Austenland: A Novel

Written by Shannon Hale

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

For every woman who's read Pride and Prejudice and sighed for Mr. Darcy: Austenland is a confection of a novel set at a Jane Austen fantasy camp for women, from New York Times–bestselling author and Newbery Honor Medalist Shannon Hale.

Jane is a young New York woman who never seems to find the right man—perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. When a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, however, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: May 29, 2007
• ISBN: 9781427201423

Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the Newbery Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Academy series, The Books of Bayern, Book of a Thousand Days, Dangerous, and the graphic novels Rapunzel's Revengeand Calamity Jack, as well as the Ever After High and Princess in Black series, and the upcoming The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl for Marvel. She also wrote three novels for adults, including Austenland, now a major motion picture starring Keri Russell. She and her husband, the author Dean Hale, have four children and live near Salt Lake City, Utah. www.shannonhale.com @HaleShannon

Reviews for Austenland

[Whitney Sivill · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I actually saw the movie before I read the book. Interestingly, there were quite a few things they did in the movie that improved what was in the book. Which is really weird to say because usually its the other way around. So its hard for me to be entirely unbiased when writing this review. As a book itself, it's cute. It's the equivalent of what I call popcorn cinema - no deep hidden meanings or sweeping themes. Just a good short read, especially if you're a fan of Jane Austen's books. My biggest disappointments with the book was there wasn't a big a build towards romance with Nobley and Jane as I would have thought there should have been. I felt like Jane could have relaxed and enjoyed herself more and the book would have been the better for it. Why be uptight when you've had your ultimate dream-fantasy dropped in your lap? Nobley overall was my favorite character, even though his backstory ends up being different from the movie's. I'd say, read the book if you're a rabid fan of Austen like I am. Watch the movie if you're more lukewarm.

[juva_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Jane, woman in her early thirties, realizes that her obsession with Austen novels is putting the brakes on her love life. If she can't give up her fantasy of Mr. Darcy, she may never find happiness with a real man.After the death of a wealthy relative, the protagonist is gifted an all-expense paid vacation to a unique theme park that recreates Regency life and manners. Perhaps a few weeks actually living out her fantasies will give her closure and insight so that she can finally let it go. But her last hurrah soon becomes more complicated than she imagined.

[kidsilkhaze · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Hayes is a graphic designer in New York and not getting any younger. She can't find a man to live up to the expectations set by one Mr. Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy in the Pride and Prejudice.If you understand the Colin Firth thing, this is the book for you. If you don't, well then you probably won't get it and might want to skip this one.So anyway, Jane is hung up on an illusion. When her wealthy great-aunt dies, Jane is left a trip to Penbrook Park, where you can pretend you're living in a Jane Austen novel for three weeks. Jane decides to take it as one last hurrah to kick the Firth habit for good. It'll work, right?I will warn you, this is completely different than Hale's other books. It doesn't have her normal literary writing style (because, let's face it, chicklit with literary writing style just doesn't work).That is not to say it isn't good. For those of us who understand the Colin Firth obsession, it's wonderful. Also, this is good chicklit. It's not as straightforward as it could be. I like that Penbrook Park was not as perfect as it sounded and was populated by desperate women. Hale really thought this through and didn't take the easy way out. Because, let's face it, Hale is awesome, even when writing chicklit.If the words "Colin Firth in a wet shirt" make you swoon, well then, this is the book for you. You'll be googling Penbrook Park in no time to see if it really exists...Also, check out the letter Ms. Hale sent to Mr. Firth with an ARC...

[sentryrose-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book suffers from poor reviews, so I almost didn't try it - and I am so glad I did! From the moment I started reading, I had to read during every spare moment I had. Austenland was a complete and total FUN read. It included interesting twists and turns, a surprise ending... and was simply a wrap-up-in-a-blanket escapism type of book.Thank you Shannon Hale!

[cornerdemon · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the few books I've had to put down before finishing it. In this case, I couldn't even get halfway through it before abandoning the whole thing.Previously, I have enjoyed Shannon Hale's books. So I decided to pick this one up even though it didn't fall into the same category as the Goose Girl or Princess Academy. After all, her writing style was quality. But this was really unenjoyable. The main character, aptly named Jane, is unlikable and whiny, so filled with herself that you wonder if there's room for romance.To make matters worse is the weird factor of her obsession. She's not an Austen buff, and not even really interested in anything other than Mr. Darcy as played by Collin Firth. It makes her desire to submerse herself in Austen's world that much more unbelievable.The "Austenland" itslf is awkward and not much fun. It's stiff and there are too few characters to get any real enjoyment out of. Finally, Hale's writing here seems lackluster. Many sentences are clunky and obtuse, and you don't feel any sense of urgency or even vague interest towards the characters. Unless you've got a Jane Austen fetish, I recommend passing on this one. And if you simply must try it, get it from the library.

[lisa17-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very silly, a little cringeworthy in places, but did make me laugh out loud quite a lot. And I didn't guess the ending. Perfect for a light, mindless read.

[melopher_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be...I've pretty much stayed away from Jane Austen rip-offs...but it wasn't all that great either. It provided a few hours' entertainment, had some funny parts, but also some that were painfully predictable/stereotypical.

[karstelincoln · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Classification: orange sherbet-- not quite as fleeting as cotton candy. Entertaining with a hint of something to contemplate. Compulsive, fun read.

[cassandra2020 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Austenland by Shannon Hale - ok

Non-challenging piece of fluffy chic-lit. Whiled away a day at my Dad's when I really wanted distraction without having to think.

I believe they've just made a film of it - I'll be giving it a miss!

[kiernanmaire · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book takes the standard chic lit formula (single career girl living in the city, unhappy, looking for a big strong man to come and save her) and take sit one step further. Instead of paying homage to Jane Austen, this book fully immerses the character in Austen’s world, sending her to a resort that simulates a regency era home, with breeches, heaving bosoms and all the other accompaniments.

Sounds silly, right? I think it’s meant to be. What would happen when someone enters an Austen book and realizes it is not all it is cracked up to be?

As a fan of Pride and Prejudice myself, I really wanted to enjoy this book. It seemed like Bridget Jones taken two steps further. It’s nicely written, funny, but I was never able to suspend my disbelief enough to believe that this resort could be real. It helps that the main character is also skeptical, but not enough for me to really root for her.

[deep220_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A must read for anyone that has dreamed of what it would be like to live in Regency England and live the life of Elizabeth Bennet. Austenland is the story of Jane a modern woman who should be in want of little in her life. Expect for the her lack of romance. When one has Mr. Darcy as a model man it can leave your relationships sadly lacking. Fortunately unpon the death of her Great Aunt, Jane is given a holiday to Austenland were all her dreams of Jane Austen may be able to become a reality.

[fionacat_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An amusing book. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. Jane Hayes has an obesssion with Mr. Darcy (more specifically, Mr Darcy as portrayed by Colin Firth in the BBC miniseries of Pride & Prejudice). Her great-aunt leaves her a vacation in her will -- a trip to England to stay at a country house where things are just as they were in Miss Austen's day. At one time Jane would have been thrilled to have the chance to step into an Austen novel, but lately she's been feeling that she needs to put her obsession behind her and get back to real life. She is ambivalent about the vacation and it seemed to me that the author was ambivalent about the plot as well. I did enjoy the book but the plot was a bit flat and the romance felt clunky to me. Still, it was fun to read about what it might be like to take a trip to "Austenland" -- something most Austen fans would jump at the chance to do.

[Sanet Fenster (Steyn) · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’ve read, listen to, and watched this book/movie several times now and I still love it. It’s not ground breaking or awe-inspiring... but it is light hearted, sweet, and leaves you with a happy, hopeful feeling. I’ll probably go through it a few dozen times (at least) more before getting it out of my system. It’s always a good go-to for the “I don’t quite feel like a too serious read right now” times.

[Alessandra · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At first I found it it a little slow and tedious for me because I wasn't a huge fan of the character "Jane" but as it went on it was interesting and fun to read what it might be like to live in the regency era if a trip like that actually existed and of course couldn't help rooting for yet another Darcy-esque character in the end which. So all in all it was a fun and entertaining read

[elliepotten · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book's been drifting on and off my reading radar for a while, when it first hit bookshop shelves and then again when the movie came out, but I finally picked up a copy from The Works this month and devoured it pretty much whole. It was a nice break from the relentless misery of my other read at the time - Lord of the Flies - and FAR better than I expected. It's about a Darcy-obsessed woman who travels to England to visit a holiday estate which promises a complete Austen experience - manners, men, a grand ball, and a happily ever after. Jane hopes to use it to purge herself of her life-squashing romantic fantasies - only to find that maybe she's not quite done with love and the Austen magic after all. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the sequel - same premise, new character - which I bought at the same time.

[wisewoman_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm finding that if I don't search the catalog beforehand and put audiobooks on hold, my local library's audio offerings are a little thin. At least, that's my excuse for listening to such a frivolous piece of unabashed chick lit as Shannon Hale's Austenland. I'd heard of it before, and thought the premise of a retreat to a 19th-century getaway complete with eligible gentlemen was a bit silly. But I've seen it recommended by some Austen fans and so, emboldened by the necessity of not being bored during my commute, I checked it out. Jane Hayes, age 33, is a woman with a secret. She has a Darcy obsession, and the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth is her guilty pleasure. When her Aunt Caroline dies and leaves her a non-refundable vacation at an Austen-era resort, Jane decides to seize the opportunity to permanently squash her fascination with Austen's heroes. She tells herself that it will be her last hurrah before embarking on a more sedate and sensible life. Haha. Once in Pembroke Park (or "Austenland," as Jane calls it), Jane is immersed in 19th-century culture, even down to her underthings. For three weeks she will eat Regency food, wear Regency clothes, converse in Regency speech, and flirt with Regency men. Jane is unsure about her part in the pageantry, but resolves to enjoy the time anyways. It's just a fling with a fantasy — right?The tone is wry and funny, which I enjoyed except when it veered into crass humor. Then it just got tiresome. Each chapter opens with a story of one of Jane's old boyfriends. Some were funny, some were boring, and most were predictable. They all ran together after awhile.I noticed a lot of padding too. Jane is constantly reminding herself of how she came to Pembroke Park to rid herself of her Darcy obsession by immersion therapy, she's now going to be a confident, relaxed woman, so-and-so is incredibly hot, etc. I don't mind hearing it a couple times but when this stuff is appended to every event in the book, it becomes annoying. And I'm not sure the whole idea of getting rid of an obsession by wallowing in it is all that sound to start with. Despite the general fluffiness of the story, Hale does make a good point about how devastating fangurlism can be. I've never experienced it personally, but I can see how a fangurlish obsession with Darcy would make real love hard to find. Really, the whole concept of Pembroke Park is disturbing. Hale writes near the end that it's a place where married women toy with the idea of having affairs. Nice. I'm not sure I could enjoy interacting with actors who were paid to pretend to like me. How could anyone really enjoy that? Unless you were always telling yourself that you were different from all the other women, that the handsome actors with period sideburns couldn't help but fall for you, etc. Ugh. In the end, I'm not entirely on one side or the other with this book. Parts were funny and enjoyable and cute, but overall I walked away feeling like it cheapened Austen's works somehow, injecting them with modern lust and insecurity. I can see how some readers would love this little romp, but others would be completely turned off. I'm kind of left saying, "eh, meh."

[smorton11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Austenland is one of the few books where I watched the movie before I read the book. Usually I have a hard stop rule against this, but… I really wanted to watch the movie when it came out. Mostly because I, like Laura, like Jane Austen, and secondly because I love Keri Russell who plays protagonist Jane. The movie was entertaining, and reminded me of another retelling of Pride & Prejudice I liked, Me & Mr. Darcy, a book I enjoyed in college.

I debated if the fact that I already knew how the story would end if I would enjoy reading the book after seeing the movie and I am happy to report that… I did! I never really harbored a Mr. Darcy fantasy as many of my friends growing up did, but I can appreciate him as a character and, while I wouldn’t want my husband to be anything like him, I can suspend reality for the sake of reading and lose myself in Jane’s world for a bit. It’s a fun read and Shannon Hale’s writing is always decent, her storytelling compelling.

Continuing my present audiobook obsession, I listened to Austenland and found that the reader, for the fact that she wasn’t Keri Russell, sounded a lot like Keri Russell, which made me really want to watch the movie. When I did, I was reminded of an incident in the film that, viewed now through the 2018 #MeToo lens, caused me to squirm. Jane is assaulted by an intoxicated male in the book, and subsequently in the movie. It is something that Jane does not report and it is not mentioned again after it happens. It just goes away because, terrifyingly, at the time, it was considered normal. Something that women just had to deal with – the unwanted and unencouraged advances of men they had no interest in. For a book just over 10 years old to treat such an event as normal, makes me simultaneously disheartened and elated. Disheartened that women had to go through these experiences without the expectation of any sort of help after they occurred, and elated, because times are finally starting to change.

[ms_rowse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This got me through many minutes on the treadmill and made me forget I was working out. I saw the movie before reading the book, and so many people said they enjoyed the movie more than the book. I liked them both equally. It's a fun read, easy to get into, and I'm a sucker for swoony dialogue (which Hale does well, without being cheesy). Would make an excellent beach read!

[jessicareadsthings · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not the worst romance I've ever read. I think my reaction to this book could be described as bemused resignation, perplexed because the character does about a hundred things I don't understand (all in the name of love), but along for the ride anyway.

[the_literary_jedi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel follows a young woman named Jane Hayes from New York who takes a trip to Austenland - an English resort catering to Jane Austen fanatics. Jane walks around dazed and confused as she tries to find a Mr. Darcy of her own.This was a cute spin-off novel that didn't get too bogged down with much frippery. You cringe at some of the situations Jane finds herself in but overall, very funny.

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Jane believes all her relationships have been ruined in part because no man will ever live up to her ideal of Colin Firth playing Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. Then a wealthy relative leaves Jane an unusual inheritance -- an all-expenses paid trip to visit an exclusive manor house that has become an attraction where women can play at Regency romance. With so much falsehood put into the premise, can Jane trust her feelings when she develops attractions to the men who work there? Or should she just give up her dream of Mr. Darcy once and for all?There's a lot of Jane Austen fan fiction out there but this one has a particularly clever premise -- rather than simply re-telling Pride and Prejudice for the umpteenth time, it's set in the modern day with folks just play-acting at being Austen-inspired characters. However, I felt that it didn't quite live up to its promise. For starters, I didn't really have connection/interest with any of the characters, including Jane who seemed to lack a personality beyond 'likes Jane Austen.' In the end, the romantic plotline is still essentially Pride and Prejudice, so it was fairly predictable, although Hale managed to throw in a few twists and turns that made me doubt where it was going at times. The audiobook narrator certainly threw herself into making varied and distinct voices, but it almost seemed overdone. The characters felt far too much caricatures with some of the voices she gave them. That being said, it was nice to have something light and entertaining read as a break from a lot of the heavier stuff that I usually tend to read.However, I ended up watching the film version just hours after finishing the book and it was one of those rare examples where the movie was actually better than the book. I'd recommend that to folks over reading this.

[stephanie_m-868484 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I usually don't believe a review when I read one that says a book is "delicious," but that's the only word I can think of to describe Austenland by Shannon Hale. A chocolaty Bon-Bon of a novel, that doesn't make you gain an ounce.

The book is set in modern Manhattan and England where a thirty-something, single graphic artist faces her unrealistic love for a fictional Mr. Darcy (of the Pride and Prejudice movie, not the novel). The story is so believable and the author so witty that I often found myself literally laughing out loud. I recommend this book to all Jane Austen fans, but also to anyone in need of a good laugh.

One of the wealthy American vacationers affects a bad English accent, complete with enthusiastically incongruous expressions (what what) that aspire to Merchant Ivory, but land squarely in Monty Python. The airport part of the book at the end, is totally worth the whole price of the novel.

Austenland now tops my "guilty pleasures" list, among so many amazing authors.. and she deserves to be. I wish she had more adult novels to read. I can barely wait to get to the library, to check out the sequel.

Jane Hayes, the main character, is ME except that she gets to live out my fantasy and gets the happy ending only found in Austen novels. I have always thought I was born in the wrong century; this vacation would be a dream for me. Jane gets to live out her fantasy and deal with her obsession of Mr. Darcy. I get to read about it. A close second to living it.

At the beginning each chapter, a synopsis is given of each of Jane's ex-boyfriends. There are 13. Plus her "first love" (at age four) and three other "Guys". I LOVE this!!! I also loved how her self analizing,critical and realistic side was countered by her optimistic and fantasy self! And I loved the way Jane changed and grew through the novel.

Without the same finesse and fine writing of Austen, Shannon Hale does echo an Austen-like story. Underlying commentary on the absurdity of relationships and women's fantasy loves are clear. When an author writes about the perfection that is Colin Firth, in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, that really keeps my attention. But when the very same author writes her dedication to this very same person, well... you had me at page 1. (And she mentions Mr. Firth's scene with the wet shirt at the most opportune moments in the book, giving this novel a much needed 'OOMPH' that I particularly enjoyed. :D (If you haven't seen the movie, you can borrow mine; and if you don't want to see it then believe me this book is not for you.)

I related to this main character in just about every way, so YES, I will have a positive review. It may not be to your liking, you may not think that this book is the most well-written book of all time, but I don't care. Austenland spoke to me in a language only true Austen fans can appreciate. With a healthy dose of Breeches Watching. ;)

Dedication:
"For Colin Firth
You're really a great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends."

[cindywho-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was as silly as expected, but enjoyable as a light story to listen to as I drift off to sleep. It's a bit of a Mary Sue story of a rabid fan of the Pride & Prejudice mini-series who is bequeathed a vacation at an exclusive resort that reproduces the settings of Austen's novels with actors and costumes and pseudonyms.

[vhartpowers · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A cute and quick read for a filler, ie. potato chip snack.

Jane received a prepaid package from her Great-Aunt's will. Jane takes this vacation to England at Pembrook Park to live out her fascination with Mr. Darcy. or maybe it's to break the fascination. Jane can't decide and flip flops through her vacation.

She will give up men, she will not give up men. My question; why does it have to be all or nothing? Why can't she make better decisions?

[sarahashwood · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a fun book, overall! The idea of Austenland is for Austen fans what Renaissance Fairs are for geeks like me. Not that I wouldn't enjoy Austenland too! This is a cute chick book that I think any fan of Austen should enjoy. Really left me wanting to read the sequel. I did feel like the end was maybe a little too romantic-comedyish, but otherwise I really have no complaints. No sex scenes or gratuitous swearing, which I appreciated, and I think Jane Austen would have, as well. Nice, light entertaining read.

[lcarter11 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was fascinated by the concept of a vacation where one steps into another world. But, I was disappointed by a few of the things that Ms. Hale chose to include (like referencing a makeout session). Even without the things that disappointed me, this is not a book I would purchase for myself. I will grant that it is entertaining, but the characters are somewhat drab.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Hayes is a thirty-something who is disillusioned with romance. None of her thirteen boyfriends have been at all like Collin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. He is her romantic ideal. When her great aunt leaves her a three week vacation at Austenland, she looks at it as a time to get over her obsession with Mr. Darcy and prepare to live the rest of her life more realistically - alone with no romance, but more realistically.Arriving at Austenland, Jane become immersed in the Regency time period but can't help wondering how much of what happens around her is real. One of her fellow guests is an American named Miss Elizabeth Charming who is determined to find her romance but who is often an object of fun as she develops her own interpretation of the Regency period. The other guest is Miss Heartwright who is a return visitor. The gentlemen are Colonel Andrews, Mr. Nobley and Captain East. While these gentlemen are interesting, Jane meets gardener Martin who seems more real to her. I liked that the story was told from Jane's point of view and included her witty observations. I think that I was somewhat handicapped because I have never read anything by Jane Austen nor have I seen any of the movies. I enjoyed this story about a young woman who is trying to find her happily ever after.

[lissabeth21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What a delicious bit of whipped cream! A light, happy read.

[jenw1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm usually a big Shannon Hale fan so I had very high hopes for this book. It was entertaining, it made me laugh regularly, but it just wasn't up to the level I've come to expect from Hale. I will probably read the sequel eventually, but more because I want to watch the movie and I've heard it's a good mix of both books than because this book compels me to continue the story. 3 stars. If you want to try Hale, don't start with this one. The Goose Girl or Book of a Thousand Days are phenomenal!

[murderbydeath · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane is hopelessly obsessed with Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, going so far as to allow it to color all her attempts at romance. A deceased relative bequeaths her a 3-week stay at an all-inclusive, fully immersive, Regency England country house, complete with Austenesque characters and romances and Jane goes with the intention of putting the fantasy behind her, once and for all. I've seen this one recommended time and again, but i've never been that into romance or Mr. Darcy (as much as I love P&P) so I never made an effort to read the book. A few months ago, I ran across a copy at the book outlet and thought, why not? I was immediately taken with the writing - the tone felt so very Austen! But it took a lot longer for me to warm to Jane; her constant berating of herself grew thin fast and at one point, I wondered if I'd finish. Luckily, that was just when Jane started finding her spine and things started getting interesting. Honestly, Pembrook Park was almost Machiavellian; Hale too, because she totally, totally fooled me. This was a 3.5 star read until that final couple of scenes. By the end of the book I not only liked Jane, but I respected her. A fun read that ultimately surprised me.