Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners: Compliments, Charades and Horrible Blunders - Softcover

'Charming guide to period etiquette and social niceties' Financial Times Book of the Year 'How to refuse a marriage proposal politely, address someone correctly or dance without social embarrassment and other issues of the day are accompanied by a range of witty and beautiful watercolours that emphasise the elegance of Austen's world and lead you straight back to her inimitable fiction' Good Book Guide 'Warm charming' New Statesman 'Has everything from how to refuse a proposal of marriage to what to wear for a nice morning walk' Sunday Express

How to pay and return formal 'calls'; how to refuse a proposal of marriage; who should lead off the dancing at a country-house ball; what to wear for a morning walk...Today such social niceties are largely ignored or forgotten, but they underpin all of Jane Austen's timeless novels and are explored and dealt with in this highly original book. Written as if intended for Austen's original readers in the Regency era, and illustrated with exquisitely witty watercolours, Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners is a light-hearted, entertaining and instructive little handbook of etiquette as depicted in Jane's novels and letters. It will not only offer sound wisdom and pearls of advice, but also encourage the modern-day reader to look back at Jane's work with a new and deepened appreciation.