Title: According to Jane
Author: Marilyn Brant
Publisher: Kensington
First sentence: I always thought Homer painted his character Odysseus as a real slow learner with that whole twenty-year-journey thing.
I had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn at an Eloisa James author signing at our public library. It was my first author visit and I got 2 authors out of it! When she found out that I had a book blog, she offered to send me a copy of According to Jane. I have to admit that I have never made it through Pride and Prejudice - more of a time thing rather than a lack of not wanting to - and still it languishes on my shelf. But no worries, you do not have to have read Pride and Prejudice to enjoy According to Jane. With all the different Jane Austen books out there right now I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. That and not having actually read Pride and Prejudice (and having met the author in person) made me a little worried about this one - I shouldn't have been. This was a delightful book to read.
I have been finished with this book for a couple of days now, and actually started writing this review yesterday morning - but it seems like the more I enjoy a book, the harder it is for me to write the review. I don't feel like I will be able to do the book or the author justice - but I will try.
We meet Ellie in the beginning of the book in her high school English class (in the mid 80's). Jane has just tsked, tsked her way into Ellie's head - It was so real to her that she actually looked around the room to see who was tsking. But fear not, Ellie is not portrayed as a "crazy" lady. Jane becomes a part of her life like a sister or a best friend would. Their conversations are humorous, thought provoking, and emotional - even though they all take place in Ellie's head.
I loved all the 80's references as that is when I was in high school and college. Talk about remembering all the teenage angst and crushes, and how easily one could get their feelings hurt or misunderstandings could start. What happens to Ellie in high school continues to shape her on her romantic journey through college and young adulthood. All the while, Jane keeps a running commentary going on as she lets Ellie know when she is disappointed or when the current beau is a Darcy or a Wickham.
You really must join Ellie on her journey to discovering the love of her life, and experience all of her romantic entanglements along the way. It would be nice if we all had our own Jane to keep us company when our romantic world seems to be in flux - even if she is not always right. . .
Excellent debut novel - can't wait to see what other books this author will bring!
Visit her website to learn more about Marilyn, or visit her on her blog - Brant Flakes.
According to Jane
Publisher/Publication Date: Kensington, Oct 2009
ISBN: 978-0-7582-3461-2
352 pages
5 comments:
Kristi,
Thank you! I'm so, so glad you liked it :). More than that, it was such a pleasure to meet you this summer, and I really hope we can cross paths again at the library! (I'll be doing a writing program at Warren-Newport on Dec. 8th on how to structure a novel...would love to see you, of course!) I've had a few issues with facebook lately, too. I'll find you and try the "friending" from my end. If it doesn't go through, though, please try me again!!
It is a lot easier to write a negative review for me as well. If I truly enjoy the book, I am always afraid that I will not give it justice when writing about it.
But I think you did in your review.
Nice review. I've heard a lot of good things about this novel.
I always like reading a book after meeting the author. Maybe I try a little harder to like it. I've read a few Jane Austen take offs and really enjoy them.
I also have a hard time writing reviews for books I love. Why is it so easy for me to be negative, I wonder!
I'm putting this on my TBR pile. Thanks for the review.
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