Currently reading
The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature (Canto)
Boys and Girls Learn Differently!: A Guide for Teachers and Parents
Ambition and Survival: Becoming a Poet
Deep River: The Life and Music of Robert Shaw
Daring, Trusting Spirit
The Vatican Diaries: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Power, Personalities, and Politics at the Heart of the Catholic Church
The Whisperers: Private Life in Stalin's Russia
Miniatures and Morals
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"!
