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fluffy8u's review against another edition
I knew I wasn't going to care much about this book when I picked it up. It asks the reader to stretch their imaginations too much.
First off it seemed like there were less than 25 people at this symposium which is held at an infamous college (Oxford's Christ Church, where Lewis Carroll taught and wrote the Alice books), that discussed a highly popular and seriously studied author, Jane Austen. "It's exclusive," you say. And sure, it could be, but even though the main character says that her high school teacher of a sister has one of the less prestigious occupations there, several of the background characters seem like housewives with the hots for Darcy (there's nothing wrong with a full time mom going to a literary symposium, actually bravo to them) and are out of place where, I got the impression, that scholars and historian should be. The whole thing felt like a book club meeting with one Jane Austen historian.
Secondly, the protagonist, Claire, appeared to just stumble on to a great secret concerning Jane Austen, the lost first draft of "Pride and Prejudice" which is in the procession of a woman whom everyone says is too dementia riddled to know truth from fiction, but Claire believes and she starts to investigate whether or not the manuscript really is "First Impressions" (which the writing style does not change between the novel and the bits of the supposed manuscript that Claire (and the audience) reads). I know this is a major plot point, but it just felt like to much of a stretch.
Then there's the case of the Mr. Darcy wanna be that turns Claire, already a barely believable character, into a Mary Sue. He comes in and sweeps her off her feet, into his handsomely good looking and rich arms? Mmm hm. Sure, sure. It's all just too much of a fantasy, that has way more stretches than I listed here, and is somewhat poorly written.
First off it seemed like there were less than 25 people at this symposium which is held at an infamous college (Oxford's Christ Church, where Lewis Carroll taught and wrote the Alice books), that discussed a highly popular and seriously studied author, Jane Austen. "It's exclusive," you say. And sure, it could be, but even though the main character says that her high school teacher of a sister has one of the less prestigious occupations there, several of the background characters seem like housewives with the hots for Darcy (there's nothing wrong with a full time mom going to a literary symposium, actually bravo to them) and are out of place where, I got the impression, that scholars and historian should be. The whole thing felt like a book club meeting with one Jane Austen historian.
Secondly, the protagonist, Claire, appeared to just stumble on to a great secret concerning Jane Austen, the lost first draft of "Pride and Prejudice" which is in the procession of a woman whom everyone says is too dementia riddled to know truth from fiction, but Claire believes and she starts to investigate whether or not the manuscript really is "First Impressions" (which the writing style does not change between the novel and the bits of the supposed manuscript that Claire (and the audience) reads). I know this is a major plot point, but it just felt like to much of a stretch.
Then there's the case of the Mr. Darcy wanna be that turns Claire, already a barely believable character, into a Mary Sue. He comes in and sweeps her off her feet, into his handsomely good looking and rich arms? Mmm hm. Sure, sure. It's all just too much of a fantasy, that has way more stretches than I listed here, and is somewhat poorly written.
bibliovino's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Another thoroughly enjoyable Austen adventure from this series. Somebody needs to send me to Oxford for an amateur Austen seminar. I don’t even need to fall in love.
book_nut's review against another edition
2.0
You think I'd be jumping for joy since the average joe gets the girl, but really: meh.
alissabar's review against another edition
3.0
If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will enjoy this one.
feminartist's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, this book was ridiculous. I'm not even sure how it got published. I've read smutty romance novels with better storylines, but my love for Jane Austen and my impending Christmas break caused me to pick it up off the library shelf. The half-baked attempt at Mr. Darcy symbolism was so obvious that my husband, who has never seen any of the P&P movies or read the book, could have drawn the parallels. The characters were underdeveloped and it was almost insulting to Jane Austen...BUT, that being said, it pretty much met my expectations. Easy holiday reading, but don't expect much.
mverdoorn's review against another edition
3.0
Very enjoyable Jane Austen related story. A fun and quick chick lit book.
mmjollymimi's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
abbyelizabeth's review
4.0
I am a fan of this author. She takes all the tropes of Austen and, while giving them a nod, puts a realistic spin on things. Definitely enjoyed it!