Helpful Score: 1
If you are looking for a book that discusses modern Jane Austen enthusiasts, as the title and subtitle (Austen's Disciples and Devotees) of this book might imply it is, do not be misled. The book you'd probably enjoy more is Among the Janeites, by Deborah Yaffe. This book of essays, edited by Deidre Lynch, is largely by academics, for academics. Most of the essays consist of their authors describing some other academic's theories about Jane Austen's works, then criticizing the criticism. Some of them seem quite impressed with themselves for knowing so many obscure words and using them where more readily comprehensible words would do just as well. Except for one essay, I wouldn't re-read any of these under any circumstances.
I'm giving it one star for Roger Sales' excellent piece on servants in the Regency, in Jane Austen's novels, and particularly in the 1995 filmed version of Persuasion. In passing, he makes the observation that Lydia Bennet of Pride and Prejudice and famous Regency courtesan Harriette Wilson had a lot in common, and lists those characteristics. So just think: Mr. Darcy may have saved flighty Lydia from a Life of Sin by bribing Wickham to marry her, but may thus have kept her from her true calling. Hmmm...
I'm giving it one star for Roger Sales' excellent piece on servants in the Regency, in Jane Austen's novels, and particularly in the 1995 filmed version of Persuasion. In passing, he makes the observation that Lydia Bennet of Pride and Prejudice and famous Regency courtesan Harriette Wilson had a lot in common, and lists those characteristics. So just think: Mr. Darcy may have saved flighty Lydia from a Life of Sin by bribing Wickham to marry her, but may thus have kept her from her true calling. Hmmm...
