Becoming Jane: The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen
by Anne Newgarden
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Book Summary Information
Author: Anne NewgardenEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2007-07-03
ISBN: 1401309046
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Miramax
Book Reviews of Becoming Jane: The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen
Book Review: will make you fall in love with Austen
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read and loved Jane Austen's novels for a long time, but I must admit that I didn't know too much about Jane Austen herself. When first glancing at the picture from the Miramax film of the same title on the cover of Becoming Jane, I figured the book was going to be solely about the romance aspect of Jane Austen's novels. I was wrong.
Becoming Jane is a small, fairly short book full of quotations and history about Jane Austen's life. The passion the editor has for Austen and her work comes through in her writing; you can tell how eager she is to show you the things she loves about Austen. Romance and love were important to Austen, and to the characters in her novels, but that is by far not the only theme to her writing.
There are chapters on everything from family to money to fashion to letter writing. She fully embraces humanity, with all of its failures and follies, and rejoices in finding the humor in life. Alongside quotes from Austen's novels are quotes from the many letters she wrote to her family and friends. It was the quotes from her letters that I found the most interesting.
I also enjoyed the historical context at the beginning of each chapter; I learned just how little control and autonomy many women of the time had over their lives. Austen was in favor of marriage and love and accepted in some ways the basic idea of the man as the main breadwinner as it was such a part of the culture she was living in, but she was able, in subtle ways, to poke fun at and expose the double standards for men and women.
For those who already know and love Jane Austen, this book will make you want to go back and reread some of your favorites. For those who haven't read her before and perhaps just saw the film version of Becoming Jane, it's a quick introduction to her wit and wisdom that hopefully will inspire you to read one of her many novels. Its size makes it perfect for a gift.
Summary of Becoming Jane: The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen
Inspired by Becoming Jane, the romantic film that could only make you want to know more about Jane Austen, here is a delightful collection of some of her most famous and quotable quotes -- pearls of wit and wisdom on topics like family, the sexes, friends, money, marriage, and of course love -- that are as true today as they were in Austen's time.Jane Austen on Marriage:
"My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming -- one othe person at least."
--Emma Woodhouse to Harriet Smith, in Emma
"I am of a cautious temper, and unwilling to risk my happiness in a hurry. Nobody can think more highly of the matrimonial state than myself. I consider the blessing of a wife as most justly described in those discreet lines of the poet, 'Heaven's last best gift.'"
--Henry Crawford to his sisters in Mansfield Park
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
--From Pride and Prejudice
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