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Title: Austenland: A Novel
ISBN: 1596912855
Author:
Shannon Hale
Publicate Date: 2007-05-29
Publish: 2007-05-29
List Price: $19.95
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.90
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $2.50
Amazon Merchant Price: $13.57
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Fun, Easy, Quick
This is a great little quick read to brighten your day. It is laugh-out loud darling especially if you are an Austen Fan!
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2: Great modern day twist..
My daughter bought this book and said I HAD to read it! I was a bit skeptical, as I thought it was a period piece. Was I surprised! Ms Hale combines a love for Jane Austen in a modern day setting. I won't go into the actual plot, as I don't want to give too much away! Just be assured that it is a clever, fast read, with a great cast of characters. I am recommending this book to all my gal friends.
As far as any other book that Ms. Hale has written, after researching this, I found that her other books to date were young adult or grammar school level. I sure hope she writes some other adult reading level books. Tally ho!
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3: sweet and quick read (perfect for vacations)
This was a great quick read about a girl who lived part of her life in reality (has a job she doesn't quite like, and boyfriends she refers to as numbers instead of names) and part of her life in Pride and Prejudice fantasyland (where she is looking for her Mr. Darcy). She is bequeathed, in a relative's will, a trip to Pembrook Park. Pembrook Park is a resort where female guests pretend to live in Jane Austen's time era (they have to talk the talk, live by the societal etiquittes of that day, wear the clothes, etc.) At the resort are also actors who pretend to be the guests relatives and, hopefully, love interests. In fact, one of the reasons some of these women go to Pembrook Park is to have forbidden love trysts (especially since they know there will be no strings attached). Jane is reluctant to go, especially as she is not really looking for love; but she finds herself torn between two men, Martin (a gardener) and Mr. Nobley (a Mr. Darcy-like character).
One reason I thought the book was interesting was the fact that these actors were so in character throughout Jane's stay at Pembrook Park, it was hard to distinguish reality and acting. In fact, Jane has this feeling as well. It was interesting to see how deep the pretenses of Pembrook Park really reached (and to find out what was real and what was not). Also, the author, in between each chapter, included brief summaries of each boyfriend (and the inbetween boys) that Jane encountered throughout her life.
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4: A very enjoyable book
I really enjoyed this book. I had no expectations of a masterpiece and was not disappointed in that respect. Shannon Hale tells the story of Jane, a closet Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth admirer. Jane hides her A&E Pride & Prejudice DVD set behind her houseplants so as not to give herself away. However, her great aunt discovers her secret and forces a confession from her. Months later the same great-aunt leaves Jane a bequest in her will - an all expenses paid 3-week trip to a Jane Austen fairyland in the English countryside where Jane can totally immerse herself in Austen's time and characters. Will Jane finally kick her Darcy obsession? Will she find true love? Will her bust pop out of the top of those regency dresses? You'll have to read the book to find out. This book is well written in a fun, casual style and I enjoyed the whole thing. It is a fairly quick read, you can probably polish it off in one evening with little effort.
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5: Loved It!!!
If you like Jane Austen's works and feel that Pride and Prejudice is without a doubt the BEST love story ever, then this is a book for you. I can't wait to read it again!
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