A pretty preposterous premise, thin characters and a predictable plot make for very light reading. Good for a plane ride and a few chuckles but not much more. ( )

I was SUPER excited to read this book. After enjoying her other books, esp the Goose Girl, and hearing so much about this one and being a Jane Austen junky myself..I think I was expecting too much. Lets just say I knew exactly what would happen about 30 pages in and that's not my favorite thing. It was still a fairly cute story so if you don't mind predictable story lines, then this is the book for you! ( )

It was a quick read..only 200 pgs, but I dunno..found something lacking. It was cute, though! If you're a Jane Austen fan then you'd find it amusing! :) ( )

When I began this book I was almost giddish with anticipation about it's undoubted goodness. Well.....about midway thru, I lost my enthusiasm. It felt scattered, droll and the boyfriend countdown got tedious. I would admit some redemption came toward the end, and I would say the latter half did feel more Austen-like. This could have been really really great, it missed that mark unfortunately, and it was just okay.

Love Jane Austen's novels, love the movies, really didn't like this book.

The writing itself is kind of sloppy, even purplish at times; it made it difficult to get into the narrative because I kept getting pulled up by metaphors that seem to exist only to call attention to themselves rather than bring an image clearly to mind. Then there are the contradictions: "The day was gray, and patchy rain nudged ("nudged"??) the carriage roof...the sky cerulean blue." Sorry, can't have a cerulean blue sky when it's raining enough to "nudge" the carriage roof. The misuse of the word "literally" was also irritating: "...how could the actor keep up the virtual drinking and not get literally toasted?"

The book isn't well-researched. With much emphasis put on period correct Rules, there are several which anyone familiar with Austen's novels would know are simply wrong. Capt. East, Jane, et al, allowing Miss Heartwright to walk back to the house, ill, unescorted? Nonsense.

But most of all, the book seems ultimately to support the very thing it is supposed to argue against: that the fantasy man, the Mr. Darcy, will appear in our heroine's life, fall madly in love with her, etc. That is so obviously what "Mr. Nobley" is intended to be. While at one point, Jane seems to be getting on with life, saying that she needs to learn to be comfortable in her independence, being by herself, she then seems to decide that what would be best is to be comfortable being alone LATER, after she's gone ahead and seen if she can attract the attentions of the gentlemen at Pembrook Park. The whole theme of independence and self-sufficiency is lost in the very contrived ending, one that seems more to support Lydia-like behavior rather than Elizabeth's. While one of the plot twists is interesting, it just isn't something that I feel the Austen fan--of both the novels and the movies--would enjoy.

Of course, it IS a quick read, so if you take it on, you won't lose much time. ( )

I listened to Austenland on audio on a long drive alone. It was absolutely perfect for the occasion. Austenland is the story of Jane Hayes, a single New Yorker, graphic designer and Jane Austen (especially the Colin Firth BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice) devotee. When her quirky aunt passes away, Jane learns she was left a peculiar thing in the will: a two-week holiday trip to an English estate where she will live in Austen's time. It's essentially an elaborate Jane Austen role-playing theme park, complete with period costumes, customs and lack of technology. The men are played by actors, and our heroine, despite acknowledging Darcy has ruined her real relationships by being too good, has a tough time letting go of her modern persona and relaxing.

Austenland is pure, brilliant fantasy and utterly dreamlike for Austen fans, but the comedy keeps the story from slipping into schmaltzy. Even those who feel dear Jane is teetering on overexposure would enjoy the satire. It's a quick, delightful tale, and Katherine Kellgren's reading was marvelous. Her voices were delightful and helped bring out the personalities of characters. ( )

What Austen-a-holic in her right mind wouldn't want to spend a few weeks courting Mr. Darcy Regency-style at an estate straight out of the pages of Pride and Prejudice? Jane Hayes isn't so sure. When her great-aunt Carolyn dies leaving Jane an all-expenses paid three week vacation back in time to Regency era England, Jane doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Carolyn had discovered Jane's deepest, darkest secret: she is obsessed with the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, and with Colin Firth himself, the Mr. Darcy.

Of course Jane decides to go to Pembrook Park, hoping to channel her inner Elizabeth Bennet, and maybe to eliminate her obsession and live in the real world. In England, as re-invented Regency lady of leisure Miss Jane Erstwhile, she will discover something special about herself, and about the benefit and power of infatuation.

Shannon Hale's Austenland is one of the funniest, most clever books I have read all year. As I'm sure you can tell from my synopsis above, it is an utterly frivolous novel - a true "beach-read" type of book. That being said, Jane's adventures in Austenland are completely charming and hilarious. The delightful cast of characters in this light hearted novel are laugh-out-loud-funny, and the banter between them is authentically Austen-esque.

Now for the one thing I didn't particularly like about Austenland... At the beginning of each section in the book, Hale adds a little blurb about Jane's past boyfriends. For me, these took away from the story rather than adding anything to it. I didn't see a point to the information, and it didn't really have any bearing on Jane's adventures in Austenland.

All in all, Austenland is light, sassy, and enchanting, with engaging, witty dialog, and brilliant pacing. I would define this whimsical novel as the ultimate in guilty pleasure reading - satisfying in a positively scrumptious way. ( )

Reviewed by The Compulsive Reader for TeensReadToo.com

Jane Hayes has a serious problem. And that problem is an obsession -- an obsession with Mr. Darcy, the immortal hero of Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

When a well-off great-aunt gives Jane a vacation to a Regency-era resort in England, Jane hopes she can finally overcome this obsession of hers. But as she finds herself dressed to the nines in time period apparel and flirting in true Austen fashion with the ever-charming male actors, fantasy and reality blend together until the two are indistinguishable.

This novel, while at times a little unbelievable, was wholly enjoyable and amusing. Not lacking in wit or intelligence, AUSTENLAND is a carefree and lighthearted story that will delight even the most die-hard Austen fans. ( )

I absolutely loved this book. It's less than 200 pages and it was a cute story of how this woman, who's Colin Firth Darcy obsessed, lives out her fantasy life in a paid vacation to Regency England for three weeks. ( )

Jane's great-aunt has left her with a all expense paid trip to Penbrook park an exclusive resort getaway. While there the guests are given Regencey time-period parts. They all play the gentle society. Other guests there are actors. Jane goes on this trip to finally let go of her Mr. Darcy expectations. ( )

'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little, and Jane Hayes, pretty enough and clever enough, was certainly thought to have little to distress her.' But secretly, Jane has an obsession with Mr Darcy (Colin Firth's Darcy, to be precise) and the real men she meets aren't meeting her Darcy-inspired standards. When her wealthy great-aunt dies, Jane is bequeathed a three-week holiday to Pembrook Park, a British Austen-themed resort in England. Jane struggles with Regency custom and costumes, and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen — and maybe even with the actors who play them.
But is this a final farewell before relinquishing her Darcy obsession? A last party before she accepts her single life and moves on? Or does she have a chance of finding what she really wants?
And what does she really want, anyway?

Jane as a character took a little while to warm to, as did the distance between reader and character which the novel's tone creates. But I can see why some might find Jane frustrating (ultimately, I didn't), and the tone actually works very well. The narrative voice doesn't expect you to always agree with Jane's opinions or decisions - nor does it disguise that Jane isn't an Austen-heroine. There is a gentle wit and humour, and a lot of sympathy for Jane. 'It [her P&P/Mr Darcy/Colin Firth obsession] was embarrassing. She didn’t really want to talk about it. So let’s move on.'
Despite being firmly set in reality, there is something akin to Lost in Austen in this, as Jane finds herself submersed in a world she has dreamed about for so long and learns it isn't a perfect paradise. At it's heart, Austenland is about searching for something that is real. And it takes spending time in a world of pretense for Jane to have the space to discover things about herself, including the many things in her own world she appreciates. She can't be an Austen-heroine - she lives in the wrong era and she needs to be herself.

Pembrooke Park is a little weird (and not completely likable) but considering  the sort of money it would require to maintain and that it's a 21st century resort, it feels plausible - realistic. I've seen this book accused of being crass and disturbing, and cheapening Austen's works. Personally, I appreciated the qualities which mean Austenland would be a PG-rated film, and the balance it kept between gentleness (which included a respect for Austen!) and realism (of which disquieting moments are a part). It is much more of a Lost in Austen than a Bridget Jones' Diary, but it isn't a fairytale. I liked that.

I didn't even find it predictable: I could see several different directions the story could have taken and still concluded satisfactorily. As the story twisted between these possibilities, I wasn't even certain how I wanted it to end... and consequently, continued to be surprised.
Ultimately, Austenland is entertaining, satisfying and put a big smile on my face. I can see how it wouldn't appeal to everyone's 'internal readers' (to borrow an expression from the author), but I enjoyed it very much indeed. ( )

A fun, quick read. A clever take on the Mr. Darcy obsession that has plagued so many of us who have watched the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice" again and again. Not predictable, it actually kept me guessing until the final pages. Give it a read on a raining day...you can finish it in an afternoon. ( )

I found Austenland in the bargain book section at BN online and decided to get it though I am not normally a sucker for Austen-inspired novels. It also worked out because I can use it for the book challenge (Everything Austen). I wasn't sure I was going to like this in the beginning, the premise was a bit silly. The main character, Jane (of course), is infatuated with Pride and Prejudice and the DVD version with Colin Firth. Who isn't? But her great-aunt discovers Jane has them hidden and thinks Jane has put her life on hold waiting for her own Darcy. A year later, her aunt passes away and leaves Jane a 3 week paid vacation to Austenland, in England, with it's own Pemberley and actors to play Austenesque characters. Jane must dress in the Regency period, talk in character to fully have this experience.
I really began to get into the book, it was amusing to read about Jane struggling to stay in character, wanting to know about the actors, reality blending with fiction. Jane begins to discover more about herself and is determined to fully participate and put Darcy behind her. Each chapter starts with a blurb about a past relationship of Jane's.
And of course, I wanted to know if Jane would end up with her own Darcy or leaves that fantasy behind with her vacation. You'll have to read it to find out for yourself.
This book may not appeal to those burned out by P&P themed books, and I don't often read those, but this had a decent plot and was written well but definitely falls under the chick-lit genre. ( )

Pro: Silly and fun. Pick it up if you're looking for a literary gal pal. (Also, the ending was predictable...but so much fun!)

Con: Too much organization. I could have lived without naming the days and beginning each chapter with an old boyfriend tale. ( )

Silly book. ( )

Having read a few other Austen-related books, you know that you need to be careful picking up a book like this one. Austenland turned out not to be bad at all.
I didn't really enjoy the beginning very much. Most of all I was annoyed and felt I might just be dissapointed once again. (I always end up wanting to read the Austen sequels or the related story books). Towards the middle I started to enjoy it though.
The plot is fairly predictable, but nevertheless the book is enjoyable. I liked how the fiction-fantasy/non-fiction-real-life gets attention in this book. It made me think of how I'd feel dressing up and having everyone around you pretend. I would hate it, probably. As does Jane, sometimes. I think those parts of the book are the best.

Overall an enjoyable read. Nothing really special, but if you choose to read an Austen-related book and you don't want to be scared out of ever trying again: this one is something you might like. ( )

This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...I've pretty much stayed away from Jane Austen rip-offs...but it wasn't all that great either. It provided a few hours' entertainment, had some funny parts, but also some that were painfully predictable/stereotypical. ( )

Definitely not Shannon Hale at her best. If I had read this novel first, I don't know that I would have gone back for any of her other books. The story is a little juvenile and predictable. I don't think I'd recommend it. ( )

Jane Hayes is obsessed with Mr. Darcy. More particularly Colin Firth’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. Can you blame her? Really? But, it might have something to do with why the thirty-three yeah old Jane is still unmarried and single. Her obsession for Mr. Darcy keeps any "real" man from measuring up.Jane’s Aunt Carolyn is aware of her obsession. When Aunt Carolyn passes away she leaves Jane an all expense paid vacation to Pembrook Park, a resort that lets its guests live like the characters of an Austen novel. Jane has decided to use the vacation as the milestone. Once she has had her fun she will put Mr. Darcy behind herself, forever.Being myself, slightly obsessed with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I couldn’t help but be sympathetic for Jane. And I love the idea of Pembrook Park. How much fun would that be! As far as the story I really enjoyed it! It is a bit of a romance, but that made me enjoy it all the more! This was the first novel by Shannon Hale that I have read, and I really value her writing style. I will be reading more from this author, and I must buy a copy of this book, I am sure I will be reading it again! ( )

I'm finding that if I don't search the catalog beforehand and put audiobooks on hold, my local library's audio offerings are a little thin. At least, that's my excuse for listening to such a frivolous piece of unabashed chick lit as Shannon Hale's Austenland. I'd heard of it before, and thought the premise of a retreat to a 19th-century getaway complete with eligible gentlemen was a bit silly. But I've seen it recommended by some Austen fans and so, emboldened by the necessity of not being bored during my commute, I checked it out.

Jane Hayes, age 33, is a woman with a secret. She has a Darcy obsession, and the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth is her guilty pleasure. When her Aunt Caroline dies and leaves her a non-refundable vacation at an Austen-era resort, Jane decides to seize the opportunity to permanently squash her fascination with Austen's heroes. She tells herself that it will be her last hurrah before embarking on a more sedate and sensible life. Haha.

Once in Pembroke Park (or "Austenland," as Jane calls it), Jane is immersed in 19th-century culture, even down to her underthings. For three weeks she will eat Regency food, wear Regency clothes, converse in Regency speech, and flirt with Regency men. Jane is unsure about her part in the pageantry, but resolves to enjoy the time anyways. It's just a fling with a fantasy — right?

The tone is wry and funny, which I enjoyed except when it veered into crass humor. Then it just got tiresome. Each chapter opens with a story of one of Jane's old boyfriends. Some were funny, some were boring, and most were predictable. They all ran together after awhile.

I noticed a lot of padding too. Jane is constantly reminding herself of how she came to Pembroke Park to rid herself of her Darcy obsession by immersion therapy, she's now going to be a confident, relaxed woman, so-and-so is incredibly hot, etc. I don't mind hearing it a couple times but when this stuff is appended to every event in the book, it becomes annoying. And I'm not sure the whole idea of getting rid of an obsession by wallowing in it is all that sound to start with.

Despite the general fluffiness of the story, Hale does make a good point about how devastating fangurlism can be. I've never experienced it personally, but I can see how a fangurlish obsession with Darcy would make real love hard to find.

Really, the whole concept of Pembroke Park is disturbing. Hale writes near the end that it's a place where married women toy with the idea of having affairs. Nice. I'm not sure I could enjoy interacting with actors who were paid to pretend to like me. How could anyone really enjoy that? Unless you were always telling yourself that you were different from all the other women, that the handsome actors with period sideburns couldn't help but fall for you, etc. Ugh.

In the end, I'm not entirely on one side or the other with this book. Parts were funny and enjoyable and cute, but overall I walked away feeling like it cheapened Austen's works somehow, injecting them with modern lust and insecurity. I can see how some readers would love this little romp, but others would be completely turned off. I'm kind of left saying, "eh, meh." ( )

None of Jane's boyfriends have ever lived up to her expectations of Mr Darcy. When her great-aunt bequeaths her an in-period holiday at 'Austenland', she goes not knowing what to expect... as long as she doesn't turn out to be Fanny Price. Along the way, she learns a little about her self, but when the fantasy is over, which of Austen's heroes will she take home?

Forgettable chicklit.

After reading Hale's graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge, I decided to try and get to one of her novels sooner rather than later. After a little coin flipping, Austenland made its way to my nightstand.

Austenland is an intriguing concept that is carried of rather well. From a high level, it involves a thirty-something single woman named Jane off for 3 weeks of "Live Action Role Play" (LARP) in a Regency House populated with servants, gentlemen and other women searching for Victorian style romance. I expected plenty of sappy moments and coming away with a sugar headache. Instead, I found a thoughtful and fun (albeit cheesy at times) romance that tries to get to the heart of romance while exploring unrealistic expectations and the joys and pains of obsessions.

Starting out the novel, I was worried that Jane would quickly become a stereotypical archetype...the 'unlucky in love' woman who obsesses over Pride & Prejudice (and other similar books), spurns men as vile and unromantic, and sets herself expectations that can never be achieved. By the end of the book, many of those traits were in fact proven out. However, Jane did progress through the novel and explored her own psychology to determine which of those characteristics were realistic and which should be abandoned.

Her path to discovery was humorous at times, frustrating at others, but in the end felt believable. I really found myself getting to understand and sympathize with Jane while at the same time wanting to shout at her that she was an idiot.

I absolutely loved the prefaces to many of the chapters in the book...many of the chapters began with a short description of each of Jane's "boyfriends" (of which I think she had 15). Most were a few paragraphs...one was just a sentence. Each was very insightful into her character and each was rather humorous...the kind of humor that is funny because you can see the reality behind the pathetic occurrence. As an example, one of these "boyfriend" descriptions tells about how she first saw the boy in class and they shared a glance and then, because he was too shy, she asked him out...to which he responded, "sure...and what was your name"....which promptly ended their "relationship".

As for the other characters, I felt that they were well portrayed, but I had some trouble (as did Jane) trying to sort out the behavior of the actors versus those of the person behind the character. I really felt Hale did a good job of keeping the true person at a distance while exposing glimpses of reality. The gardener was an interesting character who felt a little flat and, while I was surprised what happened with him, I was glad the way his story ended. I thought Mr. Nobley and the other gentlemen on the estate were well portrayed as proper 19th century gentlemen, but I would have liked to have seen more "behind-the-scenes" moments with them. We get one VERY brief scene where one of the characters is smoking behind a bush and talks about "getting back to work." I would like to have seen moments like that elaborated on a bit more.

The writing and the plot flowed along very nicely and it was a very fun read. Even though I am a heterosexual male, I did enjoy the book and can recommend it. However, I can't recommend it to everyone. For example, most of my friends (both male and female) would likely laugh at the suggestion and never make it beyond the first chapter. Others would certainly eat it up. I think that in order to enjoy this, the reader must first have an appreciation, if not a love, of Victorian literature and particularly Victorian romances. Having at least a perception of the obsession around Pride and Prejudice may also help.

So, two scores.
To those who don't like Victorian romances - 1 star
To those who enjoy Victorian lit, romances, or "girlie" books:

****
3.5 stars ( )

This book did not hold my interest. Did not finish it. ( )

After reading the monstrosity that was "Me & Mr. Darcy," I hesitated to jump back into another Austen chick lit tribute. But I was pleasantly comforted by writing that wasn't stilted, easy-flowing dialogue (Even when conducted in Regency English!), and romance that was actually romantic. In short, this book is everything an Austenphile could want from a "Pride and Prejudice" homage.

The story gets going when thirtysomething, romantically-challenged Jane is bequeathed from her great-aunt a luxury vacation of three weeks roleplaying an Austen-era gentlewoman in England. She wavers between feeling silly in the costumes, observing the stern resort director's strict rules to remain in character, and digging being submerged in Austen's world. Further complicating her feelings are the flirtations from Martin, the gardener, with whom she shares taboo root beers and kisses, and Mr. Nobley, one of the actors hired to play the Mr. Darcy role. Jane must try to figure out what is real and what is not, both in her romantic expectations and in her vacation.

I devoured this novel, and I must say I was kept guessing to the end as to which man Jane would choose, if any. That's pretty unusual for chick lits in general, and especially for "Pride and Prejudice" tributes, which follow the obvious pattern of Austen's novel. The writing was easy-going, no small feat considering the inclusion of Regency-speak. Each chapter opened up with an account of one of Jane's ex-boyfriends, serving to explain a lot about the protagonist's Darcy obsession. This book is certainly a must-read for "Pride and Prejudice" fans. ( )

I have enjoyed reading some of Shannon Hale's finely crafted YA fantasy novels like The Goose Girl and The Princess Academy. Her writing has a clean and transparent quality that I find rather soothing. In YA novels, her characterizations are sweet and endearing.

This is one of her few novels written for an adult audience. It's a Helen Fielding-esque tribute to Jane Austen and the BBC film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Cute. Unoriginal, but cute. The story follows a successful '30-something' gal who happens to have 3 weeks of vacation time racked up as she travels from Manhattan to England because of a vacation package she received as a parting gift from her dead great aunt. Jeez. Contrived, much?

However, once we get passed the clunky set up, the story is cute. She spends her vacation in a Regency house, dressing in Regency clothes and interacting with Regency actors whose sole purpose is to help her live out her dearest Jane Austen fantasy.

The rest is rather predictable from there.

However, it's still cute. I giggled out loud in more than one place and I enjoyed the minor idiosyncracies in the characters, though Ms. Hale is not nearly as vicious as dear Jane was in her characterizations. In some places, I wish she had been.

One of the most fun parts about this book is our peek into all of our heroine's previous romantic relationships as we begin each new chapter. Clever and probably some of the most creative writing in the whole lot. ( )