Book #42: Austenland
Austenland, by Sharon Hale was recommended to me by one of my mother's high school friends. My mom's friends and I seem to have a lot in common. I did enjoy reading Austenland, but not as much as I had at first hoped and expected. As you've probably already read, or guessed, I'm a pretty big fan of Jane Austen, and in particular, a big fan of her principle work, Pride and Prejudice. I enjoy reading "sequels" to this novel, but they never seem to stack up to my expectations. Austenland was no exception.
The plot was engaging, even witty in spots, but I missed the playful banter between Elizabeth Bennet and her co-star fellows. Instead, I read mundane passages where Jane (the principal participant at Austenland) blundered through the days and somehow managed to end up with her "Mr. Darcy." I will say this for Sharon Hale's work, however. I could relate to it. Even though it was completely fantasy-land, dream-scape, romance at the end, I related to all the other parts. It's sad to say, but absolutely true. I greatly related to this truth, stated by Jane's great-aunt Caroline: "Things aren't working out so well, and each time the men in your life disappoint, you let Mr. Darcy in a little bit more. Perhaps you've come to the point where you're so attached to the idea of that scoundrel, you won't be satisfied with anything less."
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Kelly <3