"Austenland"

I have recently finished listening to the audiobook "Austenland" by Shannon Hale. I was introduced to the author by one of my friends who had recommended a different book written by her ("The Goose Girl", a children's book) and I really liked it. The next time I browsed Audible.com I looked up Ms. Hale to see what other books were available by her. Since I have been reading Jane Austen's books and watching movies about her books, "Austenland" caught my eye.

The setting is present day; the main character, Jane Hayes, is a 32-year-old graphic artist who lives in NYC. She has had a run of bad luck with boyfriends since high school and has turned to a secret fantasy land, trying to find Mr. Darcy of "Pride & Prejudice" fame in each boyfriend.

Jane's rich great aunt visits and finds out about Jane's obsession with Mr. Darcy and Miss Austen's characters. After the great aunt dies Jane finds out that she has been named in the will. Jane doesn't get any money but she "inherits" a three-week all-expenses paid trip to "Pembrooke" in England. Pembrooke is a full immersion getaway where there are actors portraying characters from Austen's stories. Upon arriving at the manor, Jane has to relinquish her cell phone, her contemporary clothes, and her manner of speaking in modern day English. The client (Jane) must dress, act and live as a woman would in 1816.

The novel tells about Jane's adventures at Pembrooke over her three week visit. Anyone who likes the Jane Austen books would enjoy this cute story.