See Jane Austen’s Books from a Man’s Viewpoint
Steve Chandler and Terrence N. Hill have collaborated in writing a “two guys read” series, “Two Guys Read Jane Austen” is the third in this series.
I have read and enjoyed books by Steve Chandler in the past. He is on my list of favorite authors. I am adding Terry Hill and will be watching for more of his writing.
An active member of the Jane Austen Society is in a writers group I attend. Our members all hold her in high esteem. She is articulate, brilliant, and reserved and displays some of Jane Austen in her spirit. I couldn’t wait to tell her I was reading a book about Jane’s writing written by two guys.
I though maybe Steve and Terry would poke fun at men who read Jane Austen and was pleasantly surprised to find Terry’s respect for her brilliance and excellence as a writer.
The “Two Guys” book follows a unique format which I assume was true of the earlier books as well. The approach is quite unique and makes perfect sense in a day of blogs, e-mail, and the numberless means of modern communication techniques. Using e-mails Steve and Terry reviewed “Pride and Prejudice” and “Mansfield Park” for this book. Steve and Terry kept mails going as they carried out schedules that took one or the other from New York to Mexico as well as Phoenix, Santa Monica, Vancouver, and other cities throughout the project. These e-mails make up the core of this amazing book.
Throughout the e-mail correspondence Steve and Terry shared memories, bantered about personal philosophy, with references to people watching in hotel lobbies, and restaurants. These observations always led into a discussion of the book, Jane’s skill as a writer or comments regarding one of Jane’s characters.
Terry summed up the essence of Jane’s writing: “Jane Austen allows the male reader a secret look into the minds of brilliant, creative, virtuous women…Austen’s heroines are each true to themselves and win in the end. Classy women who combine high intelligence with inner strength and virtue.”
“Two Guys Read Jane Austen” is entertaining, funny, conversational, and a great tribute to the genius of Jane Austen as a writer.
Robert D. Reed Publishers, 978-1934759172
As Reviewed for Midwest Book Review