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Austenland: A Novel by Shannon Hale
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Shannon Hale Edition: Paperback Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2008-05-27 ISBN: 1596912863 Number of pages: 208 Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Book Reviews of Austenland: A NovelBook Review: Pembroke Park- Where All Your Dreams Come True! Summary: 5 Stars
Many women could relate to Shannon Hale's heroine in Austenland. In her thirties, living in New York, and still single after a slew of bad relationships, Jane has decided to forsake men and live out her life with Mr. Darcy. As a dedicated Austen fan, she spends her evenings watching Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle while lamenting the death of romance, top hats, cravats, and all other manner of Regency wonders. But what if those things didn't have to be a thing of the past? What if Austen fans could truly become a part of the stories they love so much, if only for a little while? Austenland provides a hilarious and insightful look into such a possibility.
While having lunch, Jane Hayes' great aunt brutally scrutinizes Jane's affection of Austen's leading man. Her great aunt informs her that she must let go of her fantasies about fictional characters and stop destroying her real relationships. Following this conversation, Jane receives a "trip" from her great aunt in which she is to fly to England and partake in a sort of theme park geared towards Jane Austen fans. For an entire month, Jane is to be immersed in the life and times of Austen's characters.
As soon as she arrives, Jane is forced to give over all of her modern amenities- cell phone, laptop, and all of her clothes. For the next month, she will eat, sleep, and breathe the 19th century. The house where Jane is staying is full of people, including various actors and another woman who is also living out her Austen fantasies. The actors include all of the expected character types, including a charming Wickham-esque rogue and an arrogant gentleman who fills the shoes of Mr. Darcy. Jane considers the whole thing to be incredibly ridiculous, and initially rebels against the whole concept. However, after some time at the park, she decides to go ahead and have some fun. To Jane, this is her last big Austen fantasy before she returns home and forsakes men and love for good. During her time at Austenland, Jane experiences all sorts of unusual and hilarious events that influence her perspectives on life and love.
I loved this book! If you are a lover of Jane Austen, this book is a fun take on what it is to be an Austen fan! Keep in mind, this is not the type of book that takes you back in time to Regency England, and it's not written as such either. It's 100% modern, and aside from when the characters are role playing, all behavior and language is that of the 21st century. If you're looking for a literary classic, this is not it! However, if you are the sort of person who daydreams about being one of Austen's characters, I definitely feel that you would enjoy this book.
One of my favorite qualities of this book was the writing. It was a light, easy read, and I love that you occasionally witness Jane's conflicted thoughts. Rather than being a straightforward (aka boring) thinker, Jane is often torn as to how she should respond to her situation. Her thought processes are hilarious (perhaps because they are slightly reminiscent of my own) and lend a bit of realism to the book. Another awesome feature is that each chapter is kicked off with a hilariously tragic story from Jane's previous relationships, allowing the reader to gain some understanding of why her love life has gone so awry.
Frankly, I think a person could make bank if they decided to actually open a place like Austenland. I can think of a number of women who would gladly go play Lizzy Bennet for a month! This book really stands out among the numerous books I own that are based on the works of Jane Austen. It is the only book I've ever read that utilizes the modern fan as a character, giving voice to a fantasy that many Austen fans have had. It's a lot like BBC's Lost In Austen, but in a slightly more believable context.
Have you ever fantasized about being Lizzy Bennet? Have you determined that your chances of a happy relationship are forever ruined because no man comes close to Mr. Darcy? Have you ever dreamed about what it would be like to attend a ball and mingle with the haute ton? If you answered yes to any of these, this book is for you!
Summary of Austenland: A NovelJane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man?perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane?s fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own? Don't miss Shannon Hale's next book, Midnight in Austenland, a mystery set at Pemberly available in February, 2012.
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