Jane Austen for Dummies: Silly title, but a terrific resource.
Written: Jul 26 '08 (Updated Jul 27 '08)
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Pros: Don't let the cover and title fool you. This is really worth it.
Cons: Not a one. Concise information on background, biography and bibliography. And the movies!
The Bottom Line: A fun look at the books and life of Jane Austen, with plenty of information and background to her world.
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| telynor's Full Review: Jane Austen For Dummies |
I'm a book nerd. Especially when it comes to the English author, Jane Austen. I've read her novels countless times, I've seen nearly every film that's been made from or derived from the written works, and I've cursed at several of the lifeless retreads that some modern authors think that they can continue some of the best writing in the English language. Period. Full stop.
So my skepticism was aroused when I saw this title. A 'for Dummies' book about Jane Austen? Could it possibly have anything new for me? Or would I be snickering and reading parts of it aloud to my partner in mock accents while we both try not to fall over laughing. At least, think I, it ought to be better than most of those 'sequels' to Austen out there. Taking up a fresh pot of tea, I got settled in my favourite chair, and proceeded to read.
Introduction
It's just what it says, an overview of what the reader will find in this book. Think of it as a very quick reference, so that you can find what you need in a hurry.
Part One: Getting to Know Jane Austen, Lady and Novelist
A look at how Jane Austen is reviewed today by modern audiences, what the readers of the past thought of her, why her books became and still are so popular, and the culture surrounding today's fans of Miss Austen. Other chapters cover such topics as the cultural and political landscape that Jane Austen grew up in, and managed to incorporate so well into her stories. There is a very good biographical chapter here as well, describing her family. Finally, it all comes together as the reader gets to find out how Jane Austen pulled it all together and wrote six very good novels out of what she knew.
Part Two: Austen Observes Ladies and Gentlemen
The first chapter in this is titled The Politics of Dancing. Why dance was so important to courtship, the hidden rules, and what those who sat out the fun did while waiting for the flirting to be over. Dating, so to speak, and how to tell if a partner would be a good or bad choice -- i.e. why Wickham and Willoughby are such cads, why Darcy is such a choice morsel despite being a pompous twit at times, why everyone is so angry at Lydia, and so forth. The fuss over weddings and why it mattered for women to marry well.
Part Three: Living Life in Jane's World
This should prove interesting for anyone wanting to know the separate and very conflicting worlds that men and women moved in. For anyone wanting to know why a woman just couldn't go out and work -- instead of husband hunting all the time -- this part outlines quite clearly as to why it just wasn't possible. Yes, it was a sexist, bigoted and very unfriendly world for women in Jane Austen's time. And on the other side, the men -- and discovering that they were living under just as many rules and codes as the women were. The other chapters go into more detail about daily life, social contacts and manners, and finally, religion. This last chapter was a real godsend for me, as I knew nothing at all about the Anglican Church, and a very funny little section on the seven deadly sins as seen by Miss Austen.
Part Four: Enjoying Austen and Her Influence Today
Here all six of the novels are broken down, talking about the themes, major plot twists, and what the various characters are about. The next chapter looks at all the different ways that Jane Austen's work has been adapted to stage, screen and television. Finally, there's quite a discussion about the attempts to continue the novels with sequels written by modern authors, the phenomena of 'chick lit,' and how Austen has influenced modern culture. This too was a section filled with surprises, and very enjoyable to read.
Part Five: The Part of Tens
The 'Most Memorable' characters -- including the Abnormal Personality. Books written about Jane Austen, by her relations, modern scholars such as Deirdre de la Faye, cookbooks, and the like. Ten places associated with Jane Austen today in England, and how to get there. It's a very fun section to read.
Finally, the book winds up with a Chronology of Jane Austen's life, and an index if you need to find out about something right away.
Edited and written by Joan Klingel Ray, a professor of English in Colorado, and a long time president of The Jane Austen Society of North American (www.jasna.org), and a lecturer about Jane Austen. In other words, she knows her stuff. But her writing style is anything but stuffy. There's a wicked wit in here, and she keeps all of the data from getting too overwhelming for the reader, no matter what their level of reading Jane Austen might be.
As with nearly of the 'For Dummies' books, there are sidebars, technical details, some illustrations, and some charming cartoons by Rick Tennant at the start of each section.
Is this book worth it? To be honest, I was prepared to be severely disappointed by this, thinking of it as a trite, rather simple-minded look at Jane Austen and her novels. Instead, I got to learn about some new things, a few 'aha!' moments, and a few more suggestions to take a look at in various book and film formats.
This is one very affordable guide for anyone interested in Jane Austen, and why her books are so enjoyable, and why they still matter.
Five stars. Seriously. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the Category Lead in Books, Arianej for adding this to the database for me.
This is part of ifif1938's French-British Write-Off. Thank you for inviting me, Barb, and more about the write-off and the participants can be found here.
Jane Austen for Dummies
Joan Klingel Ray, PhD
2006; Wiley Publishing Company
ISBN 0-470-00829-6
Recommended:
Yes
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