Comments on: Jane Austen: A Love Story

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:27:32 +0000

Thanks for all the great thoughts and comments, Sally! I’d never heard of anyone examining traits of autism in Austen. I’ll have to check it out. I’m so glad you like Overcoming Autism. We have a companion book to it out now–Growing Up on the Spectrum–for parents of older kids.

By: Sally

Sally — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:24:36 +0000

I am also an ASD mother – with somewhat similar son (he’s currently 8; we’ve been at this since he was 2.5). I just picked up your “Overcoming Autism” book last night. It is AMAZING! Such wonderful insight/advice. I too wish we would have focused on the gross motor.

Why am I writing my praise and thanks on your Jane Austen page? I too am a Jane Austen fanatic. Me? I re-read the canon every few years. Husband? Knows what to purchase for gifts: any Jane Austen DVD (I have at least two versions of every movie, except “Northanger Abbey” – and sadly, not the 2007 version).

Long after realizing that my mother-in-law was truly Lady Catherine (long before autism) – I had to hoot when I reread “Pride and Prejudice” AFTER autism. Oh my. LOL. This is the woman who declared (a few short hours after the cesarean delivery of my second child – while alone in the hospital room with me and my new baby) re: my first child, “this isn’t autism, I KNOW autism and THIS isn’t autism.”

You should write a review on “So Odd a Mixture: Along the Autistic Spectrum in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ ” I think you might genuinely enjoy it. I think Phyllis Ferguson Bottomer goes a bit far on some of the characters, but it is still great fun for an ASD/Austen fanatic.
http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/book/9781843104995

Note: Sadly, I am not Elizabeth Bennet and only come up with my retorts long after the conversation.

I am very sorry to hear of your daughter’s Addison’s disease. Very interesting: Addison’s/Autism/Autoimmune.

Again, many thanks for “Overcoming Autism.” I look forward to reading more of your books.

By: rachelhamm

rachelhamm — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:18:46 +0000

I found your blog today after buying your book, The Smart One and The Pretty One. I immediately felt connected to Ava, just based on the description on the back jacket, but then I come to your blog and feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit! I’m one of the millions who think Austen is the absolute greatest writer of all time and who thinks that Pride and Prejudice is absolutely the greatest book ever written. And while I didn’t borrow from Austen’s plots when writing my own novel, my goal was to write a book that had a real life romance to it, like hers. Emma and Persuasion are tied as my 2nd favorite book, btw. Anyways, all that to say, I’m really glad I bought your book and found your blog and I can’t wait to read each!

By: Claudia

Claudia — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:15:54 +0000

It is intriguing to read about the physical reaction you had when you learned Austen might have died from Addison’s Disease. It must have been such a complicated shock of a feeling as inside the horror of Austen’s early death was the wonder of a link between these two important women in your life, Jane and Annie. The only three people I’ve heard discussed with Addison’s disease are John Kennedy, Jane Austen, and your Annie. It’s almost as if no life can be perfect, and that those who are very special must have something flung their way.

It also must be amazing to recognize the importance of living in this particular era for your daughter, that to go back in time would mean that something she doesn’t need to think much about could kill her.

It is a fact universally acknowledged that a young woman in possession of a mind must be in want of her very own favorite book. and that that book may not, must not be her mother’s favorite book.

Oh, I loved your description of the book as an object in your hand, the way you thought about the titles before you read the book, the way you weren’t clear about the word sensibility.

By: Claire

Claire — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:31:06 +0000

It’s funny: I just saw a dress that looked like a period piece and thought, “Who actually wears this stuff around town?” And then I pictured EXACTLY the kind of woman who wears that stuff around town. Shudder. It wouldn’t have been so great living back then anyway. First of all, Darcys and Knightleys probably were just as hard to come by then as they are now. Secondly, there must have been a LOT of horse shit in the streets and it probably got all over the bottom of your dress. And, most importantly, people died young back then.

By: Jillian Lauren

Jillian Lauren — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:20:12 +0000

I’m getting weepy just reading this, though I’m not sure exactly why. Come to think of it, I get a little weepy when anyone even says the name Mr. Knightly.

Are we going to have to start dressing in period costume and going to Regency balls with the rest of the Jane Austen wackos? I’ll braid your hair if you’ll braid mine….