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ejgsarsozo's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amybeth's review against another edition
For a book published in 2004 to have a sentence beginning “His youngest brother was retarded, a Mongoloid child with big ears…” just no. Absolutely not.
inkpotpages's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
0.5
I am just glad that it's over. Worst read of the year. This does not deserve to have Jane Austen's name in the title 😭
I hated ALL the characters, without exception. I don't know, it just was not for me, I will not recommend this to anyone. In fact, I hope I will forget about the existence of this book and never think about it again.
I hated ALL the characters, without exception. I don't know, it just was not for me, I will not recommend this to anyone. In fact, I hope I will forget about the existence of this book and never think about it again.
trin's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful surprise. This was great, so much more than the light, fluffy lit it would seem to be. Fowler's story follows six protagonists as they read Austen's six novels, with each character linked to a specific novel; it's very cleverly, subtly done. There are some fantastic narrative tricks—none of which seems showoff-y: parts of the novel are written in the first person plural, the collective "we" of the book group; the book concludes with the characters' hilarious "discussion questions" to you, the novel's readers. There's also some interesting stuff about gender; I especially liked Grigg, the club's sole male, whom Fowler reveals to be "a born heroine." This book made me incredibly happy. Though the real question is, of course, whether it would pass the Siria True Austenite test. *peers at her*
milyhope's review against another edition
2.0
Nothing happens... I'm usually ok with stories that leave you just where you started, but you can feel that something is different, and that gives you a sense of satisfaction, that's not what happens in this book. Nobody learns a lesson, changes for the better, comes of age, realizes something important, nothing!
I read it because I really liked the movie and usually the book is better, not the case here.
Two stars: One because it felt like a comfort reading, and the other because I actually didn't what to throw the book out of anger.
I read it because I really liked the movie and usually the book is better, not the case here.
Two stars: One because it felt like a comfort reading, and the other because I actually didn't what to throw the book out of anger.
bibliophile80's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed. It did get pretty good, but not until the very end. Oh well.
miss_amzzz's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Maybe I would have enjoyed the book more if I were more into the writing of Jane Austen
iriswindmeijer's review against another edition
3.0
The Jane Austen Book Club is very entertaining, but it is not a literary masterpiece. The references to Austen are clear but sometimes a bit too much, as if it was not expected that the reader would get it on her own. The plot was very enjoyable though and it was a good read.
kdawn999's review against another edition
5.0
2023: I wanted a comfort re-read, and this did the trick! I’m in a better position to enjoy it now that I’ve read Austen’s six novels multiple times each—Mysteries of Udolpho too! I love the impossible narrator, who claims to be a book club member while flitting in and out of the memories and stories of the other characters. A beautiful book that does justice to Jane Austen and book clubs.
2013:
I am in love. Why haven't I read this book before? It's a masterpiece. The movie has been one of my favorites, and I was pleased to see how carefully it drew from the book. Her turn of phrase achieves just the right comic tone, and her images are downright poetic--I'm amazed at how she gets some of these onto the characters' thoughts and mouths so believably.
2013:
I am in love. Why haven't I read this book before? It's a masterpiece. The movie has been one of my favorites, and I was pleased to see how carefully it drew from the book. Her turn of phrase achieves just the right comic tone, and her images are downright poetic--I'm amazed at how she gets some of these onto the characters' thoughts and mouths so believably.
marlisphillips's review against another edition
2.0
This one just went on and on. As I was reading it, I realized I’d watched the movie and I didn’t like it either