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sarahrosebooks's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book up years ago, after reading one of the author's fanfiction pieces - the one set towards the end of Northanger Abbey where Catherine and Henry correspond via letters while waiting for his father to give his blessing. I wanted to know more about the time during which Austen's novels were set, so I purchased this book.
Really, this is just drawn from the books themselves, and perhaps from Austen's letters and the biography her nephew wrote. But a lot of it I could recognise as being drawn from particular works. I don't think it was particularly groundbreaking or that it provided a very great insight into society at the time. But, it did collect a lot of information together and give context to some of the novels, so it is not entirely pointless. It's also written in a fun, enjoyable way, and I liked the author's slightly sarcastic tone.
Overall, I enjoyed this, but didn't get a great deal out of it. It did make me want to finish reading all of Jane Austen's novels, though.
Really, this is just drawn from the books themselves, and perhaps from Austen's letters and the biography her nephew wrote. But a lot of it I could recognise as being drawn from particular works. I don't think it was particularly groundbreaking or that it provided a very great insight into society at the time. But, it did collect a lot of information together and give context to some of the novels, so it is not entirely pointless. It's also written in a fun, enjoyable way, and I liked the author's slightly sarcastic tone.
Overall, I enjoyed this, but didn't get a great deal out of it. It did make me want to finish reading all of Jane Austen's novels, though.
irishtraveller's review against another edition
3.0
You can't really say too terribly much about a replica etiquette manual for the Regency period of England. I did enjoy the book, and it provided some interesting insights for me into the life and time of Regency England. As a historical romance novelist concentrating in this particular era, it was a useful tool but not my favorite research book thus far.
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.5
"The Jane Austen Handbook" was funny at times, informative at others, and tedious in a couple places. This book is essentially a crash course in Regency society, but some of it was just cheekily pulled from Austen's books. Like with all books from Quirk, the book itself is gorgeous and has excellent illustrations. I think all Jane Austen fans should read this at least once for a good chuckle.
P.S. Absolutely criminal that Mr. Woodhouse wasn't included in the list of biggest hypochondriacs from Austen's novels.
P.S. Absolutely criminal that Mr. Woodhouse wasn't included in the list of biggest hypochondriacs from Austen's novels.
debralewi's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
livreads7's review against another edition
4.0
A very cute "how-to" book based on Jane Austen's time period and novels. I liked the little mentions of each of her novels. It was good information to know about all the little things that make up the background and setting for Jane Austen novels. A very good short read for Austen fans for sure.
felinity's review against another edition
5.0
Fun to read, and nicely informative. I definitely need to read the Austen works I've missed, so I can pay more attention to the details!