Austenland (Austenland, #1) in Challenge: 50 Books

Jan 16, 2010 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

I'm not a Jane Austen fan, but I think the idea behind the story is one every female (males, too?) goes through -- the perfect person (in Jane Hayes' case, Mr. Darcy) doesn't really exist, so when do you give up the search for The Perfect Person and either decide to be alone all your life, or decide that Good Enough is close enough?

I heard Shannon Hale talk about this book on NPR long ago, so I decided I should check it out some day. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down, and finishe I'm not a Jane Austen fan, but I think the idea behind the story is one every female (males, too?) goes through -- the perfect person (in Jane Hayes' case, Mr. Darcy) doesn't really exist, so when do you give up the search for The Perfect Person and either decide to be alone all your life, or decide that Good Enough is close enough?

I heard Shannon Hale talk about this book on NPR long ago, so I decided I should check it out some day. Once I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down, and finished it in less than 24 hours. I'm generally not one for romance and "chick lit" (and Oh my God, how weird is it that "chick lit" is now a category for the Library of Congress?), but this is so cute and well-written, I was hooked.

By page 20, I was thinking "She is so me": at a certain age, never had a successful relationship, never been loved (As she puts it, she's been "liked" or "convenient."), and giving up on men forever. By page 110, it was still me. Jane had realized she still likes men and can't give up on them forever and that she still has (some) hope, but even a fling turns towards "Will he love me?" and she makes a fool of herself.

I loved the line "contented spinsterhood was not an option" (180). Okay, maybe she and I won't give up on men forever. Flirting is fun, after all. And maybe we won't give up on finding the right man just yet...

Spoiler

BUT! Here's what made me wince just a little ... Jane goes to Austenland hoping to get over her desire for the perfect Mr. Darcy, and by the time she leaves Austenland she thinks she's succeeded; but then a man ends up making this grand, romantic gesture, and they live happily ever after?!? NOOOOO!!!!! No no no!! *smacks forehead* Jane was supposed to use Austenland to say goodbye to the unrealistic search for the unrealistic Mr. Darcy, and I was supposed to use Austenland to say goodbye to my unrealistic search for the unrealistic The One. And instead, Jane gets a perfect man? Nonono!! This turned out to be not therapeutic for me at all! Instead of Hale and Jane helping me say goodbye to the fictional The One, they've given me yet another fantasy to keep in my head! Damn them.

Still, it was a cute book, and I can forgive Shannon Hale for her last-minute twist. I don't begrudge Jane being happy. A very, very adorable, light-hearted, fun read. ...more

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Jan 12, 2009 Melissa Wiebe rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, chick-lit, jane-austen

I had borrowed the book during the summer, but for whatever reason I didn't pick it up and read it. Then I discovered the library also had the audio book and decided to read the book as I listened to it. Long story short, it was a cute story, with a lot of references to Austen's works, especially Pride and Prejudice. Good for a quick light read. ...more

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Apr 01, 2009 Amanda rated it liked it

Shelves: popular-fiction

This book was just OK. It's pretty short and I read it in a day. The story is meant for adults, so it deals with more adult subject matter. But the plot was more like her other books for young people, so it felt disjointed. ...more

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Jul 26, 2009 Kris Springer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was really pretty excellent; Hale makes the reader think she knows what's going to happen, but she's got you (me) in the palm of her hand. A very fun, twisty-turny romance; protagonist is very human and believable. A good way to make fun of Austen too. Very enjoyable. ...more

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Jun 28, 2009 Jen rated it liked it

Shelves: 2009, uk, jane

cheesy cute little book. girl gets guy of dreams and lives happily ever after. not a great book by any means, but worth the read... and offers the question "What would you do if you were in the shoes of elizabeth bennett??" ...more

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May 21, 2008 Liz B rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, chicklit

This was adorable and frothy and fun. If you love Jane Austen--and especially if you love the Colin Firth P&P TV miniseries--this book is for you.

Premise: A modern Austen addict goes to a kind of Austen fantasy camp. If you are an Austen lover that's all I really need to say to get you to want to read the book. ...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Kim rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fan, 2010

It was a fun read but I don't really buy that Jane's reasons for being there were any more noble than the other women's or that theirs were particularly ridiculous. The whole thing is a bit silly, but that's the point. So so quick and uncomplicated ...more

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