Customer Reviews

101 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen: The Truth About the World's Most Intriguing Romantic Literary Heroine

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This little book, while infinitely readable, was also packed full of wonderful scholarship. I read the book after I finished the last of the 6 main publications of Jane Austen and found its organization so conducive to bringing together themes and tropes in the novels. Dr. Hannon has found a very fine balance between interesting and salacious details (like the romantic interests in Austen's too-short life) to literary scholarship (most interestingly for me, her discussion of the treatment of parents in the novels, and how they don't paint a very fine picture of marital bliss). With Jane Austen, you either get silly books full of fluff, or boring attempts to keep the work as scholastic as possible, but Dr. Hannon has found a nice way to blend these two situations for both types of readers -- serious scholars and Janeites.

I didn't expect to read this book as a narrative, straight through from beginning to end, but I did, and loved the way information was organized and presented. There is a references page, but very little citation within the text. Most of what I read, though, was familiar, and only really revolutionary in the way it was brought together to concentrate on recurring images, themes, and tropes in the works (including all the Juvenilia and other unpublished/unfinished novels). Section headings include "Bad Boys," "Prudence and Romance," and four sections on "Fine Naval Fervour." Inbetween are also sections frm Austen's life rather than her novels, such as "Arrested for Shoplifting," and "Dedicated to the One I Hate." There is also a ton of accessible information on publishing and the market (from the gothic to marriage market novels). Fine book, and any fan of the the novels or new-to-the-field scholar would find it packed full of fun information and prompts for further study.

I am surprised at the other glowing reviews. If you've read Austen's six major works, you know probably 90% of what is in this book. It is NOT things you didn't know about Jane Austen (or, as the back cover asserts, "long-kept secrets of literature's leading lady"); rather it is themes/ideas/character traits from all of her books thrown together and sorted. I expected to read trivia about Austen's life; I did not expect most of the book to be about the characters she created. If you were to remove all the quotes from the six novels (never mind the letters and juvenilia ), I'd guess it would reduce the content by half. I'm a huge fan and have read the majors repeatedly, so entire sections on similarities in the characters of different novels was, frankly, boring. To be fair, there were lots of tidbits about Austen's life, but if you've read a biography of Austen, you'll know all of these.

In fact, as a Jane Austen fan since college, I already knew all 101 of these things.

If you're new to Jane Austen and want a glimpse into her life, this book is great. Well written, accurate, intelligently organized. But if you've soaked up everything Jane Austen you can get your hands on, there's no new information in this book. Thus, the 2 starts. I was hoping for something new!

Most biographies of Jane Austen will reveal the quiet life of maiden Aunt Jane, who scribbled in secret, loved to dance, and lived her entire life in the country removed from the chaos of the world. Did you also know that she was also romantic, tragic and mysterious? Patrice Hannon's 101 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen: The Truth About The World's Most Intriguing Literary Heroine,is a gem of little Austenisms quite suitable for gift giving. Despite having one of the longest and most misleading titles of any book about Jane Austen of recent memory, the contents are as appealing as the easy to read format. In Jane Austen's 18th-century world, acquired knowledge was considered one of the most powerful and important skills of a polished society. Today we recognize the same benefits, but want our education to be forthright and expeditious. For anyone interested in the knowledge of Jane Austen's life and works in a compact and fact driven format, this book can serve as a great resource and quick reference. Categorized into seven parts Birth of a Heroine, Brilliant Beginnings, Silence and Disappointed Love, The Glorious Years, Heroes and Heroines, Untimely Death, and Austen and Popular Culture: From Eighteenth Century to the Twenty-First, this illuminating guide takes you through all aspects of Jane Austen's life journey and writing experience, revealing common facts, new insights, and minutia. If you are interested, as I was, to know which heroine most resembles the author herself, who were the real Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy and why Jane never married, you will not be disappointed in this bright little book that is well researched, engaging, and incredibly practical.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

I found this book to be well researched and easy to read.

Many of the facts about Jane Austen I had already known, but I felt the author went more into depth with those more well-known facts which I appreciated; and there were far more unknown than known -- at least to me. I like the size and it's nice in that you can jump in anywhere.

It's a little book; very compact; full of facts and best for the Austen enthusiast/Janite reader....such as myself.

the content of the book is great. I bought this one as a gift and was extremely disappointed that although promised to be pristine, the cover of the book has a small hole in it. I plan to order a new one from a different distributor.

I really love this book. It gives so much context to the things Jane Austen wrote about and a look into her private life. Wonderful, for those who love all things Austen.

A delightful little book about Jane Austen - a welcome addition to my Jane Austen Library.
If you are like me, avid to know more things about this Romantic Writer, this wil bring you interesting tidbits, perhaps, not included in other books about Jane.

Terry

I'm a fan of Jane Austen and can't seem to get enough books and movies associated with her. I have several books on her life and the times in which she lived. Each one has its own unique quality and information. "101 Things You Didn't know About Jane Austen" did not dissappoint me. It's a little treasure book of Austen facts.

Just to give you an idea of what you will find in this book, here are a few of the many chapters which are included:
*Bloodline of a genius
*Jane's education
*The other writer in the Austen family
*What did Jane really look like?
*Was Jane Austen a snob?
*Love at first sight
*What do Austen's novels say about beauty?
*What killed Jane Austen?

This book is compact and easily carried along on a walk in the park, or a trip. I have enjoyed my copy and keep it in my purse for those little quiet times alone.

I got this book for my friend's birthday since she is obsessed with Jane Austen (as am I). This book is great for someone who wants to learn about Jane's life. You will learn many interesting things along the way, but I thought most of the information I had heard of before. Nevertheless, it's a great, fun read, and a cute gift for Jane Austen fanatics.