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A review by pbraue13
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
3.0
This book offers an enjoyable contemporary take on the themes and characters of Jane Austen's novels. The novel follows the lives of six individuals in California who form a book club dedicated to reading and discussing Austen's works. As they delve into Austen's timeless stories, they find parallels to their own lives, leading to personal revelations and transformations. The plot revolves around the six members of the book club: Jocelyn, Sylvia, Allegra, Bernadette, Prudie, and Grigg. Each character is dealing with their own challenges and insecurities, from failed relationships to dissatisfaction with their current situations. Through their discussions of Austen's novels, they confront their own romantic entanglements, familial conflicts, and personal struggles. As they meet to discuss books like "Pride and Prejudice," "Emma," and "Sense and Sensibility," the members also navigate their own journeys of self-discovery and growth. Themes of love, friendship, marriage, and identity are explored throughout the novel, echoing Austen's timeless insights into the human condition.
The novel's strengths lie in its witty dialogue, insightful characterizations, and clever references to Austen's works. Fowler adeptly weaves together multiple storylines, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. However, while the novel is enjoyable, some readers may find it lacking in depth compared to Austen's original works. The characters, while engaging, may not be as fully developed as those in Austen's novels, and the plot occasionally feels contrived or predictable. I, myself, am sorry to say (in no disrespect to Karen Joy Fowler whose work I have enjoyed in the past) that I prefer the film version. The film condenses the plot and simplifies some of the character arcs, but it retains the charm and wit of the original novel. It… just does the book better. It swaps characters and the books their linked to (Prudie is definitely more an Anne Elliot from “Persuasion” and not a Fanny Price from “Mansfield Park”) and subdues the character’s more unbearable traits in the book to make them more likable in the film (the director and screenwriter clearly loved the book as most of its best dialogue is taken directly from its pages, verbatim). Once more, the book has a very intense and almost dated gender dynamic between Grigg (the lone man in the book club) and the ladies. I also took a little offense to how Allegra is portrayed as this promiscuous lesbian who it seems will never find love. It felt like the book was judging her so much. Additionally, the film benefits from strong performances by its cast, including Emily Blunt, Maria Bello, and Hugh Dancy, which bring the characters to life in a compelling way (I mean come on Emily Blunt can do no wrong). Also (random thought) I will also say I love that in the novel Emily Blunt’s character, Prudie, and her husband Dean met due to their mutual love of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and they cast Marc Blucas (Riley from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) as her husband in the film. There is even a nod to “Buffy” in the film when Hugh Dancy’s character, Grigg, says he is in town for a “Buffy Convention”. In the end, did I get lost in Austen with these ladies? Yes, but I just yearned to be reading Austen rather than reading this book.
2.5/5 stars
The novel's strengths lie in its witty dialogue, insightful characterizations, and clever references to Austen's works. Fowler adeptly weaves together multiple storylines, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. However, while the novel is enjoyable, some readers may find it lacking in depth compared to Austen's original works. The characters, while engaging, may not be as fully developed as those in Austen's novels, and the plot occasionally feels contrived or predictable. I, myself, am sorry to say (in no disrespect to Karen Joy Fowler whose work I have enjoyed in the past) that I prefer the film version. The film condenses the plot and simplifies some of the character arcs, but it retains the charm and wit of the original novel. It… just does the book better. It swaps characters and the books their linked to (Prudie is definitely more an Anne Elliot from “Persuasion” and not a Fanny Price from “Mansfield Park”) and subdues the character’s more unbearable traits in the book to make them more likable in the film (the director and screenwriter clearly loved the book as most of its best dialogue is taken directly from its pages, verbatim). Once more, the book has a very intense and almost dated gender dynamic between Grigg (the lone man in the book club) and the ladies. I also took a little offense to how Allegra is portrayed as this promiscuous lesbian who it seems will never find love. It felt like the book was judging her so much. Additionally, the film benefits from strong performances by its cast, including Emily Blunt, Maria Bello, and Hugh Dancy, which bring the characters to life in a compelling way (I mean come on Emily Blunt can do no wrong). Also (random thought) I will also say I love that in the novel Emily Blunt’s character, Prudie, and her husband Dean met due to their mutual love of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and they cast Marc Blucas (Riley from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) as her husband in the film. There is even a nod to “Buffy” in the film when Hugh Dancy’s character, Grigg, says he is in town for a “Buffy Convention”. In the end, did I get lost in Austen with these ladies? Yes, but I just yearned to be reading Austen rather than reading this book.
2.5/5 stars