Series ~ Austenland #1
Author ~ Shannon Hale
Release Date ~ May 29, 2007
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Bloomsbury USA
Source ~ Emily’s Reading Room
GOODREADS SUMMARY
Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined.
Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen; or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?
REVIEW
Austenland is a resort for Mr. Darcy fanatics. Upon arriving, you step back to the enchanting time of fancy ball gowns, enormous estates, and luxuries beyond compare. Following the strict rules of high-brow society, guests are treated to a realistic version of the world Jane Austen created in her books. Dreamy! Go ahead and admit that you think it sounds awesome too.
When her Aunt Carolyn passes away, she leaves Jane with a paid vacation to Austenland. This is the most amazing gift that anyone could possibly give to Jane. You see, Jane is obsessed with Mr. Darcy and also Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. Following a string of unfortunate romances, no man can compare to Mr. Darcy in Jane’s eyes.
When she arrives in Austenland, Jane is simply hoping to take a break from reality in the make-believe setting. Instead, she finds that perhaps there is a guy who lives up to her high ideals. And, perhaps, his name is not Mr. Darcy. Isn’t that just the sweetest plot ever?
Shannon Hale is one of my all-time favorite authors. Her books are ones that I read over and over again. Austenland will be one of those special books. Even better, Midnight in Austenland releases next year. I am counting the days.
RATING
5 Loved
COVER COMMENTS
How cute! I love the huge estate and Jane arriving for her vacation. Look at that gorgeous blue sky. Even that little swirl above the title is regal.
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