Reviews for What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love and Romance

Smith, the bestselling author of the Jane Austen series (contemporary faith fiction novels based on Austen's books) works hard to show how Austen's themes parallel scriptural imperatives about love, particularly 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. The result is a compilation of recapped scenes from Austen novels with Smith drawing strong moral lessons for the reader. "Love is patient" is shown by George Knightley's patience for Emma Woodhouse in Emma; "Love is kind" through Fanny Price's treatment of others in Mansfield Park. Plenty of excerpts from Smith's own series and victorious triumphs from her personal life also help illustrate her points. Smith becomes almost gushy at times ("I adore the movie rendition of this scene") and the writing tends to ramble, including a three-page anecdote about her family's trip to Mt. Rushmore. Some of the comparisons are forced: "Fanny is merciful, just as her heavenly Father is merciful"; "Just as Lynda drew boundaries with Dora, we need to learn that living Christ is a gutsy undertaking." This book may appeal to conservative Christian women who appreciate a strong moral lesson, are already Jane Austen fans and have read Smith's own modern Austen series. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Even though she remained single and never married, Jane Austen understood a lot about what makes a relationship successful. Her stories teach us what not to do, what to do, and are great examples of the many different forms and facets of love. Author, Debra White Smith (who has written many Christian Romance novels and a Christian series on the novels of Jane Austen), takes one of the most famous verses in the Bible on love and marriage (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and makes comparisons with the characters of Jane Austen's novels with it.

"Love is patient, love is kind . . ." These words from 1 Corinthians show us how to properly love one another, they remind us what we know we should be doing but sometimes forget. Jane Austen must have understood this passage from the Bible and believed it to be the recipe for a good and successful relationship because a lot of her characters are the perfect examples.

Debra White Smith takes each phrase like "Love is patient" and attributes it to a couple like that fits it like Emma and Knightley. She explains how and why Emma and Knightley's story teach us about patience. She ties it in with the Christian faith and personal stories of her own experience.
Sometimes she includes awards for characters like Emma Woodhouse - "Queen of Sass," Maria and Julia Bertram - "The Slime Sisters," Mr. Darcy - "Foot in the Mouth Award."

I enjoyed this book in so many ways. I have read Debra White Smith's books about Jane Austen and I also read a lot of Christian Inspirational novels. I found the book very interesting, inspirational, and learned a lot about how to have a great marriage! As the daughter of a clergyman, it makes very good sense that Jane Austen would believe that the words in the Bible about love and marriage needed to be heeded. I liked the connections and comparisons she made for each and found that the author did her research and made just conclusions. I sometimes liked her personal stories, but I also found some of them to be weak analogies. For example comparing Knightley's love and patience for Emma to her sixth grade crush on a boy.

Despite the fact that she remained single and never married, Jane Austen understood what makes a relationship successful and strong. Her novels are full of wisdom, advice, and guides. Her characters teach us what to do, what not to do, and exemplify the many different forms and facets of love. Debra White Smith (author of many Christian Romance novels and a Modern Christian series on the novels of Jane Austen), takes one of the most famous passages in the Bible on love and marriage (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and illustrates how it is followed in all of Jane Austen's novels.

"Love is patient, love is kind . . ." these words from 1 Corinthians describe love, pure and perfect love. As the daughter of a clergyman, it is conceivable that Jane Austen would believe and heed the words in the Bible about love and marriage. Jane Austen must have believed this passage to be the recipe for a satisfying and successful relationship. Characters in Jane Austen's novels learn valuable lessons about love, and we, in turn, can learn from their growth and follies.

In "What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love and Romance," Debra White Smith divides the 1 Corinthians Bible passage into fourteen different chapters and each chapter focuses on a different phrase. For example, the first chapter is called "Love is Patient" and depicts how Emma and Mr. Knightley's experiences teach us about patience (in this instance, it is really Mr. Knightley who is the example of patience). Ms. Smith integrates the chapter with the Christian faith and her own personal anecdotes and stories. Sometimes she hands out awards for characters, for example: Emma Woodhouse - "Queen of Sass," Maria and Julia Bertram - "The Slime Sisters," Mr. Darcy - "Foot in the Mouth Award."

I enjoyed this book in so many ways. I have read Debra White Smith's Austen Series, they are wonderful modern adaptions of all Jane Austen's novels, and I also read a lot of Christian Inspirational novels. I found this book very interesting, inspirational, and learned a lot about how to make a relationship loving and lasting! I enjoyed the connections and comparisons Debra White Smith made between the Bible and Jane Austen's novels. In addition, I commend Debra White Smith for her excellent research and just conclusions. I sometimes liked her personal stories, but I also found some of them to be weak analogies. (i.e. comparing Knightley's love and patience for Emma to her sixth grade crush on a boy).

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the love and romance of Jane Austen's novels or if you would like to learn more about the relationships between her heroes and heroines.

This book was very good I used it for my research paper on Jane Austen's heros and heroines. Incredibly helpful gave more insight into Jane Austen and her heroines