Title: Austenland
Author: Shannon Hale
Series: Book 1 of the Austenland series
Format: Paperback (paid for myself)
Rating: 3.5/5
Goodreads description: Jane 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 Predjudice." 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?
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Favourite quotes: "Jane sat beside Colonel Andrews. He had a dashing smile. It nearly dashed right off his face."
"And here you are. Miss Erstwhile. You are infuriating and irritating, and yet I find myself looking for you."
"I suddenly had to see you again. I know that seems ridiculous, but I look at you, and I feel sure of something."
"And here you are. Miss Erstwhile. You are infuriating and irritating, and yet I find myself looking for you."
"I suddenly had to see you again. I know that seems ridiculous, but I look at you, and I feel sure of something."
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My review: Austenland tells the story of Jane, a woman who has had a string of unsuccessful boyfriends which she blames on her love of Mr Darcy and the high expectations he brings with him. Her Aunt sees her unhappiness and leaves Jane a trip to Austenland in her will, a holiday destination in England where you can live like a Jane Austen character for a few weeks, which Jane's Aunt hopes will finally break her Darcy infatuation.
My review: Austenland tells the story of Jane, a woman who has had a string of unsuccessful boyfriends which she blames on her love of Mr Darcy and the high expectations he brings with him. Her Aunt sees her unhappiness and leaves Jane a trip to Austenland in her will, a holiday destination in England where you can live like a Jane Austen character for a few weeks, which Jane's Aunt hopes will finally break her Darcy infatuation.
In the past, whenever I have read a book after watching the film adaptation first I have never had any problems with enjoying the book. However, sadly, the same cannot be said for Austenland. I'd seen the 2013 film several times before I decided to pick up the book it was based on. I fell in love with the film's comedy, it's Bridget Jones-esque heroine and its downright silliness. However while the book did share the same basic storyline as the film, it seemed to fall flat in comparison. The characters just weren't as hilarious and full of life as they were in the film - I felt sorry for the book's Miss Charming rather than wanting to laugh along with her like I did whilst watching the film and I even found it hard to warm to the main character, Jane.
However please don't think that my issues with this book come primarily from its comparison to the film. While I do love the general idea of this book, it just wasn't executed how I thought it would be. It had elements of silliness mixed in with serious which didn't work for me and left me cringing slightly at the end instead of swooning. However despite my disappointment, I still did enjoy reading this book. It's packed with many funny lines and was also a very quick and easy read. I especially enjoyed the description of Jane's previous break-ups at the start of each chapter (for example: "Boyfriend #7 Juan Inskeep, age twenty-five. Gay."). And the book definitely gets at least a few points for having the best dedication of all time at the front.
Before I started reading Austenland I was so sure I would be ordering the sequel, Midnight in Austenland, as soon as I'd finished the first book but now I'm not too sure. I think I'll just have to content myself with watching the film again. And again, and again, and again...
However please don't think that my issues with this book come primarily from its comparison to the film. While I do love the general idea of this book, it just wasn't executed how I thought it would be. It had elements of silliness mixed in with serious which didn't work for me and left me cringing slightly at the end instead of swooning. However despite my disappointment, I still did enjoy reading this book. It's packed with many funny lines and was also a very quick and easy read. I especially enjoyed the description of Jane's previous break-ups at the start of each chapter (for example: "Boyfriend #7 Juan Inskeep, age twenty-five. Gay."). And the book definitely gets at least a few points for having the best dedication of all time at the front.
Before I started reading Austenland I was so sure I would be ordering the sequel, Midnight in Austenland, as soon as I'd finished the first book but now I'm not too sure. I think I'll just have to content myself with watching the film again. And again, and again, and again...
Book cover image from Goodreads
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