Book Review: Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom (compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf)

Posted July 14, 2023 by meezcarrie in Book Review, historical, Jane Austen / 2 Comments

JANE AUSTEN’S LITTLE BOOK OF WISDOM: Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature
AUTHOR: Jane Austen
COMPILED BY: Andrea Kirk Assaf
GENRE: Literary Quotes, Self Help, Gift Books
PUBLISHER: Hampton Roads Publishing
RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2023
PAGES: 400

The ultimate companion for the Jane Austen fan filled with her penetrating insights and humor on life, love, and death.
Jane Austen is one of the most popular female writers in history, best known for her stories of love, loss, and hope, which are cleverly intertwined with her witty insights into the traits and expectations of English Georgian society.
Here, in this stunning little book, you will be able to read hundreds of individual quotes from her famous works—from Pride and Prejudice and Emma to Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility—each prompting an emotional response, thoughtful musing, or even a little snigger at the wise and shrewd perceptions that Austen had of the world around her.
Utterly charming and very profound, fans of Jane Austen can revel in these much-loved quotes, while a new audience will be introduced to the joys that her books have provided since their publication many years ago. With each chapter focusing on a different theme—from Love & Longing to Female Strength—this gorgeous gift book is the perfect compilation of Austen’s funny, moving, and thought-provoking words.
Content of themes:
❤️ Love & Longing
❤️ Friendship
❤️ Society
❤️ Female Strength
❤️ Life & Death
❤️ Faith
❤️ Art & Literature

PRAISE FOR JANE AUSTEN’S LITTLE BOOK OF WISDOM

“A valuable resource for any Austen lover to use for quick reference or to read through.” —Library Journal

“It’s a lovely way to spend a little time each day revisiting and reflecting on Austen’s beloved works without embarking on a full reread—and also to test your ability to peg each isolated quote to specific events in its respective story. Feel free to invite your fellow Austenites over and turn it into a full-fledged trivia game.” —Mental Floss

“For Austen fans and lovers of wise words, Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom: Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf, provides a genuine treasure trove. Assaf has curated a wonderful collection here, her other works encompassing popes and saints, precisely in line with the reverence Austen deserves.” —NewPages.com

“This lovely book will provide a daily diet of Austen sensibility every day of the year. My vote: 4 out of 4 teacups.” —JaneAustensWorld.com

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”

Not to put my own words on par with such a talented author’s, but I would also add that there is no enjoyment quite like reading Jane Austen. And in Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom, Andrea Kirk Assaf has compiled some of the most delightful quotes from this classic author, taking snippets from not only her famous books but also her personal letters and poems.

Austen’s wit is clearly seen, especially in the quotes taken from her letters.

Like:

“Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first?”

or:

[On arriving in London] “Here I am once more in this scene of dissipation and vice, and I begin already to find my morals corrupted.”

Those and similar lines had me appreciating Jane Austen’s sense of humor and witty timing even more than I had before. But I also gained new insight into her as a writer, as a person of faith, and as a reader. She is one of those rare authors of whom I am always wanting to learn more, and Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom allows me to do so in her own words. There are also copious quotes from her books, many of which wrapped around me in a familiar embrace, the kind of touchpoint that reminds you of comforting moments lost in the pages of a delightful novel. I feel quite confident that no matter if you’ve read every Austen novel or none, you will find a quote on these pages that you recognize and love.

Bottom Line: Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom is a tiny masterclass on Jane Austen, compiled affectionately by Andrea Kirk Assaf from the author’s novels, letters, prayers, and poems. Easy to pick up and read in quick snippets as time allows, this pocket-sized book is the perfect gift for any Austen fan or for those who are just now discovering her. I loved the themes and how the quotes were sorted, as well as the added touch of the journaling space at the end of the book. Even at 400 pages, I could have kept reading indefinitely because, after all, “But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.”

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / loved it!

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Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen’s plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.