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brynn_kathryn's review against another edition
2.0
Just not what I was expecting. It was mostly retelling the stories very briefly and with some sarcasm/humor. I was expecting more research into the decor and layouts that inspired the rooms or historical info or even just going into theories for what the room layouts in books mean for the overall texts. But nope. None of that.
genevievesbooknook's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
3.0
"In my younger and more vulnerable years, my father gave me some advice: Decorate your home to reflect your personality. This was hard for Gatsby, as he really didn't know what his personality was, but he read Town & Country to get a sense of what a proper society house looks like."
I decided to get this book when I saw it in the TKMaxx sale. It was originally £13.99 and I got it for £1. Bargain!
When I picked this up, I knew that this book wouldn't be life changing and that it would be a fun little coffee table book for classic bibliophiles. Despite marketing itself as a bookish interior design book, the mis-characterisations of famous literary figures let this book down. For example, within the first chapter (pg. 15), Lizzie Bennett referred to her sisters as idiots which is something she would never do. The thing that annoyed me the most, however, was when she was flipping between characters making modern references who were at the same time referencing the time that they're from. One prominent example of this was in the Von Trapp chapter (pg. 133). Maria remarks about George telling her to "Instagram" her schnitzel noodles, yet within the same chapter, she mentions about escaping the Nazis who were in power during her 'interview'. It made the whole reading experience extremely jarring, and as a result, I couldn't get into this book.
This is a fun read, albeit a frustrating one, but Becca Stadtlander's illustrations make up for it.
I decided to get this book when I saw it in the TKMaxx sale. It was originally £13.99 and I got it for £1. Bargain!
When I picked this up, I knew that this book wouldn't be life changing and that it would be a fun little coffee table book for classic bibliophiles. Despite marketing itself as a bookish interior design book, the mis-characterisations of famous literary figures let this book down. For example, within the first chapter (pg. 15), Lizzie Bennett referred to her sisters as idiots which is something she would never do. The thing that annoyed me the most, however, was when she was flipping between characters making modern references who were at the same time referencing the time that they're from. One prominent example of this was in the Von Trapp chapter (pg. 133). Maria remarks about George telling her to "Instagram" her schnitzel noodles, yet within the same chapter, she mentions about escaping the Nazis who were in power during her 'interview'. It made the whole reading experience extremely jarring, and as a result, I couldn't get into this book.
This is a fun read, albeit a frustrating one, but Becca Stadtlander's illustrations make up for it.
denakaye's review against another edition
I didnt appreciate the irreverent take on the book.Trying to be humorous.Fell flat for me.
bookshelfkeeps's review against another edition
4.0
3½ ★
A book for a book-lover.
Synopsis: In “Decorating a Room of One’s Own,” Susan Harlan cleverly and convincing looks into the past imagining the living spaces of our favorite novels, and what the character’s could have possibly been hoping to achieve in their home ascetics from: inspiration, best DIY, biggest embarrassment etc.
My thoughts: For me it was so rewarding to take a deeper look into spaces I loved reading about such as Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre or even imaging a conversation about interior decorating between Dorian Gray and the Duke from “The Last Dutchess.” Harlan only enhances this with her witty banter and the way she blatantly calls out sexist, racist and demeaning themes that so frequently bleed through these works and the time periods in a way that causes you to laugh and sigh.
Spot on Shelf? A great book for your coffee table. Just so pretty and fun.
A book for a book-lover.
Synopsis: In “Decorating a Room of One’s Own,” Susan Harlan cleverly and convincing looks into the past imagining the living spaces of our favorite novels, and what the character’s could have possibly been hoping to achieve in their home ascetics from: inspiration, best DIY, biggest embarrassment etc.
My thoughts: For me it was so rewarding to take a deeper look into spaces I loved reading about such as Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre or even imaging a conversation about interior decorating between Dorian Gray and the Duke from “The Last Dutchess.” Harlan only enhances this with her witty banter and the way she blatantly calls out sexist, racist and demeaning themes that so frequently bleed through these works and the time periods in a way that causes you to laugh and sigh.
Spot on Shelf? A great book for your coffee table. Just so pretty and fun.
cherrycola's review
4.0
This was a lot of fun. I would recommend skipping the introduction, as it establishes the author as completely insufferable as a person and will prejudice you against the rest of the book. The meat of the book itself is very fun and witty, if occasionally a little too in love with its own cleverness. Also, the chapter on The Yellow Wallpaper mystifyingly attributes the short story to Charles Gilman Perkins, rather than Charlotte. I really can't figure out why and it seems like a glaring mistake for something that models itself as feminist. Anyway, it was still very enjoyable.
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