Austenland: A Novel

Shannon Hale, in a departure from her usual Young Adult genre, has created a delightful story about a woman whose obsession with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is ruining her romantic life. Jane Hayes is in love with Mr. Darcy, but then again aren’t we all. When a wealthy relative dies, she leaves Jane an all expenses paid vacation in Austenland, a role-playing “theme park” of sorts where Regency England comes alive for the exclusive clientele looking for romance. But as Jane immerses herself in life at the glorious estate of Pembrook Park, she finds herself drawn more to what she believes is real, than to the fantasy to which she has always clung.

Hale makes the transition to adult “chick lit” beautifully. Her characters are warm, well developed and identifiable, sometimes disturbingly so. From the “ugly American” ironically named Miss Charming to the dashing gentlemen of Austen’s novels she unfolds stories, some real and some not, straight out of Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Persuasion.  Austenland is a lovely fun read that would fit perfectly as a beach book or paired with a warm cuppa and a quiet afternoon.

Austenland: A Novel

Shannon Hale

Bloomsbury Publishing

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Review by Elyssa Edwards

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