Austenland


Title and Author: Austenland by Shannon Hale
Type: Modern "Retelling" (or maybe a modern related story) 
Perspective: Modern Elizabeth
Romance Level: Kissing
Recommended: yes, 4 stars

Summary: Jane is secretly obsessed with Pride and Prejudice, specifically the Colin Firth miniseries. She knows she has unrealistic expectations about her love life, but can't seem to move past them. When a rich aunt dies, she is bequeathed a vacation to Regency England and the promise of an Austen experience like no other. 

Things I Liked:
* Shannon Hale is the best. I was searching the library catalogue for work by her for my kids (Princess Academy and Princess in Black are current favorites at my house.) when I found this and realize I had to read it (and it is free through the Hoopla app). Her snark and wit are what makes this book for me.
* Jane is believable as a modern girl with unrealistic expectations and her witty voice made me laugh out loud. 
* She gets a happy ending. 

Things I Didn't Like:
* The story is completely unrealistic, but the dialogue and 
* The characters are a bit over the top and can seem like caricatures. 
* I would have liked a longer, "happy" ending.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top Ten Austen Retellings

Image
I have had a few friends ask me my favorite Austen retellings and Austen related literature. According to Goodreads these are my highest rated ones! These are in no particular order, all being 4 star ratings. My standards may be getting higher because I haven't given a 4 star review for awhile. * means it is currently reviewed on the blog.  The trilogy by Pamela Aiden (not reviewed yet--I must remedy this soon!) :  An Assembly Such as This , Duty and Desire ; and These Three Remain   This story is told from Darcy's perspective. The first and third books are wonderful because they parallel the story closely; the second goes pretty far off cannon. * The trilogy by Stanley Michael Hurd: Into Hertfordshire , Into Kent and The Way Home   This set is also told from Darcy's perspective and told in three sections like the original P&P. I loved seeing his side of the story. He wasn't always as likable, but we can feel his devastation and resolve to become a better man....
Read more

Elizabeth and Darcy: Ardently Yours

Image
Title and Author: Elizabeth and Darcy: Ardently Yours by Evangeline Wright Type: Pride and Prejudice Variation Perspective: Elizabeth and Darcy Romance Level: Kissing Recommended: yes, 3 stars Availability: This one is only available as a Kindle book, but is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. Summary: This Pride and Prejudice variation veers from the original story before the book begins with two key differences. First Georgiana is sick over the previous summer, does not go to Ramsgate and therefore Wickham's character is not fully known, even by Darcy. Second, Elizabeth tours the Lakes and Pemberley the summer before she meets Darcy, so is fully inclined to think the best of him. Misunderstandings still abound for many a different reason, so there is still a struggle for our hero and heroine, but these key differences change the basic story in many ways. Pros: * Darcy and Elizabeth always liked each other in this one, even when they were unsure of the others...
Read more

Darcy's Tale: Into Kent

Image
Title and Author: Darcy's Tale: Into Kent ,   Stanley Michael Hurd Type: P&P Parallel (true to the original plot, told from a different perspective) Perspective: Darcy Romance Level: Austen-esque Recommend: Yes, 3 stars Darcy's Tale is broken into three parts like the original Pride and Prejudice. The second volume, Into Kent, covers the return from Netherfield to London, through the winter in London and the spring visit to Rosings Park with Lady Catherine, then the return journey to London. In addition to the events of the original, Darcy meets a new aquaintance who shows Elizabeth's true worth and visits an old professor to talk over his woes. This is enjoyable, but my least favorite of the trilogy.  I liked: * Colonel Fitzwilliam is a wise, kind friend. * The description of his confusion over his feelings for her. It makes the proposal so much more unders tandable.  * Pender, Darcy's old tutor, helps to show Darcy's thoughts in a very logical di...
Read more