The Jane Austen Handbook [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Have you ever wanted to know the rules of proper life during Regency England? If you are like me, you've read Jane Austen's novels, you watched all the movies, but some things left you perplexed and wanting to know more about the time period. The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan is the perfect companion to Jane Austen's novels as it is full of interesting information and to top it off, it had me laughing out loud as well. There are four sections to the book, which are broken up by topic and each topic asks some questions that all Austen fans I'm sure are dying to know. For example, 'How to become an accomplished lady, how to plan a dinner party, how a lady might earn a living (if necessary), how to get him back if you have quarreled and how to avoid dancing with an undesirable partner.' Sullivan gives the readers answers as if we are ladies of Regency England and some of the answers were filled with witty humor. The topics even include Austen tie-ins, like the section on money also explains how Darcy got his riches and how much that would be today and when discussing how to treat the sick, Sullivan includes my favorite tie-in on Austen's hypochondriacs. This book is the perfect coffee table book for fans of Austen. It includes beautiful illustrations as well. As I was reading this handbook, I thought that it would be an ideal fit for a Jane Austen book club as this answers many of the questions that I am sure would arise if Austen virgins were exposed to Regency England for the first time. This handbook also includes a short biography on Ms. Austen as well as a write up of her novels, contemporary Austen, film adaptions as well as retellings. I found this part of the handbook to be especially interesting as I am always looking for a film adaption that I may have missed. For fans of Jane Austen, I highly recommend The Jane Austen Handbook when it comes out this March. It would be the perfect gift for any Janeite's collection. ..Jane Austen Club, March, 2011... follow the counsel of Jane (via The Jane Austen Handbook writer Margaret C. Sullivan) who offers 'proper life skills from Regency England'?...Browbeat, March, 2011...The Jane Austen Handbook: Proper Life Skills from Regency England by Margaret C. Sullivan, will be available for purchase on May 8....Austenblog, March, 2011... I flipped through the pages and learned a number of important tips, like how to be invited to a country party, how to avoid dancing with an undesirable partner and how to spend my leisure time.The section on how to raise children was quite enlightening: Employ your servants to best advantage; keep them in the country as much as possible; enjoy the latest educational methods; instill good principles; encourage their creativity; do not allow them to be idle; and give them treats. According to the book, written by Margaret C. Sullivan, 'If all else fails, liberal slices of cake solve many child-rearing problems.'(Hmm, maybe I need to bake more cakes.)There are many more chapters in the book, including an entire section devoted to marriage - how to find a husband, how to marry off your daughter, how to indicate interest, how to turn down an unwanted proposal and even how to elope to Scotland.My husband and I eloped when we married. At the time it seemed like the perfect idea, though my sister-in-law was not very happy with us. Neither was my mother. They've forgiven us, and we've had some good laughs. I can't help but wonder if it might have been much more fun to elope to Scotland. I also have to wonder how angry they would have been over that.In Jane Austen's time, eloping to Scotland had nothing to do with an exciting adventure, seeing old castles or even hearing those incredible accents. It was just much easier to be married in Scotland because the laws were more lax--Times Record, March, 2011-Read it and learn to be a proper Regency lady --Old English Rose, July 2100

The book presents itself as a complete guide to the life of a woman of a certain class in Jane's time - and its focus and perspectives are, it must be said, very much on women rather than men. In a light-footed but logical manner, the author takes us through the private and social lives of that well-mannered and quite privileged class of beings that inhabit Austen's novels, in the form of a series of lessons or coaching sessions - little reminders of what to wear in what circumstances, how to be appropriately entertaining at a dance without being misapprehended, or how to treat your elders and betters. The book's market seems to have been those who already know something of the novels and films, and the text is replete with references whose best impact is felt if you recognise where they are coming from! That said, it's a text that might also be very useful for someone coming to the original books, or even the films for the first time, because it explains what might otherwise seem arcane and eccentric manners, priorities and perspectives. Indeed it also includes brief synopses of all the novels, and a very brief biography of the novelist - all in all making a very good introduction to the works as well as to the age. The book is very well executed, with careful page design, easy to read text, and wonderful illustrations throughout - it feels like a quality production in every way. Margaret Sullivan is well established as an enthusiast and scholar of all things Austen, being the creator of the Austenblog.com website, while the illustrator Kathryn Rathke is a fine book illustrator who provides this volume with its many strong, characterful and often amusing images. There are some modern turns of phrase and some Americanisms that might suit some younger readers very well, but confuse older ones! But one undisguisable element of the book is that the author approaches Jane Austen and her works with real affection, and that is what makes this book a delightful handbook to her world and her works --The Jane Austen Project Newsletter, March, 2011....Ahh, the elegant, unhurried world of Jane Austen's Regency England: Dashing gentelmen, coy flirtations across a crowded ballroom, floor skimming gowns and marriage proposals a-plenty. Those who have evr drweamt of entering the swoon-worthy world of Austenland know that, two centuries on, her novels are as entertaining (and some would say) as relevant as ever. But would you know what to say if you encountered your eral life Mr Darcy? And just how should you behave at your first ball? Dedicated Janeite - as true fans of the novelist are known - Margaret Sullivan has produced a charming guide to life in Regency England. Part instruction maula, part historical refefernce book, The Jane Austen Handbook, offers a glimpse of day-to-day life in Austen's time, explaining the intircacies of the class and etiquette systems that govern her works. within its pleasing handbag-sized pages you will find all manner of sensible advice form how to decline unwanted marriage proposals, to riding side saddle, improving your estate, and throwing the perfect dinner party. So next time you have a social dilemma just ask yourself 'What would Jane do?' --Hampshire Society magazine, April, 2011 ---This book is the perfect coffee table book for fans of Austen.--Book Addict, April, 2011--features illustrations of clothing and needlework and detailed descriptions of card games played in Austen s day, among other fascinating tidbits. For readers seeking more information about Austen, the appendix features a short biography, a summary of Austen s six novels, and details about the various film adaptations. Websites and other resources for Janites are included as well..the perfect gift for an Austen fan--Diaryofaneccentric, April, 2011--As a reference it is accurate, but it is written with gentle humor and a joy to read -- -- --Janeites, June, 2011

Besides being wise, this volume is also very witty, and that is where we take full enjoyment of its tongue-in-cheek manner. Who would not want to know how to choose a prospective husband (What? They do not choose us? Is that not the unspoken belief among all beaux?), how to decline an unwanted marriage proposal (Lizzy Bennet might offer some advice to Fanny Price on this too!), carry off a secret engagement (Lucy Steele and Jane Fairfax would benefit from modern Prozac no doubt), or elope to Gretna Green (Lydia Bennet FAIL). There are also other tidbits that really made us laugh too. Each page turn brought more delightful and humorous illustrations by Kathryn Rathke and informative vignettes of examples from Jane Austen s novels like: Who Died and Made Mr. Collins the Heir of Longbourn? or the Worst (and Funniest) Proposals in Jane Austen s Novels. *snort*.Informative, impertinent and indispensable, The Jane Austen Handbook is a must have for anyone eager to understand anything from the obvious to the nuanced differences of society in Regency England. Lest we think this frivolous fare, it also contains a brief, but well-written bio of Jane Austen, summaries of the major novels and minor works, a glossary, a list of modern film adaptions through 2007, resources online: websites and blogs (we are forgotten, *sniff*), Austen societies, Austen places to visit, libraries and archives, and a select bibliography. Lastly, we know that Mary Bennet would happily offer her pedantic stamp of approval of this volume because it contains a full index for ease of access to Janeites on the fast track to becoming truly accomplished--AustenProse, April, 2011--I would hate to call this hardback a textbook , a word that conjures up days of sitting in a classroom and staring at a clock, as while it includes an index... it is far too much of a joy. However, Sullivan has an instructive tone that, while playful, gives full force to the sense that this IS the Regency era- and these rules are important. With an ironic twist to her style, it is clear that the author has thoroughly delved into Jane s work and come out the other side holding these thoughts in her mind. Afterall, only a true Janeite could admit to the 'sheer tingling joy one experiences when two interesting, complex and occasionally aggravating characters have at last settled their misunderstandings and will live happily ever after, no matter what travails life might throw in their path, because Jane said they will, and that s that'.--Thebennettsisters, April, 2011--Part tongue in cheek 'How To' guide for the young Regency gentleman or woman, part historical reference, this small volume is an invaluable resource for those only just discovering Austen and the Regency...and a delicious indulgence for those familiar with her life and works. . .makes a great gift for yourself, an Austen loving friend, or the Regency novelist in your life. It's a terrific resource for quickly finding answers to late night questions and most of all, presented in such a charming and conversational tone, that you can't help sitting down and reading it from cover to cover, once you start--The jane Austen online Magazine, April, 2011--This slightly tongue-in-cheek guide offers helpful hints to anyone who might want to live in Jane's world; how to dress, how to manage the household staff, and how to marry off all of your daughters to the most incredibly rich and handsome men while seeming to be not the least bit intrusive. An essential tool for modern living--Cincinnati public library, April, 2011-- a must-have, quick pocket reference--Jane Austen's World--a cool wit that Jane herself would have admired--Calgary herald--It's a book jammed with fascinating information about the role of women in society 200 years ago and how that has - or has not - changed-- --Hartford Courant, April, 2011 ---a great gift for any Janite - --Seeking Jane Austen, June, 2011

"A valuable companion to Austen's novels."--"School Library Journal"

"This informative and gently amusing book explains (Austen) in easily digestible sections, and is equally of use to the Austen neophyte and the Austen fan."--"Chicago Tribune"

"What a boon to any Jane Austen fan! It is great fun to read."--"Portland Book Review"