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Summary: The Best Austen Advice Guide Around
Comment: The construct of this book is a clever one: Hannon creates fictitious letters from modern women asking for advice on a range of issues, from low self-esteem and dysfunctional families to premarital sex and cohabitation, beauty tips and personal finances to, of course, marriage. She then responds to these very modern queries in the voice of Jane Austen herself--a voice that Hannon captures with near perfection. By drawing upon examples from all of Austen's work to illustrate her advice, as well as creating a fictional narrative that sheds light on Austen's life, Hannon displays her impressively in-depth knowledge of Austen and her novels. Hannon's work is infused with Austen's spirit, and her analysis of scenes, characters, and themes--both major and minor--from all of her novels is a treat for any Austen fan.
Yet the most important, and certainly the most valuable, aspect of Hannon's work is the advice she provides to soothe the woes of her modern-day correspondents, woes to which many a modern female will certainly relate. In contrast to the Austen advice guides that adapt Austen's ideals to fit twenty-first century manners and mores, Hannon preserves Austen's eighteenth-century mentality--and morality. And, amazingly enough, her advice is perfectly relevant and much more sensible than any reconstruction of it could ever be, as she stresses the importance of integrity, propriety, and poise, among many other virtues, with graceful wit. Austen fans will find Hannon's work a treasure trove of quotes, characterizations, and reminiscences from Austen's novels; and all readers will recognize the universal relevance and wisdom of Austen's ideals.
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Summary: Jane would be pleased . . .
Comment: I would highly recommend this book to all readers; you do not need familiarity with Jane Austen's works. Patrice Hannon does an excellent job of bringing Austen's voice to present day and she writes in an entertaining style. Hannon's answers to the Dear Jane Austen letters are filled with wit and much wisdom that's pertinent to today's women. Advice such as ". . . women simply do not let their imperfections erode their opinion of themselves . . ." self-confidence and self-respect are key. And my favorite: "The best way to ensure your success is to be content in the present reality." What else is there? Great book!
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Summary: I was utterly charmed.
Comment: It is very obvious that Patrice Hannon has taught English literature, and in particular Jane Austen, because of the idea and execution of this book. I found myself utterly charmed by her Jane Austen "voice".
At first, I was a little hesitant about how I would bridge the time-span gap for Jane Austen giving advice on life and love to twenty-first century heroines. Hannon herself advises readers (in the Author's Notes) to not "dip in" and read sections out of order but to proceed in an orderly fashion so that the framework of the book can be revealed in a very particular way. I had a dilemma. Should I follow my inclinations and read Chapter Five, A Heroine Knows a Hero When She Sees One--Or Does She? first, as I wanted to? Or should I follow the advice of the person who actually put this book together from concept to print? Luckily for me, I decided to follow her advice and I read it all the way through for my first, but surely not my last, "dip". It is sound advice. A reader needs to understand who's who and what is happening to and around "Jane" in order to keep from being confused.
Jane Austen is still living in the early 1800's. The letters are all from would-like-to-be heroines who are living in the twenty-first century. How was this possible? I still can't answer that question. The final page and a half of the book may be an explanation. But then, maybe not. Two friends could have some really good conversation over that. I'm looking forward to it!
Austen gets letters from modern young women asking her very specific questions of how she or her heroines would have dealt with problems they are encountering now. All the answers come from Austen's real life experiences or from her writings and the experiences of her characters in all her books. Once I caught on to the technique used, it was absolutely fascinating for me to read the question and then try to figure out which examples could be used to supply the answer. I wasn't always right but it was fun to try. Ms Hannon has a vast knowlege of the Austen books. She uses passages from those books along with "Jane's" expanding on the subject to give advice to would-be heroines. I don't think she ever used the same example twice. It was phenomenal. The writing is in the style of Jane Austen and rings wonderfully true. If this author had not been able to "sound" like Jane Austen, this would have been a painful book to read. Because she was "being" Jane, I learned historically accurate facts concerning her life. It was as if I was reading a biography only lighter, friendlier, smoother.
There are chapters on character, family, friends, being in the world, knowing a hero when you meet him, s_x, marriage, beauty tips, money and happy endings. The questions asked in the correspondence are very, very real and current for today's woman. The answers are all taken from people and situations which existed almost 200 years ago and yet they are woven together in such a way that the 200 year old answers still can and do apply to now, to today. I hope lots and lots of young women (and even men can benefit from this advice) will read this advice and take it to heart. Obviously Ms Hannon has seen these problems played out before her in modern settings. She just used a rather original way to give out good, sound advice.
Highly, highly recommended. Even if you don't think you need the advice, read it for the total immersion in the life and thoughts and characters of Jane Austen. Two things which I came away with that surprised me very much, I need to go back and re-read Northanger Abbey. And maybe I need to give Fanny Price another chance too!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful experience for the true Jane Austen fan
Comment: DEAR JANE AUSTEN: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love by Patrice Hannon
October 3, 2007
Rating: 4 Stars
Here's a must-have for Jane Austen fans and fans of good literature everywhere. DEAR JANE AUSTEN is a collection of fictional letters written by Jane Austen to women of the 21st century who write to her for advice on love and other related topics. Patrice Hannon, an expert on all things Jane Austen, has done an excellent job in creating these letters in the same voice and writing style that one has come to recognize. Topics addressed by Miss Austen including tips on extra-marital sex, finances, etiquette, family matters, and how to recognize the special man that may become ones future husband.
DEAR JANE AUSTEN is a very short book, approximately 150 pages in length, but I didn't find it a fast read. This does not read like a contemporary book but as if it were written in the 1800's. But don't let this stop you. For the true Jane Austen fan, this is a definite must-read. Run to your nearest bookstore or order it online. You will not regret it, as it was a very enjoyable experience.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wish I read this in highschool!
Comment: This is not a book to rush through! It takes time to savor each line. Patrice Hannon presents the great insight and realistic imagination of Jane Austen in a brilliant style, making me want to go back and read all of her novels. Ms. Hannon's enchanting vocabulary and heart warming wit were a treat! Sound advice for women of all time.
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