Austenland: A Novel

By Shannon Hale

Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem 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?

In this addictive, charming and compassionate story, Shannon Hale brings out the Jane Austen obsessive in all of us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Feb 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781408840108

Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is best-selling author of fifteen children's and young adult novels, including the popular Ever After High trilogy and the funny, action-packed series The Princess in Black, which are co-written by Dean Hale. Shannon and husband Dean live in Utah with their four children.

Reviews for Austenland

[strongpieces · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Originally posted at The Wandering Fangirl.I had incredibly high hopes (okay, not incredibly, but they were up there) for this novel, but it seemed to fall flat for me. It was cute in a way, but it was hard to relate to Jane, our heroine, on her journey of self-discovery and determination to rid herself of a fantasy she could never hope to achieve. The idea of Austenland, a place where you can play at being in the Regency-era seems fun, but it came across as boring and stuffy, nothing like I expected. Not even Jane's adventures throughout could have brought this to life for me.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm disappointed with this book by Shannon Hale as I usually enjoy her offerings, but this was too light and fluffy for my taste and, on the whole, Jane just annoyed me.

[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.

[nicola26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am a huge Austen fan. I haven't even gotten around to reading all of her work yet (I will very soon!) but she's one of my favourites. I will probably pick up anything with Austen's name on it and thankfully there are lots of spin offs out there! Some better than others, of course. I think Austenland was definitely one of the better ones. I think it managed to find its own unique style instead of trying to strive to be as Austen-like as possible.

Jane Hayes has a secret obsession: Pride and Prejudice. She is obsessed with it to the point of it hindering her life. For Jane, nothing in the real world ever lives up to what she sees as the idyllic life of Elizabeth Bennet. When her aunt dies, she leaves Jane something rather unusual in her will. Jane gets to visit a place that imitates Austen's time period and consists of actors roleplaying as various characters. I loved this idea and was interested to see where it would go. From the minute Jane steps in to this place, it's obvious that's it's not really her kind of thing and that she's not going to have such an easy time acting out the life she's been wishing for all these years.

I thought the idea was well executed and I really enjoyed Jane's stay at the resort. I found that even I was fooled several times over who was acting and who was real! I can't imagine how weird it would have felt to be Jane. She couldn't do the acting thing but kept forgetting that everybody else could. I found a lot of the interactions of the characters really entertaining and overall, the book was a pleasure to read. It did get a bit stale at parts with too much description and not enough talking or events but other than that, I really enjoyed it and I'm really looking forward to the second book, Midnight in Austenland!

This review first appeared here on my blog.

[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?

[bookconcierge · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Jane Hayes is so stuck on the image of Fitzwilliam Darcy that she cannot have a relationship with a “real” man. Her great aunt Caroline recognizes this, though Jane seems oblivious, and gives her a unique bequest in her will – an all-expenses-paid three-week vacation at Pembrook Park (i.e. Austenland). There Jane will live the regency period romantic fantasy that she’s held dear since she first read Pride and Prejudice at age sixteen.I read Hale’s The Princess Academy and enjoyed it, so was expecting a decent “chick lit beach read.” This book, however, didn’t do it for me. The writing was hackneyed – for example: “The silence quivered.” Also, the lead character was just too poorly drawn. I can forgive the other cardboard characters she finds at the estate, because they are all actors playing a role (and quite poorly in some cases – e.g. Sir Templeton) and are supposed to be obvious. But Jane, herself, seems so clueless, so out of it, so one-track, that I just couldn’t stand her and really didn’t care whether she ever got her act together. Also starting the chapters with a short description of each of her past boyfriends – from age 4, no less - was just useless!Katherine Kelgren’s reading on the CD is pretty good, considering the material she has to work with. Although her accent gets confused with Miss Charming, I think the character was written that way (she’s a Southern woman who is trying to affect a British accent and doing quite poorly at it). At least she moves right along and doesn’t drag it out.

[crewman_number_6 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Definitely not Shannon Hale at her best. If I had read this novel first, I don't know that I would have gone back for any of her other books. The story is a little juvenile and predictable. I don't think I'd recommend it.

[susanbevans · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What Austen-a-holic in her right mind wouldn't want to spend a few weeks courting Mr. Darcy Regency-style at an estate straight out of the pages of Pride and Prejudice? Jane Hayes isn't so sure. When her great-aunt Carolyn dies leaving Jane an all-expenses paid three week vacation back in time to Regency era England, Jane doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Carolyn had discovered Jane's deepest, darkest secret: she is obsessed with the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice, and with Colin Firth himself, the Mr. Darcy.Of course Jane decides to go to Pembrook Park, hoping to channel her inner Elizabeth Bennet, and maybe to eliminate her obsession and live in the real world. In England, as re-invented Regency lady of leisure Miss Jane Erstwhile, she will discover something special about herself, and about the benefit and power of infatuation.Shannon Hale's Austenland is one of the funniest, most clever books I have read all year. As I'm sure you can tell from my synopsis above, it is an utterly frivolous novel - a true "beach-read" type of book. That being said, Jane's adventures in Austenland are completely charming and hilarious. The delightful cast of characters in this light hearted novel are laugh-out-loud-funny, and the banter between them is authentically Austen-esque.Now for the one thing I didn't particularly like about Austenland... At the beginning of each section in the book, Hale adds a little blurb about Jane's past boyfriends. For me, these took away from the story rather than adding anything to it. I didn't see a point to the information, and it didn't really have any bearing on Jane's adventures in Austenland. All in all, Austenland is light, sassy, and enchanting, with engaging, witty dialog, and brilliant pacing. I would define this whimsical novel as the ultimate in guilty pleasure reading - satisfying in a positively scrumptious way.

[tntexas_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A light, fun romance set in a traditional Austen setting - for the most part. The plot device (an Austen "spa" of sorts) works well most of the time and the ending was hilarious, sweet, and bit corny all mixed together.

[ashleyk44 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is more of a three and a half star book, but one worth rounding up to four rather than down to three. Chick-lit isn't really my thing, but I like to read a good one every now and again for a quick read that I can just enjoy without having to think too much. And of course, this one has to do with Austen, so I decided to give it a shot.

To sum it up, it was really cute. I know that's not a literary term, but it really says it all. The narrator was easy to relate to, especially in terms of her feelings about Pembrook Park - a little embarrassed to be playing dress up, but still wanting to get lost in the fantasy anyways. It was fairly predictable, although it did have a couple nice little twists at the end. I think I smiled all the way through the last couple of chapters, which is always a good sign. I probably looked like a grinning idiot to everyone else at the lunch table at work, oh well! If you want something fluffy and fun, I would highly recommend this one.

[witchyrichy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I laughed out loud! The ironic tone was wonderful and the ending was all I could have asked for ;-)

[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!

[jedziedz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A short and light read, Austenland is the perfect pick me up for a Jane Austen fan. The main character is brave and funny as she tries to get over her Pride and Prejudice fantasies by literally living through them. I felt the end was a little too predictable but fit well with the scope of the story. Overall, there were some really humorous scenes and crazy characters that made me laugh out loud and not want to put the book down.

[dfullmer_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thought this book was so-so. A girl can't find a man to measure up to her Mr. Darcy fantasy. Her aunt leaves her a vacation to a fantasy park where you can pretend to live in a Regency environment. Fun ensues. Fluff, and the ending didn't work for me.

[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.

[ridgewaygirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane is a graphic designer living in Manhattan and has given up on dating in favor of rewatching the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice, the one with Colin Firth in a wet shirt. When her great aunt dies, she leaves Jane a three week trip to a fantasy vacation at "Pembrook House", an elaborate historical reenactment based on the novels of Jane Austen. Jane isn't sure what her aunt intended with the gift, or even what she wants out of the experience, but she soon finds Austenland to be a bit of a disappointment. The guests are all the middle-aged wives of rich men, enjoying being romanced by paid actors, all under the fierce eye of Mrs. Wattlesbrook.As the lone non-wealthy guest, Jane is soon relegated to a Fanny Price-like existence, last in precedence. She's surprised to find that she's more struck by the falsity of the situation, unable to sink into the fantasy life she had previously longed for. And, she discovers, the Mr. Darcy character is less dashing than irritating and the life of the leisured class is less luxurious than boring.Shannon Hale has a lot of fun with her clever set-up, but she never fails to make Jane interesting and likable and Austenland was a perfect fluffy read.

[norabelle414 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Haynes, thirty-three, single, and obsessed with the works of Jane Austen, is given a strange gift in her great-aunt's will - a 3-week stint at Austenland. Essentially a summer camp for Austen-obsessed ladies, Austenland involves pretending one is visiting a great house in the country in Regency England. Jane decides to go, as one last indulgence before she puts the idea of Mr. Darcy behind her forever. Once she gets there, however, she finds that she doesn't quite fit in, even with the other guests. She and the reader figure out why together, while also reviewing Jane's romantic past and how it affects her current state of mind.Jane was an excellent character and I could relate to her life a LOT. There were some serious plotholes and flaws here, but I can't for the life of me remember what they were because I just had so much fun reading it. I think most of the issues I had eventually worked themselves out. It's a fluffy book, but it made me sit and think about a lot of different things like managing expectations in relationships, and the way that vacations/summer camps essentially suspend reality, and even prostitution. If you think you'll like it then you probably will. If you think you won't like it then you probably won't. I can't wait to see the movie.

[khuggard_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I can't believe I wasted part of my life reading this book. Austenland was a vivid reminder of why I read very little chick lit. I found the characters shallow and underdeveloped and the "which man will she end up with" plot vapid. I will concede that there were some witty one liners poking fun at the modern fascination both with Jane Austen and with Colin Firth in his portrayal of Mr. Darcy. However this was not enough to redeem the rest of the book. The concept of a modern woman living as though she were in Jane Austen's world has so much potential. Unfortunately, Austenland leaves all of that potential unrealized.

[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...

[lkerr_29 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Jane Hayes is in her early 30's and adrift in a sea of unsuccessful relationships. Yearning to find her own "Mr. Darcy", Jane is about to give up hope when her great aunt intervenes. Upon her aunt's death, Jane is given a trip to Austenland in England. Set in Austen's time period, participants have their own "Austen Adventure". Will Jane meet her dream man? Fun, quick read, appropriate for older teens.

[alebel_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it... Was a quick read and definitely worthwhile for any Pride and Prejudice junkie. I especially liked the scene with the cell phone... I thought it was extremely funny and I found myself chuckling out loud during the whole bit.

[vanedow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“A stellar tribute to all of us who enjoy Pride and Prejudice more than is healthy, and who wish our significant others would put up with a Colin Firth poster on the wall. I laughed through the whole thing.This is definately not a deeply introspective read, but beyond the pure romance and fun of this book, it was enjoyable seeing Jane come to terms with herself.

[lina_em · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

overall, the ending is the best part.

[lhtouchton · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really wanted to love this book, mostly because I loved the premise - modern-day, Jane-Austen-obsessed girl spends three weeks living in "Regency England", complete with corsets and carriages and games of whist. Unfortunately, I didn't think much of most of the characters, and the main character only redeemed herself in the last 30-45 minutes. For most of the book I thought she was an immature, whiny, spineless, must-have-a-man-to-be-complete twit, but Hale managed to have Jane pull herself together at the end. Fortunately, it ended well - well enough for me to probably be willing to read the sequel that I've heard exists.

[library_girl27 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane gets three weeks at Pemberly Park, a resort dedicated to Jane Austen life, so that she can overcomeher obesssion with Colin Firth as Darcy in the movie Pride and Prejudice. I loved this book. I thought it was fun and witty and absolutely hilarious.

[abbylibrarian_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Hayes has given up men. She's determined that no man could live up to her ultimate fantasy, Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and so it's high time that she embraced her spinsterhood. Then her great-aunt dies and leaves her an all-expenses-paid vacation to Austenland, a Jane Austen themed resort in England. Jane decides that this will be her last tryst with Mr. Darcy. She'll go to Austenland, get over her obsession, and move on with her life. But things don't always go as planned...I enjoyed this whimsical romance and was even a bit surprised by the ending (though it was mostly fairly predictable). Although it is marketed for adults and the main character is in her 30's, there's nothing objectionable for a teen/YA audience. I admit that I haven't read any Austen, but I found this novel light and funny and I would recommend it if you're looking for a fun chick lit read.

[mooose_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fun, easy to read book about a woman who goes off to England to a Regency vacation. Will she get over her obsession with Mr. Darcy and his character in the A&E movie? Not sappy or too melodramatic.

[ethelmertz_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was dissapointed. Shannon Hale is one of my favorite new author's, but I found this story long but underdeveloped.

[janiceliedl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Adorable book! I had misgivings about starting this. Would it be too self-consciously Austenian or a heartless take on those who love Austen? The lead, Jane, is a pleasure to follow. The rest of the cast was a treat and, all the while, Hale led the reader on an interesting trek to a happy ending. . . .

[scarlettbrooke · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I listened to this book as I worked out every night for two weeks. I dont really like chick-lit. In fact, most times I refuse to read a book when its in the chick-lit aisle at the bookstore. That said, i kind of liked this book. It was silly and filled with unnderdeveloped men and undersexed, needs to get a life females. The main character Jane is fun. She's not completely vapid or self-absorbed. She can make fun of others and herself.