Enthusiasm

Julie has always lived in the shadow of her best friend Ashleigh. Ash is passionate and outgoing, and she drags Julie enthusiastically along from one crazy hobby to the next. As they prepare to start their sophomore year at Byzantium High, Ashleigh becomes obsessed with Pride and Prejudice and insists on dressing in nineteenth-century fashions, using Austen-esque speech, and of course, trying to find her very own Mr. Darcy. Julie is a little resentful at this – after all, Austen has always been her special interest – but she follows along as usual. That is, until Ashleigh decides to crash a dance at a local boys’ prep school, where she falls for the good-looking boy Julie’s been secretly crushing on! As the girls become friends show more with him and his friends at the prep-school, several romantic complications ensue, and Julie might eventually have to decide between friendship and true love.

What an adorable book! As someone who’s more than a little obsessed with Austen herself, I’ve read a lot of Austen-inspired fiction, and this is definitely one of the better efforts. Instead of copying the plot of any single Austen novel verbatim, Shulman draws inspiration from Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion while still managing to create her own story. I identified with Julie and could definitely sympathize with her throughout the novel. I think the subplot with her parents’ divorce was unnecessary and a little unoriginal, but the main story was exuberant and a lot of fun. Even though it’s written for young teens, and most of the scenes take place in a high school, I found a lot to enjoy. I got this book from the library originally, but then I just had to buy it! show less

Julie Lefkowitz knows where her allegience lies -- and it's all with Ashleigh Rossi, her childhood best friend and serious Enthusiast. Ashleigh's whims change without warning and encompass her entire being, dragging Julie along as she suddenly develops an interest in insects, candy-making or King Arthur -- and then some.

Usually glad to go along with Ash's infectious, excited schemes, her latest is causing Julie to feel anxious -- Ashleigh is now obsessed with Jane Austen's classic Pride & Prejudice, Julie's very own favorite book. And from the moment Ash appears at Julie's wearing a long gown, speaking in Regency language and begging her to crash a "ball" at neighboring all-boys school Forefield Academy, Julie knows this is no ordinary show more Enthusiasm.

And it's not, of course. At the dance they meet Ned Downing and Charles Grandison Parr, two "very suitable" young men who could very clearly resemble their own Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, respectively. But which gentleman will pair off with which young lady?

I can't believe I only discovered this book by browsing through a bargain bookshelf. It was absolutely, totally fun and adorable! That's really the best way I can describe it. Was the romance a wee bit predictable? Yes. Were there times you wanted to punch Julie, our narrator, in the arm for being so obtuse? Definitely. Was it obvious that, in the tradition of Jane Austen, we would get our very own happy ending? Sure. But let me tell you, it didn't really hurt this infectious story at all.

What really anchored the whole novel for me was the knowledge that we all have an Ashleigh -- or that we've all been an Ashleigh. My friends and family have long teased me that I jump from one "obsession" to another, and I absolutely saw myself in Shulman's whimsical character. Ashleigh's friendship with Julie was so strong, as was their devotion to each other -- and it was so refreshing to see a pair of friends who don't turn on each other the moment a pimply teenage boy shows them an ounce of attention. Seriously, Ashleigh and Julie were Ashleigh-and-Julie, and I loved that.

Jane Austen fans will delight in seeing a young woman so engrossed with one of their own favorite novels, as will the many women who have looked for their own Mr. Darcy. Ashleigh's Enthusiasm is totally contagious, and at just 208 pages, you can whip right through this one in a sitting or two. And I'm so glad I did! show less

Enthusiasm will appeal to Austen fans who have always secretly felt more like Jane Bennet than Pride and Prejudice’s charming protagonist, Elizabeth. Sometimes Julie Lefkowitz can’t help but feel overshadowed by her best friend, Ashley, whom she considers an “Enthusiast.” As an Enthusiast, Ashley is prone to falling deeply, obsessively, and briefly in love with an array of people, media, and hobbies. So when Ashley’s newest enthusiasm is for Julie’s favorite book, Pride and Prejudice, she should be thrilled, right? Even though she’s reluctant to let her favorite novel become one of Ashley’s crazes, before long she finds herself answering to “Miss Lefkowitz,” learning the quadrille, and crashing the dance at the local show more boy’s boarding school, all in the pursuit of True Love. The ensuing miscommunications, tests of friendship, and romantic hijinks deliver the romance Austen is known for, along with a double-dose of comedy - perfect for teens looking for a lighthearted romantic comedy.

4P, 3Q show less

Ashleigh is an Enthusiast, the personality type that jumps into an interest wholeheartedly, much to her best friend Julie's embarrassment. Now, Ash is into Jane Austen. She's not just reading the books, which would suit Julie just fine as Pride and Prejudice is her favorite book. No, Ashleigh wants to dance a quadrille, wearing dresses only, and - most importantly - finding True Love. Ashleigh's plan: to infiltrate the upcoming boys' school dance to meet their very own Mr. Darcys. And of course, she's going to drag Julie along.

This was a fun teen romance that could appeal to teen lovers of Austen as well as those who have never read the books (or seen the movies). While there were some nods to Sense and Sensibility and Pride and show more Prejudice that I picked up on, Julie and Ashleigh's story stands well on its own and doesn't need any prior familiarity with either to be enjoyed. I liked Julie as the narrator, and could relate to her love and loyalty towards Ashleigh as well as her exasperation with some of Ash's more drastic schemes. Julie's romantic troubles were believable, if somewhat predictable and quickly wrapped up, but it was a nice, quick light read that I would easily recommend. show less

I love Jane Austen. I have read all of her completed novels at least twice. I've read quite a few JA para-lit novels, and this is by far the best of the bunch. It includes allusions to not only P&P, but Emma, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and even a little Mansfield Park, too. Although she borrows from Austen's characters, Shulman does a great job of making them (and the story) fresh and unique. There was never a doubt in my mind as to the ending (it is, after all, a romance, and a YA one at that), but getting there was so much fun! I wanted to read it all over again after I finished, and I probably will at some point in the future. I'm loathe to give out any details of the book, because I want everyone to discover it for show more themselves, but I will say that musical theater (more specifically, a musical version of A Midsummer Night's Dream) comes into play. There are also sonnets, chocolate turkeys, fun new words (like "igsome" - "ig" for short - which is used to describe something/someone bad), romantic mix-ups, and all the usual high school drama.

I bought my copy through Scholastic's Book Club, and if it's ever made available again I'll probably buy a few more. Even if you're not a fan of Austen, I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy this book - it's just that wonderful. show less

I read ENTHUSIASM shortly after its release in 2006 and, when I went searching for audiobooks for a recent roadtrip, I felt compelled to bring it along. Before I'd even finished the first disc, I remembered just how much I adore Polly Shulman's debut. I was so engrossed that I compeletely missed one of my exits and continued onward for about half an hour before I noticed. In fact, when I realized my error, I didn't even mind... it meant my trip was extended and I would have an entire extra hour before I'd have to give up ENTHUSIASM!

Enthusiasts like Ashleigh are high spirited, stubborn, and, sometimes, crazed. When Ashleigh zeros in on the one thing Julie is actually passionate about, in her quiet, reverent way, she knows there's no use show more trying to dissuade her. Ashleigh plans on finding love. No, not just love, but true love, like Elizabeth Bennett finds in the scowling Mr. Darcy.

I didn't have a friend like Ashleigh in high school, but I imagine my attitude would have been similar to Julie's. Though Julie often complains about Ashleigh's shenanigans, it's clear to the reader that she's fiercely loyal and loves Ashleigh despite her eccentricities. ENTHUSIAM celebrates a healthly relationships between best friends. Hurrah! I definitely don't take issue with the books that showcase dysfuntional friendships, but they do seem to crop up more often than than the former, so I'm always excited to find a relationship like Julie and Ashleigh's.

It's difficult to discuss the romance in ENTHUSIASM with out spoilers, so I'll keep it brief. Swoon. To be back in high school experiencing my first kiss... This aspect of the novel was absolutely adorable.

Julie's enthusiastic adventures are sure to keep readers (or listeners!) of all ages entertained. show less

From Julie’s point of view, she’s always been on the voice-of-reason side of Ashleigh’s obsessions. When Ashleigh grabs onto Pride and Prejudice, one of Julie’s favorites, and bullies Julie into crashing the all-boys prep school’s dance, Julie is a bit resentful when, in her enthusiasm, Ashleigh falls for the one boy Julie’s been secretly pining for. Julie tries to keep her feeling secret to avoid hurting Ashleigh, but finds it more and more difficult as her Mr. Darcy seems to be showing interest in her… I loved this – it’s so heartfelt and sweet and well written, and now I want to go out and read Pride and Prejudice…