Austenland
by Shannon Hale
Thirty-something, Jane Hayes, has never had much luck in love. While she claims to be disinterested, deep in her heart she knows she is secretly measuring each man against a very high standard–the one and only, Mr. Darcy. Apart from her fascination with the Jane Austen books, she has also watched the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series more times than she’d care to admit. When Jane is given an opportunity to spend three weeks immersing herself in Jane Austen’s world at an exclusive experience/stay called Austenland, Jane hopes this will be her chance to finally say good bye to her fantasy. With all the outfits and dinners and twists and turns of an Austen novel, Jane finds herself wavering between finally living out her daydreams and realizing maybe, just maybe, reality, even with its disappointments, might be better.
As with so many books I’ve read and reread, I have the amazing gift of a forgetful memory. And so, on the most recent reread of Austenland, I found myself staying up late each night to read just one more chapter to find out what happens. Having also just rewatched the BBC Pride and Prejudice twice in the last few weeks (at the request of our six-year old), I found this book all the more fun. Thank you again, Shannon Hale.
P.S. Gotta love Ms. Hale’s letter to Colin Firth.