Scan barcode
book_nut's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a Janeite, so he was preaching to the choir. Even so, it was sweet to watch his growth and appreciation of her books.
hpuphd's review against another edition
5.0
I have read lots and lots of books about literature in the line of grad student or English professor duty. This one, I think, is the best--most engaging, most human, most insightful. It shows how with skillful and receptive reading, literature can change people. It suggests that to be a better, more discerning reader is to be a more sensitive person capable of meaningful change, and I think that hits on a key truth about the power and endurance of literature. Great books don't last generation after generation because they're assigned in class. It's because their style and substance, experienced properly, provide us with the soul-shaking moments that change and deepen us. The book is written to a general audience rather than to scholars (which also may be something that adds to the appeal).
lynnaeaowens's review against another edition
3.0
This is a memoir that ties in lessons learned from Jane Austen's works. I appreciated the early essays where Deresiewicz explores his initial perspectives regarding Austen and his difficulty appreciating her works. The "lessons" he ties in early on feel natural and were compelling. However, as the book progresses, the attempt to tie each novel to a trite lesson feels forced. Obviously the author is working within the constraints of the narrative of his life and the narratives of Austen's plots, but I felt like by the end he was making grand summaries about broad topics like "love" without actually delving into the novel he had titled the chapter after!
3/5 Well-written and interesting, but not fully executed.
3/5 Well-written and interesting, but not fully executed.
jmiae's review against another edition
3.0
I think my choice of three stars is a little misleading. I loved this book, and I feel like it will make me a more attentive reader of all books, not just Jane Austen's. It was a quick read as well as eloquent and articulate; a very interesting mix of autobiography, literary criticism, and pop culture. The best part was basically being able to fully revisit each novel without actually having to read them (not that I would shy away from rereading any of those novels, but there are so many other books to be read...).
As much as I enjoyed it, I think in order for me to give a higher rating it would have to be an original book? Or perhaps I am doing it the discredit of mis-categorisation. Alright, in that case it's fair to say that the rating I would give depends largely upon what lens it is being read through.
As pop literary criticism, it's fabulous and would land a solid four stars. I wish all literary criticism was this much fun to read. Smart, insightful, obviously well-researched, and with decent use of sources considering it's target readership is outside of academia.
As autobiography, it's all right. Mainly because he's basically framing his life from 18 until 33 in terms of how it relates to his epiphanies vis-à-vis Jane Austen's novels, so it's not a "true" or a complete autobiography in that sense. Two point five stars, perhaps.
As a simple joy to read for anyone who has read all of Jane Austen's novels, and loved them each to varying degree, it is absolutely 5 stars.
So I guess, if we're averaging it out, that gives it a rating of three point five stars.
Apparently the star rating system cannot reasonably be applied to this book. Bottom line: if you love Jane Austen and/or her novels (and how can you love one and not appreciate the other with equal measure of affection?), this is a good pick.
Finally, to my dear friend who gave me this wonderful gift for my birthday, thank you! There is nothing like sharing a favourite author with one's friends.
As much as I enjoyed it, I think in order for me to give a higher rating it would have to be an original book? Or perhaps I am doing it the discredit of mis-categorisation. Alright, in that case it's fair to say that the rating I would give depends largely upon what lens it is being read through.
As pop literary criticism, it's fabulous and would land a solid four stars. I wish all literary criticism was this much fun to read. Smart, insightful, obviously well-researched, and with decent use of sources considering it's target readership is outside of academia.
As autobiography, it's all right. Mainly because he's basically framing his life from 18 until 33 in terms of how it relates to his epiphanies vis-à-vis Jane Austen's novels, so it's not a "true" or a complete autobiography in that sense. Two point five stars, perhaps.
As a simple joy to read for anyone who has read all of Jane Austen's novels, and loved them each to varying degree, it is absolutely 5 stars.
So I guess, if we're averaging it out, that gives it a rating of three point five stars.
Apparently the star rating system cannot reasonably be applied to this book. Bottom line: if you love Jane Austen and/or her novels (and how can you love one and not appreciate the other with equal measure of affection?), this is a good pick.
Finally, to my dear friend who gave me this wonderful gift for my birthday, thank you! There is nothing like sharing a favourite author with one's friends.
howattp's review against another edition
4.0
Truly a delightful dissection of Jane Austen’s impact on our perception of love and our lives.
tschmitty's review against another edition
3.0
Sort of sweet reading a book written by a guy geeking out on Austen.
rachelsuzuko's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
ovvlish's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a fascinating take on the Austen novels, coming from someone with a real love for them. It was interesting to learn one man's take on how the novels had real-life lessons to teach, and I think that even though sometimes I'm wary of reading books that get to memoir-y, it was a cool look at how Austen novels affected someone who is generally not the demographic you would expect to be so engaged with them. If you like Jane Austen, and want some interesting analyses of them, check this book out.
sarah_renner's review against another edition
4.0
This book was absolutely adorable! It follows the story of a man who fell in love with Jane Austen and all the lessons he learned along the way. Her six books all taught him gentle lessons about what it means to grow up, have real friendships, and to challenge the way we think. It was a real delight.
He kept things spoiler free, but still explained enough to make sure we knew what was happening.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
He kept things spoiler free, but still explained enough to make sure we knew what was happening.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5