Jane Austen's Guide to Dating

Did disagree now and then with the author's comments though: she praises the heroine of Northanger Abbey for 'not obsessing' about her heartthrob and getting on with her life by reading 'The Mysteries of Udolpho'. But the Udolpho book was considered a wild romantic read, and Jane Austen was satirising the heroine's addiction to this kind of fiction, rather than approving of it.

And don't let's forget: Jane Austen fell in love, would dearly loved to have married, but never did, and one wonders if she can really be considered an expert on men and relationships.


non-descript   March 17, 2006
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

it was ok...in discussing the dating scene. not the kind of book you can dream with though


I love it!   March 7, 2006
 8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I love this book. As a fan of Jane Austen, it is a fabulous read and opens up Austen's original work in a new way. I always knew that Austen was relevant to today's way of life and this book proves it. I found it really interesting to read about the different relationships in Austen's books and how they weave together to prove a point. Lauren Henderson has looked at the more minor characters of Austen's books as well as the major ones, which makes it all the more fascinating, and then used modern day examples to hammer her point home.

I read this more for the Jane Austen connection than the actual dating advice (I'm married!), but I was ashamed to recognise myself in some of the behaviour patterns. If only I'd had this book in my twenties!

The book also contains a quiz to tell you which Austen character you are most like and which is most like your partner, to see if you are compatible. I was very excited to discover that I'm Elizabeth Bennett (if only!) and a little dissappointed to discover my husband didn't quite make Mr Darcy. However, he did come out as a Captain Wentworth which as all Jane Austen fans know, is a pretty close second and not to be scoffed at!

Finally, if you've never read any Austen, the book finishes witht a brief plot outline of all her six major works to wet your appetite. Read it, you'll love it and then read or re-read Austen's novels and see for yourself how true this book is.


Delightful!   September 28, 2005
 26 out of 28 found this review helpful

What a wonderful book this is. Rip up The Rules and dig in to a dating book that will actually leave you feeling optimistic about love in the twenty-first century. Lauren Henderson skilfully weaves her no-nonsense advice with vignettes from Jane Austen and modern-day parallels. Whether you feel you need the advice or not, this book is a must for Jane Austen fans. Henderson's book is based in part on her academic study of courtship rituals in Jane Austen and she has some very interesting insights. Not only did Henderson's light and amusing book leave me feeling very positive about how to handle my own relationship issues, she has sent me rushing to pick up Pride and Prejudice again. I'll be reading it from an entirely different perspective this time!