Ted Scheinman

Scheinman grew up with a closer acquaintance to Austen than most children, as his mother's career in academia led to him reading the classics of British literature, and she took the family to live in England for some time, where he gained more insight into historical context. Mom's connections also led the author, as a grad student, to work for the four-day "Austen Camp" in North Carolina. Which quickly led to him being pressed into service as the camp Mr. Darcy, expected to provide witty conversation and dancing to the unattached women at the camp, which was the majority of guests. He attended seminars about Austen life and literary topics while dressed in Regency clothes and affecting an English accent, and even spoke to the assembly himself.
While Scheinman does spend some time describing what goes on at an Austen Camp and introducing readers to the other guests, a few days at such an event would make slim pickings for a book, so the majority of this is an exploration of Austen's life and her work, with a critique of how her detractors tend to miss the point of her plots and characters.… (meer)

A brief memoir mixed with critical insights on Jane Austen based around Scheinman's experience as a grad student supporting the inaugural "Jane Austen summer camp" (an Austen conference/social event) in North Carolina, with a few other insights smattered from his 18 months actively participating in the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) events. Scheinman is an intriguing guide to the world of Janeites, as his mother is a well-reputed Austen scholar and he has grown up immersed in various elements of her works but isn't a true Janeite himself. His literary criticism of Austen isn't particularly original or earthshaking for those even mildly familiar with Austen studies but the recounting of his experiences at the camp are charming. A short read but one likely to entertain most Janeites.… (meer)