Helpful Score: 11
This was a very fun book and a fast read. Unfortunately I'm not at all familiar with time travel books so I can't compare, but I thought this one was done well. The book starts immediately with a modern day woman in the body of Jane Mansfield (ha), and discovers she's in the time period where "Pride and Prejudice" was just released (and as an Austen fanatic, she can't get over holding a first edition in her hands!) From then on she must learn to deal with a time period of chaperones even when you're 30, leeches used for medicinal purposes and keeping up relationships with only bits of the real Jane's memory. It was a lot of fun to see the main character deal with such a strict society when in her own life she was fairly promiscuous and her surprise when she finds herself capable of things like stitching and dancing, which she could not do in her own body. This book will appeal to fans of Jane Austen (obviously), time travel romances with a dash of humor, and really anyone that is looking for a good read perfect for relaxation.
Helpful Score: 6
I found this book very disappointing. It begins and ends abruptly, there is not real plot to speak of, and the ending was rather vague and open to interpretation. It was interesting to hear the "other side" of Jane Austen England with the lack of indoor plumbing and the other realities of the living conditions of the day. However overall, I would not recommend this book.
Arista K. (janeausten-fan-in-va) reviewed Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan, but not a snobby one (i.e. I can enjoy the film adaptions without getting worked up about the historical inaccuracies. So I really looked forward to reading this book. Alas, it was a disappointment. Part of it is my own pet peeve with time travel books. I HATE when character that "find themselves" in another era insist on using modern jargon and engaging in modern behavior knowing full well that it makes them look crazy and/or disrupts the plot with contrived drama surrounding their cultural slip-ups. It doesn't strike me as spunky or witty or creative. It's just stupid. The main character in this book, Courtney Stone, insists on acting like a 21st Century Californian in Regency Era England to the detriment of the plot. For example, Courtney, who is living the life of a well to-do gentlewoman, agrees (indeed, insists) on meeting in Sydney Gardnes alone with a male servant from her household despite being told explicitly that it would lead to gossip about her behavior and cause problems for her, her family and her friends. . . and she does it anyway because it would be no big deal back home in good 'ol 21st Century L.A. Of course, all sorts of drama ensues. Yawn.
I could forgive all that if the characters were likable. . .but they aren't. Or if the plot was intriguing. . .but it isn't. Or if the writing was funny. . .but it isn't even close.
I could forgive all that if the characters were likable. . .but they aren't. Or if the plot was intriguing. . .but it isn't. Or if the writing was funny. . .but it isn't even close.
Helpful Score: 6
I really disliked this book so much that I did not finish it (and I am not one to not finish a book). I don't know if that disqualifies me to write a review on it, but I'm doing it anyway! I guess I had assumed that since this was Austen-related, that the writer would approach it in a fairly intelligent manner despite the somewhat silly plot. Nope. I really didn't like the protagonist, and I just couldn't waste my time. I jumped the gun and read some reviews on amazon, many of which indicated a poorly resolved plot intended to pave the way for the second book. Once I found out that there was a part 2 detailing what happened to the other end of the time-swap, I put it down immediately. I knew I was not going to be reading the second book that's coming out, so reading this one was a waste of time.
I think that if you do not have expectations before reading, this is a fine, light-hearted read. But I think it is difficult NOT to have expectations, as it is linked with Jane Austen.
I think that if you do not have expectations before reading, this is a fine, light-hearted read. But I think it is difficult NOT to have expectations, as it is linked with Jane Austen.
Helpful Score: 5
The book ended, but the story seemed to be left unfinished. I ended up feeling irritated at the amount of time I had spent reading the book.
