Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Austenland: A Novel
Book Review: 3.5 stars for Austenland
Summary: 3 Stars
I found Austenland in the bargain book section and decided to get it though I am not normally a sucker for Austen-inspired novels. It also worked out because I can use it for the book challenge (Everything Austen). I wasn't sure I was going to like this in the beginning, the premise was a bit silly. The main character, Jane (of course), is infatuated with Pride and Prejudice and the DVD version with Colin Firth. Who isn't? But her great-aunt discovers Jane has them hidden and thinks Jane has put her life on hold waiting for her own Darcy. A year later, her aunt passes away and leaves Jane a 3 week paid vacation to Austenland, in England, with it's own Pemberley and actors to play Austenesque characters. Jane must dress in the Regency period, talk in character to fully have this experience.
I really began to get into the book, it was amusing to read about Jane struggling to stay in character, wanting to know about the actors, reality blending with fiction. Jane begins to discover more about herself and is determined to fully participate and put Darcy behind her. Each chapter starts with a blurb about a past relationship of Jane's.
And of course, I wanted to know if Jane would end up with her own Darcy or leaves that fantasy behind with her vacation. You'll have to read it to find out for yourself.
This book may not appeal to those burned out by P&P themed books, and I don't often read those, but this had a decent plot and was written well but definitely falls under the chick-lit genre.
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Book Review: A Make-Believe world to Unbelievable
Summary: 2 Stars
Unfortuantely this review is going to be short and sweet as I couldn't bring myself to finish reading the book; if I didn't have other books to read I am sure I could have made myself finish it but I kept pushing it down to the bottom of my TBR list.
I originally picked up this book because I adore Jane Austen and in the past have found Jane Austen fiction quite enjoyable. However, I couldn't get engrossed in this book. I did in fact find Jane Hayes a believable character. However, the make-believe world that she finds herself in what so make-believe, even for me. I couldn't get past this fact. I have read quite a few reviews on this book that rated it rather high, so maybe sometime in the future I will be able to give another chance.
Book Review: A delightful read -- Hopefully someone will option this for a movie
Summary: 5 Stars
As a fan of Shannon Hale's writing I was excited and a bit cautious when I found this book. There are a lot of books out there that try and rewrite or continue the story of Darcy & Elizabeth. The only ones I have ever really enjoyed are Pamela Aiden's series -- Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman.
FITZWILLIAM DARCY GENTLEMAN: Complete Trilogy - An Assembly Such As This, Duty And Desire, These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan (Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman, Volume 1, 2 and 3)
So, I approach any book that may tread on Jane Austen's original work with caution.
But Shannon Hale's Austenland doesn't attempt to rework Austen. It is the story of a 30 something woman with an obsession for Colin Firth as Darcy who attempts to get over that obsession or find her own Darcy by going on a trip to an exclusive period resort, "Austenland."
As another reviewer comments, it does make you wish you could do the same, only with a lot of family and friends to keep you company, otherwise, you start to realize you might get hopelessly bored and feel overly constrained in that world for three weeks.
Having spent many a night up watching the entire BBC Pride & Prejudice series, I can relate to the story. I found myself not wanting to put the book down and then not wanting to finish too quickly. Now that I know the outcome, I am reading it through again and enjoying it just as much.
Married or single, if your heart beats a little faster when you see Colin Firth coming out of the pond at Pemberly, you will likely find a compatriot in Jane Hayes (Miss Erstwhile) in Austenland.
I now await the movie.
Book Review: A fantasyland for Pride and Prejudice fans
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was fun for me as a Jane Austen fan who adores Pride and Prejudice. Jane is given the opportunity to experience Regency England at a full immersion resort in England I enjoyed the premise of the book and Jane's foray into the Regency England experience. I laughed at the rules and some of the ridiculous situations that occurred between the modern day and period experiences, but admit that I would have a secret desire to do this myself. The older woman pretending to be a young ingenue was hilarious! I thought it was clever how the resort planned for guests staying in character and those who fell out of character. The ending was fun and I liked how their were some open possibilities. I really enjoyed this, as an "adult" novel from Shannon Hale, although I have always disliked classifying some of her other novels as "young adult" when they are wonderful books for anyone.Book Review: A sweet and satisfying read...
Summary: 4 Stars
I usually don't read any of the Jane Austen inspired books but this one caught my eye in my local library. Jane Hayes has been living with a secret for most of her life and through a gift from her great aunt gets the chance to live for several weeks the life of an Austen character. Getting used to wearing corsets and empire dresses takes some getting used to but she manages it well. The men, on the other hand, are a little more difficult to fathom and Jane finds herself divided between the pretend Austenland and the real world of today. As well as the two men claiming her affections. The ending is funny and so worth this written equalivent of a lazy afternoon spent in the warm sunlight of a time long ago.