Austenland by Shannon Hale

As you can see from my previous post, I haven't done much reading for relaxation awhile.  But, I hadn't read the Bible in about 2 weeks (I was behind, I'm caught up, more on that later) and we went to the bookstore upon our return from vacation.  I bought three books, and this one was the shortest, so I thought I would start with it. 

Genre: Fiction                                              Pages:194

Let me start by saying I have not read any Jane Austen books cover-to-cover, and I have not watched any of the movies... My roommate in college, M, watched the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice, so I have seen parts of it, but never the whole thing.  I know, this apparently makes me not a real girl...

This book starts out with Jane (yes... she even share her name) being single and obsessed with Colin Firth a la BBC's Pride and Prejudice.  She's dated some terrible boys, but she holds all men to the standard of Jane Austen heroes.  None, can compare, obviously.  Her great-aunt leaves her trip to "Austenland" (not actually what it's called in the book, but you get the gist) in her will, and Jane decides to go, one last Hurrah before she swears off men altogether and gives up the Jane Austen Fantasy.

This place is a three week retreat of sorts.  There are three other ladies that are there as well, everyone else is an actor and they pretend they are from the Austen-era (circa early 1800s).  The women are supposed to fall in love, and the actor's make them feel cherished.  Jane can't really get into the whole "acting/play" part of the scenario and spends the first quarter of the book fretting and just letting go and enjoying herself.  There are really four men that Jane has talked to:  Capt. East (A captain who was already engaged at one point to one of the other girls), Mr. Nobley (a snobbish brute), Martin (the Gardner), and Colonel Andrews (a very handsome, witty gentleman). She gets to know each of the men in turn (no... not like THAT!)  and she finally finds herself and what she wants by the end of this.  There is also some friction with the lady who runs the retreat, as she knows Jane will never return because she couldn't afford to.  She's basically tries to ruin the trip for Jane and get her kicked out (because of the no electronics rule). 

All in all, I would give this book 4/5 stars for what it is.  It's a fun, quick, summer read that was predictable, but I still smiled at the end.  :)

Bible Update:  I am more than half finished (good thing, since we are more than half way through the year.  I just started Ecclesiastes last night.  Thus far, my favorite Book has been the Book of Proverbs).