Austenland

Austenland by Shannon Hale

In an ode to the deliciously romantic Jane Austen, Hale writes Austenland. Jane is a 32 year old single girl. None of her 13 boyfriends can seem to match up to Mr. Darcy (Fitzwilliam Darcy for you Darcy lovers) of Austen's lovely imagination or the Mr. Darcy of the legendary BBC epic played by Colin Firth. (Good movie.) Jane's aunt sees her woeful niece unable to have real relationships because of her obsession. In her will, she leaves Jane a holiday to Austenland. Jane will travel to England and become immersed in the life and times of the Austen era.
Jane decides to go and give in to her fantasy one last time before she gives it all up and becomes a spinster. She and other guests are able to live in a lovely historical home in a beautiful park where they dress in empire waists and speak Austenese. Actors portray the courting gentlemen and the home owners. Things begin to change for Jane when she can't tell if the actors are acting or real. She realizes that she may be able to give up on Mr. Darcy but not ever having a man in her life again is another story.
Jane falls for the Gardener and has some tasty make out sessions in his gardener quarters. When things get too serious for him.......Jane goes back to full time Austenland and the irritating Mr. Nobley. Mr. Nobley and Jane do not mesh well but he seems like her most likely suitor since the other men have paired off with the other guests.
I totally enjoyed this book. It is a far cry from the other Hale books I have read (Enna Burning, Goose Girl and Princess Academy) It is full of humor and wit. I don't think you really have to enjoy the real Jane Austen that much to enjoy this book.
Rating 4
Rating G