Three weeks in Austenland, a role-playing vacation destination is just what Jane needs, she thinks, to rid herself of the male ideal (like Mr. Darcy in P&P). Maybe that’s what’s been keeping her from finding her “one”. Once there though, she’s by turns uncomfortable with the unreality of it and really into the role-playing. The “gentlemen” are paid actors. She hooks up with the “gardener” and the Darcy-ish “Mr. Nobley” woos her but is anything real? Does either of these men actually love her? Does she want them to? Each chapter begins with a short blurb about a past boyfriend and a sorry lot they are. It seems she has been duped or dumped in every possible way. Overall the book is fun and there are plenty of laughs. The scene where Jane takes her turn on the pianoforte elicited one of the biggest laughs I’ve had from a novel. The movie has already been produced and is at Sundance this year and will be distributed by Sony after that, produced by (another Austenophile) Stephenie Meyer.

posted Jan 24, 2013 at 10:52AM

 Add a Comment