Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Austenland: A Novel
Book Review: Juvenile and disappointing
Summary: 1 Stars
I am a fan of Austen's work and confess to being a rabid Anglophile. However I was disappointed with the novel. The writing was uneven and I couldn't figure out what Jane, the central character, really wanted. Neither could she it seemed. Ms. Hale didn't seem to know what sort of novel she wanted to write either, perhaps this is a hazard of having written previous books geared toward teenaged girls, because the book did not read as though it were full of adult characters. Jane is supposed to be a 31 year old woman, but her behavior and thoughts suggest something more juvenile, maybe that of an 18 year old. Mr. Nobley's transition process felt unconvincing and the final fourth of the book felt hurried and gave in to so many of the cliched phrases from some of the really bad romance novels out there (Yes, I've read my share, more for a laugh than anything else.) And yes we all love that Jane Austen's characters make "triumphant matches" in the end and obviously Ms. Hale could not have ended her book any other way, given her patterning after Austen, but are we still really trying to promote the idea that for women the only "happy ending" involves a man? How about Jane just adopting a more realistic view of men and dating and actually growing up?Book Review: Light and Sort of Bright...
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a light read and enjoyable. No "inappropriate" language or behavior, which I appreciated. I was hoping for a bit more BRIGHT and smart...Book Review: Light and lovely
Summary: 5 Stars
Clean, funny (laugh out loud funny), sweet, romantic, simple and re-readable. All these things have put this Shannon Hale book at the top of my "favorite books" list. She says writing is a real challenge for her but you'd never guess when you fall into this lovely little number. A fabulous pool-side read. It takes little to get into and even less to stay into it. My only complaint is that it ends too soon.Book Review: Loved It!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like Jane Austen's works and feel that Pride and Prejudice is without a doubt the BEST love story ever, then this is a book for you. I can't wait to read it again!Book Review: One You Shouldn't Miss!
Summary: 5 Stars
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Shannon Hale is most well-known for her YA novels, but her first foray into adult novels does not disappoint. Jane is a hopeless addict of Pride and Prejudice, most notably the BBC's rendition with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. Her great-aunt discovers Jane's obsession and, with a wisdom born from long years of not recognizing love herself, bequeaths a three week vacation to Austenland, a role-playing resort where people -- most notably women -- immerse themselves into Jane Austen's England and an extended stay at Pembrook Park.
Ms. Hale has a refreshing voice -- this is a light, entertaining read perfect for any time the reader wants to get away for a while. The characters, even minor ones, are richly drawn and, even though I'm - ahem -- a little older than Jane, I could still empathize with her luck with her "boyfriends" and relationship issues. There were some laugh-out-loud moments such as Ms. Hale's description of Great-Aunt Caroline's lawyer, who reminded Jane of a frog:
He was saying something in lawyer-ese, but Jane was distracted. She was trying to figure out what besides the measured blinking made him seem so amphibious. His taut, shiny complexion, she decided. And his eyes being so wide apart. And his salad green tone. (Okay, he wasn't actually green, but the rest was true).
I kept interrupting my husband's reading to share parts with him -- to the extent he finally put down his own book and just listened to me read and giggle. The romance -- who will she wind up with -- the gardener, the gentleman, anyone? Without giving anything away (this is a romance after all), I can let you know you won't be disappointed.
Austenland drops a modern woman into the world of the Regency house party and the fun begins. If you love Jane Austen's books, the movies, or just a fun romance, Austenland is one book you shouldn't miss.