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Austenland Book Review

Travel Back In Time to England's Regency Era

Nov 3, 2009 Beth Hinds

Jane Hayes' obsession with everything Jane Austen leads her to an English resort that replicates Regency era life for its patrons, complete with its own version of the br

Austenland, by Shannon Hale, introduces readers to thirty-two year old Jane. Jane is obsessed with the BBC productions of Jane Austen’s classics, particularly Pride and Prejudice. Jane’s wealthy elderly Great Aunt Carolyn finds Jane’s DVDs that she had shamefully hidden in her house plant and questions Jane about her obsession. Jane reveals that the fantasy world of Mr. Darcy is easier than dealing with everyday life.

Inheritance

After the death of Aunt Carolyn, Jane learns that she was left something in the will. Jane is given a packet by the estate attorney with a brochure that reads, “Pembrook Park, Kent, England. Enter our doors as a house guest come to stay three weeks, enjoying the country manners and hospitality-a tea visit, a dance or two, a turn in the park, an unexpected meeting with a certain gentleman, all culminating with a ball and perhaps something more…” Although Jane can find no interest on the internet and her friend Molly attempts to talk her out of it, she embarks on the journey to the all-inclusive resort.

Pembrook Park

Upon arrival, Jane is stripped of everything modern including her cell phone and MP3 player. The resort director, Mrs. Waddlesbrook, provides Jane with costumes, a rule book and the new surname of Erstwhile. The following morning Jane is taken by carriage to an old English manor and thrust into Regency era life.

Regency Men

Jane meets one of the employees of the resort who plays the role of Mr. Nobley. Mr. Nobley’s character is the embodiment of everything Mr. Darcy, from his roguish good looks to his smug attitude. Colonel Andrews is friendly and high-spirited much like Mr.Bingley from Pride and Prejudice. Jane bonds first with the gardener, Theodore, whom she breaks resort rules with by watching American baseball on TV and drinking canned root beer. Throughout her stay she grows more and more intrigued by Mr. Nobley. Things fail miserably with Theodore and Mr., Nobley or so Jane thinks.

Love at Last?

Jane is at the airport, jaded once again by love and headed back to America. She is paged to the airline desk only to find that both Theodore and Mr. Nobley have come to profess their love for her. So does she choose the rule breaking Theodore or the handsome Mr. Nobley? Jane’s life is changed by her experience at Pembrook Park.

Austenland is a fun sexy romp through an experience much like reality television. What thirty-something girl hasn’t ever fantasized about escaping her everyday life and being swept off her feet by a man from another, much more romantic time? Anyone who has ever read and enjoyed Austen’s Pride and Prejudice will love this book.

Hale, Shannon. Austenland. Bloomsbury. 2007.

The copyright of the article Austenland Book Review in American Fiction is owned by Beth Hinds. Permission to republish Austenland Book Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Austenland Book Cover