I've read the (very) negative reviews of this (there are many) and I have to say, I think a lot of people just didn't get this book. They wanted it to be plot-driven and fun (as so many Austen take-offs are), but this book is much more character-driven and contemplative. I learned a lot about Jane Austen from it (especially from the back matter) and it was a great way to continue to explore her work. It's also so gratifying for me to read about people who live for and through literature. The characters all seemed real to me. I enjoyed their back stories, their foibles, the glimpses into their psyches. Though not the most enthralling novel, this contains many little everyday life stories that are memorable and full of meaning.

To explain my favorite part of the book, I'll have to go into spoiler territory. In the chapter where the club discusses [b:Persuasion|2156|Persuasion|Jane Austen|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298411870s/2156.jpg|2534720], Sylvia's husband writes her a great love letter. As you may know, the best thing about Persuasion is the love letter Wentworth sends to Anne in the end. Sigh. Is there anything better than a great love letter?

And, for fun, I decided who each character resembled in the world of Austen:

Prudie = Mrs. Bennet. You're not totally stupid, but you're super annoying and married to someone who's probably too good for you. Also, you are way too interested in young men.

Jocelyn = Elinor Dashwood. You're so together and sensible. But it seems like you're so worried about other people's happiness that you're going to let your own slip by the wayside.

Sylvia = Fanny Price. So annoying. You are not perfect! You try to be good and somehow end up making me really dislike you.

Allegra = Marianne Dashwood. Girl, you crazy. Even though you're the life of the party, you seem bound to end up with a dullsville mate.

Bernadette = Emma. I know Bernadette is old and Emma is young, but they both think they're the queen and we're the sorry people.

Grigg = Henry Tilney. So likable and clever with weird taste in women.

(You will notice only one of the characters from my favorite Austen novels, P&P and Persuasion, made it on the list. That's probably why the book got three stars instead of four.)
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Had looked forward to this and was a bit disappointed. I dont know whether it was because I was reading it in fits and starts, or whether because I had read "Angry Housewives eating Bon Bons" and was expecting something similar.

This is another book I wish that there were half star ratings for. I would have given it 3.5 stars. It was a good fun book. The story of five women and one men who meet once a month to discuss the works of Jane Austen. Through the different books and meetings you come to learn about the lives of these characters and the reflections of Jane Austen's work in their lives. A cleverly writen story that shows the classics are modern in so many ways. ( )

I found reading this book to be a chore (read it for book club.) The characters are bitchy (god forbid anybody in their lives not read, or not enjoy Jane Austen,) and hard to keep straight. Their stories seem assembled haphazardly, and the perspective switches weirdly between first and third person. It's a miracle I made it through the book.

I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 because there were a few genuinely interesting anecdotes about the main characters' history, but this book was NOT for me. ( )

I really enjoyed this, I'm not sure what stopped me giving it full marks but maybe the fact that I read it over a period of time with breaks, a full marks novel usually proves fairly unputdownable. ( )