maria_elisabeth's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 ⭐
Interesting, but a little too dry for me, at times it felt like a text book, with all the heavy, boring information. But I really liked the whole book, I learned more about Austen's time, and why some minor things happen in her books.
Interesting, but a little too dry for me, at times it felt like a text book, with all the heavy, boring information. But I really liked the whole book, I learned more about Austen's time, and why some minor things happen in her books.
claudiatralenuvole's review against another edition
5.0
Un saggio assolutamente illuminante. Da fan di Jane Austen, ho apprezzato la chiave di lettura del prof. Mullan, mi ha davvero aperto un mondo.
Ci sono dettagli nei romanzi dell'autrice che noi lettori moderni (e stranieri) non cogliamo e che lui spiega con molta semplicità ed efficacia.
Mi ha fatto venire voglia di rileggere tutti i romanzi di Austen per fare caso, stavolta, a tutte le prove del suo genio che prima, senza che me ne accorgessi, passavano del tutto inosservate.
Sapevo già Austen fosse una scrittrice geniale e talentuosa, ma non mi ero resa conto fino a che punto. Il prof. Mullan dimostra con scioltezza e ironia quanta cura ai dettagli lei mettesse e quanto sarcasmo anche nei più piccoli gesti, e le sue spiegazioni non risultano mai noiose né ripetitive.
Sicuramente recupererò altri suoi saggi perché adoro il modo in cui spiega e racconta la letteratura inglese. Al di là della sua conoscenza letteraria, si vede che si diverte molto a parlare di libri in generale e di Jane Austen in particolare.
Ci sono dettagli nei romanzi dell'autrice che noi lettori moderni (e stranieri) non cogliamo e che lui spiega con molta semplicità ed efficacia.
Mi ha fatto venire voglia di rileggere tutti i romanzi di Austen per fare caso, stavolta, a tutte le prove del suo genio che prima, senza che me ne accorgessi, passavano del tutto inosservate.
Sapevo già Austen fosse una scrittrice geniale e talentuosa, ma non mi ero resa conto fino a che punto. Il prof. Mullan dimostra con scioltezza e ironia quanta cura ai dettagli lei mettesse e quanto sarcasmo anche nei più piccoli gesti, e le sue spiegazioni non risultano mai noiose né ripetitive.
Sicuramente recupererò altri suoi saggi perché adoro il modo in cui spiega e racconta la letteratura inglese. Al di là della sua conoscenza letteraria, si vede che si diverte molto a parlare di libri in generale e di Jane Austen in particolare.
mes91's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
This was a very enjoyable read, going into depth on fascinating subjects across Austen's work. I liked the narrative format splitting it into different topics to deep dive into. This is a must read for Austen fans.
winternight_3's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ~ the sections were not equally interesting to me but I found the book to overall be informative, educational, and engaging
patty745's review against another edition
This is meant for someone who has read all 6 novels
gracepick6290's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. Mullan gives a thoughtful and interesting analysis without the book becoming dry or incredibly academic in tone. I thought it really benefitted from each topic being separated by chapter. Some of the chapters more topical in nature, such as "What Games do Characters Play?" or the provocatively named "Is There Any Sex in Jane Austen?", while others focus in on Austen's plot devices, characters, and thematic patterns in her novels.
This book is for those who are well-versed in all six of Austen's books, with a few mentions of some of her other books such as Lady Susan. In particular it focuses Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility. I have read all of Austen's books, most several times, with the exception of Northanger Abbey, and I didn't find that this impeded my understanding of the book in a meaningful way. I wouldn't recommend this book to casual Austen fans or those who have only read one or two of her books, but for any Austen lover who hasn't delved too far into any literary criticism of her work, What Matters in Jane Austen strikes the perfect balance.
This book is for those who are well-versed in all six of Austen's books, with a few mentions of some of her other books such as Lady Susan. In particular it focuses Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility. I have read all of Austen's books, most several times, with the exception of Northanger Abbey, and I didn't find that this impeded my understanding of the book in a meaningful way. I wouldn't recommend this book to casual Austen fans or those who have only read one or two of her books, but for any Austen lover who hasn't delved too far into any literary criticism of her work, What Matters in Jane Austen strikes the perfect balance.
travelinglibrary's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0