Vanguard

Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: Entertainment

Everyone needs a little romance in there lives, right? A touch of escapism does the soul good. And that is exactly what "Austenland" delivers. This non-traditional love story by Shannon Hale is a perfectly packaged read. It offers up wit, humor and romance without being sugary sweet or nauseating. This novel is not a typical romance novel at all, far from it in fact. It is a light, enjoyable read. This book is not something you have to make yourself finish as a penance for that whole container of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia that you ate at midnight last night.

Austenland presents us with a strong heroine, Jane Hayes. But she is not so scarily strong that you are afraid she will turn Xena, warrior princess on you. On the contrary, Jane is a likable, independent Manhattanite with a thoroughly modern career.

The only thing she has going against her is her Austen fetish (that is the famous novelist Jane Austen from the 1800s). Her fetish for Mr. Darcy, one of literature's most romantic men, especially the one portrayed on screen by Colin Firth, has made her reject every relationship she has ever been in.

Jane keeps holding out for her own Mr. Darcy, that perfectly romantic man. What is a slightly over 30 and single girl to do? Why go to an exclusive English country estate for three weeks to live in Austenesque splendor, of course!

Jane christens Pembroke Park, complete with actors in period costumes and proper circa 1815 activities, Austenland. Jane arrives with a personal mission to get her Mr. Darcy fantasy out of her system. Jane soon meets a cast of memorable characters, such as the buxom, 50 year old "Miss" Elizabeth (after all she paid a lot of money to be 25 again), and of course the Mr. Darcy of the manor, Mr. Noblely. Throw in a fling with a thoroughly modern gardener, and "Austenland" is complete. Everything should be going splendidly, however, Jane does not find her empire waist gowns and needle point samplers the perfect fit she thought.

Can Jane finally rid herself of her Austen fantasy? Will she live happily ever after with her Mr. Darcy, or will she succumb to reality?

The zingy English one-liners and Jane's inner dialogue add to the fun. Also, there is a wonderful little twist bound to satisfy the idealistic girl as well as the practical one. On the surface this book is "chick lit" at its best, smart and funny.
"Austenland" is all of these things but it has more to offer. This book is all about Jane's journey to find herself, to find what she really wants in life.

While the sentiment is a bit cliché, this book is not. It may not be the next "War and Peace," but it is creative and charming. "Austenland" is fast paced, well written, not too maudlin and not as predictable as one would think. Even if it is a "chick" novel, guys can feel free to read it and impress their girlfriends with their sensitivity. Because there is a little bit of Jane in all of all us, holding out until the right Mr. Darcy comes along.

Shannon Hale started writing books at age 10 and never stopped, eventually earning an MFA in creative writing. Until now, she has written only children's books. "Austenland," her first book for adults, is a Book Sense pick. . After 19 years of writing and dozens of rejections, she published her first book, "The Goose Girl," an ALA Teens' Top 10. "Enna Burning" and "River Secrets" are companion books to "Goose." "Princess Academy" is a Newbery Honor Book and New York Times best seller. She and her husband are co-writing a series of graphic novels for kids. Find more information about Hale on her Web site at http://www.squeetus.com.

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