Austenland: A Novel (original 2007; edition 2008)

I’m sure every Austen fan has entertained the thought of a place where they could dress up in Regency clothing and elegantly stroll around manicured gardens with that special Mr Darcy. While I don’t know of any real place you can do that, you can live the fantasy through Jane in Austenland, who does exactly that. (Except for the Regency House television series, which probably isn’t in production anymore).

Jane is in her thirties and single. A good night consists of watching Colin Firth taking a dip in the Pride and Prejudice miniseries. She knows she’s sad and that she can’t keep comparing real men to Mr Darcy, but how can she break the mould? When she is bequeathed a trip to Pembrook Park, a fantasy Austen-world in England, by an elderly aunt, Jane firmly states this will be the last chance for a Mr Darcy. Unfortunately, Regency world is full of rules, manners and restriction for women – to the point Jane finds it – gasp – boring. The male actors seem to have other women in their sights – is Jane left alone in this world too?

I thought it was courageous of Hale to describe the Regency world as boring, even though I think it would be quite true for modern women (no internet, phone or opinion allowed)! The narrative also shows just how difficult it is to immerse yourself in another time, no matter how much you might want to. It kind of nailed my suspicious that I’m really not an Austen heroine.

Jane is an interesting character –she has quite a few issues that she doesn’t seem to know how to deal with (being single and getting older mainly). However, she doesn’t always help herself – breaking rules at Pembrook Park and deliberately alienating herself. The climax is interesting, yet predictable – it has all the features of a chick flick but made me wonder what was so appealing about Jane? Is there something I missed? Was it that Jane wasn’t enough like me that I couldn’t fully absorb the fantasy? The book seemed rather understated until the end, when the passion just overflowed. I guess that’s kind of like an Austen book.

Austenland is also being released as a film later this year. It will be interesting to see how it’s done – I think it could work very well.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Sydney for the paperback copy. (I also own an eBook version).

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com ( )

Austenland is a delightful novel with a unique twist on the continuing homage to classics author, Jane Austen. Though it was released several years ago it has been republished by Bloomsbury ahead of its debut as a motion picture starring Keri Russell, due for release in September 2013.

In Austenland, New Yorker Jane Hayes is thirty two, single and nurses a secret obsession with Pride and Prejudice, particularly the BBC film adaption, and her romantic ideal Mr Darcy/Colin Firth. When Jane’s aunt dies and bequeaths her an all expenses vacation to Pembroke Park, a UK resort that immerses their guests in a Regency England ‘experience’, Jane hopes that living the fantasy will finally allow her to put her obsession behind her, before she winds up a spinster.

Though I do appreciate Jane Austen’s contribution to the literary world I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan and of her works, Emma is my favourite rather than the more popular Pride and Prejudice. As such, I wasn’t at all sure what to expect from Austenland but given it’s brevity (at just under 200 pages) I was willing to give it a chance and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was quickly caught up in this delightful romantic comedy.

I have no doubt Pembroke Park, should it ever actually exist, would have a steady stream of clientele enamoured by the romance of the Regency period (while still enjoying some of today’s mod cons). In Austenland, the resort is populated by paying guests and actors required to conduct themselves in a manner befitting Jane Austen’s time. I thought Hale created a unique and fun setting, and though it takes a while for Jane Hayes to succumb to the experience, which requires her give up her mobile phone and wear a bonnet whenever she steps outside, eventually she submits to its charms, encouraged by the attention of the Park’s gardener and the gruff Mr Nobley.

This lighthearted novel is a quick, entertaining read sure to delight Jane Austen and romance fans alike. I’m looking forward to reading the next Austenland book, Midnight in Austenland, from Hale soon. ( )

Loved this book! I've been on a serious Austen kick lately, especially since watching Becoming Jane. Now I have to read everything Austen again! Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy...perfection. A book about being obsessed with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy...hilarious! What-what? I actually laughed out loud a couple times and I rarely do that when reading. Awesome! ( )

Well, my review seems to have disappeared. I'll try to put it in later, but suffice it to say I loved the book! ( )

Jane Hayes has a problem. And it is not her dreaming of true love. I think every woman swooned when uptight and proper Mr. Darcy emerged wet from that lake in popular BBC series 'Pride and Prejudice'.

(I am happily married and I admit that I still sigh whenever I hear Colin Firth's name and I watch every movie with him. LOL)
Jane's problem is that she is ashamed and is hiding the DVDs from her friends and family. I think that it is a proper ending that they get the place on her shelf in the end. :)

But back to the book. It was a quick read so I can not say I did not enjoy it but... Jane Hayes was so indecisive and intense, I just could not understand her and connect with her character.

The institution of Austenland was fake and somehow lame. There were a lot of things I did not like: allowed makeup, electricity, modern bathrooms, etc. (When faking it go all the way...) And they made it seem like escape holiday for desperate wives and divorcees. I think I will not revisit it by reading [b:Midnight in Austenland|11445880|Midnight in Austenland|Shannon Hale|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316132688s/11445880.jpg|14362949]. ( )