes across as arrogant and self-centred, poking fun at her contemporaries (namely Brontè) whose narrative styles and plots differ from hers. And despite her advice that heroines move on from romantic disappointments, she is constantly reminiscing about Tom Lefroy.
There are enjoyable moments, though. The novel gives a glimpse into her life and history of some family members, and an analysis of her novels' characters, including secondary and minor ones. I also discovered one of her unfinished novels, 'The Watsons', from this book - that would have been a favourite had it been completed.
August 13, 2015
There is very little wrong with Patrice Hannon's "Dear Jane Austen", but still less is right. First, there's the fact its cover claims its fiction, and the back cover speaks of a compelling drama play[ing] out in Austen's drawing room". That promise never materializes; the book teaches no more about Austen than one can learn from a Wikipedia biography and a few blog posts. It's definitely not a novel, but nor is it criticism. While it contains some interesting insights into Austen's craft and values, it's didactic tone takes away from any scholarly or intellectual power it might otherwise hold. Its tendency to reduce Austen's moral concerns to take-aways-in-capitals ("JANE AUSTEN SAYS: A HEROINE NEVER PURSUES A HERO")indeed reduces Austen. Perhaps this is an ironic judgment coming from me, always eager to discuss Austen as moralist and ethicist. Indeed, I've had a commenter on my blog complain that I seem to regard Austen's fiction as so much more valuable than that of other literary greats because of the moral underpinnings rather than the art. Well, I still hold by that position, but I see it's best elucidated by good criticism, or good fiction. In-between didactics will not do in those who have not Austen's genius.
April 18, 2009
Imagine, if you will, that Jane Austen can somehow receive letters from her modern-day readers, asking for her sage advice in love and marriage. That's the premise for this charming little book.
Part "autobiography", part self-help book, and part critical analysis, Dear Jane Austen is full of practical advice for all women, no matter what era they're living in. Told in a tone that is mostly pitch-perfect, Austen weighs in on topics ranging from beauty to friends and family, to sex. The only thing that jarred was when she used modern phrases in her answers. There's something of an explanation included, but it still bothered me a little.
There are some spoilers included if you haven't read Austen's entire body of work. I haven't yet, but this didn't really bother me. I think I'll have forgotten the little bits and pieces I learned by the time I actually get around to reading all of her other books.
Fans of Austen will love this little book, especially the single women still looking for their Mr. Darcy.
Part "autobiography", part self-help book, and part critical analysis, Dear Jane Austen is full of practical advice for all women, no matter what era they're living in. Told in a tone that is mostly pitch-perfect, Austen weighs in on topics ranging from beauty to friends and family, to sex. The only thing that jarred was when she used modern phrases in her answers. There's something of an explanation included, but it still bothered me a little.
There are some spoilers included if you haven't read Austen's entire body of work. I haven't yet, but this didn't really bother me. I think I'll have forgotten the little bits and pieces I learned by the time I actually get around to reading all of her other books.
Fans of Austen will love this little book, especially the single women still looking for their Mr. Darcy.
January 30, 2008
The full title of this book is Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love.
I first decided to buy it because I've been in a Jane Austen mood lately - movies of her books, her books, books about her, anything goes... - and I thought this one might be interesting.
The book contains a series of letters from contemporary women to Jane Austen about their love problems. And Jane Austen answers using examples from her heroine's lives and making smart comments about today's habits regarding love, courting and marriage.
I found the author's voice funny and very much in accordance to what I imagine Jane Austen's view of the world to be. Nothing really new in the love advice department but it's all reported in such an interesting voice that one can't help smiling while reading it.
Grade: B
I first decided to buy it because I've been in a Jane Austen mood lately - movies of her books, her books, books about her, anything goes... - and I thought this one might be interesting.
The book contains a series of letters from contemporary women to Jane Austen about their love problems. And Jane Austen answers using examples from her heroine's lives and making smart comments about today's habits regarding love, courting and marriage.
I found the author's voice funny and very much in accordance to what I imagine Jane Austen's view of the world to be. Nothing really new in the love advice department but it's all reported in such an interesting voice that one can't help smiling while reading it.
Grade: B
February 16, 2010
I enjoyed the wit with which the author answered modern relationship dilemmas as Jane Austen. I think she got the "voice" spot on. I also enjoyed the relevance that this book displayed - Jane Austen's heroines do have a lot to teach modern women! My main disappointment was the book being rather like an expanded paper one would write in a university lit class - very thorough and well-done, an "A" grade, but perhaps not as accessible or entertaining as it could be in the literary world at large, with a bit of a contrived modern ending. It did make me want to become familiar with Jane Austen's incomplete/unpublished works, and also to read the one book of hers that I have not yet: Northanger Abbey. I would recommend this book only to anyone who loves Jane Austen AND has a familiarity with most, if not all, of her books.
March 17, 2008
From my days of being an English Lit major, I enjoy reading essays about the books that I have read. Reading this book is like reading a thesis about Jane Austen's heroines and their applicability to the modern day woman with a fun twist. The twist is that it is written in letter format. There are a series of "Dear Abby" type letters from fictional modern women written to Austen herself. Austen answers the questions using the examples of her heroines to make her points. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it sparked my interest in reading again all of Austen's works. This would probably not appeal to anyone who has not read and loved all of Austen's novels, just as it may not appeal to those who do not enjoy reading literary essays.
January 22, 2022
This tiny little book is a fun read. Author Patrice Hannon takes the form and prose of Jane Austen and current times to create a great advice book for women. “Readers” submit a letter to Jane Austen who replies taking examples out of her own text and the relationships of her characters. Each section incorporates something for each major Austen work, plus others.
The modern day letters incorporate mainly advice about love and relationships, sometimes friends, but often reflect something an Austen character has faced in the past – living together before marriage, marrying for money, fear of commitment, and how to gain a guys interested (among other things).
It was cute and easy to read, plus fun for any Austen fan.
The modern day letters incorporate mainly advice about love and relationships, sometimes friends, but often reflect something an Austen character has faced in the past – living together before marriage, marrying for money, fear of commitment, and how to gain a guys interested (among other things).
It was cute and easy to read, plus fun for any Austen fan.
March 24, 2008
A cute concept of Jane Austen meets Dear Abby ...
What advice would Jane Austen give to would-be heroines today for their lives?
Hannon writes as Austen, responding to letters containing modern-day problems. What would Austen say to the idea of cohabitation? What books would she recommend? What if a woman is reaching spinsterhood?
There are quotes from all of Austen's books, nicely summed-up morals/guidelines, and a warm-sisterly feel to this book. I found it very sweet and would love it if my children read it.
If you enjoyed this, I'd also recommend Jane Austen's Guide to Dating by Lauren Henderson. (Oh, how I wish I'd had that book in high school!!)
What advice would Jane Austen give to would-be heroines today for their lives?
Hannon writes as Austen, responding to letters containing modern-day problems. What would Austen say to the idea of cohabitation? What books would she recommend? What if a woman is reaching spinsterhood?
There are quotes from all of Austen's books, nicely summed-up morals/guidelines, and a warm-sisterly feel to this book. I found it very sweet and would love it if my children read it.
If you enjoyed this, I'd also recommend Jane Austen's Guide to Dating by Lauren Henderson. (Oh, how I wish I'd had that book in high school!!)
April 7, 2008
Author has a PhD in English literature with an emphasis on the novels of Jane Austen. This book is a light-hearted look at Austen's most colorful heroines and their relevance to the current dating trends.
Hannon does a great job of capturing Austen's writing style. Her inclusion of details from a variety of Austen novels adds to the book's enlightening nature. "Despite the enormous changes in our external conditions, human nature is still as it was then and Austen's novels are an excellent source of advice."
Parts of this book dragged, but it made me want to read all the Austen books and re-acquaint myself with all of her wonderful ladies.
Hannon does a great job of capturing Austen's writing style. Her inclusion of details from a variety of Austen novels adds to the book's enlightening nature. "Despite the enormous changes in our external conditions, human nature is still as it was then and Austen's novels are an excellent source of advice."
Parts of this book dragged, but it made me want to read all the Austen books and re-acquaint myself with all of her wonderful ladies.
November 15, 2009
I liked the idea of this book, a Jane Austen as advice columnist format, answering modern day questions about romance (such as, should I marry the guy I love with the crap job or the wealthy guy who is in love with me?). The author obviously knows all of Jane's works inside and out; for each bit of advice she backs it up with direct reference to multiple scenarios from multiple works, and each aspect of every question was discussed very thoroughly. However, her writing style felt a bit too formal and pedantic to me, and definitely didn't feel like Austen to me. So, A+ for the idea and the author's knowledge and good sense, but maybe a C+ for execution.
September 3, 2011
It's a book with a great premise: what if Jane Austen was Dear Abby and dispensing dating advice to modern women? It falls short when it takes itself just a little to seriously and tries to work in too many details about Jane's life as well as all the dating advice straight out of Austen's novels.
It's worth a read if you're looking for extremely light reading, but feels like it was written by someone looking to show off just how much she knows about Jane Austen's life and works. The book is a little self-satisfied and written just enough off from classic Austen style to be slightly annoying.
It's worth a read if you're looking for extremely light reading, but feels like it was written by someone looking to show off just how much she knows about Jane Austen's life and works. The book is a little self-satisfied and written just enough off from classic Austen style to be slightly annoying.
April 22, 2009
Patrice Hannon knows Jane Austen. Her tone and manners in the book are spot on, and amusing. It's an interesting way to critique Jane Austen's work and make it accessible to the modern reader. What I particularly liked was the view she takes that Austen's heroines appeal and are likable because they overcome their illusions about life and make happy endings based on reality instead of illusion (though I think getting the rich guy and the guy you lost years ago are still on the romantic side). It was a fun, short read and easy to put down when you're busy.
July 9, 2009
Dear Jane Austen has the famous authoress answering "Dear Abby" style letters from modern readers, referencing her own works (including the juvenilia and the unpublished works) and their characters to illustrate her advice in matters of life, love, and general behaviour.
Patrice Hannon has an impressive grasp of Austen's works, and the response letters capture her voice and her character brilliantly.
Patrice Hannon has an impressive grasp of Austen's works, and the response letters capture her voice and her character brilliantly.
August 28, 2010
I bought this online and from the review it looked like it could be a cute book. Turns out it was not very well written or organized. The premise is that Jane Austen is writing letters of advise from her time period to modern day girls with modern day problems. It could have been enjoyable or even funny, but instead it ended up contrived, over written and at times did not even flow. Over all, I was very disappointed in this one.
April 3, 2008
I think this book is better for teenagers about 16 and up. Although I did find many things that were interesting and lots of useful advice. It took a long time to read, but I have never read anything from Jane Austen so it took a while to get used to the language. It definitly made me want to read the books that she wrote.
April 25, 2008
Well, if you're an Austen fan, I think you'd enjoy this book...
It's written in Jane's voice, as she responds to letters from modern-day women. She cites her books and characters as she answers questions about love, marriage, and friendship. It's cute, an easy read, and lets you reminisce about your experiences reading Austen's books and meeting her characters.
It's written in Jane's voice, as she responds to letters from modern-day women. She cites her books and characters as she answers questions about love, marriage, and friendship. It's cute, an easy read, and lets you reminisce about your experiences reading Austen's books and meeting her characters.
June 7, 2009
The only reason I gave this one star is more me than the book. I have always struggled with pieces like those of Austen. I like to the point and I start daydreaming when reading 3 pages of fluffy text that could be condensed into one paragraph. I know that if you enjoy that sort of literature you would probably really like this book. I did like the idea of it. Very clever.
April 18, 2016
When I picked this up I was expecting a fun read in the voice of Jane Austen, but I found this book far too academic for my taste. The author certainly knows her Jane Austen, but I was expecting something a little more lighthearted. So, I guess I would say it was okay, but I really didn't like it very much.
November 28, 2009
I loved this! Not only does the author put forth some good advice regarding life's situations but the author really give a lot of insight into each character, their motives, their flaws, why they are a heroine or not. I really enjoyed also the hints towards Jane Austen's life as well. I loved this so much I plan on giving copies to my family!
September 18, 2011
I thought the idea was good...modern women writing "Dear Abby" type letters to Jane Austen...however, I felt most of the responses were drawn out a little too long...I did enjoy the chapter on a Heroine in the World...I thought the asides where Jane was speaking to members of her family were unnecessary. But, the writer obviously knows her Jane Austen novels and characters.
July 29, 2011
I like this book for what it is, an attempt to answer a modern women's question with the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen. It does this passably well. I brought this with me on vacation and it did give me a few giggles. It is definitely not a deep-read, but when the author hits the right notes it is very enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews