What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
Mass Market Paperback 352 pages
published by Sourcebooks Casablanca in 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1402218316
Type: {Beach Read: fluffy, mindless, easy to read}
Rating: {Me Likey: Enjoyable! Particularly for fans of this genre}
Why You’re Reading It:
- Your looking for a light, easy read
- Fantastical elements are enjoyable to you in romance novels
- The Regency era strikes your fancy
- You can’t resist anything having to do with Jane Austen
What I Thought:
Time travel, romance, and Jane Austen. Three things that always catch my attention. So, when I saw that Cass had liked this book (she who does not often like frivolous literature) I decided I needed to give it a try. I was surprised by the cover — the hard body of a man overshadowing the stately home beneath it — it’s not often that I put Jane Austen and a bodice ripper cover into my mind at the same time.
Eleanor Pottinger, a costume designer, who is starting her own company making Regency inspired dresses, arrives in England at the a Jane Austen Society gathering to show her dresses. After being cheated on by her fiance, she wants a new start… and she gets one. After being put in the tower of the Twixton Manor Inn (a room haunted by the two sisters, Deirdre and Mina, who used to inhabit them while they were alive) Eleanor is besieged by the young women to go back in time and save their brother, Teddy, from dying in a duel. Not that Eleanor has much choice in the matter, but she is appeased when she finds out that Deirdre and Mina were acquainted with Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra, and going back in time would allow her to meet her favorite author. Once back in Regency time, Eleanor meets Shermont and things heat up. Someone is a spy for Napoleon, who is it? Somehow Teddy and Shermont get into a duel that ends in the death of Teddy and Eleanor has to stop it, but how? Can Shermont and Eleanor fall for each other? And will Eleanor get a moment to speak to Jane Austen? These are the questions the author poses throughout the story.
Though frivolous indeed (and a tad on the long side for this type of novel) who doesn’t need a little frivolity in their lives? Complete with romance, bodice ripping, Jane Austen herself, and surprises at the ending, What Would Jane Austen Do is a mindless, easy read. Just do yourself a favor and don’t think to much while reading it… it’s more of a romance novel than a piece of substantial historical fiction.
Wallace, I must admit that when I first noticed this book under your heading I’m Reading, I was rather surprised. I think it was the exposed chest that rather surprised me – it just seemed like those cheesy romance novels that contain words like “throbbing loins” or “his eyes burned with desire” or some such craziness and well I didn’t think you would read that kind of book – not that I know you to know what you read. Perhaps it was just my book snobbery rearing its ugly head – although who am I to talk – I read Kinsella and Stephen King books. Anyhow, glad to see that the book turned out to be fun – sometimes those mindless fluff books are just what the doctor ordered. Crikey, this makes me think how easy it is to judge a book by its cover. Anyhow, glad you posted about the book. Cheers
Yes! I thought the same thing when I saw it on Cass’s page. It is a bit of a romance (which is why that naked chest is on the cover) like you’re talking about… though leaning a bit towards the chick-lit side of the romance genre. I pretty much read everything except for horror (and only because that scares me so much I can’t sleep at night)! Haha, what can I say… I’m a sucker for anything that keeps me turning pages.
Wallace, this looks like something I might like.(I admit I’m a bit leery of Austen type take-offs.) And by the way, have you read AUSTENLAND?
It’s quite wonderful, especially the unexpected ending.
All I ask is that these things be well-written, and this one is.
I have read Austenland and loved it. Austenland is better than this one in my opinion, though this one is still entertaining.
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