Texts from Jane Eyre: And Other Conversations with Your Favorite Literary Characters by Mallory Ortberg
Review by Lauren
source: copy for review; all opinions are my own
Review: At the top of each new section is the name of an author, character, or book and from there, you are presented with text conversations between various characters or the main character and someone from “the outside” so to speak. This is a great book for people that are widely read- definitely those English or Literature majors. I was an English Lit major in undergraduate school, but there are still a lot of these books that I have not read. I could follow some of the conversations alright, but it was definitely more enjoyable when I knew what Ortberg was referencing in her texts. It’s easy to see that she knows a lot about literature and can spoof it well.
The book focuses on a lot of classics like Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, John Keats, etc. but they also have books like The Outsiders and Harry Potter near the end.
Here is an example page I found online (do not own) that showcased one of the text conversations I found particularly amusing:
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| Emily Dickinson was basically a hermit… |
It sounds like something interesting but I don't think it's for me and I think I should read first the original texts…
The idea behind this is too cute!!! Plus, as much as I love Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre, I got all fan girl happy over The Outsiders and Harry Potter mentions. 🙂 I may have to get my hands on this one!
Haha! That Emily Dickinson one is perfect! I seriously need this book in my life!!
xx
I'm as far from an English or Literature major as you can get seeing how my first language is French, so I think some of the qualities of this book would be lost on me. Plus, I'm unfamiliar with Jane Eyre, and this probably isn't the best place for me to start. Still, nice review!
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
I actually haven't even read Jane, so I think its not for me
Oh man, this sounds like so much fun to read, even if you can't follow it well (I mean, I probably haven't read most of the ones mentioned, except Harry Potter of course) but even I found that example page hilarious. 😉
Well this is definitely different. I would check it out for the novelty. Thanks for sharing.
I'm not widely read, but this sounds pretty fun!
This does sound completely different and fun. Thanks for sharing it! I am intrigued by the whole concept now.
Ha this looks fun!
I had a double major and one of them was English lit. I think I would love this.
This book is hilarious! It helps to understand the references, but I loved that you can still get a sense of the characters even if you don't really know who they are. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! 🙂
I haven't heard of this one before but I'm totally intrigued! I unfortunately haven't read many classics so I'm worried some might go over my head but I still want to try it!
Okay this sounds seriously AWESOME! I need this book, right now.
Lovely review, Lauren! Thanks for putting this book under my radar <33
If only I had this while I was at uni . . . ENDLESS FUN.
Intrigued if not convinced by how enjoyable I'd find this, I'm away to check the site out.
I loved these on the Toast! I should buy the book to read them all.
I've been planning to get into more classic reads this year, SO I like the idea of what the author has decided to do with this book. I definitely want to give this one a go, maybe when I have a few more classics under my belt!
This sounds absolutely adorable Lauren, the concept is a brilliant way of getting teens and young adult into the classics even. It would have been better if they had of had Jane conversing with current authors, or better still celebrities. It would have made for a much more fun, funny and entertaining read. Glad to see you sounds as though you enjoyed this one. Hopefully she writes a follow up focusing more on modern day. THAT I would love to see. Thanks for sharing Lauren <3
I haven't heard of this one and it sounds like a hoot. I'm going to have to see if my library has this one.
I agree that the texts were more enjoyable if you knew the book/characters/author referenced. But even when I did, I didn't find them to be more than mildly amusing.
Fun review! Love the idea, but don't think I'd get most of the jokes as I'm not a big fan of the classics. Although I might check it out for the Harry Potter and The Outsiders references.
Terri @ Alexia's Books and Such…
Very cute. Spoof books can be so much fun!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh gosh this sounds awesome! I never would have heared of this book were it not for your review! I NEED THIS BOOK LIKE RIGHT NOW.
Great review! <3
Marianne @ Boricuan Bookworms.
OK, I'm totally buying this! I was a lit major, so this is right up my alley!
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