Austenland by Shannon Hale
Austenland by Shannon Hale was a really cute story. My husband picked it up, read a page and said, “Colin Firth?! Is this serious? This book looks really girly.” Okay, so yes, it’s a bit girly. But in a fun way.
Jane is thirty-two, single, a graphic designer in New York City, and has been numbering her exboyfriends, all the way from one to thirteen. Oh, and let’s not forget, she hides her BBC DVD’s of Pride and Prejudice, fearing that people will find out about her ongoing obsession with Mr. Darcy played by Colin Firth. Jane’s late Aunt wills to Jane a vacation like none other. For three weeks she will be transported back in time at Pembrook Park in Kent, England. She trades in her jeans, t-shirt, bra and panties for an empire wasted dress (I do admit, I love these clothes!), corset, and grannie style underwear. Will she find true love? Will she find her Mr. Darcy?
I can completely picture this book as a romantic comedy movie. It played like one throughout the whole book. Especially, the ending. I honestly did not see the twist coming, so I was pleased. I would love to see this on the big screen. Overall, a fun book. This was my first Shannon Hale book. I have A Book of a Thousand Days sitting on my shelf right now, and have been told Goose Girl is even better. I look forward to reading both of these. Have you read this book? Any Shannon Hale favorites I should read?
Visit Shannon Hale’s website.
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Tags: A-D Author, book club, chick lit, E-H Author, England, female author, Fiction, IRL book club selection, LDS author, published 2007, Utah author
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[...] reviews Austenland by Shannon Hale and The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim [...]
on February 22nd, 2008 at 12:02 pmI need a book that will take me away and this sounds like an excellent possibility.
Thanks for the review.
on February 23rd, 2008 at 5:29 amI really enjoyed Austenland, too. A movie would be fun! With a Colin Firth cameo!! It’s been several years since I read Goose Girl, but I liked it okay, and Book of a Thousand Days is very different from Hale’s other retellings. She has another adult book in the works right now, The Housewife and the Actor, or something like that…
on February 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 am(Followed the link through Semicolon.) Absolutely! I TOTALLY enjoyed this book and could see it as a chick flick in my head. This is just a fun, “girly”, relaxing book! Glad to hear you enjoyed it also.
Thanks for your review!
on February 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 amDEb – This book certainly does take you into another time. Makes you wonder which is better. Romance now or romance back then?
Noel – Ah, a Colin Firth cameo would be great! I know Hale is also working on a graphic novel with her husband as well.
Carrie – Chick flick all the way. I could just picture the whole ending played out on the big screen. It was fun.
on February 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 pmI’m a huge Hale fan. Goose Girl is wonderful, but my favorite is “Princess Academy.” “Book of a Thosuand Days” is sitting on the shelf. (sigh)
on February 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 pmFramed – After you recommended Princess Academy to me earlier I have put it on hold at the library. I’m still waiting though, hope to have it soon.
on February 24th, 2008 at 1:21 pmThanks for the link to your review – I’ve heard so many good things about Austenland that I’m going to grab a copy from my library tonight!
on February 26th, 2008 at 3:42 pmStephanie – Now I’m nervous! I hope you enjoy it especially after your disappointment with The Jane Austen Book Club. I’m already looking forward to your review.
on February 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pmHuge Austen fan! And CF! Would THIS book work with high school? Are there any “forbidden” scenes in this one?
on March 4th, 2008 at 6:24 pmJan – Oh yes! This is one of the cleanest books I have read in a really, really long time. It was like a breathe of fresh air. Since you already read and commented on my “How Come Good Literature Has to be Ruined by Bad Sex?” post than you know how much I’m irritated with graphic sex details in books nowadays. I actually thought it was funny because I thought for a thirty something year old character in Austenland, the most details we get is “well, after making out . . . ” Shannon Hale is a very clean author. You couldn’t go wrong with anything she writes.
on March 4th, 2008 at 10:45 pmI LOVED this book too! I definitely agree that it should be made into a movie; I’m waiting patiently! I also agree that its cleanness was a breath of fresh air!
on March 29th, 2008 at 10:41 amChristina – Welcome to my blog! I haven’t heard anything about movie, I would love to ask Shannon Hale if it’s even been considered. She’ll be at a Children’s Lit Fair thingie in May that I’d like to attend, if I get a chance to talk to her I’d love to ask.
on March 29th, 2008 at 2:52 pmI’ve just found your site and love it. I also really liked Austenland and have a review over at my book blog. I too was picturing it as a romantic comedy in my mind the whole time I read it.
on April 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 amI have just found your blog and enjoy your comments. I also just “found” Shannon Hale’s books. I liked Austenland and Princess Academy. Her books remind me of another author I love Eva Ibbotson.
on April 19th, 2008 at 1:46 amI haven’t read Princess Academy yet but I have it on hold at the library and am really looking forward to it.
on April 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pmI read this earlier this year, and reviewed it on my joint blog here:
http://ratherread.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/austenland-by-shannon-hale/
I really enjoyed it a lot and thought she did a pretty good job of building on Pride and Prejudice. I loved the verbal sparring between the two main characters. It has not spurred me on to read more Shannon Hale though, I’m not sure why.
on April 27th, 2008 at 12:36 pmHere’s my review of the book:
http://agirlwalksintoabookstore.blogspot.com/2008/04/review-austenland-by-shannon-hale.html
on May 5th, 2008 at 9:39 am[...] Shannon’s Hale’s blog, my Austenland review, and my Book of a Thousand Days [...]
on May 22nd, 2008 at 12:06 amI haven’t had the privilege to read this yet, but it certainly is on my TBR list! I love Shannon Hale!
on May 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 amThis was my first Shannon Hale novel and it was so good that I read it twice! I wish this would become a movie!
on August 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm[...] all folks. Read my reviews of Austenland, Book of a Thousand Days, Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Read my reviews of Story of a Girl [...]
on August 25th, 2008 at 12:23 am[...] a book review coming soon. I’ve got her Bayern series in the TBR pile, but have reviewed Austenland, Princess Academy and Book of a Thousand [...]
on September 8th, 2008 at 8:50 pmwell everybody, it turns out it is going to be a movie… i was disappointed to learn that stephanie meyer was going to produce it, but i was also very excited to learn that the leading actors were in my favorite movies! i cant wait to see how this turns out oh and btw… im starting the book tonight!
on July 6th, 2011 at 8:11 pm