Scan barcode
A review by jmiae
A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter by William Deresiewicz
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.