Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
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'Laurie Viera Rigler's Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict leads the field' The Times 'An enjoyable romp, stuffed with Austen prototypes ... highly diverting' Guardian Great fun ... I'm not ashamed to say that I spent a blissful day with it' Francesca Segal, Observer 'A charming novel ... Rigler writes beautifully' www.austenblog.com
Review
'Laurie Viera Rigler's Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict leads the field' The Times 'Fans of the ever-expanding inspired-by-Austen garden party will find a winner here' Publishers Weekly 'Rigler has done a lovely job, balancing the Regency fantasy with enough modern sass to avoid things cloying and also, crucially, making Courtney easy to relate to I'm not ashamed to say that I spent a blissful day with it' Observer 'A charming novel Rigler writers beautifully' www.austenblog.com
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I'll confess to being a Jane Austen fan -- I've read and reread her completed and incompleted works, her letters, read many of the Jane Austen pastiches (and will admit to really liking Stephanie Barron's & Carrie Bebris' Jane Austen mystery novels) and seen all the film realisations of her novels (but not "Becoming Jane Austen" -- one has to draw a line somewhere). I'll also confess to not having very high hopes about Laura Viera Rigler's "Confession of a Jane Austen Addict" -- after all this out-of-body/time travel plot motif is that has been utilised by quite a few Regency-era romance novelist before this, and might I add with better effect? But I did want to be proven wrong, and so checked the book out. And came to the conclusion that while "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" proved not to be as dire as I feared it would be, it was not quite the stellar read either.
Reeling from a broken engagement and the betrayal of her best friend, the last thing Courtney Stone expected was to wake up one morning and find herself in Regency England, trapped in another woman's (Miss Jane Mansfield) body. Shocked and concerned, Courtney desperately wants to return to her own life in L.A. but fate seems to have decreed that she remain in London for a while, leading Jane Mansfield's life. Can Courtney pull off this masquerade without anyone being the wiser? And what she should do about the real Jane's suitor, the dishy Mr. Edgeworth? Jane's masterful mother is determined that her daughter make a match of it with Mr. Edgeworth, but Jane seems to be strangely mistrustful of her very eligible and desirable suitor...
For me, the first few chapters of the book unfolded quite smoothly and rather well. I thought that the author did quite a good job of portraying Courtney's love of Jane Austen's novels and of the pain she suffered when she realised how much both her fiance and her best friend had each betrayed her. Where things fell apart for me was when I realised that Courtney may have read and reread Miss Austen's novels a great many times but except for the storyline, very little else stuck in her consciousness. Courtney seemed to have very little understanding about the manners and habits of the Regency period -- she made the kind of mistakes that even the most casual of readers would have avoided. And I don't think I'm being unnecessarily harsh here.
The other thing I kept wondering about, instead of losing myself in this novel, was what was going on at the other end, in L.A, where presumably Jane was inhabiting Courtney's body and leading her life. I found myself really wanting to know at once what was going on. Especially since Wes, as a romantic lead seemed more interesting than Mr. Edgeworth. I also kept wondering why Jane was still unmarried at thirty, and if there was some kind of back story as to why her character seemed so sheltered and unformed. These questions were never fully answered and rather took over my enjoyment of the book, which was a bit of a shame.
I'd have rated "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" a 3 star read except for that fact that what was going on "off stage" proved more interesting than what was unfolding before my eyes. And for that reason, I'd rate this novel as a 2 star read, and suggest actually rereading the excellent Miss Austen if you feel a need for a Jane Austen fix.
Reeling from a broken engagement and the betrayal of her best friend, the last thing Courtney Stone expected was to wake up one morning and find herself in Regency England, trapped in another woman's (Miss Jane Mansfield) body. Shocked and concerned, Courtney desperately wants to return to her own life in L.A. but fate seems to have decreed that she remain in London for a while, leading Jane Mansfield's life. Can Courtney pull off this masquerade without anyone being the wiser? And what she should do about the real Jane's suitor, the dishy Mr. Edgeworth? Jane's masterful mother is determined that her daughter make a match of it with Mr. Edgeworth, but Jane seems to be strangely mistrustful of her very eligible and desirable suitor...
For me, the first few chapters of the book unfolded quite smoothly and rather well. I thought that the author did quite a good job of portraying Courtney's love of Jane Austen's novels and of the pain she suffered when she realised how much both her fiance and her best friend had each betrayed her. Where things fell apart for me was when I realised that Courtney may have read and reread Miss Austen's novels a great many times but except for the storyline, very little else stuck in her consciousness. Courtney seemed to have very little understanding about the manners and habits of the Regency period -- she made the kind of mistakes that even the most casual of readers would have avoided. And I don't think I'm being unnecessarily harsh here.
The other thing I kept wondering about, instead of losing myself in this novel, was what was going on at the other end, in L.A, where presumably Jane was inhabiting Courtney's body and leading her life. I found myself really wanting to know at once what was going on. Especially since Wes, as a romantic lead seemed more interesting than Mr. Edgeworth. I also kept wondering why Jane was still unmarried at thirty, and if there was some kind of back story as to why her character seemed so sheltered and unformed. These questions were never fully answered and rather took over my enjoyment of the book, which was a bit of a shame.
I'd have rated "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" a 3 star read except for that fact that what was going on "off stage" proved more interesting than what was unfolding before my eyes. And for that reason, I'd rate this novel as a 2 star read, and suggest actually rereading the excellent Miss Austen if you feel a need for a Jane Austen fix.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A parcel of books from Amazon arrived the other day and inside it was a a paperback published in the USA, which I had totally forgotten ordering some time ago called Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler. I can only assume the title struck a chord as I know nothing else about it.
I open it up and what do I find? Courtney goes to sleep one night and wakes up to find she is inhabiting another body - one Jane Mansfield and has been transported back in time. Having just watched the first episode on TV this week of Lost in Austen, I felt a strong sense of deja vu. In the TV series, the time travelling heroine is Amanda Price - distressing lack or originality with the names; perhaps we could have had Emma Wentworth or Marianne Fairfax, or have Fanny and add the name of one of the maids at Longbourn - Hill. Fanny Hill, er perhaps not....
So which came first I ask myself, this book or the TV series or did reading this book give somebody the idea? The heroine here lives in Los Angeles, in Lost in Austen in Hammersmith. Only thing they have in common is that they both come from a big, sprawling, noisy, urban background and are transported back into Austen land, the land of country houses, embroidery and walking in the shrubbery.
The whole book is a bit of a hoot and enormous fun and while it is not going to set the world alight it is hugely entertaining and I can recommend it as a relaxing read and one which will not upset Jane purists (I consider myself one but after reading this and watching and liking Lost in Austen, I fear I have been guilty of presumption).
The heroine, Courtney, is a bit of a loser when it comes to men back in her own time and Los Angeles, having discovered her fiance playing away just before they are due to marry (he rather fancies the lady making their cake and is caught displaying more interest than is healthy in her royal icing) and is suffering from low self esteem and locked in the Bridget Jones Why Can't I find a Man syndrome? Seems to me that this kind of heroine seems to turn to Jane Austen and yearns after Darcy and Courtney is no different.
At first totally amazed and frightened to find there is no waking up from her dream she decides to make the best of it. Her father, a Mr Bennett figure married to a Mrs Bennett figure (only she is ghastly and malevolent, not just silly) is fond of her and as Courtney has never known her father, she begins to feel affection and love for him. She is being pursued by Mr Edgworth (no relation to Maria we are informed) but hears that he is a bit of a libertine and is frightened to become involved in another dead end relationship.
There is an amusing episode in the book when she hears a 'Miss Austen' being served in a shop in Milsom Street and races after her to tell her 'I love your books and am a big fan' and starts to chat to her about Mansfield Park which has yet to be published. Courtney then goes on to tell her that in 200 years time here books will be universally popular, scholars will discuss her plots and style and that there will be film and TV adaptations of her books and so on. Of course, Jane Austen thinks she is dealing with a mad woman and hastens away as quickly as possible. A conceit, but very funny.
It all ends happily, if improbably, with Courtney deciding to stop being a wimp and to take control of her life and marry the man of her choice. But where does she find her happiness? Longbourn or LA?
You will have to read the book to find out. Great fun.
I open it up and what do I find? Courtney goes to sleep one night and wakes up to find she is inhabiting another body - one Jane Mansfield and has been transported back in time. Having just watched the first episode on TV this week of Lost in Austen, I felt a strong sense of deja vu. In the TV series, the time travelling heroine is Amanda Price - distressing lack or originality with the names; perhaps we could have had Emma Wentworth or Marianne Fairfax, or have Fanny and add the name of one of the maids at Longbourn - Hill. Fanny Hill, er perhaps not....
So which came first I ask myself, this book or the TV series or did reading this book give somebody the idea? The heroine here lives in Los Angeles, in Lost in Austen in Hammersmith. Only thing they have in common is that they both come from a big, sprawling, noisy, urban background and are transported back into Austen land, the land of country houses, embroidery and walking in the shrubbery.
The whole book is a bit of a hoot and enormous fun and while it is not going to set the world alight it is hugely entertaining and I can recommend it as a relaxing read and one which will not upset Jane purists (I consider myself one but after reading this and watching and liking Lost in Austen, I fear I have been guilty of presumption).
The heroine, Courtney, is a bit of a loser when it comes to men back in her own time and Los Angeles, having discovered her fiance playing away just before they are due to marry (he rather fancies the lady making their cake and is caught displaying more interest than is healthy in her royal icing) and is suffering from low self esteem and locked in the Bridget Jones Why Can't I find a Man syndrome? Seems to me that this kind of heroine seems to turn to Jane Austen and yearns after Darcy and Courtney is no different.
At first totally amazed and frightened to find there is no waking up from her dream she decides to make the best of it. Her father, a Mr Bennett figure married to a Mrs Bennett figure (only she is ghastly and malevolent, not just silly) is fond of her and as Courtney has never known her father, she begins to feel affection and love for him. She is being pursued by Mr Edgworth (no relation to Maria we are informed) but hears that he is a bit of a libertine and is frightened to become involved in another dead end relationship.
There is an amusing episode in the book when she hears a 'Miss Austen' being served in a shop in Milsom Street and races after her to tell her 'I love your books and am a big fan' and starts to chat to her about Mansfield Park which has yet to be published. Courtney then goes on to tell her that in 200 years time here books will be universally popular, scholars will discuss her plots and style and that there will be film and TV adaptations of her books and so on. Of course, Jane Austen thinks she is dealing with a mad woman and hastens away as quickly as possible. A conceit, but very funny.
It all ends happily, if improbably, with Courtney deciding to stop being a wimp and to take control of her life and marry the man of her choice. But where does she find her happiness? Longbourn or LA?
You will have to read the book to find out. Great fun.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Being a Jane Austen addict myself I thought I would give this book a try. The heroine - Courtney, an all American girl from Los Angeles - wakes up one morning to find herself in the body of an early 19th century woman - Jane Mansfield. As Jane she is recovering from a riding accident. She has to try and learn about her new life and work out how to get back to the 21st century without landing herself in hot water. Fortunately her reading of Jane Austen stands her in good stead.
I found the book intriguing to read and I thought the author conveyed the sense of confusion Courtney/Jane felt very well. How would anyone get on if they were suddenly transported back two hundred years and to an unfamiliar country? The historical details were well done as were the differences in attitudes and behaviour and the way men and women were kept apart. I really cannot say much about the story without giving too much away. Suffice it to say there are some interesting characters and some familiar names to anyone who has read Jane Austen's novels. Worth reading if you like both historical fiction and Jane Austen
I found the book intriguing to read and I thought the author conveyed the sense of confusion Courtney/Jane felt very well. How would anyone get on if they were suddenly transported back two hundred years and to an unfamiliar country? The historical details were well done as were the differences in attitudes and behaviour and the way men and women were kept apart. I really cannot say much about the story without giving too much away. Suffice it to say there are some interesting characters and some familiar names to anyone who has read Jane Austen's novels. Worth reading if you like both historical fiction and Jane Austen
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Enjoyable story
I enjoyed this story of Courtney Stone, a modern LA girl, who wakes up one morning in Regency England in the body of Jane Mansfield. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Sarah Lambert
A girls dream or maybe not?
We all want our mr darcy but when faced with him and the living conditions at the time a doubt many people would still see such a rosy picture. Read more
Published 3 months ago by nina1985
LA girl meets Regency England in this literary culture clash!
I was very interested in reading this after enjoying 'Lost in Austen' on television a few years ago. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Miss E. Potten
A dire read
Big disappointmnent in every respect. The last 2 chapters I only skimmed through before flinging the thing into the wastepaper basket. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Nassrasierer
Loved it
I not one for reading frequently during the year. However, i was given this book in the summer and couldnt put it down. Read more
Published 21 months ago by V
Good Fun
Courtney Stone is a single, thirty year old living in 21st century L.A. However, one morning she wakes up in the body of Jane Mansfield, also a single thirty year old, the big... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2010 by Dot
Disappointment
I had high hopes for this book - not to be fulfilled. The idea is fantastic - imagine you wake up one morning and find yourself transported from 21st century LA to Regency England... Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by T. Ljubic-Brown
What women think of themselves
This is a simple message to all romance addict women:
Please, please, don't think your value lies in a single man's love... Read more
Please, please, don't think your value lies in a single man's love... Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2009 by Valentina Barbero
Light, fun read
Courtney Stone is a certified Jane Austen addict. She owns all the books and sinks into them every time she needs comfort, entertainment, or love. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2009 by M. K. Burton
A Terrible Disappointment!
Imagine that one day instead of waking up in your own bed, you wake up in someone else's bed, in someone else's body and in a completely different era, in Regency England to be... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by Ana Isabel Oliveira
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