I write this review with the knowledge that someone far smarter than me has peer reviewed this tome.

I, like the author, am indeed wild about Austen. The study of Austen and the term “wild” is a fascinating one given the fanaticism that tends to follow the late author. However. This book really spreads itself too thin while casting its net too far. The things I were interested about, i.e., how Austen’s characters were wild or how her books could be considered wild, felt brief with only about 40% of the book diving into her work. The rest is a LONG (and boy do I mean LONG) look at her extended family and how they were wild. (And the brief chapter regarding Austen-inspired erotica.)

Devonte Looser is smart and passionate about her love of Jane Austen. It is evident in every sentence. The book is well-researched and I learned a lot about Austen, the rumors surrounding her love life, and the influence she has had on media and pop-culture. I really enjoyed the book overall, but it was simply too long for what it was.

As I listened to the audiobook, I would like to point out that the narrator did a stellar job. Her voice is amazing and really kept me steeped into the book. The editing can use some work, however, as the re-recorded bits were incredibly noticeable.

Thank you NetGalley!

As someone who’s always looking for a reason to dive back into the world of Jane Austen, this book was everything I didn’t know I needed. Wild for Austen is witty, clever, and packed with unexpected stories that reveal a much more rebellious and fascinating side of Austen’s world. 📖💫

Devoney Looser brings her deep Austen expertise and pairs it with a fun, engaging writing style that made me feel like I was chatting with a fellow fangirl. From the spy who was stabbed by his servant to the aunt put on trial for shoplifting, this was not the quiet, prim Austen we’ve been taught about. Even the history of Austen’s legacy was full of surprises (a Judy Garland Pride and Prejudice musical?! What?!).

And the audiobook? Perfection. The narrator's voice was so soothing and easy to listen to, it made the whole experience feel like a cozy afternoon tea with some scandal on the side. ☕🎧

I absolutely loved this book. It made me fall even deeper in love with Austen and reminded me why her world continues to captivate us centuries later. Thank you to Devoney Looser for this joyful deep dive into Jane’s “wild” side. 💛

This is a great overview of Jane Austen’s work and life that reevaluated preconceptions of whether or not she should be considered “wild”. I appreciated the close text readings and the author’s examination of how Austen has been read and interpreted in her life and since her death.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Maybe 3.5-3.75 stars?

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE Jane Austen, so picking this up was a no-brainer. Marisa Calin did a fantastic job with the narration for the audiobook, and kept me going in some of the less interesting sections. I think the title over-promises a bit, and the text definitely over-relies on the word "wild." What I can't decide is if this book is more for casual Austen fans, or the dedicated. If you're already obsessed with Jane, some of this is a re-tread, especially the examinations of all her writing. You'd also be spoiled on all her writing if you hadn't already consumed it.

There were definitely some highlights, especially as the author talks about how she's connected personally to the books, and Austen's influence on other writers. It's also interested how Jane's family portrayed her after her death and how that influenced how we see her today.
Conversely, I still don't know why we got a whole chapter on a family member's shoplifting incident.

Overall, this was a bit of an uneven experience for me. I think I'd actually be more interested in a more serious work from the author instead of this forced "wild" take.