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callienicole's review against another edition
4.0
I just saw the movie "Austenland" for the first time recently, and I laughed my way through it - then I found out that there is a book, so I had to check it out! This is a shorter book, so I finished it on a lazy, foggy afternoon.
Plot: The main character, who is obsessed with the BBC version of Pride And Prejudice, inherits an Austen-inspired vacation from her great aunt. She goes ahead with it, hoping it will cure her of her obsession with the fictional Mr. Darcy and allow her to find a relationship with a real-life man.
Language: I think this was originally marketed as YA, so not much language aside from one use of a British cuss word.
Sexual Content: There are several sexual innuendos/jokes in this book, and a lot of admiring of the way some of the men look in their "knickers". Plenty of making out between two of the characters. No one sleeps together. Surprisingly clean for a secular novel, and much cleaner than most chick flicks these days.
My Thoughts: I thought this book was just fun! I really liked the development of the romance and the way it ended was sweet. Thumbs up!
Plot: The main character, who is obsessed with the BBC version of Pride And Prejudice, inherits an Austen-inspired vacation from her great aunt. She goes ahead with it, hoping it will cure her of her obsession with the fictional Mr. Darcy and allow her to find a relationship with a real-life man.
Language: I think this was originally marketed as YA, so not much language aside from one use of a British cuss word.
Sexual Content: There are several sexual innuendos/jokes in this book, and a lot of admiring of the way some of the men look in their "knickers". Plenty of making out between two of the characters. No one sleeps together. Surprisingly clean for a secular novel, and much cleaner than most chick flicks these days.
My Thoughts: I thought this book was just fun! I really liked the development of the romance and the way it ended was sweet. Thumbs up!
reydeam's review against another edition
4.0
Full Review: Mom-Musings
There are times when I want to read a book that is fun, light, entertaining and a quick read. Austenland fits that bill.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story, being able to live a moment in your life within a favorite story. I know, there is a few stories that I would like to experience first-hand…for a bit. So yeah, I enjoyed the concept of the story.
I enjoyed how the author set up Jane's life for me, the reader. I had a better understanding of her search, failures and lack of commitments before she entered the Austenland world. I felt like I knew why Jane romanticized Mr. Darcy...gosh, who am I kidding? I romanticized Mr. Darcy while reading and watching Pride and Prejudice. The difference is that I moved out of that romantic fantasy into a more realistic view. I did, however, have an understanding of Jane. I liked her and wanted her to come full circle in feeling worth. I wanted her to find Mr. Right in a solid real world footing.
The place, Austenland, itself is a very interesting concept. I felt Jane's trepidation and excitement for entering the Austenland world of 1816 while still remaining solidly in the 21st-century. I am very sure that I could not follow through in an Austenland vacation but gosh, it would be great to experience the flavor of that time-period in its real-time. Only for a time though.
I was glad to see that Jane stayed real to herself. I was glad that she was able to come to an understanding with herself that living in reality with all its flaws is far better than living within her fantasy. I was glad to see that she did not succumb (not completely anyways) to the manipulation of Austenland.
The ending was completely satisfying and lent itself perfectly to the whole overall feeling of the story.
Austenland was a fun, quaint and lighthearted read.
Austenland was an absolute delight!
There are times when I want to read a book that is fun, light, entertaining and a quick read. Austenland fits that bill.
I really enjoyed the concept of this story, being able to live a moment in your life within a favorite story. I know, there is a few stories that I would like to experience first-hand…for a bit. So yeah, I enjoyed the concept of the story.
I enjoyed how the author set up Jane's life for me, the reader. I had a better understanding of her search, failures and lack of commitments before she entered the Austenland world. I felt like I knew why Jane romanticized Mr. Darcy...gosh, who am I kidding? I romanticized Mr. Darcy while reading and watching Pride and Prejudice. The difference is that I moved out of that romantic fantasy into a more realistic view. I did, however, have an understanding of Jane. I liked her and wanted her to come full circle in feeling worth. I wanted her to find Mr. Right in a solid real world footing.
The place, Austenland, itself is a very interesting concept. I felt Jane's trepidation and excitement for entering the Austenland world of 1816 while still remaining solidly in the 21st-century. I am very sure that I could not follow through in an Austenland vacation but gosh, it would be great to experience the flavor of that time-period in its real-time. Only for a time though.
I was glad to see that Jane stayed real to herself. I was glad that she was able to come to an understanding with herself that living in reality with all its flaws is far better than living within her fantasy. I was glad to see that she did not succumb (not completely anyways) to the manipulation of Austenland.
The ending was completely satisfying and lent itself perfectly to the whole overall feeling of the story.
Austenland was a fun, quaint and lighthearted read.
Austenland was an absolute delight!
happylilkt's review
3.0
This was pretty funny. A few of the lines made me laugh out loud. "The wallpaper hadn’t changed. Jane kept an eye on it all the same." So glad I finally read The Yellow Wallpaper last year so I could get that one... I might like the movie better but this was still a fun read.
jwolfpack's review against another edition
5.0
A delightful romp in Regency England but also the 21st century. I'd seen the movie first so I knew exactly what to expect but I must say the book has a lot more depth which I appreciated. Beautiful prose, too!
lmorgen's review against another edition
3.0
Austenland is a fun, harmless romp into the world of Jane Austen. Perfect winter break read, it's light, refreshing, and romantic.
Jane Hayes wants nothing more than to find her own Mr. Darcy. She goes on vacation to Austenland, where she slips seamlessly into her character of Miss Erstwhile. She lives like Jane Austen's heroines, eating the same fare, reading the same books, and swooning over dreamy gentlemen. Martin the gardner and Mr. Nobley both catch her fancy. However, Jane has to work her way through the desires of her heart, and the realization that all the characters around her are actors.
At times, the plot gets a bit dull and flat, but overall, Austenland does not disappoint. If you love Jane Austen's work, and wish you could live in Regency England, I would highly recommend Austenland!
Jane Hayes wants nothing more than to find her own Mr. Darcy. She goes on vacation to Austenland, where she slips seamlessly into her character of Miss Erstwhile. She lives like Jane Austen's heroines, eating the same fare, reading the same books, and swooning over dreamy gentlemen. Martin the gardner and Mr. Nobley both catch her fancy. However, Jane has to work her way through the desires of her heart, and the realization that all the characters around her are actors.
At times, the plot gets a bit dull and flat, but overall, Austenland does not disappoint. If you love Jane Austen's work, and wish you could live in Regency England, I would highly recommend Austenland!
lovelyloro's review against another edition
4.0
I laughed myself silly! This is the best piece of "literary fluff" I've read in awhile!
niknak44's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sereia8's review against another edition
4.0
Jane Austen and Shannon Hale are two of my favorite authors, so I was excited to read this book. I greatly enjoyed Shannon's tongue-in-cheek humor and the twist ending. A fun book.
pilateschick's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't care for the book, but I loved the author's dedication: "For Colin Firth -- You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends.