Mostly good, just annoyed by ending coda, which had no beginning matching frame... seems like it was meant to be a quirky hat tip, but needed some strengthening... ( )

Mostly good, just annoyed by ending coda, which had no beginning matching frame... seems like it was meant to be a quirky hat tip, but needed some strengthening... ( )

Imagine, if you will, that Jane Austen can somehow receive letters from her modern-day readers, asking for her sage advice in love and marriage. That's the premise for this charming little book.

Part "autobiography", part self-help book, and part critical analysis, Dear Jane Austen is full of practical advice for all women, no matter what era they're living in. Told in a tone that is mostly pitch-perfect, Austen weighs in on topics ranging from beauty to friends and family, to sex. The only thing that jarred was when she used modern phrases in her answers. There's something of an explanation included, but it still bothered me a little.

There are some spoilers included if you haven't read Austen's entire body of work. I haven't yet, but this didn't really bother me. I think I'll have forgotten the little bits and pieces I learned by the time I actually get around to reading all of her other books.

Fans of Austen will love this little book, especially the single women still looking for their Mr. Darcy. ( )

A book I quite enjoyed although I expect that to really like it you have to be an Austenite, a fan of science fantasy or magical realism and light-hearted deconstruction. ( )

In this book, Jane Austen has assumed the role of "Dear Abby". She answers modern ladies questions on life and love. I really enjoyed it at first; but then all the letters were getting old by the end. The only thing that kept me reading was the satirical humor, just like Miss Austen would have written in her own novels. I would have loved this book, except I'm just not into Dear Abby. ( )

This tiny little book is a fun read. Author Patrice Hannon takes the form and prose of Jane Austen and current times to create a great advice book for women. “Readers” submit a letter to Jane Austen who replies taking examples out of her own text and the relationships of her characters. Each section incorporates something for each major Austen work, plus others.

The modern day letters incorporate mainly advice about love and relationships, sometimes friends, but often reflect something an Austen character has faced in the past – living together before marriage, marrying for money, fear of commitment, and how to gain a guys interested (among other things).

It was cute and easy to read, plus fun for any Austen fan.

http://books.moonsoar.com/archives/2007/10/08/dear-jane-austen-a-heroines-guide-... ( )

In this book, Jane Austen has assumed the role of "Dear Abby". She answers modern ladies questions on life and love. I really enjoyed it at first; but then all the letters were getting old by the end. The only thing that kept me reading was the satirical humor, just like Miss Austen would have written in her own novels. ( )