What do you think?
Rate this book
Jane Austen #1
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend
Secrets, intrigue, and meddling in love – I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison is a historical romantic comedy, perfect for fans of Bridgerton.Jane says that if I am to be the heroine of this story, something will throw a hero in my way . . .I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend is the secret diary of Jenny Cooper, Jane Austen’s teenage friend and confidante. Their evenings are a blur of beautiful dresses, balls, gossip and romance; their days are spent writing about them – Jenny in her diary, Jane in her first attempts at fiction.When Jenny falls utterly in love with a handsome naval officer, obstacles stand in their way. Who better to help her than Jane herself, who already considers herself an expert in love and relationships?
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2010
54 people are currently reading
3531 people want to read
About the author
Cora Harrison
91 books218 followersCora Harrison worked as a headteacher before she decided to write her first novel. She has since published twenty-six children's novels. My Lady Judge was her first book in a Celtic historical crime series for adults that introduces Mara, Brehon of the Burren. Cora lives on a farm near the Burren in the west of Ireland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews
April 11, 2011
I was a little skeptical of this one at first, because this is a really bold premise.
But I thought it was fun to see a young Jane Austen, as the author imagined her to be, and I thought the writing style, particularly the character descriptions and developing love story were very Austen-esque, albeit not exactly in her language, but that would have been impossible so it's best she didn't attempt it.
I liked it even more when I read the author's note at the end and saw how much research she had done, and how much of the story was based on historical fact. That took it from a neat, whimsical story, to something really interesting and fun to read.
But I thought it was fun to see a young Jane Austen, as the author imagined her to be, and I thought the writing style, particularly the character descriptions and developing love story were very Austen-esque, albeit not exactly in her language, but that would have been impossible so it's best she didn't attempt it.
I liked it even more when I read the author's note at the end and saw how much research she had done, and how much of the story was based on historical fact. That took it from a neat, whimsical story, to something really interesting and fun to read.
June 11, 2021
Sadly, I have to say, I didn’t like this book. It fell too short. But the whole idea sounded so promising!
FULL REVIEW: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com/2...
FULL REVIEW: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com/2...
March 18, 2017
MINIRECENZIA NA BLOGU
Kukala som na to slovo "kamoška" a tak nejako si urobila názor, že jediné, čo to bude mať s historickým settingom spoločné, bude meno Jane Austenová. Viete, pubertiačky v osemnástom storočí s mentalitou dneška, plesy sú cool a chalani sexy.
Ale prekvapivo... nie. Jane a jej sesternica Jenny (reálna osoba, who knew?) žijú a myslia tak, že tú historickú atmosféru knihe uveríte už po pár stranách, a ako sa tak dievčatá chystajú na plesy alebo riešia ľúbostné problémy, celkom sa do toho ponoríte. Je to milé, je to chutné (cieľovka tak 12-14), je to prekvapivo historické, ale v druhej polovici sa to začne dosť zadrhávať a prospelo by tomu buď troška skrátenia, alebo nejaký zaujímavejší dej než je každodenný život. Stále si však rada prečítam aj dvojku, lebo... ako je možné, že ma tak zaujíma, ako to bude pokračovať!? 7/10
Kukala som na to slovo "kamoška" a tak nejako si urobila názor, že jediné, čo to bude mať s historickým settingom spoločné, bude meno Jane Austenová. Viete, pubertiačky v osemnástom storočí s mentalitou dneška, plesy sú cool a chalani sexy.
Ale prekvapivo... nie. Jane a jej sesternica Jenny (reálna osoba, who knew?) žijú a myslia tak, že tú historickú atmosféru knihe uveríte už po pár stranách, a ako sa tak dievčatá chystajú na plesy alebo riešia ľúbostné problémy, celkom sa do toho ponoríte. Je to milé, je to chutné (cieľovka tak 12-14), je to prekvapivo historické, ale v druhej polovici sa to začne dosť zadrhávať a prospelo by tomu buď troška skrátenia, alebo nejaký zaujímavejší dej než je každodenný život. Stále si však rada prečítam aj dvojku, lebo... ako je možné, že ma tak zaujíma, ako to bude pokračovať!? 7/10
July 31, 2013
This is a sweet little fictional account of Jane Austen's early years through the eyes of someone who knew her well. Jenny is a great narrator because she's observant and records everything. She's sweet and shy and I like her a lot. I love her romance and the story kept me guessing as to what her heart really felt. Jane, on the other hand, is a little unlikeable. She's bratty and immature for 15 and never thinks things through. She has a difficult relationship with her mother, who apparently is the model for Mrs. Bennet, and adores her indulgent father. Her romance stories are hilarious and if you haven't read her juvenile stories, you'll want to after this. I also didn't like how certain people and events in Jane's life influenced her stories. This story would have been better without the too obvious parallels. Diehard Janeites might dislike the portrayal of young Jane Austen and history geeks might miss the lack of period language, though for teens, I think it's a good introduction to Jane Austen and her time. The language is modern and accessible and Jane and Jenny's feelings and actions are just the same as any other teenage girl in any time or place. I enjoyed the book and think it's worth a read if you want to know what a young Jane Austen COULD have been like. I liked this one better than Dearest Cousin Jane by Jill Pitkeathley.
June 6, 2019
Well that was downright odd, coming from an author whose historical mystery series was solid. I was surprised to find this historical romance so weak. Jane Austen and her cousin Jenny (really also Jane) are at boarding school when Jane becomes very ill. The headmistress won’t contact Jane’s parents so Jenny steals out in the dead of night through dangerous Southampton to send a letter to the Austens. This sets the romance plot in motion. There is another plot with a self-righteous Jane, resentful at her mother (but not her father) for boarding out their disabled son George, spends time with him and tries to teach him to read using sign language.
Unfortunately apart from Jenny and Jane, the characters are wooden, and even some of their less-like-marionette actions seem to be heavily directed. Jenny is a writer, always writing except not so much as Jane and, it seems (spoilers) not at all after the close of the book. The poor hero is described as perfect but has very little personality, disappointing because the historical bones of the engaged-in-three-weeks love story (here stretched by a previous meeting) give such scope for imagination. The plot with George seems transparently unhistorical, I cannot believe that Jane Austen thought her parents abandoned and neglected him by boarding him with the nanny who nursed all the Austen children, despite the author’s ability to steer clear of the problem I’ve come across lately, the magical smart-person-locked-inside-disabled-person trope that manages to suggest a person with a disability is only of value if they are secretly the same as everyone else. I did appreciate that, but still find it unlikely that pragmatic Jane would view the situation the way she does in this book, even as a melodramatic teen.
Overall this is okay. It reads like a first novel, and as mildly derivative-of-Austen paraliterature with some history infodumps. I wouldn’t dissuade people from reading it. Read on audio by Alison Larkin through my public library on Hoopla.
Unfortunately apart from Jenny and Jane, the characters are wooden, and even some of their less-like-marionette actions seem to be heavily directed. Jenny is a writer, always writing except not so much as Jane and, it seems (spoilers) not at all after the close of the book. The poor hero is described as perfect but has very little personality, disappointing because the historical bones of the engaged-in-three-weeks love story (here stretched by a previous meeting) give such scope for imagination. The plot with George seems transparently unhistorical, I cannot believe that Jane Austen thought her parents abandoned and neglected him by boarding him with the nanny who nursed all the Austen children, despite the author’s ability to steer clear of the problem I’ve come across lately, the magical smart-person-locked-inside-disabled-person trope that manages to suggest a person with a disability is only of value if they are secretly the same as everyone else. I did appreciate that, but still find it unlikely that pragmatic Jane would view the situation the way she does in this book, even as a melodramatic teen.
Overall this is okay. It reads like a first novel, and as mildly derivative-of-Austen paraliterature with some history infodumps. I wouldn’t dissuade people from reading it. Read on audio by Alison Larkin through my public library on Hoopla.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2011
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend follows the teenage life of Jane Austen, her cousin Jenny, and Jane’s immediate family, in a diary-like format. There are little illustrations dotted about, supposedly drawn by Jenny (and mostly of the handsome men she happens to meet!) with scraps of Jane’s writing attached for safe keeping. What’s interesting about this story is that the basic plot and the characters are all real, taken from facts known about that particular time in her life. Jenny Cooper, the main protagonist, did actually meet and fall in love with a Captain Thomas Williams in the short space of three weeks, while staying with Jane’s family, making this a bit more special compared to your average regency romance inspired by Austen’s greatest works.
Sadly, I had some problems with the narration and had a very difficult time getting into the story or connecting with Jenny. She is sixteen here, but she was so naive I couldn’t help thinking that she seemed a lot younger. There wasn’t much substance to her and I kept wanting her to just do something rather than worrying all the time. I’m sure the character was probably quite a realistic portrayal of the young girls of the time, but she was far to sweet, delicate and uninteresting for me to like her.
The novel didn’t capture my interest until nearly halfway through and it’s no coincidence that this was when Captain Williams arrived on the scene. Though I very much enjoyed the second half, I have to admit that I almost didn’t bother to read it, automatically giving this a lower rating. However, the tone of the book and the nature of the story and characters will probably appeal perfectly to a young girl and I have to admit, I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend would be a good choice for introducing young readers to the works of Jane Austen.
The characters on the whole are well-rounded and I did grow quite fond of them, though we don’t spend nearly enough time with the Captain and Jane remained a bit of an enigma too. She is always scribbling down ideas and stories and doing her own thing. I was left with the impression of a confident, independent young woman who loves her friends dearly and delights in observing people, but keeps her own council – which probably sounds about right.
Will I re-read this? No I don’t think so, but by the end I was glad I took the time to pick it up and I expect I will read the second book though I won’t be buying it. The pacing just wasn’t right and all the interesting events and character growth took place in the second half of the book. A sweet romance, but ultimately, I’m just not the right audience for I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend - I found the childlike illustrations and scraps of Jane’s writing irritating and distracting. Because of my personal enjoyment I’ve given it a lower rating, but this one is definitely well suited for younger readers, who I think will like it far more.
Sadly, I had some problems with the narration and had a very difficult time getting into the story or connecting with Jenny. She is sixteen here, but she was so naive I couldn’t help thinking that she seemed a lot younger. There wasn’t much substance to her and I kept wanting her to just do something rather than worrying all the time. I’m sure the character was probably quite a realistic portrayal of the young girls of the time, but she was far to sweet, delicate and uninteresting for me to like her.
The novel didn’t capture my interest until nearly halfway through and it’s no coincidence that this was when Captain Williams arrived on the scene. Though I very much enjoyed the second half, I have to admit that I almost didn’t bother to read it, automatically giving this a lower rating. However, the tone of the book and the nature of the story and characters will probably appeal perfectly to a young girl and I have to admit, I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend would be a good choice for introducing young readers to the works of Jane Austen.
The characters on the whole are well-rounded and I did grow quite fond of them, though we don’t spend nearly enough time with the Captain and Jane remained a bit of an enigma too. She is always scribbling down ideas and stories and doing her own thing. I was left with the impression of a confident, independent young woman who loves her friends dearly and delights in observing people, but keeps her own council – which probably sounds about right.
Will I re-read this? No I don’t think so, but by the end I was glad I took the time to pick it up and I expect I will read the second book though I won’t be buying it. The pacing just wasn’t right and all the interesting events and character growth took place in the second half of the book. A sweet romance, but ultimately, I’m just not the right audience for I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend - I found the childlike illustrations and scraps of Jane’s writing irritating and distracting. Because of my personal enjoyment I’ve given it a lower rating, but this one is definitely well suited for younger readers, who I think will like it far more.
October 19, 2011
I wish I could have given this 4.75 stars. It was almost five stars; the reason it did not, is I didn't really like how the author portrayed Jane and her mother. By the end of the book though, they kind of grow on you, and aren't too bad. I guess it is possible that Jane Austen and her mother did not get along very well, but I never imagined it that way. And I always thought that Jane and Cassandra were best friends; Cassandra did not really act like a loving big sister in this book.
But, enough with all the negatives! What I did enjoy was Jenny's character and her romance with Captain Thomas Williams! And, I loved how Jenny's older brother was modeled after Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice) and his wife Augusta was after Mrs. Elton (Emma). Captain Williams was a little bit Mr. Darcy (P & P) and a little bit Captain Wentworth (Persuasion)!!! I liked the author's note at the end that explained this and more interesting facts about the book...
I recommend this to all Jane Austen fans!!!!
But, enough with all the negatives! What I did enjoy was Jenny's character and her romance with Captain Thomas Williams! And, I loved how Jenny's older brother was modeled after Mr. Collins (Pride and Prejudice) and his wife Augusta was after Mrs. Elton (Emma). Captain Williams was a little bit Mr. Darcy (P & P) and a little bit Captain Wentworth (Persuasion)!!! I liked the author's note at the end that explained this and more interesting facts about the book...
I recommend this to all Jane Austen fans!!!!
January 3, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I think Cora Harrison accurately depicts what Jane Austen's childhood would have been like. I loved all of the characters in this book, in particular the main character, Jenny. This book really captured the essence of the 1700's and I now want to read all of Jane Austen's books! (I haven't yet). There's not really much more I can say about this book without giving too much away, other than the fact that I loved every minute of it and couldn't put it down. So, yes I would definitely recommend this book, especially to those who are fans of historical fiction. :)
March 13, 2015
I loved it. This wasn't a deep thinker kind of novel. It was pure enjoyment and made a very good attempt at letting us see what Jane Austen's life as a teen could have been like. It was simple but one even adults can enjoy with the right mindset. It's not encyclopedic. Youth would enjoy this.
March 15, 2015
Táto kniha bola presne tá, ktorú som potrebovala aby ma nakopla do čítania. Zbožňujem romantické knihy z tohto obdobia.
November 12, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
Away at boarding school together, cousins Jenny Cooper and Jane Austen get into mischief. When Jane falls ill, Jenny knows she must send a letter to her aunt. The school mistress refuses her request, so in the dead of night she escapes to alert her aunt to the severity of Jane's illness. It's improper for a lady to be wandering the streets alone.
During her escape, Jenny meets Captain Thomas Williams. He's the perfect gentlemen, escorting her to the post and back to the school. He promises to keep her dreadful secret. Soon, Jane's mother arrives and whisks both girls back to Stevenson.
Jenny and Jane continue their education at the Austen home. While there, the girls often speak of love. Jane's sister, Cassandra, loves one of her father's students. Jane herself isn't in love, but she flirts with several boys at the local ball. Jenny believes herself in love Jane's brother, Henry, as he often flirts with her. When she spies Captain Thomas Williams again, she's both nervous for her reputation and very happy to see him. Will she find true love?
Jenny's adventures are chronicled in her diary. At the back of the book, the author adds in an Author's Note detailing the changes made for this story. I adore Jane Austen and couldn't wait to read I WAS JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND. Jenny chronicles their daily routine, where we get an in-depth look into the Austen's way of life. She also peppers her diary with charming illustrations.
I loved reading about Jane's writing, familiar characters that would make their way into said writing, and about Jenny's romance.
Away at boarding school together, cousins Jenny Cooper and Jane Austen get into mischief. When Jane falls ill, Jenny knows she must send a letter to her aunt. The school mistress refuses her request, so in the dead of night she escapes to alert her aunt to the severity of Jane's illness. It's improper for a lady to be wandering the streets alone.
During her escape, Jenny meets Captain Thomas Williams. He's the perfect gentlemen, escorting her to the post and back to the school. He promises to keep her dreadful secret. Soon, Jane's mother arrives and whisks both girls back to Stevenson.
Jenny and Jane continue their education at the Austen home. While there, the girls often speak of love. Jane's sister, Cassandra, loves one of her father's students. Jane herself isn't in love, but she flirts with several boys at the local ball. Jenny believes herself in love Jane's brother, Henry, as he often flirts with her. When she spies Captain Thomas Williams again, she's both nervous for her reputation and very happy to see him. Will she find true love?
Jenny's adventures are chronicled in her diary. At the back of the book, the author adds in an Author's Note detailing the changes made for this story. I adore Jane Austen and couldn't wait to read I WAS JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND. Jenny chronicles their daily routine, where we get an in-depth look into the Austen's way of life. She also peppers her diary with charming illustrations.
I loved reading about Jane's writing, familiar characters that would make their way into said writing, and about Jenny's romance.
July 4, 2014
I enjoyed this book. It is better as a YA novel, and usually that does not bother me, if the story is engaging. I love all things Austen , so I bought the book. I am not crazy about the way Jane is portrayed. I do not find her as rude, nor uncaring about her mother, as this book portrays. Her cousin, who comes to stay keeps a journal, and it is this journal, and drawings that open the way into the world of Austen. I read the story, and I liked the ending, but I could not tell if there was just some jealousy, or that she just was not as deep a thinker as Jane. I also think, as her books show, Jane used satire in her real life as well. She could be fun one moment, and off into a book in the next. I did not find the off putting. I will donate this to our library, so others may read about a younger Jane, if but only fiction. It is my hope young readers will fall for Ms. Austen's wonderful works. I know by her stories, that she treasured Cassandra, her sister. They stayed very close, until her early demise. This book shows Cassandra, as the worker bee, who is stuck taking Jane's place, where work with her mother is concerned. I truly feel this is just the writers opinion, of how flighty at times Jane must have seemed, to those around her, since Cassandra was older and looking to home, and marriage, while Jane was engrossed in the details she could notice, and put unto paper.
July 26, 2010
Jenny Cooper is an immediately likable character, risking everything to get a letter to Jane’s mother to let her know that she is very ill. Like many of Austen’s own characters, you get a sense of who she is right away and she’s endearing through the thoughts she keeps in her diary. The book is meant for teen readers and Jenny is just 16 years old so the diary reflects the thoughts and dreams of a girl that age, many of which are true no matter what time in which you live.
This books is a great place to start off a teenager to open the world of Jane Austen, giving some background on Jane and including illusions to characters from Austen’s books. It combines fiction with things we know about Jane Austen and her family in a storytelling style similar to Austen’s books. Those who have not read Austen before may find themselves wanting to know more and picking up one of her books. Those who love Austen already will see the similarities and enjoy the places where characters and names pop up. It made me want to go back and read them all again!
http://vancie917.wordpress.com/
This books is a great place to start off a teenager to open the world of Jane Austen, giving some background on Jane and including illusions to characters from Austen’s books. It combines fiction with things we know about Jane Austen and her family in a storytelling style similar to Austen’s books. Those who have not read Austen before may find themselves wanting to know more and picking up one of her books. Those who love Austen already will see the similarities and enjoy the places where characters and names pop up. It made me want to go back and read them all again!
http://vancie917.wordpress.com/
November 18, 2009
I was thrilled when I read the blurb on this book to see that the central character had the same name as me. However I was then very disappointed by the book itself, a weak regency romance with the conceit that the protagonist is Jane Austen's cousin. The romance is insipid, and the pitching of the novel is confusing. The maturity of the writing seems aged at 11-12 years, yet the subject matter would surely only interest older readers. A great idea that was not executed as well as I would like.
March 23, 2013
AMAZING READ! Especially for teens who want to prepare themselves for Jane Austen's books! This book will make Jane's figure more friendly and real. After reading it I want to re-read "Pride and Prejudice" and get to know Jane Austen's life better! I am so glad books like this are still popular on teen/young adult books market. It is important to give the young ones not only paranormal romances and silly light reads, but also books which are beautiful, calm and which can give them aesthetic impressions and make young people sensitive to literary art.
February 16, 2020
Interesting historical fiction. Not too exciting, but would be good for a middle school student who enjoys Austen and the time period.
November 25, 2021
4.25 🌟
February 13, 2022
A light read. Very much of the time only miss Austen can conjure up. Ball gowns and Handsome suitors.
December 4, 2019
I've always liked Jane Austen, and this let me find things out about her I never knew. I see where she drew info for her stories from!
February 13, 2022
Absolutely precious little piece of historical fiction! If you love Jane Austen, add this to your must reads! ❤️
May 19, 2022
Wasn’t bad per se but historical romances just are not for me and i don’t know why I try
August 10, 2024
I loved this book, a must read for those that love Jane Austen.
April 26, 2011
I waited until my holiday for this one because I knew I would enjoy it and it seemed like one of those summer romantic reads to read on holiday in the sun...not in dreary raining, cloudy England. Although I hate the novels themselves, I'm starting to like the Jane Austen lifetime books at the moment. They're so interesting.
Cora Harrison herself, I found out, has released lots of books - I've never heard of her before!
Synopsis: When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship that she applies to her writing. Unexpectedly, Jenny meets a young naval officer at a ball who knows her desperate secret which if revealed could ruin her reputation and bring scandal to both herself and the wonderful caring Austen family.
Told through Jenny's beloved diary, Jane helps Jenny get through these obstacles that stand in the way of a better, more happier life.
(Partly from Goodreads.com)
Review: I loved this book. I really did. I've read both good and bad reports of this so I was a tad weary when I started it but really...I personally, think it is one of the best books I have read so far in my years that I can remember.
Okay, so some of you might be thinking I am going way too far but I think if you were me and read this book, you would totally understand where I'm coming from.
I ended this book wanting more, not wanting it to end or to go out of my reading live. It was that good for me.
The story is told through Jenny's diary which gives you a very detailed account on what happened and her feelings especially - and of the happenings of Jane Austen, her best friend, companion and dear cousin. However, the nice thing about this book with the characters is that, it's not all about Jenny and Jane. You also find out more about the rest of the Austen family and the school children Mr Austen taught. You get an insight into the life that they led in the 1700's - the etiquette, the manners, the family relationships, the courtship and the type of thing they would have seen as scandalous when we might not even think twice. The nice thing about this too is that Cora Harrison has played on the future relationships of the Austens and who, if you, like I did when I got back, look up, later marry or propose to. It's actually really interesting looking them up afterwards and seeing what happened and Harrison has done this well - not too obvious yet not too subtle.
The characters are very much like how I could imagine them, reading other books and facts about the Austen family. I can also see how the author has based some of the characters on Jane Austen's beloved characters in her own books which fits well with the book and adds a nice personal touch. Mr & Mrs Austen reminded me a lot of Mr & Mrs Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Edward-John Cooper (Jenny's brother) was a LOT like Mr Collins - although his 'humourous' lines weren't amazingly funny. And then Augusta, his wife, reminded me of Mrs Elton from Emma. Jane Austen, herself, reminded me of Emma, herself, which was interesting.
The funniest likeness was Jane's youngest brother, Charles being so much like Lydia in Pride and Prejudice...I have no idea why - maybe the playfulness and how he acted so young for a 12 year-old. I really liked these little touches.
My only complain is that Captain Williams, we meet in the first chapter. But then, he doesn't return until page 200-something. I can understand the long wait but...I would personally have liked him to come back earlier - he's a little cheesy for my liking but nice... :)
There is also the question of 'So how much of it is true?'. Well so start off with the characters are all real people (of course the Austen family were) and, as described in the Author's Note at the back which was interesting to read afterwards, Jenny was a real person too who had stayed at Steventon for a year. The only changes is Jenny's name was really Jane (but she couldn't really have two Janes in the story) and she was more older than Jane Austen and closer to Cassendra's, Jane's older sister, age. You can really see the thought and the historical detail that has gone into making this novel, probably 95% (maybe - I'm guessing) is true and real.
As you can tell, I absolutely love this novel and this is one of my favourites. I loved the descriptions, the characters, her writing and how is was so entertaining. Although some may not like the fact that it is very informal and unlike the Regency speak, I liked that - it made it easier to read and let's face it, who would want to read ANOTHER book in the language of Jane Austen that was written in modern times? I certainly don't.
I am looking forward to reading Cora Harrison's next book in the series, Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend which has just been released. YAAY!
Cora Harrison herself, I found out, has released lots of books - I've never heard of her before!
Synopsis: When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship that she applies to her writing. Unexpectedly, Jenny meets a young naval officer at a ball who knows her desperate secret which if revealed could ruin her reputation and bring scandal to both herself and the wonderful caring Austen family.
Told through Jenny's beloved diary, Jane helps Jenny get through these obstacles that stand in the way of a better, more happier life.
(Partly from Goodreads.com)
Review: I loved this book. I really did. I've read both good and bad reports of this so I was a tad weary when I started it but really...I personally, think it is one of the best books I have read so far in my years that I can remember.
Okay, so some of you might be thinking I am going way too far but I think if you were me and read this book, you would totally understand where I'm coming from.
I ended this book wanting more, not wanting it to end or to go out of my reading live. It was that good for me.
The story is told through Jenny's diary which gives you a very detailed account on what happened and her feelings especially - and of the happenings of Jane Austen, her best friend, companion and dear cousin. However, the nice thing about this book with the characters is that, it's not all about Jenny and Jane. You also find out more about the rest of the Austen family and the school children Mr Austen taught. You get an insight into the life that they led in the 1700's - the etiquette, the manners, the family relationships, the courtship and the type of thing they would have seen as scandalous when we might not even think twice. The nice thing about this too is that Cora Harrison has played on the future relationships of the Austens and who, if you, like I did when I got back, look up, later marry or propose to. It's actually really interesting looking them up afterwards and seeing what happened and Harrison has done this well - not too obvious yet not too subtle.
The characters are very much like how I could imagine them, reading other books and facts about the Austen family. I can also see how the author has based some of the characters on Jane Austen's beloved characters in her own books which fits well with the book and adds a nice personal touch. Mr & Mrs Austen reminded me a lot of Mr & Mrs Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, Edward-John Cooper (Jenny's brother) was a LOT like Mr Collins - although his 'humourous' lines weren't amazingly funny. And then Augusta, his wife, reminded me of Mrs Elton from Emma. Jane Austen, herself, reminded me of Emma, herself, which was interesting.
The funniest likeness was Jane's youngest brother, Charles being so much like Lydia in Pride and Prejudice...I have no idea why - maybe the playfulness and how he acted so young for a 12 year-old. I really liked these little touches.
My only complain is that Captain Williams, we meet in the first chapter. But then, he doesn't return until page 200-something. I can understand the long wait but...I would personally have liked him to come back earlier - he's a little cheesy for my liking but nice... :)
There is also the question of 'So how much of it is true?'. Well so start off with the characters are all real people (of course the Austen family were) and, as described in the Author's Note at the back which was interesting to read afterwards, Jenny was a real person too who had stayed at Steventon for a year. The only changes is Jenny's name was really Jane (but she couldn't really have two Janes in the story) and she was more older than Jane Austen and closer to Cassendra's, Jane's older sister, age. You can really see the thought and the historical detail that has gone into making this novel, probably 95% (maybe - I'm guessing) is true and real.
As you can tell, I absolutely love this novel and this is one of my favourites. I loved the descriptions, the characters, her writing and how is was so entertaining. Although some may not like the fact that it is very informal and unlike the Regency speak, I liked that - it made it easier to read and let's face it, who would want to read ANOTHER book in the language of Jane Austen that was written in modern times? I certainly don't.
I am looking forward to reading Cora Harrison's next book in the series, Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend which has just been released. YAAY!
June 20, 2016
Unfortunately, I have very few nice things to say about this novel. I tried to imagine myself reading this at sixteen, the same age as Jenny, and I know I would not have liked it any better then than I do now. Which is very little.
I like epistolary novels and diary novels in general, but in this case, I didn't. I admit that when writing a diary-style book, you have to take into account how a real diary would be written. As such, we see all kinds of detail about Jenny's worries and anxieties, and the things that she pays most attention to in her diary reveal what is important to her. It's a lot of talk about boys and men, a lot of which doesn't actual come to anything at all. Jenny's crush on Henry? Magically disappears. Frank's crush on Jenny? Left hanging. The play that James started? Seemingly forgotten. Some of these details showed Cora Harrison's research and attention to real-life facts, but some of them, such as cousin Eliza's presence or James' play, seemed more for us Austen fans than for any purpose of the book. Eliza's departure seems strange, like she should have been there for more follow through, and she's mentioned off-handedly later, having written a letter with concern for her husband (who, as we fans know, was guillotined). It just felt like there were a bunch of details that added up to nothing.
Perhaps I should be more forgiving, as it is a diary-style book, and diaries are full of non-essential information and strange details that never get any follow up. But in this book, they stuck out like a sore thumb and seemed clumsy.
Jenny seems far younger than sixteen. She and Jane both felt a few years younger than they were supposed to be. Just a little too doe-eyed, like they were 12-13 rather than 15-16.
Jenny being proposed to felt intensely uncomfortable, since she seemed so much younger than 16 and also since Captain Williams spoke to her as though she was a child. I missed whatever made their romance interesting. Their conversations were boring, and hardly tapped into who they were as people at all. I realize their fast romance was based on real facts, and the real life Jane Cooper did get engaged to her Captain Williams very quickly, but this rendition was just too rosy-glasses for me. They hung out like three times, and their conversations were hardly interesting those few times??
Finally, it bothered me intensely throughout the novel that the relationship between Jane and her sister Cassandra was portrayed as rather distant and lacked warmth! Like Cassandra looked down on Jane or something. I realize that perhaps Harrison did this so that there would be room for Jenny to be Jane's best friend, but it bothered me that Cassandra was pushed so thoroughly aside, given the close relationship of these sisters in real life. Sadface!
In terms of the writing itself, this reads like a diary in that it is more story-driven than anything. It's mashed potatoes: plain, but it gets the job done. I just wish there had been some garlic in there, something to pump it up a notch. I'm hungry.
So, all in all... would not recommend, really. There's better Austen fanfic out there; hard pass on this one.
I like epistolary novels and diary novels in general, but in this case, I didn't. I admit that when writing a diary-style book, you have to take into account how a real diary would be written. As such, we see all kinds of detail about Jenny's worries and anxieties, and the things that she pays most attention to in her diary reveal what is important to her. It's a lot of talk about boys and men, a lot of which doesn't actual come to anything at all. Jenny's crush on Henry? Magically disappears. Frank's crush on Jenny? Left hanging. The play that James started? Seemingly forgotten. Some of these details showed Cora Harrison's research and attention to real-life facts, but some of them, such as cousin Eliza's presence or James' play, seemed more for us Austen fans than for any purpose of the book. Eliza's departure seems strange, like she should have been there for more follow through, and she's mentioned off-handedly later, having written a letter with concern for her husband (who, as we fans know, was guillotined). It just felt like there were a bunch of details that added up to nothing.
Perhaps I should be more forgiving, as it is a diary-style book, and diaries are full of non-essential information and strange details that never get any follow up. But in this book, they stuck out like a sore thumb and seemed clumsy.
Jenny seems far younger than sixteen. She and Jane both felt a few years younger than they were supposed to be. Just a little too doe-eyed, like they were 12-13 rather than 15-16.
Jenny being proposed to felt intensely uncomfortable, since she seemed so much younger than 16 and also since Captain Williams spoke to her as though she was a child. I missed whatever made their romance interesting. Their conversations were boring, and hardly tapped into who they were as people at all. I realize their fast romance was based on real facts, and the real life Jane Cooper did get engaged to her Captain Williams very quickly, but this rendition was just too rosy-glasses for me. They hung out like three times, and their conversations were hardly interesting those few times??
Finally, it bothered me intensely throughout the novel that the relationship between Jane and her sister Cassandra was portrayed as rather distant and lacked warmth! Like Cassandra looked down on Jane or something. I realize that perhaps Harrison did this so that there would be room for Jenny to be Jane's best friend, but it bothered me that Cassandra was pushed so thoroughly aside, given the close relationship of these sisters in real life. Sadface!
In terms of the writing itself, this reads like a diary in that it is more story-driven than anything. It's mashed potatoes: plain, but it gets the job done. I just wish there had been some garlic in there, something to pump it up a notch. I'm hungry.
So, all in all... would not recommend, really. There's better Austen fanfic out there; hard pass on this one.
March 13, 2011
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend is a delightful, witty and entirely addictive historical novel!
I hadn’t really intended on reading I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend but when I ordered it for the library, one of my students asked me to read it before she did in case it had too much kissing. So of course, as a diligent and obliging librarian, I said I would. And I am so glad that I did.
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend is the story of Jenny Cooper – Jane’s best friend – who documents her life in her journal. Jenny is the heroine of the story and from the very first page I was gripped by her narrative. Talk about an opening! Jenny is desperately worried because Jane is sick with a fever and she thinks she might die if she doesn’t receive some proper care. The two girls are suck at a hideous boarding school with the cruel Mrs Cawley. So Jenny does a remarkably brave and risky thing, she sneaks out at midnight through a window and walks alone through the streets of Southampton to send a letter to Jane’s mother. As Jane rightly says, if this is to be a novel, then a handsome hero must soon appear.
I really loved the historical aspects of this story but I also loved how it felt contemporary too. Jenny is an adorable character. She is shy yet brave, graceful and also grieving for the loss of her mother. Her only remaining family is her brother and his bossy wife. They are the reason she is living in the terrifying boarding school at the beginning of the story. Jenny feels very burdensome to her brother and does not feel she can explain how much she hates it there.
Jane is every bit that you imagine Jane Austen to be when you’ve read her novels. She is incredibly sharp with her wit, tomboyish and loves to make up stories inspired by the people around her. She also has a tender side which is portrayed through her relationship with her brother George.
Once free of the boarding school, Jenny and Jane experience many delights of their time, they go to grand balls, dance, wear beautiful dresses and of course discuss finding love with handsome young men (of fortune).
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend is an absolute feel good read. I didn’t want the story to end. It was hopelessly romantic and charming. It made me feel giggly and lightheaded. Friendship, romance, humour and the historical setting, make this book so utterly brilliant. I highly recommend it!
I hadn’t really intended on reading I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend but when I ordered it for the library, one of my students asked me to read it before she did in case it had too much kissing. So of course, as a diligent and obliging librarian, I said I would. And I am so glad that I did.
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend is the story of Jenny Cooper – Jane’s best friend – who documents her life in her journal. Jenny is the heroine of the story and from the very first page I was gripped by her narrative. Talk about an opening! Jenny is desperately worried because Jane is sick with a fever and she thinks she might die if she doesn’t receive some proper care. The two girls are suck at a hideous boarding school with the cruel Mrs Cawley. So Jenny does a remarkably brave and risky thing, she sneaks out at midnight through a window and walks alone through the streets of Southampton to send a letter to Jane’s mother. As Jane rightly says, if this is to be a novel, then a handsome hero must soon appear.
I really loved the historical aspects of this story but I also loved how it felt contemporary too. Jenny is an adorable character. She is shy yet brave, graceful and also grieving for the loss of her mother. Her only remaining family is her brother and his bossy wife. They are the reason she is living in the terrifying boarding school at the beginning of the story. Jenny feels very burdensome to her brother and does not feel she can explain how much she hates it there.
Jane is every bit that you imagine Jane Austen to be when you’ve read her novels. She is incredibly sharp with her wit, tomboyish and loves to make up stories inspired by the people around her. She also has a tender side which is portrayed through her relationship with her brother George.
Once free of the boarding school, Jenny and Jane experience many delights of their time, they go to grand balls, dance, wear beautiful dresses and of course discuss finding love with handsome young men (of fortune).
I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend is an absolute feel good read. I didn’t want the story to end. It was hopelessly romantic and charming. It made me feel giggly and lightheaded. Friendship, romance, humour and the historical setting, make this book so utterly brilliant. I highly recommend it!
April 26, 2013
I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend
Name: Danielle Autumn Shur
Harrison, C. (2010). I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Print (Book)
Selection Process: WorldCat
Review:
Jenny Cooper is an orphan who has been abandoned by her brother and his controlling wife. Her only refuge is her best friend and cousin, Jane Austen. When Jane falls violently ill Jenny sneaks out of the ghastly boarding school the pair attend to send an urgent midnight letter to her aunt, Jane’s mother. When Mrs. Austen sees the horrid conditions in which her girls live she promptly removes them from the toxic environment which has suddenly taken Jenny ill too.
After much rest to improve their health it is decided that the girls will stay at the Austen residence to continue their education. Over at the following months Jenny becomes accustomed to country life. On clear days the girls ride, take walks, and enjoy their natural surroundings. Poor weather days are spent indoors reading and playing games. Jenny gets to know her family and meets more cousins she never knew about.
Marriage is on the mind of Mrs. Austen. She has two daughters and a niece that needs to be married off to wealthy men, for the Austens’ are poor and cannot afford dowries for their girls. Mrs. Austen is disappointed when her eldest daughter, Cassandra, becomes engaged to a penniless young man and she fears that her other daughter, Jane, is too wild to make a good match. Mrs. Austen’s only hope is with her quiet yet pretty niece who has caught the attention of a couple of suitable gentlemen; however, Jenny has a secret. If anyone finds out the truth, her prospects for a good match as well as her reputation could be ruined.
Recommendation: Recommend
Name: Danielle Autumn Shur
Harrison, C. (2010). I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Print (Book)
Selection Process: WorldCat
Review:
Jenny Cooper is an orphan who has been abandoned by her brother and his controlling wife. Her only refuge is her best friend and cousin, Jane Austen. When Jane falls violently ill Jenny sneaks out of the ghastly boarding school the pair attend to send an urgent midnight letter to her aunt, Jane’s mother. When Mrs. Austen sees the horrid conditions in which her girls live she promptly removes them from the toxic environment which has suddenly taken Jenny ill too.
After much rest to improve their health it is decided that the girls will stay at the Austen residence to continue their education. Over at the following months Jenny becomes accustomed to country life. On clear days the girls ride, take walks, and enjoy their natural surroundings. Poor weather days are spent indoors reading and playing games. Jenny gets to know her family and meets more cousins she never knew about.
Marriage is on the mind of Mrs. Austen. She has two daughters and a niece that needs to be married off to wealthy men, for the Austens’ are poor and cannot afford dowries for their girls. Mrs. Austen is disappointed when her eldest daughter, Cassandra, becomes engaged to a penniless young man and she fears that her other daughter, Jane, is too wild to make a good match. Mrs. Austen’s only hope is with her quiet yet pretty niece who has caught the attention of a couple of suitable gentlemen; however, Jenny has a secret. If anyone finds out the truth, her prospects for a good match as well as her reputation could be ruined.
Recommendation: Recommend
May 7, 2011
I ended up really liking this book despite the title and despite the cover art. Those put me off because they seemed a little smug? I'm not sure the exact right word here, too worldly, too put together? Who knows, but the book isn't like that at all. I really enjoyed getting to know Jenny, who in the book isn't sure in the knowledge that she's Jane Austen's best friend though she does feel welcomed by her family. Jenny is shy and unsure of her place in the world and I enjoyed seeing her develop and grow up to find a place for herself.
The romance between Jenny and Thomas is very sweet and fun. I love a romance built around getting to know someone and a book that's not all about romance. I enjoyed getting to know George, and seeing how his situation was resolved added something beyond the romance-centered novel that so many books are these days. It was fun to see Jenny's whole life.
I don't think I picture Jane the way she is portrayed in this book, but because the book is so centered on Jenny, I didn't feel like I had to totally agree with the character of Jane in order to enjoy the book. Instead, I feel like I got to see a possibility of what Jane might have been like without being forced to see her as having been that way.
The romance between Jenny and Thomas is very sweet and fun. I love a romance built around getting to know someone and a book that's not all about romance. I enjoyed getting to know George, and seeing how his situation was resolved added something beyond the romance-centered novel that so many books are these days. It was fun to see Jenny's whole life.
I don't think I picture Jane the way she is portrayed in this book, but because the book is so centered on Jenny, I didn't feel like I had to totally agree with the character of Jane in order to enjoy the book. Instead, I feel like I got to see a possibility of what Jane might have been like without being forced to see her as having been that way.
October 23, 2013
Not brilliant, but decent enough fluff. You know (or perhaps you don't) me and my Austen-y spin-offs. This one is of her own life. An intriguing fictional glimpse of Austen as a teen. Realistic in emotions and flaws within characters. Author Harrison acknowledged changing a couple of things (like Jane Cooper's name and her age), though I have to say that there were a few more things than that (like dates of meeting Tom LeFroy, how old the girls were when they went to school, when Eliza came to visit, etc.)
Still, it was fun to get this glimpse, and I liked following more of Jenny's story than Jane's--especially that her 3-week romance is loosely based on Jane Cooper's actual 3-week romance! I have to say that my favorite part was the last few chapters when the Captain was on the scene more. But the rest of the book still showed realistic hopes and disappointments for a teen girl from any historical era.
P.S. It did make use of one my great irks when telling/portraying historical fiction account of Jane's life: Using the exact same names of Austen's characters in people of Austen's life and using word-for-word quotes from Jane's books as speech for Jane (or others in her life).
Still, it was fun to get this glimpse, and I liked following more of Jenny's story than Jane's--especially that her 3-week romance is loosely based on Jane Cooper's actual 3-week romance! I have to say that my favorite part was the last few chapters when the Captain was on the scene more. But the rest of the book still showed realistic hopes and disappointments for a teen girl from any historical era.
P.S. It did make use of one my great irks when telling/portraying historical fiction account of Jane's life: Using the exact same names of Austen's characters in people of Austen's life and using word-for-word quotes from Jane's books as speech for Jane (or others in her life).
March 4, 2011
This book was, surprisingly, much better than I'd expected. I'm always interested in Austen adaptations, but most of them are sadly disappointing (yet I still find myself reading them. Why?). In this book, Jane Austen's young cousin, Jenny Cooper, comes to live with them for what proves to be a momentous year in her life. The story itself is told with sensitivity, I thought, and the author has clearly done her research into Austen's family life (I never knew, for instance, that Jane had a mentally disabled brother, George, who didn't live with the family) and the book is a reasonable imagination of what life might have been like in their household. The story is told from Jenny's perspective, through accounts (and lovely little illustrations) in her diary. The main downside to the story is that the letters that get exchanged between the characters sometimes seem stilted, or a little silly. There's not a lot of deep substance to the story, but I enjoyed it and would recommend it to other Austen fans.
August 1, 2014
I did not really enjoy this book. I was bored at so many times, I am even becoming dull with writing this review. I just finished a five star book review, all excited and pumped from writing it and now I coming to this one. I am recalling all the scenes and found this book rather childish. I did not enjoy it. I would have given it 1 star but it was an okay book. There were just a few scenes (maybe one or two) that I enjoyed. I liked reading Jane's writings. But the whole story being upon love at such a young age? Jenny fell in love with every man she met!
Marrying a man she had known for just 3 weeks and they both thinking they are in love with each other? Please. I just couldn't bear this book. It was rather boring and full of baloney. I thought that she was going to have another kind of love story with Captain Thomas but it was dull and as I said more than once, boring. The only thing that give this book 2 stars instead of 1 were Jane's writings. I love the way she wrote. But the book itself was not that enjoyable.
Marrying a man she had known for just 3 weeks and they both thinking they are in love with each other? Please. I just couldn't bear this book. It was rather boring and full of baloney. I thought that she was going to have another kind of love story with Captain Thomas but it was dull and as I said more than once, boring. The only thing that give this book 2 stars instead of 1 were Jane's writings. I love the way she wrote. But the book itself was not that enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews