A Fine Brush On Ivory
An Appreciation of Jane Austen
Published on 15. February 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
232 pages
978-0-19-921099-2 (ISBN)
Description
What is it about Jane Austen's writing that brings such pleasure? There are good, even great novelists who are not good storytellers, and there are highly gifted storytellers who write thoroughly bad books. Jane Austen was both a very good storyteller and a great novelist. How did she do it? Richard Jenkyns's sparkling study delights in Austen's craft, wit, and pathos. His deep reading of the novels illuminates the subtlety, depth, and innovation that lie within them. He explores the development of her style, storytelling, and characterization, her technical prowess, and her place in comparison with her contemporaries, with a grace and wit worthy of the subject herself. All who read this book will come away with their admiration for Austen deepened, and their pleasure in her work enhanced.
Reviews / Votes
Review from previous edition Having fine-combed each of Austen's novels, Jenkyns offers up a feast of his personal meditations and reflections . . . this is a book which will inspire many to dust off their Austen collections so as to re-acquaint themselves with her elegant prose * The Good Book Guide * a beautifully crafted essay . . . This is a small and elegant Christmas present for all enthusiasts. * FT Magazine * The book is written with great grace and elegance, and shows the development of [Austen's] genius as a storyteller. I felt I knew a lot about her, but this book has given me new insights for which I'm grateful * P. D. James, Church Times * This is that very rare thing nowadays, a book of criticism in which it is not necessary to read a sentence twice in order to understand it; though Richard Jenkyns writes so well, and offers so much insight and wisdom, that it is often a pleasure to do so. * Jane Austen Society Newsletter *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 200 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
254 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-921099-2 (9780199210992)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Richard Jenkyns is Professor of the Classical Tradition and Fellow of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
Content
1. Beginnings ; 2. The Shape of Comedy ; 3. The Character of Character ; 4. A Park with a View ; 5. The Prisoner of Hartfield ; 6. The Sense in Sensibility