The Jane Austen Handbook: Proper Life Skills from Regency England by Margaret C. Sullivan, which Quirk Books will publish on March 8, is a nonfiction step-by-step guide on how to live in Regency England as a young lady or young man, though most of the advice pertains to women. Chock full of illustrations of common dress for men and women, among other traditions, the handbook is practical and fun. Humor is not forgotten either, as Jane Austen would have poked fun at certain traditions, so too does Sullivan.
For instance in the section “How to Raise Your Children,” among the tips listed to maintain decorum and sanity in the household is to provide children with cake! “If all else fails, liberal slices of cake solve many a child-rearing problems.” (page 72)
The book is divided into three sections: logistics of life among the gentry in Regency England; the ins and outs of daily life; and the rules for choosing a prospective husband. Readers interested to learn how much Mr. Darcy is worth today should check out the handbook because apparently there is some controversy in the matter.
Each chapter contains a quote from one of Austen’s novels that applies to the contents of each chapter, and readers new to classic Austen books can rely on this handbook to understand the differences between a port-chaise, a hack, and other forms of transportation as well as the differences between various dresses worn by young ladies. There is a schedule of a woman’s typical day running a household, the responsibilities of gentleman, what these people did in their leisure time, and how to recognize the gentry from royalty and more.
The appendix contains synopses of Jane Austen’s novels and other works, plus a list of film adaptations, sequels, retellings, and other “paraliterature.” There are a number of other resources, a glossary, and selected bibliography as well. The Jane Austen Handbook: Proper Life Skills from Regency England by Margaret C. Sullivan is a great companion for the Jane Austen fanatic and fan because it offers guidance on how young men and women navigated a complex set of social rules and even broke them at times. As each moment in life is addressed, Sullivan also offers moments in Austen’s work where traditions are bent. Overall, a fantastic guide to a time period that many modern readers have a hard time imagining but will have fun navigating in not only Austen’s novels but also in the handbook. It gives new meaning to role-playing.
About the Author:
Margaret C. Sullivan is the editrix of Austenblog.com. She lives in Philadelphia.
This is my 7th book for the 2011 New Authors Reading Challenge.
If I used sweets to bribe The Girl to behave…well, she wouldn’t be quite as healthy as she is now. LOL
Sounds like a fun book. Thanks for letting me borrow your copy.
Beautifully written book with equally charming illustrations.
Love the sound of this book.
you may have to stay tuned then for the interview and giveaway.
I just figured the little one would want more cake if I did that!
Everything Austen sells. Hope this does too.
I really enjoyed this because it really delves into the actual expectations that Austen experienced in society and how those expectations are played with in her books.
Well, I can tell from experience that the advice about cake is wrong, so don’t try that with your little one! LOL Sounds like a fun book.