Scan barcode
forloveoflit_'s review against another edition
3.0
I genuinely enjoyed the author’s scathing humor and his perspective on Austen’s works. There were times when I thought he omitted important details to try and drive home his point but all in all it was a good read and worth the life perspectives.
suvata's review against another edition
5.0
• ModernMrsDarcy.com
Read February 5-8, 2020
• Litsy #AJaneAustenEducationBuddyRead
#PemberLittens @SprainedBrain
Read December 11-31, 2020
Chapter 1-2 Discussion 12/17
Chapter 3-4 Discussion 12/24
Chapter 5-7 Discussion 12/31
So far, this is the best book that I’ve read about Jane Austen‘s books. If you’re a fan of hers you really need to read this memoir by another Austen lover.
Read February 5-8, 2020
• Litsy #AJaneAustenEducationBuddyRead
#PemberLittens @SprainedBrain
Read December 11-31, 2020
Chapter 1-2 Discussion 12/17
Chapter 3-4 Discussion 12/24
Chapter 5-7 Discussion 12/31
So far, this is the best book that I’ve read about Jane Austen‘s books. If you’re a fan of hers you really need to read this memoir by another Austen lover.
hurtvonnegut's review against another edition
3.0
So much fun for any Jane Austen fan. Deresiewicz has a very interesting take on all the novels and keeps the reader very entertained. I was hooked.
sallyavena's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting insight into what a man learned from Austen. Nothing really new, life altering or earth shattering to someone who has loved Austen from day one. Did find his writing style kind of weird. It was a meshing of academic/literary (he's an English PhD I think), personal memoir and casual story line.
kanissa's review against another edition
2.0
Jane Austen is unequivocally my favorite author. I have read her novels countless times (except Northanger Abbey, really), not even including all the times I've watched and re-watched film adaptations. So this book sounded interesting - a look into what Austen's books can teach us.
I was unimpressed.
This book weaves together Austen's biography, summaries of the novels, textual analysis, and Mr Deresiewicz's autobiography. Unfortunately, only the bits analyzing Austen's work were really all that interesting for me. I've read the books so many times that a summary adds no value. I don't particularly care for the author's life story (especially when he comes off as a bit whiny and privileged - the bits about the Midwest and particularly Cleveland being a total backwater compared to New York City rubbed me the wrong way, being a life-long Clevelander). And there's nothing wrong with summarizing Austen's life, but for that I'd be better off reading an actual biography.
It basically boils down to "life lessons" covering such oh-so-earth-shattering topics as "Don't take things for granted" or "Love is about growing up". I can do without the self-help book, Mr Deresiewicz, thank you very much. In the end, none of these ended up being at all interesting or eye-opening for me.
This book did change me in one way, though. It made me want to revisit the world of literary analysis, which I hadn't done since high school.
I was unimpressed.
This book weaves together Austen's biography, summaries of the novels, textual analysis, and Mr Deresiewicz's autobiography. Unfortunately, only the bits analyzing Austen's work were really all that interesting for me. I've read the books so many times that a summary adds no value. I don't particularly care for the author's life story (especially when he comes off as a bit whiny and privileged - the bits about the Midwest and particularly Cleveland being a total backwater compared to New York City rubbed me the wrong way, being a life-long Clevelander). And there's nothing wrong with summarizing Austen's life, but for that I'd be better off reading an actual biography.
It basically boils down to "life lessons" covering such oh-so-earth-shattering topics as "Don't take things for granted" or "Love is about growing up". I can do without the self-help book, Mr Deresiewicz, thank you very much. In the end, none of these ended up being at all interesting or eye-opening for me.
This book did change me in one way, though. It made me want to revisit the world of literary analysis, which I hadn't done since high school.
ih8janeausten's review against another edition
The premise sounded good and the first few pages were enjoyable, but then for me it went down hill. Once he realized the "awesomeness of Austen," I knew I would not last long. If this was not a book that I checked out from the library, it would have been thrown across the room and left there. That's how much I didn't like it. This book reaffirmed the fact that Jane Austen and I do not mix.
brandifox's review against another edition
3.0
Want to read about an Ivy League New Yorker discovering that Jane Austen is more than he thought , as he learns how not to be a putz ... then this is the book for you. His insights are enjoyable even if his love for Austen can be over the top (which is a hard line for someone to cross for me). But it was worth my time for sure.
maryloulynninmi's review
5.0
Loved it
The author describes how each of Jane Austen's novels helped him in the process of becoming an adult and, ultimately, learning how to love. It is well written and a very interesting viewpoint of her novels. I may have to have a Jane Austen binge now!
The author describes how each of Jane Austen's novels helped him in the process of becoming an adult and, ultimately, learning how to love. It is well written and a very interesting viewpoint of her novels. I may have to have a Jane Austen binge now!
elizawuen's review against another edition
3.0
The last 30 pages or so are missing from my copy HAHA. Guess we’ll never know!