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MelindaB

Reading Maketh a Full Man...

More to come...

Currently reading

The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature (Canto)
C.S. Lewis
Boys and Girls Learn Differently!: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
Michael Gurian, Terry Trueman, Patricia Henley
Ambition and Survival: Becoming a Poet
Christian Wiman
Deep River: The Life and Music of Robert Shaw
Keith C. Burris
Daring, Trusting Spirit
John De Gruchy
The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church
John Thavis
The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia
Orlando Figes

Miniatures and Morals

Miniatures and Morals - Peter J. Leithart This is another of Leithart's study guides, this one on Jane Austen. He deals with the novels "Pride and Prejudice", "Northanger Abbey", Sense and Sensibility", Masnfield Park", "Emma", and Persuasion".I found this book to be very helpful in examining what really goes on in Jane Austen's books. Complaints from many others who do not like Jane Austen -- nothing ever HAPPENS in her books, I don't like the restrictive and oppressive constraints on conversations, etc. Leithart answers each of these with wonderful clarity.Jane Austen's books are "miniatures" of real life and real people. In real life, sometimes days and days and weeks go without exciting adventures or car chases or explosions. As such, Austen's books are studies of how real character development happens -- over time. How people grow up and learn -- over time. And how the core foundation of a person's life is reflected eventually in their decisions and how they live their lives.As such, the "morals" of the sections of life are made obvious as you learn and understand the people she writes about.I would recommend this book. One of my favorite chapters is "Real men read Austen"!