A Jane Austen Education

How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter

By: William Deresiewicz

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

An eloquent memoir of a young man's life transformed by literature.

In A Jane Austen Education, Austen scholar William Deresiewicz turns to the author's novels to reveal the remarkable life lessons hidden within. With humor and candor, Deresiewicz employs his own experiences to demonstrate the enduring power of Austen's teachings. Progressing from his days as an immature student to a happily married man, Deresiewicz's A Jane Austen Education is the story of one man's discovery of the world outside himself.

A self-styled intellectual rebel dedicated to writers such as James Joyce and Joseph Conrad, Deresiewicz never thought Austen's novels would have anything to offer him. But when he was assigned to read Emma as a graduate student at Columbia, something extraordinary happened. Austen's devotion to the everyday, and her belief in the value of ordinary lives, ignited something in Deresiewicz. He began viewing the world through Austen's eyes and treating those around him as generously as Austen treated her characters. Along the way, Deresiewicz was amazed to discover that the people in his life developed the depth and richness of literary characters-that his own life had suddenly acquired all the fascination of a novel. His real education had finally begun.

Weaving his own story - and Austen's - around the ones her novels tell, Deresiewicz shows how her books are both about education and themselves an education. Her heroines learn about friendship and feeling, staying young and being good, and, of course, love. As they grow up, they learn lessons that are imparted to Austen's reader, who learns and grows by their sides.

A Jane Austen Education is a testament to the transformative power of literature, a celebration of Austen's mastery, and a joy to listen. Whether for a newcomer to Austen or a lifelong devotee, Deresiewicz brings fresh insights to the novelist and her beloved works. Ultimately, Austen's world becomes indelibly entwined with our own, showing the relevance of her message and the triumph of her vision.

©2011 William Deresiewicz (P)2011 Penguin Audio

A bit strained

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

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

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The author attempted to relate what Jane Austen

Great book on what Jane Austin meant to him

If you're looking for a book completely about Jane Austin, you're not far off. There's plenty of that - her books, her letters, what other critical have said and really nice analysis from the author. And you don't have to be an academic to understand it appreciate the commentary. I found the discussion deepened by the takeaways the author had when he related what his was learning about and from Jane Austin in his own life experiences and life lessons. I bought this book to learn more about Austin to head me understand Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey Maturin series better. O'Brian loved Austin and some reviewers have called him Jane Austin at sea. I succeeded on all counts and learned more about my own life and beliefs along the way. Well written, very informative, well researched, well presented and well narrated. If that's what you are looking for, you've done too the right place.

I couldn't believe it!

I love to read, and one Author I love to come back to is Jane Austen, in part because every time i read her i get something new out of it, and because I listened to the Jane Austen book club Audible thought I would like this and they where right! it is such an interesting perspective, and I got so much out of this book, learned so much about the characters that I have loved for years that I am going to go back and re introduce myself. Fantastic, amazing, incredible book!

Wonderful in insight, comfortable in recognition

What made the experience of listening to A Jane Austen Education the most enjoyable?

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

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Jane Austen's good reading

A smart and good understanding of Jane Austen. It is like hearing Jane Austen another time with a friend and discussing with him about her.

A Must for All Austen Lovers

The heartfelt tale of one man’s personal odyssey into adulthood and love interwoven with the stories and history of our beloved Jane Austen! I absolutely loved it and will put it into my Jane Austen rotation to be read again and again!

Thought provoking

I thought I knew Jane Austen until I listened to this book. The author opened my eyes to Jane and even though I was always a fan, now I more fully understand why. He explored the novels in light of his own life, the purpose Jane intended. Masterfully written and narrated, and thoroughly enjoyable. I anxious to read all of Jane Austen's works once again with a new perspective.

Insightful!

I was intrigued how the author put into practice what he learned from six of Jane Austen's novels and how it changed his life.

I highly recommend this book.

Great read!

The narration was excellent. The story was smart & thought provoking. Gave me great insight to the Austen novels.

Great entertainment

Would you consider the audio edition of A Jane Austen Education to be better than the print version?

Yes, I love the narrator's voice and inflections

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Jane Austen Education?

I looked at Austen differently than I have before. Enlightening.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

Even Austenites will enjoy this.