This is my first Audiobook, and I've really enjoyed it.

I read and re-read my favorite Jane Austen novels every year, and have never formally studied Jane Austen, so getting the author's perspective and how Austen's works have influenced him create another level of appreciation for my favorite novels.

As a fan and more or less indiscriminate consumer of all things Jane Austen, I basically had to listen to this book. If you are also an Austen omnivore, by all means, read it. The guy had some slightly interesting insights into Austen's books and apparently reading them helped him work through some issues of his own--or such is the conceit of the book.

The author sounds like a jerk who "found himself" thanks to Jane. Good for him.

If you are looking for actual insights into Jane Austen's writing, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a good story, look elsewhere. If you are looking for an appealing protagonist, look elsewhere.

As for myself, I finished this mildly interesting book and promptly cleansed my palette with some authentic Austen. Turns out I prefer my Jane Austen books without the benefit of outside explanation--at least not this man's interpretations.


If you want a more specific explanation, I guess I didn't have much faith in the interpretations of Mr. Deresiewicz. The most interesting thing in the book was the background on Jane Austen herself and parallels to her characters. I didn't like being told what the books meant or what Jane Austen was trying to accomplish with them. They seem, to me, to stand so well on their own as to not require interpretation and Mr. D's explanations didn't jibe with my own.

It made me go out and buy new copies of all the Jane Austen novels I sold back years ago...

I loved it.

It ranks at the top.

I loved the way the author wove his story together with Austen's stories.

I loved his voice.

Many moments, too numerous to list. As a teacher, I was moved every time he wrote about the importance of the details of our lives, the importance of each life, and the importance of each story. It affirmation to my teaching, as well my life as a wife and mother, made me glow.

I didn't like how he ended the book. I understand the allusion to Austen's writing

I loved this book. There are 3 stories going on. His personal story, Jane Austins books and Jane Austins personal story. If your a fan of hers a must read and I have not read all her books but have seen all of her books movies.

I never wanted to "analyze" a book again after finishing my last English class (over 40 years ago) but this is so enjoyable from Mr. Deresiewicz's life perspective. This summer I want to read all of Jane Austen again and listen to this as a companion. I will appreciate my most loved books even more. Narrator was wonderful.

The author really knows his subject and interweaves his own experience of reading Austen, his life and choice quotes from her wonderful books. His depth of knowledge of the author, her books and other writings gave me a great deal to think about. Although, I do not necessarily agree with all his conclusions it was great to

Yes

This book was very clear and easy to digest. I will listen to it again when I want to feel better about the world. The author does a great job of combining really great criticism of Jane Austen's works, the history of her life and historical period, and how it relates to his own life.

I would recommend this for someone who was mostly attracted to Jane Austen because of the recent spate of movies/series.

The author attempted to relate what Jane Austen