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orphalia's review
2.0
I've never encountered anyone who thought Jane Austen was 'quaint and darling, doe-eyed and demure, parochial if not pastoral, and dizzily, swooningly romantic — the inventor and mother goddess of ‘chick lit.’'. I thought it was a well-known fact that she's a very witty, satirical and rather progressive writer who comments on romanticism and the patriarchal society of her time in her very own subtle and often hilarious way. So I don't really get the purpose of the book.
Next to that it's mostly quotes from her novels explained in the way the author interprets them. His interpretations don't seem to match mine very often. But the way he writes it, there doesn't seem to be much room for a different opinion than his.
Next to that it's mostly quotes from her novels explained in the way the author interprets them. His interpretations don't seem to match mine very often. But the way he writes it, there doesn't seem to be much room for a different opinion than his.
ridgewaygirl's review
4.0
Taking part in the group read of Mansfield Park gave me an excuse to get a copy of this book. Along with Mansfield Park, it also contains his witty, opinionated and intelligent commentary on Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. Reading each chapter in Austen followed by Rodi's commentary was like having an animated discussion with a good friend. He made me look at Mansfield Park from a different angle. I disagreed with him on some things (he dislikes Fanny Price!) and found myself agreeing with him on others.
I had thought to save the other commentaries for my next reread of those books, but found myself unable to do so, having had so much fun with Mansfield Park. Rodi, who is very familiar with Austen's personal correspondence as well as her published books, sees her as not the genteel romantic she's stereo-typed as, but as an astute observer of social practices with a cutting wit that would make Mary Crawford blush. He points out the sly humor and finds both Elinor Dashwood and Lizzie Bennet to be utterly hilarious and charming women.
This is an excellent companion for any reread of Austen, but also great fun for those who are familiar with her novels.
I had thought to save the other commentaries for my next reread of those books, but found myself unable to do so, having had so much fun with Mansfield Park. Rodi, who is very familiar with Austen's personal correspondence as well as her published books, sees her as not the genteel romantic she's stereo-typed as, but as an astute observer of social practices with a cutting wit that would make Mary Crawford blush. He points out the sly humor and finds both Elinor Dashwood and Lizzie Bennet to be utterly hilarious and charming women.
This is an excellent companion for any reread of Austen, but also great fun for those who are familiar with her novels.
toesinthesand's review
4.0
Oh this was so much fun to read. The Mansfield Park section goes on too long though (much like the novel itself). We get it, you hate Fanny Price..
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
The voice and expressions are the same as Volume One; snarky and irreverent in a way I'm sure Jane Austen herself might have enjoyed. These two volumes are an entertaining accompaniment to the six beloved novels.
kittykornerlibrarian's review
4.0
Tremendously enjoyed this... it's a book I can't wait to get back to. The breezy-blogger writing style is engaging, and the writer's passion for the work of Jane Austen shines through. I strongly disagree with the writer about the merits of Mansfield Park; however, disagreeing is part of the pleasure of reading Austen's work.
ricefun's review against another edition
4.0
This was so much fun. Rodi interacts with the Austen texts from a contemporary perspective that is both funny and insightful. His first and foremost reminder to his readers is that Austen is a master at satire, but not so much a master of anything we would recognize as romance. Her main characters end up in socially advantageous relationships, and some may like one another along the way. But bodice rippers, or even passionate glances, aren't to be found in the main characters of her novels.
My one major criticism is the he doesn't know the order of Austen's writings. He keeps referring to Northanger Abbey as a later novel, when in fact it was the first written. It was just one of the last published because it was kept in a drawer by the publishing company that initially purchased the rites to it.
Even with this, Rodi's reminder that Austen's fascination was with the "grotesques" of the British social world was a great lens through which to re-examine the novels. I've only read the first edition, so I'm looking forward to finding the second edition to read his thoughts on the other three novels.
My one major criticism is the he doesn't know the order of Austen's writings. He keeps referring to Northanger Abbey as a later novel, when in fact it was the first written. It was just one of the last published because it was kept in a drawer by the publishing company that initially purchased the rites to it.
Even with this, Rodi's reminder that Austen's fascination was with the "grotesques" of the British social world was a great lens through which to re-examine the novels. I've only read the first edition, so I'm looking forward to finding the second edition to read his thoughts on the other three novels.
fiddleysticks's review
4.0
I really liked this book. It was lovely to see such an irreverent but often bang-on take on Jane Austen. Like others I was surprised how much of the book was devoted to Mansfield Park, and feel that could have been more concise. But I enjoyed it very much and look forward to his take on the rest of Jane Austen's works.
beccali's review
I'm sorry but Jane Austen does not need you to come to her rescue.