Looser tackles the common notion of Austen as someone nothing much ever happened to ... The third part of her book contains some of her most riveting material ... Fascinating ... While Looser writes from an academic standpoint, her book is accessible and fun, with appeal for both fans of Jane Austen and of history alike.
Skates the line between skillfully wrought academic argument and the sort of accessible, gripping romp one might expect from an author whose roller derby moniker was Stone Cold Jane Austen ... Literary scholars will be delighted by the chapters detailing the many ways that Austen’s wildness materializes in her heroines and their storylines ... Jam-packed with enough hair-raising drama from Austen’s personal life that even the Austen-phobic will find themselves hard-pressed to look away ... Will thrill any Austen fan with its revelation of a rebellious and wonderfully wicked Jane.
Wide-ranging ... There is a great deal of intriguing material on offer, but Looser’s definition of wild is so broad her premise lacks a clear focus. Still, dedicated Austen fans will relish these fresh insights.
