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Austenland [Hardcover]

Shannon Hale
3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)

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Book Description

29 May 2007

Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man-perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

In this addictive, charming and compassionate story, Shannon Hale brings out the Jane Austen obsessive in all of us.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.


Product details

  • Hardcover: 197 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (29 May 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1596912855
  • ISBN-13: 978-1596912854
  • Product Dimensions: 21.9 x 14.6 x 2.1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 526,819 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

Adorable! This is the best tribute to obsessed Austen freaks (like me) that I've ever read (Stephenie Meyer )

Gloriously satisfying. (Glamour )

Allow me to direct you to the best Austen tribute since Karen Joy Fowler's The Jane Austen Book Club: Shannon Hale's clever and imaginative Austenland ... Hale's charming first book for adults is chick lit with soul (Bookpage )

Funny, moving and a real surprise (USA Today ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Book Description

The funny, charming novel set at a Jane Austen fantasy camp for women, from New York Times-bestselling author Shannon Hale. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun! 9 Dec 2010
By Damaskcat HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am always fascinated by Jane Austen related books so I had to give this one a try. The idea is an intriguing one. Jane Hayes is obsessed with all things Austen. Her great aunt feels she will never find happiness unless she gets over her obsession and stops comparing every man she meets with Mr Darcy. When she dies she leaves Jane an all expenses paid trip to England to spend three weeks in a country house living like Jane Austen's heroines did to try and rid her of her obsession.

Jane is renamed Jane Erstwhile and finds herself amongst a group of people - some of whom are actors and some are, like her, on holiday. She is kitted out with appropriate clothes and given a whole sheaf of instructions about how to behave. At first Jane finds it all a bit difficult and considers giving up and going home. But then she finds herself sinking into the whole experience. I thought the tension between the real people and the fantasy was very well done. I did enjoy the book and like Jane I found myself confused between whether people were acting in character or being themselves. I loved the idea of `Austenland' and wonder whether there really are such experiences available.

Overall this is an intriguing book and I liked the characters - especially trying to work out whether people were acting in character or being themselves. The dialogue was realistic and could have come from an historical novel set in the early 19th century. I found the emotions Jane experienced convincing and I loved the ending - it's absolutely perfect. Yes there are minor inaccuracies but they didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars FAVORITE BOOK ALERT! 6 Nov 2011
Format:Kindle Edition
I have only just moments ago finished Austenland and I am still in its lovely bubble. I feel euphoric actually. Like I have taken a drug and don't ever want to stop. Shannon Hale is a master writer. Not to mention she is hilarious. Bravo to her. I don't know how she did it? How did she make me feel like I was seconds from getting my first kiss. You remember the feeling? You're feeling lightheaded, butterflies are going rampant in your stomach, and your breath is quickening. Yet, you are holding it for fear the moment will pass without you having that special kiss you long for? I remember that feeling, and it is in full glory throughout this book. I think I felt breathless for more than half of the book. I think this is the feeling, the reason, we women are addicted to all things Jane Austen. No need for smutty details in books, the light touch of his hand on the small of her back was enough to get me going!

I can not adequately express how much I enjoyed this book. I was fully engrossed in every page, and I think I'm going to have to have me a Jane Austen movie fest with the baby today. I'm in love with Mr. Nobely as much as I am in love with Mr.Darcy, and that is hard to do!

The dedication to the books read: "For Colin Firth: You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends." Isn't that hilarious!! Ha! My sister Amy said her dedication would read like this: "For Colin Firth, I'm already married, but I'd give it all up for you! Call me!"

Austenland is currently being made into a movie starring Kerri Russel and JJ Fields. Produced and financed by Stephenie Meyer. LOVE! I can't wait to see it!

Quote:
"What are you doing?"
"Ya!" said Jane, whirling around, her hands held up menacingly.
It was Mr. Nobley with coat, hat, and cane, watching her with wide eyes. Jane took several quick (but oh so casual) steps away from Martin's window.
"Um, did I just say, 'Ya'?"
"You just said 'Ya,'" he confirmed. "If I am not mistaken, it was a battle cry, warning that you were about to attack me.
I, uh..." She stopped to laugh. "I wasn't aware until this precise and awkward moment that when startled in a startled in a strange place, my instincts would have me pretend to be a ninja."
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Good fun read 3 Feb 2012
By Sarah Lambert TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a big Austen fan I was excited to read this book, I love the idea of Austenland where you can pretend to be a character in one of the books. I liked Jane, with her Mr Darcy obsession, and determination to get over it and concentrate on real life. She is bequeathed a holiday at Austenland by her great aunt and sets off to England to see if it will help her move on from Mr Darcy. She finds a strange mixture of people, some fellow tourists and others actors playing their prescribed parts. As she struggles to adapt to the way of life she begins to develop friendships, but are they real friends or just acting? This is a great, light-hearted read and I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of both Austen and chic-lit.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Does what it says on the tin
This was just what I expected. A light romp through Austen in a modern setting. The ending was apparent from quite early on, especially for avid Austeners, but as a light read it... Read more
Published 22 hours ago by JKP
5.0 out of 5 stars gain a great storyline
Wonderful characters lovely storyline great plot.Keeps you reading for hours. overly characters who interact wel throughout e story. Wonderful reading
Published 3 days ago by Libby
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad for light reading
Having watched the tv series Lost in Austen loads of times I thought I would give this a go - mmm not a bad read if you want something lightweight - there were a few laughs, the... Read more
Published 5 days ago by AmazonSurfer
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish!
Amazing am a big Austen addict!Does this place exist?If not someone make it happen!!I cannot wait for the film to be on general release. Read more
Published 8 days ago by CORINNE
3.0 out of 5 stars Plain silly
This was okay but a bit improbable! Not sure a modern girl would REALLY be so Darcy-orientated! However, it made quite an entertaining read whilst on hols.
Published 9 days ago by A. Norman
2.0 out of 5 stars Austenland
It wasn't great it is fair to say. I definitely wouldn't read any more from this author and I love Jane Austen and her works.
Published 10 days ago by Karen
2.0 out of 5 stars bit of a disappointment
Unoriginal with very little substance. I usually like even the rubbishy books but this was simply frustrating to read. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Miss L N Benton
5.0 out of 5 stars Something different to the usual
Hooked from the start. Loved the idea of a themed hotel, a different twist on the usual Austen based books. The story worked well and kept me guessing until the end. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Maz
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Could not get into this story. The more I read, the more unbelievable it became. Not sure what the author was aiming for but I just found it frustrating and pointless.
Published 12 days ago by Mrs. S. Dowson
2.0 out of 5 stars An interesting set-up...
The heroine is sent, thanks to a bequest from her great-aunt, on a kind of kill-or-cure immersion into the works of her favourite novelist (although she seems to prefer Miss Austen... Read more
Published 12 days ago by FatBat
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