UK Holidays - The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World

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Manufacturer: Quirk Books

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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.7
EAN: 9781594741715
ISBN: 1594741719
Label: Quirk Books
Manufacturer: Quirk Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 224
Publication Date: 2007-04-19
Publisher: Quirk Books
Studio: Quirk Books

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Editorial Reviews:

Jane Austen published her first novel in 1811, but today she's more popular than ever. Film adaptations of her books are nominated for Academy Awards. Chick lit bestsellers are based on her plots. And a new biopic of Austen herself Becoming Jane arrives in theaters this spring.

For all those readers who dream about living in Regency England, The Jane Austen Handbook offers step-by-step instructions for proper comportment in the early nineteenth century. You'll discover:
How to Become an Accomplished Lady
How to Run a Great House
How to Indicate Interest in a Gentleman Without Seeming Forward
How to Throw a Dinner Party
How to Choose and Buy Clothing

Full of practical directions for navigating the travails of Regency life, this charming illustrated book also serves as a companion for present-day readers, explaining the English class system, currency, dress, and the nuances of graceful living.

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Perfect for Reading in Bits and Pieces
Comment: I received this lovely little gem of a book as a b-day present and had the best time savoring it a bit at a time. I liked best that all the inside jokes (i.e., phrases lifted from Austen's works) were just there--not pointed to via quotes or italics or parenthetical devices--but just there to be spotted and enjoyed. This is definitely a book for fans of Austen's prose and wit, especially since Sullivan adds her own brand of wit and sometimes her recommendations for "How to..." are so practical they're funny.

I learned some stuff too--for example, Sullivan's aside about port being passed to the left prompted a delve into our online OED to discover the etymology of the word "port," which was a fun little exercise on its own. I liked having the rules of the major card games at my fingertips, and I finally learned what a Cotillion dance is. I also thought Sullivan's summary of Austen's life was quite nicely done.

I expect to keep this book handy so that I can pick it and amuse myself whenever the mood strikes. It is a gem.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Could have been better
Comment: You can't really say too terribly much about a replica etiquette manual for the Regency period of England. I did enjoy the book, and it provided some interesting insights for me into the life and time of Regency England. As a historical romance novelist concentrating in this particular era, it was a useful tool but not my favorite research book thus far.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Very Pleasing
Comment: I enjoyed this book immensly, as it was just as I expected. It gives an accurate over-view of Regency life, in a simple, fun and informative way.

Some of the other reviews for this book have said that this book is good for people who are new to Jane Austen's work, and need a hand, but I disagree. I am a huge Jane fan, and I still found the book somewhat informative and helpful. A lot of the information was familiar, but some was new, and the information that I already knew about was still good to read, because it gave a deeper, more insightful view on the subjects.

I recommend The Jane Austen Handbook to any Janeite. It really is a joy to read and there is a good chance you'll learn something new, no matter how knowledgable you think you are :)

Customer Rating:

Summary: Great fun whether or not you've read Jane Austen
Comment: I'm ashamed to admit I've never read any Jane Austen but I've seen all the movies and PBS series of her novels and was looking for additional commentary. If you are intrigued with the manners and mores of this time and want a little more information in an accessible format, you'll like this handbook. This guide is probably not for those seeking in-depth historical analysis but the material is well-organized and efficient in its presentation of the world of Jane Austen. Even my eleven-year old daughter is intrigued with this book, especially after seeing the movie, "Pride and Prejudice." Overall, an entertaining companion book with attractive illustrations.

Customer Rating:

Summary: easy read
Comment: extremely helpful in understanding the times and actions of the Jane Austin books and movies. Understanding the why of things gives incite into the lives of the characters in the books and movies. Helped me to enjoy the movies much more.

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