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Austenland #2
Midnight in Austenland
Charlotte Kinder is in need of true escape when she heads from Ohio to Pembrook Park, a Jane Austen-themed retreat in the British countryside. But as it turns out, this vacation is no time to relax. Hearts are racing and stomachs fluttering in a tangle of intrigues-real and pretend, sinister and romantic-increasingly tough to sort out. It's midnight in Austenland, and Charlotte is about to prove herself a heroine worthy of Austen herself.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2012
273 people are currently reading
12666 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hale
146 books14.1k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,771 reviews
June 19, 2011
I picked up this ARC because I like Shannon Hale. I think she writes intelligent, funny young adult books, and was curious how she would deal with the concept of disappointed and jaded women escaping to "Austenland". I expected it to be funny and incredulous. Instead, it was painfully sincere. It was very cliched, and had little nuance. In fact, the writing was so simplistic I assumed it was geared toward a teen audience (not to imply that teen writing is simplistic)--that is, until the mention of the pap smear. Because Hale is usually so intelligent and fun in her writing, I expected her to treat Austen's works with care. At the very least, she knows Northanger Abbey is laugh-out-loud funny, yet she most often fell into the trap of pop-culture-Colin-Firth-ian and inaccurate interpretations of Austen. I also could not stand the main character or sympathize with her, and as a result could have cared less about the "murder" mystery that was supposed to drive the barely-existent plot. The book did have a few brief moments where the Hale I expected shone through, and these were enough to get me to the last page, but in general, this book was a disappointment.
March 1, 2012
One of my goodreads friends said this about Midnight in Austenland: "Shannon Hale writes books about things that women fantasize about happening--like in a movie." If you keep that in mind, this book is quite fun.
Shannon Hale is clever and funny and I like her writing style immensely. The plot of this book is fairly ridiculous. Towards the end, I had to completely suspend disbelief (she didn't call the police, really?) but stayed up WAY to late to finish, so that says something about the readability.
Please keep writing Shannon Hale. You are a charmer.
Shannon Hale is clever and funny and I like her writing style immensely. The plot of this book is fairly ridiculous. Towards the end, I had to completely suspend disbelief (she didn't call the police, really?) but stayed up WAY to late to finish, so that says something about the readability.
Please keep writing Shannon Hale. You are a charmer.
June 25, 2012
I enjoyed the second installment in the Austenland chronicles as much as the first one. This one had some spine-tingling mystery and suspense when the heroine discovers a murder most foul in the utopian Jane Austenland.
I almost hate to admit it, but I really related to the heroine and her "niceness," her horrifying propensity to apologize for everything, and her doormat-ness. I so understood her! More's the pity. Both of us need to grow more backbone. But the heroine was brave when it counted, so it was an enjoyable story, and a sweet romance. I liked the way this authors describes those moments between her hero and heroine that could end up sounding sappy, but don't. She has an original way of describing those interactions that is refreshing. And who doesn't love anything to do with Jane Austen? If only I could go to Austenland!
I almost hate to admit it, but I really related to the heroine and her "niceness," her horrifying propensity to apologize for everything, and her doormat-ness. I so understood her! More's the pity. Both of us need to grow more backbone. But the heroine was brave when it counted, so it was an enjoyable story, and a sweet romance. I liked the way this authors describes those moments between her hero and heroine that could end up sounding sappy, but don't. She has an original way of describing those interactions that is refreshing. And who doesn't love anything to do with Jane Austen? If only I could go to Austenland!
November 6, 2011
How does she do it? How does author Shannon Hale evoke so much emotion from me? How does she make me feel like I have butterflies flying all through my body. I got that feeling when you're just about to be kissed for the first time, you remember don't you? I LOVE that feeling!
This book is hilarious. It really is. I was laughing out loud and my husband kept looking over at be wondering why I was laughing to myself. It oozes sarcasm and those inner thoughts we're always having that we never voice, but we totally think those crazy things. You know what I'm talking about. I know you do.
This book is why I love reading. As far fetched as a two week Austenland vacation seems, I can actually go there! I can curl up with my book, anytime I want, and take my vacation to Austenland. Thank you Shannon Hale. Thank you for letting me get all dressed up and live a Regency romance in Austenland. Anytime I want.
If you've not read the first book in this series you should! Austenland by Shannon Hale is just as amazing! Don't feel like you have to read it before Mindight in Austenland though, they are about different people, same place. It's a companion novel. Enjoy! Let me know what you think!
Quote:
"You don't have to entertain him," he whispered back. "It is his job to entertain you."
This book is hilarious. It really is. I was laughing out loud and my husband kept looking over at be wondering why I was laughing to myself. It oozes sarcasm and those inner thoughts we're always having that we never voice, but we totally think those crazy things. You know what I'm talking about. I know you do.
This book is why I love reading. As far fetched as a two week Austenland vacation seems, I can actually go there! I can curl up with my book, anytime I want, and take my vacation to Austenland. Thank you Shannon Hale. Thank you for letting me get all dressed up and live a Regency romance in Austenland. Anytime I want.
If you've not read the first book in this series you should! Austenland by Shannon Hale is just as amazing! Don't feel like you have to read it before Mindight in Austenland though, they are about different people, same place. It's a companion novel. Enjoy! Let me know what you think!
Quote:
"You don't have to entertain him," he whispered back. "It is his job to entertain you."
March 18, 2019
I have a confession. Although it would take a small fortune to convince me to re-read the book Austenland, I love, love, love the movie Austenland. Like, we're talking All Time Favorite Movies.
Yes, it is a guilty pleasure.
So even though the first book should have warned me away...I succumbed to my own curiosity and read Midnight in Austenland.
It was, um, better than the first? But, alas, still not good.
For starters, although I liked the idea of a divorced mother of two being the heroine instead of a Mr. Darcy obsessed single woman, Charlotte still manages to possess no personality. Oh, we're told she's super intelligent because she started a business and apparently she is gorgeous despite how much she freaks out about her one wrinkle. But in all respects, she spends most of the book panicking like a teenage girl and growing tongue-tied around hot men. (Hot men she somehow attracts and intrigues, of course!)
We are spared a litany of the heroine's previous boyfriends (unlike the first book...shudder) but still dumped with her emotional, slightly repetitive flashbacks about how her marriage fell apart. It was okay and in some ways cathartic to read, but I gave a little, irritated sigh every time I saw one.
The love interest came across very bland, as did most characters, although Miss Charming's presence salvaged the book for me. Every time she opened mouth I laughed loud enough to irritate my neighbors.
I like the overall moral of the romance but I never found any chemistry between the main couple.
I'd say with all the above factors, maybe a 3 star read for being fluffy and light and charming. But the Northanger Abbey retelling fell flat. I've seen one reviewer claim this book combines Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. While at face value the comparison works, in reality the sheer depth and nuance of Agatha Christie's plots make this one seem...lacking.
Finally, the ending just wrapped things up a little too conventionally. Not that I wanted more angst or anything. I just feel like everyone now needs seriously counseling, not smoochy time.
Yes, it is a guilty pleasure.
So even though the first book should have warned me away...I succumbed to my own curiosity and read Midnight in Austenland.
It was, um, better than the first? But, alas, still not good.
For starters, although I liked the idea of a divorced mother of two being the heroine instead of a Mr. Darcy obsessed single woman, Charlotte still manages to possess no personality. Oh, we're told she's super intelligent because she started a business and apparently she is gorgeous despite how much she freaks out about her one wrinkle. But in all respects, she spends most of the book panicking like a teenage girl and growing tongue-tied around hot men. (Hot men she somehow attracts and intrigues, of course!)
We are spared a litany of the heroine's previous boyfriends (unlike the first book...shudder) but still dumped with her emotional, slightly repetitive flashbacks about how her marriage fell apart. It was okay and in some ways cathartic to read, but I gave a little, irritated sigh every time I saw one.
The love interest came across very bland, as did most characters, although Miss Charming's presence salvaged the book for me. Every time she opened mouth I laughed loud enough to irritate my neighbors.
I like the overall moral of the romance but I never found any chemistry between the main couple.
I'd say with all the above factors, maybe a 3 star read for being fluffy and light and charming. But the Northanger Abbey retelling fell flat. I've seen one reviewer claim this book combines Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. While at face value the comparison works, in reality the sheer depth and nuance of Agatha Christie's plots make this one seem...lacking.
Finally, the ending just wrapped things up a little too conventionally. Not that I wanted more angst or anything. I just feel like everyone now needs seriously counseling, not smoochy time.
January 22, 2012
Shannon Hale can tell a charming story, but reading about a divorcee flirting Austen-style is like watching the desecration of your favourite artwork.
There is no subtlty in the romance, once again we have a 'heroine' who isn't anybody special, yet the guys come flocking. But then the romance twist comes out of the blue which the heroine insists feels 'so right', only to the reader it feels jarring and forced.
Mystery moved the plot along well, though I didn't like how it was resolved. The twists were so unbelievable that at the end I expected something else to suddenly drop in and twist the story further, just because stories can, it wouldn’t have been any less believable than the ending she chose.
It gives a shallow view of parenting and an unrealistic view of family life, like watching a movie family, not a real one.
And sadly, the only Austen elements were the cheap ones: the costumes, the attempt at the accents, the ‘brooding’, the ‘eye candy’, but where is her depth? Austen's characters were rich and nuanced, her relationships complex. This was ‘he looks like the Darcy figure, I’m irresistibly attracted to him, and of course, he is to me.’
The whole thing is an attractive concept - Austen is a worthy inspiration, but it's extremely unsatisfying when only played on the surface.
There is no subtlty in the romance, once again we have a 'heroine' who isn't anybody special, yet the guys come flocking. But then the romance twist comes out of the blue which the heroine insists feels 'so right', only to the reader it feels jarring and forced.
Mystery moved the plot along well, though I didn't like how it was resolved. The twists were so unbelievable that at the end I expected something else to suddenly drop in and twist the story further, just because stories can, it wouldn’t have been any less believable than the ending she chose.
It gives a shallow view of parenting and an unrealistic view of family life, like watching a movie family, not a real one.
And sadly, the only Austen elements were the cheap ones: the costumes, the attempt at the accents, the ‘brooding’, the ‘eye candy’, but where is her depth? Austen's characters were rich and nuanced, her relationships complex. This was ‘he looks like the Darcy figure, I’m irresistibly attracted to him, and of course, he is to me.’
The whole thing is an attractive concept - Austen is a worthy inspiration, but it's extremely unsatisfying when only played on the surface.
September 21, 2020
Reread comments:
I largely agree with my original review, but I'm dropping my rating a star. This is an improvement on Austenland but not enough of one to be more than just okay. The plot is made slightly more interesting by the inclusion of the mystery, though the mystery is rather weird. There are the same issues with regards to the silliness not sitting right, but the treatment of the secondary female characters has gained in some nuance. The romance with the actor who is cast as her "brother" is weird, honestly, and though I usually don't mind unrealistic premises in romance, I struggle to accept two actors falling for two customers, mostly because there's minimal development to the relationships in either book.
Original review:
In Austenland, Hale played with the characters of Pride and Prejudice, a rather obvious place to start, what with P&P's popularity. Honestly, I was disappointed by Austenland. Hale is one of my favorite authors, because of the originality of her characters and the...honesty of her stories. Austenland read like any Jane Austen spinoff, but I wanted it to be special. Plus, as an Austen-obsessed girl myself, I somewhat wonder whether nurturing our desires for a hero is a wise course.
With that knowledge, I came to this one with slightly lowered expectations. Expecting just a fun Austen-inspired romp, I was pleased with the results. I was not, however, astounded by its quality. This series does not rank anywhere near the Bayern books or The Actor and the Housewife. However, they are fun little guilty pleasures for those who like to think they may get a hero of their own someday.
I definitely liked this one better. For one thing, the novel Hale primarily drew her inspiration from for this one is Northanger Abbey, which is warring with P&P to be my personal favorite. The opening lines and the gothic content, perfectly mirror Northanger Abbey, although the murder mystery and the hero are quite changed.
There is not much Northanger Abbey inspired fiction out there, largely because Catherine is a less interesting heroine. Like Catherine, Charlotte does not have the makings of a heroine. She also has the tendency to let her imagination carry her away. However, Charlotte is much more mature than Catherine, both in age and intelligence. Charlotte is capable of some serious business acumen. Actually, this was one of the weak points of the novel, since the character of Charlotte seemed to switch back and forth between the brainless heroine and the logical, clever woman. The two parts of her character did not mingle well, and she seemed rather more like two women or like she has identity dissociative disorder, a suspicion enhanced by her constant discussions with her Inner Thoughts.
The romance herein is not a sweep the reader of her feet vicariously kind of deal. That works here, I think, even if it's not as exciting necessarily. The right decisions were made for the characters. Nor was the end result surprising, at least to me. Once the characters were assembled, I wondered what I would have done as an author, and I was right. High-fiving a million angels.
I largely agree with my original review, but I'm dropping my rating a star. This is an improvement on Austenland but not enough of one to be more than just okay. The plot is made slightly more interesting by the inclusion of the mystery, though the mystery is rather weird. There are the same issues with regards to the silliness not sitting right, but the treatment of the secondary female characters has gained in some nuance. The romance with the actor who is cast as her "brother" is weird, honestly, and though I usually don't mind unrealistic premises in romance, I struggle to accept two actors falling for two customers, mostly because there's minimal development to the relationships in either book.
Original review:
In Austenland, Hale played with the characters of Pride and Prejudice, a rather obvious place to start, what with P&P's popularity. Honestly, I was disappointed by Austenland. Hale is one of my favorite authors, because of the originality of her characters and the...honesty of her stories. Austenland read like any Jane Austen spinoff, but I wanted it to be special. Plus, as an Austen-obsessed girl myself, I somewhat wonder whether nurturing our desires for a hero is a wise course.
With that knowledge, I came to this one with slightly lowered expectations. Expecting just a fun Austen-inspired romp, I was pleased with the results. I was not, however, astounded by its quality. This series does not rank anywhere near the Bayern books or The Actor and the Housewife. However, they are fun little guilty pleasures for those who like to think they may get a hero of their own someday.
I definitely liked this one better. For one thing, the novel Hale primarily drew her inspiration from for this one is Northanger Abbey, which is warring with P&P to be my personal favorite. The opening lines and the gothic content, perfectly mirror Northanger Abbey, although the murder mystery and the hero are quite changed.
There is not much Northanger Abbey inspired fiction out there, largely because Catherine is a less interesting heroine. Like Catherine, Charlotte does not have the makings of a heroine. She also has the tendency to let her imagination carry her away. However, Charlotte is much more mature than Catherine, both in age and intelligence. Charlotte is capable of some serious business acumen. Actually, this was one of the weak points of the novel, since the character of Charlotte seemed to switch back and forth between the brainless heroine and the logical, clever woman. The two parts of her character did not mingle well, and she seemed rather more like two women or like she has identity dissociative disorder, a suspicion enhanced by her constant discussions with her Inner Thoughts.
The romance herein is not a sweep the reader of her feet vicariously kind of deal. That works here, I think, even if it's not as exciting necessarily. The right decisions were made for the characters. Nor was the end result surprising, at least to me. Once the characters were assembled, I wondered what I would have done as an author, and I was right. High-fiving a million angels.
March 30, 2021
Okay NO this is not great literature but it made me HAPPY and good lord isn't that just the whole point of this being alive thing
August 28, 2012
I was so excited to jump into this one because of how much I loved Austenland. Austenland was another of the books I read in that initial "summer of Jane" I told you about (it came after Sanditon, when I'd learned to hope Austen adaptations could be good, and Austenland seemed to confirm that), and I felt like Hale really captured something; it was this perfect slice of what it is to be a die-hard Janeite. I mean, even when you're looking at what's going on and thinking 'This is crazy,' you still sorta want to be there... So I was very eager to start this, and was hoping lightening would strike twice and I'd love this just as much.
And then I realized this was going to be a spin on Northanger Abbey. I think this is the deciding factor for most readers - some of you will have just cringed, in which case you may not want to pick this up. Some of you perked up, maybe even said Finally!, in which case, you should go grab a copy soonish.
I fall firmly in the latter category. I love Northanger something fierce, and I don't understand why everyone hates on my itty bitty Catherine. I'm not going to let this become a review of Northanger, so I'll just say, to me, NA is Jane at her most fun, and I always say you can practically feel her smiling on the page - it's a book that seems like the author had fun writing, so I have fun reading. So, as I was sitting in a comfy chair on my patio, reading Midnight in Austenland and soaking up the sun*, there came a moment where I started seeing some similarities between Charlotte and Catherine, and I sat up in my comfy chair and said (aloud) "This is f#cking Northanger Abbey!"
See, this? This is why my neighbors think I'm crazy...
Anyway, I sat up, excited that it was going to be Northanger, and I think I started reading a little faster. But at the same time, I was hesitant, because the thing is: Charlotte is so much older than Catherine. I know how that sounds, but really - there are things I'll accept in a giddy excitable teenager, just out of her house for the first time and getting to flirt with boys, that I will not accept from a GROWN WOMAN, who in other respects seems to be very level-headed and business minded.
What I'm saying is, it was a risk to take on Northanger in a modern setting, with a modern, middle-aged woman.
And I don't know that it's a risk that completely worked, honestly. Now, before I delve into the negatives, I want to make it clear that I did really enjoy this. It had the same Janeite drive and touch of whimsy that Austenland did, but it's darker in tone and atmosphere, to suit NA. Reality is starting to intrude on Pembrook Park in a big way, and Charlotte - and the reader - spend much of the time wondering just how dark and real things will get, just how far characters will go. I really liked that the tone mirrors NA and adds that layer, and I liked the realistic feel the darker tone gave the story and atmosphere, where things are supposed to be so fantasized and light.
But.
(You knew there was a but, right?)
But this walks a very fine line between being a serious mystery and a caricature of one, and until you realize which way the chips are going to fall (whether this is happening or Charlotte is pulling a Catherine), it's hard to decide whether to like Charlotte and go with her, or to think she's a hysterical, high-strung nutjob, looking for drama where there is none.** I'm not going to spoil it and tell you which is true (sane Charlotte/crazy world or crazy Charlotte/sane world), but I will say that every time I'd think the story was straying too far into crazy town, Hale would remind me that everything actually did make sense. It's hard to explain without giving something away, but basically Hale has this way of seamlessly and judiciously inserting these little reflections and bits of info that make you look at things more from Charlotte's perspective and say, Yeah, maybe she's onto something... and it would always make me giggle a bit - every time I thought I was going to escape Crazytown, Charlotte would pull me back in until I was just in it, saying, Yeah, let's do this! Crazy town banana pants!
Ugh, I'm making a mess of this.
Basically, it's crazy and it's not; it's dark and intense, and light and fluffy; it's completely what I expected and not what I expected at all... It was a sometimes-strange read that I questioned but thoroughly enjoyed, and even though things have kinda gone pear-shaped at Pembrook, I still want to visit Austenland.
So if you liked Northanger or Austenland, read it. If you didn't, don't.
And if this made any sense, give me a thumbs up or a nod, or something...
;P
**I guess this is the problem people have with Northanger Abbey, come to think of it. But were I normally think "Catherine, you so silly!" I was instead thinking "Charlotte, what the eff is wrong with you, woman?!"
*still pale though.
And then I realized this was going to be a spin on Northanger Abbey. I think this is the deciding factor for most readers - some of you will have just cringed, in which case you may not want to pick this up. Some of you perked up, maybe even said Finally!, in which case, you should go grab a copy soonish.
I fall firmly in the latter category. I love Northanger something fierce, and I don't understand why everyone hates on my itty bitty Catherine. I'm not going to let this become a review of Northanger, so I'll just say, to me, NA is Jane at her most fun, and I always say you can practically feel her smiling on the page - it's a book that seems like the author had fun writing, so I have fun reading. So, as I was sitting in a comfy chair on my patio, reading Midnight in Austenland and soaking up the sun*, there came a moment where I started seeing some similarities between Charlotte and Catherine, and I sat up in my comfy chair and said (aloud) "This is f#cking Northanger Abbey!"
See, this? This is why my neighbors think I'm crazy...
Anyway, I sat up, excited that it was going to be Northanger, and I think I started reading a little faster. But at the same time, I was hesitant, because the thing is: Charlotte is so much older than Catherine. I know how that sounds, but really - there are things I'll accept in a giddy excitable teenager, just out of her house for the first time and getting to flirt with boys, that I will not accept from a GROWN WOMAN, who in other respects seems to be very level-headed and business minded.
What I'm saying is, it was a risk to take on Northanger in a modern setting, with a modern, middle-aged woman.
And I don't know that it's a risk that completely worked, honestly. Now, before I delve into the negatives, I want to make it clear that I did really enjoy this. It had the same Janeite drive and touch of whimsy that Austenland did, but it's darker in tone and atmosphere, to suit NA. Reality is starting to intrude on Pembrook Park in a big way, and Charlotte - and the reader - spend much of the time wondering just how dark and real things will get, just how far characters will go. I really liked that the tone mirrors NA and adds that layer, and I liked the realistic feel the darker tone gave the story and atmosphere, where things are supposed to be so fantasized and light.
But.
(You knew there was a but, right?)
But this walks a very fine line between being a serious mystery and a caricature of one, and until you realize which way the chips are going to fall (whether this is happening or Charlotte is pulling a Catherine), it's hard to decide whether to like Charlotte and go with her, or to think she's a hysterical, high-strung nutjob, looking for drama where there is none.** I'm not going to spoil it and tell you which is true (sane Charlotte/crazy world or crazy Charlotte/sane world), but I will say that every time I'd think the story was straying too far into crazy town, Hale would remind me that everything actually did make sense. It's hard to explain without giving something away, but basically Hale has this way of seamlessly and judiciously inserting these little reflections and bits of info that make you look at things more from Charlotte's perspective and say, Yeah, maybe she's onto something... and it would always make me giggle a bit - every time I thought I was going to escape Crazytown, Charlotte would pull me back in until I was just in it, saying, Yeah, let's do this! Crazy town banana pants!
Ugh, I'm making a mess of this.
Basically, it's crazy and it's not; it's dark and intense, and light and fluffy; it's completely what I expected and not what I expected at all... It was a sometimes-strange read that I questioned but thoroughly enjoyed, and even though things have kinda gone pear-shaped at Pembrook, I still want to visit Austenland.
So if you liked Northanger or Austenland, read it. If you didn't, don't.
And if this made any sense, give me a thumbs up or a nod, or something...
;P
**I guess this is the problem people have with Northanger Abbey, come to think of it. But were I normally think "Catherine, you so silly!" I was instead thinking "Charlotte, what the eff is wrong with you, woman?!"
*still pale though.
July 18, 2016
FULL REVIEW NOW
This book was awesome! I love Austenland(the book) and have watched Austenland (the movie over and over again...yes I own it). I love how this was a great combination of Agatha Christie and Jane Austen. Loved it!!!! Charlotte was such a great character and easy to relate to. The mystery and intrigue was well written and I didn't even figure out the whodunnit until it was revealed!!!
------------------------------------------
I'm a huge Shannon Hale fan! I have read and really enjoyed all her books. I've shared them with my family and tell everyone looking for book recs from me about them. I loved Austenland and can't believe it took me so long to finally read Midnight in Austenland. I loved revisiting all the characters that I loved from Austenland and I really enjoyed the new characters added to this book.
Charlotte's character was well written. Now I say that and don't want to disappoint anyone who goes to read it and thinks what was she talking about???? Well Charlotte's character is not written necessarily as a typical character and with the typical character's voice. Hopefully when you pick it up you won't be surprised and hopefully you will enjoy her as much as I did. I really enjoyed the back and forth between current time and moments from her past. The past moments were labeled well and usually occurred at the beginning of a new chapter. These snippets were revealed in a great way that you start to have more and more respect for Charlotte in how she handled situations. At first you're not sure of her character. Is she completely naive, is she completely clueless, or is she more reserved and shy or is she just pretending about all of it.
Miss Elizabeth Charming did not disappoint at all. She is fabulous and had me laughing throughout the book. Colonel Andrews as well. Love those two characters.
I love how this book combines two of my favorite authors, Austen and Christie. So fun and the twists were great. I was seriously guessing and changing my guesses throughout the book. I couldn't decide what I thought but this was great at surprising me. I never would have guessed it...well ok I did have one little thought about the bad guy but then quickly thought no it can't be and then I was off on other tangents of whodunnit!
A very fun, Agatha Christie style writing that kept me turning pages as fast as I could without missing a single clue all while enjoying the etiquette and manners of Jane Austen's time period. Loved it lots!!
Great clean read I would recommend to anyone who enjoys Austen and Christie.
I borrowed a copy from my local library.
Happy Reading!!!
This book was awesome! I love Austenland(the book) and have watched Austenland (the movie over and over again...yes I own it). I love how this was a great combination of Agatha Christie and Jane Austen. Loved it!!!! Charlotte was such a great character and easy to relate to. The mystery and intrigue was well written and I didn't even figure out the whodunnit until it was revealed!!!
------------------------------------------
I'm a huge Shannon Hale fan! I have read and really enjoyed all her books. I've shared them with my family and tell everyone looking for book recs from me about them. I loved Austenland and can't believe it took me so long to finally read Midnight in Austenland. I loved revisiting all the characters that I loved from Austenland and I really enjoyed the new characters added to this book.
Charlotte's character was well written. Now I say that and don't want to disappoint anyone who goes to read it and thinks what was she talking about???? Well Charlotte's character is not written necessarily as a typical character and with the typical character's voice. Hopefully when you pick it up you won't be surprised and hopefully you will enjoy her as much as I did. I really enjoyed the back and forth between current time and moments from her past. The past moments were labeled well and usually occurred at the beginning of a new chapter. These snippets were revealed in a great way that you start to have more and more respect for Charlotte in how she handled situations. At first you're not sure of her character. Is she completely naive, is she completely clueless, or is she more reserved and shy or is she just pretending about all of it.
Miss Elizabeth Charming did not disappoint at all. She is fabulous and had me laughing throughout the book. Colonel Andrews as well. Love those two characters.
I love how this book combines two of my favorite authors, Austen and Christie. So fun and the twists were great. I was seriously guessing and changing my guesses throughout the book. I couldn't decide what I thought but this was great at surprising me. I never would have guessed it...well ok I did have one little thought about the bad guy but then quickly thought no it can't be and then I was off on other tangents of whodunnit!
A very fun, Agatha Christie style writing that kept me turning pages as fast as I could without missing a single clue all while enjoying the etiquette and manners of Jane Austen's time period. Loved it lots!!
Great clean read I would recommend to anyone who enjoys Austen and Christie.
I borrowed a copy from my local library.
Happy Reading!!!
April 25, 2022
Liked it better than first book. Watched the Austenland movie a few weeks ago.
January 31, 2012
The first thing that stands out about Midnight in Austenland is the writing. Shannon’s vocabulary choices give it a Jane Austen feel, but it flows so well and is a joy to read. Midnight in Austenland is not really a sequel. The main character is different, the tone is different, but some of the minor characters are the same and, of course, the setting is the same. Midnight in Austenland is loosely based on Northanger Abbey, one of the few Jane Austen books that I haven’t read. (If I had known that, I probably would have read it first so I could compare them.) The witty humor had me laughing out loud and the sarcasm was delightful. There were a few great cultural references that made me think of Gilmore Girls with a longing sigh. My only complaint about the first book was that there wasn’t enough conflict. That is SO not true for this book. The conflict was relatable and authentic. Charlotte, the main character, is so charming in the way that she deals with her trials by using dark, sarcastic humor. The mystery in this book was a lot of fun. All of the characters have something mysterious about them. There’s also a mystery at Pembrook Park that the characters are all trying to solve, but soon it’s hard to tell what is made-up and what is real life. It was an unpredictable, fun, thrilling and adorably romantic page-turner of a book.
This book is also reviewed on my blog Books: A true story
This book is also reviewed on my blog Books: A true story
April 3, 2020
Biju redzējusi filmu, kura balstīts uz šis grāmtas pirmo daļu (kas man patika savā saldajā vienkāršīā un asprātībā), bet pirmā daļa nebija pieejama un šī tik un tā ir lasāma arī atsevišķi. Ideja par Ostinlendu ir brīn išķīga un jocīga - kādu laiku padzīvot vidē, kurā romāni sarkastīti ir brīnišķīga (vēstures rekonstrukcija galu galā ir tiešām foršs hobijs un pat pētījumu objekets, ja pieiet lietia nopietni), bet ideja, ka kāds no aktietiem spēlē pielūdzēja lomu ir... Nē, eskorta pakalpojumi nav romantiski. Bet tas jau tā, ja man galīgi nepatiktu Ostinlendas ideja, nelasītu. Taču te galvenā varone ir galīgi nekāda, viņas ieverētias - arī. Un pa virus pēkšņi uzmets detektīvintrigu bija lieki, it sevišķi, ja tā liek grāmatas varoņiem rīkoties kā stulbeņiem, pret pilnīgi jebkādu loģikas domu. Turklāt nedomāju, ka palaidu garām satīru, man leikas, ka viss domāts nopietni.
November 27, 2011
Charlotte's had it with reality - ex-husbands, second wives, kids who think she exists only to serve. So it's off to Austenland, a fantasy resort where men are gentleman and you wish they weren't. But all is not as it seems on this quiet estate - there's something sinister in the air. But an Austen heroine never shies away from danger - especially the handsome male kind.
Let's face it, we've all been there. Wishing for escape and adventure - and a Mr. Darcy in a wet shirt would not go unappreciated. Austen is to women what James Bond is to men; except they want to be Sean Connery, and we want to have Colin Firth. Of course, we're forgetting about the practicalities; those damned corsets, and what exactly are you supposed to do all day? There's only so many teacups you can paint. Maybe those many "invalids" have the right idea; lounge around claiming the vapours and have gorgeous men bring you cups of tea.
Charlotte's real problem is what to do when the fantasy's over. Obviously she falls for the actor behind her handsome suitor, but can the romance carry over to the real world? Never fear, gentle reader, Charlotte acquits herself admirably, proving that Austen is a state of mind. No matter the century, a true Austen heroine is capable of keeping her old-fashioned ideals while offering the world a modern perspective on what it is to be a woman.
This is a satisfying read. There are so many Austen offshoots on the market, but the concept of a theme vacation rises above the rest - it's such a good idea you want to hit Google and make a reservation. Make a date with yourself to read this - plan on being "not at home" to visitors, unless of course Colin Firth shows up after a sudden downpour.
Let's face it, we've all been there. Wishing for escape and adventure - and a Mr. Darcy in a wet shirt would not go unappreciated. Austen is to women what James Bond is to men; except they want to be Sean Connery, and we want to have Colin Firth. Of course, we're forgetting about the practicalities; those damned corsets, and what exactly are you supposed to do all day? There's only so many teacups you can paint. Maybe those many "invalids" have the right idea; lounge around claiming the vapours and have gorgeous men bring you cups of tea.
Charlotte's real problem is what to do when the fantasy's over. Obviously she falls for the actor behind her handsome suitor, but can the romance carry over to the real world? Never fear, gentle reader, Charlotte acquits herself admirably, proving that Austen is a state of mind. No matter the century, a true Austen heroine is capable of keeping her old-fashioned ideals while offering the world a modern perspective on what it is to be a woman.
This is a satisfying read. There are so many Austen offshoots on the market, but the concept of a theme vacation rises above the rest - it's such a good idea you want to hit Google and make a reservation. Make a date with yourself to read this - plan on being "not at home" to visitors, unless of course Colin Firth shows up after a sudden downpour.
January 31, 2012
I'm a huge Shannon Hale fan.
I love Jane Austen.
Cross the two and inevitably you will come up with something I will love.
I got a kick out of reading Austenland and am looking forward to the upcoming movie. Austenland was a stand alone book so I was both surprised and excited when I heard there was a sequel coming out.
Shannon Hale entertains me. Her books draw me in and make me laugh. There is no denying I had high expectations for this book. In all honestly, through the first half of this book I was a little disappointed. I wasn't relating to the characters, I wasn't falling for the love interest, I wasn't laughing... But this was Shannon Hale so there was no way I was going to put the book down so I kept reading. It took me until nearly the half way point of this book to really start loving it. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book but my expectations were really high. By the half way point I finally started laughing and relating to the characters and falling for the love interest. I'm not sure why there was a delay for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it because it was worth it.
Midnight in Austenland is based upon Austen's Northanger Abbey which is not one of my favorite Austen novels. Like the book it's based on, Midnight in Austenland is a little more mystery and wild run away imaginings than some of Austen's other book. Not a bad thing but I would obviously prefer more swooning Mr. Darcy moments instead of over-active imagination ramblings.
Midnight in Austenland is a fun, lighthearted read that fans of Austen & Hale should definitely read!
I love Jane Austen.
Cross the two and inevitably you will come up with something I will love.
I got a kick out of reading Austenland and am looking forward to the upcoming movie. Austenland was a stand alone book so I was both surprised and excited when I heard there was a sequel coming out.
Shannon Hale entertains me. Her books draw me in and make me laugh. There is no denying I had high expectations for this book. In all honestly, through the first half of this book I was a little disappointed. I wasn't relating to the characters, I wasn't falling for the love interest, I wasn't laughing... But this was Shannon Hale so there was no way I was going to put the book down so I kept reading. It took me until nearly the half way point of this book to really start loving it. Don't get me wrong, it was a good book but my expectations were really high. By the half way point I finally started laughing and relating to the characters and falling for the love interest. I'm not sure why there was a delay for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it because it was worth it.
Midnight in Austenland is based upon Austen's Northanger Abbey which is not one of my favorite Austen novels. Like the book it's based on, Midnight in Austenland is a little more mystery and wild run away imaginings than some of Austen's other book. Not a bad thing but I would obviously prefer more swooning Mr. Darcy moments instead of over-active imagination ramblings.
Midnight in Austenland is a fun, lighthearted read that fans of Austen & Hale should definitely read!
March 9, 2023
I only read this series because the movie Austenland is an absolute masterpiece and a must watch for any Jennifer Coolidge fan. The first book was okay, similar enough to the movie that I enjoyed it but this book.... ehhh.
I didn't really understand why a romance novel about people playing Austen style characters needed to turn into a weird murder mystery, which was as boring as it was ridiculous. I didn't really care for any of the characters except Miss Charming, who was obviously written to be Jennifer Coolidge.
I really wasn't invested in the romance and it was a good way into the story that I even noticed it happening, and it felt like a side plot to the murder mystery. I really disliked how she talked about how much she loved her kids for the majority of the story, and the moment they needed her so kinda just threw them to one side in favour of the new boyfriend.
I didn't really understand why a romance novel about people playing Austen style characters needed to turn into a weird murder mystery, which was as boring as it was ridiculous. I didn't really care for any of the characters except Miss Charming, who was obviously written to be Jennifer Coolidge.
I really wasn't invested in the romance and it was a good way into the story that I even noticed it happening, and it felt like a side plot to the murder mystery. I really disliked how she talked about how much she loved her kids for the majority of the story, and the moment they needed her so kinda just threw them to one side in favour of the new boyfriend.
big-fat-dnf
April 4, 2012This kind of does it for me, I'm afraid. I think I'm swearing off Shannon Hale books for adults for good. There's just something . . . off about them. Every time. And since I'd like to keep my admiration for her Books of Bayern intact, I think it's best if me and her adult stuff part ways.
September 25, 2017
Therapy with cheesiness.
September 9, 2016
I know that there are quite a few books out there that draw off of Austen’s books but really this is one of the better ones if not the best one I’ve read.
Charlotte is our heroine. She is a nice mother (and okay divorce) who is having a hard time adjusting to single life. Should she forget about dating or should she give all her friends a chance to set her up. Well how about option three? Take a vacation in England at a Regency staged Pembrook Park (Austenland). Be enchanted by a hunky guy. Ditch your jeans for corsets and you can even change your name; be someone else entirely. There are some major hesitations on her part which I can understand. It is very weird. Paying people to pretend to fall in love with you and act nice to you? I have a hard enough time with the shoe salespeople at the mall who say every shoe looks 'super cute'. There is no way I could stomach a vacation like that. But Charlotte decides to give it a try.
Things become more Northanger Abby when she sees a glimpse of a dead body in a secret room. This gives it a mystery but I wasn't really interested in it half the time. However, this book is so incredibly funny. It has so many one liners. If you like funny chick lit then by all means you should've already read this. Miss Charming is too funny, I'm glad Hale brought her back from Austenland. It wouldn't have been nearly as funny otherwise.
Every time I read one of Hale's books I always remember that she is a good writer. She gave Austenland a great atmosphere. Especialy when Charolette and the gang were exploring the grounds. Also, the way she does the austenish writing I thought was really good. Hale put it in a way that reminded me of Austen's writing without seeming like it was trying to copy it.
And of course Charlotte. Such a nice person and believe it or not that isn't a bad thing. Sure it got her hurt but it gives her strength as well. She has a way of knowing what to say to make people feel better, though for the life of her she doesn't know how to handle Mr. Mallery. And for some reason she can't find the right words to help herself but maybe Austenland can with its charm and characters.
Just my side note that you can ingnore:
I listen to soundtrack music while I read sometimes and I'm a fan of the Becoming Jane soundtrack. While I was listening and reading, I came to the climax of the romance part of the story and the Rose Garden worked perfectly with it. Also, when Charolette arrives at Pembrook Park Selbourne Wood works great too.
Charlotte is our heroine. She is a nice mother (and okay divorce) who is having a hard time adjusting to single life. Should she forget about dating or should she give all her friends a chance to set her up. Well how about option three? Take a vacation in England at a Regency staged Pembrook Park (Austenland). Be enchanted by a hunky guy. Ditch your jeans for corsets and you can even change your name; be someone else entirely. There are some major hesitations on her part which I can understand. It is very weird. Paying people to pretend to fall in love with you and act nice to you? I have a hard enough time with the shoe salespeople at the mall who say every shoe looks 'super cute'. There is no way I could stomach a vacation like that. But Charlotte decides to give it a try.
Things become more Northanger Abby when she sees a glimpse of a dead body in a secret room. This gives it a mystery but I wasn't really interested in it half the time. However, this book is so incredibly funny. It has so many one liners. If you like funny chick lit then by all means you should've already read this. Miss Charming is too funny, I'm glad Hale brought her back from Austenland. It wouldn't have been nearly as funny otherwise.
Every time I read one of Hale's books I always remember that she is a good writer. She gave Austenland a great atmosphere. Especialy when Charolette and the gang were exploring the grounds. Also, the way she does the austenish writing I thought was really good. Hale put it in a way that reminded me of Austen's writing without seeming like it was trying to copy it.
And of course Charlotte. Such a nice person and believe it or not that isn't a bad thing. Sure it got her hurt but it gives her strength as well. She has a way of knowing what to say to make people feel better, though for the life of her she doesn't know how to handle Mr. Mallery. And for some reason she can't find the right words to help herself but maybe Austenland can with its charm and characters.
Just my side note that you can ingnore:
I listen to soundtrack music while I read sometimes and I'm a fan of the Becoming Jane soundtrack. While I was listening and reading, I came to the climax of the romance part of the story and the Rose Garden worked perfectly with it. Also, when Charolette arrives at Pembrook Park Selbourne Wood works great too.
February 15, 2012
I'm just a few pages in,but I have a preliminary opinion. I am fearful it won't change too much.
I enjoyed the first Austenland, even though there were some challenges in it. It was light and frothy and fun.
This book so far shows few signs of froth and fun. That could change, though. This is a good thing. But there are lots of cliches so far - and I'm just on page 7 or 8. They're cliches and they are not done well, either. You understand what Hale is getting at - for example in the magazine excerpts - but it doesn't ring true. It's not convincing. The characters don't seem to have their own voices. The daughter is 13 on one page and 14 three pages later. That's not a big deal, but didn't Austenland have an inconsistency or two, also? This reminded me of that. Don't publishers have proofreaders?
Also, the tone of the book so far is, of course, trying to mimic Northanger Abbey but it seems out of place. As far as plot goes, it's strange to have a grown woman sneaking through bushes trailing her young daughter's equally young boyfriend, and then hiring a detective to do the same. That's not balanced, and it's almost ignored that it's, in so many different ways, so very highly dumb to do that, even if a mother is worried about her daughter. I don't believe, either, that the main character would read so much Austen in a weekend. And, I can't respect a character who has never read a novel in her adult life that wasn't Agatha Christie. This is a person who just launches into Jane Austen's works? It doesn't feel real.
I'm surprised at all the great ratings here. Perhaps that means it's going to get better.
I will say that I love that Hale had this idea of a Jane Austen-themed resort and that she seems to be using it for more books. I hope she continues, but with more levity and,maybe, a tone that makes me believe she's an Austen afficionado. I like also that her books seem to be sweet and stay away from silly, unnecessary vulgarity that so many people often mistake for sophistication. Hale just wants to tell a good story in an inoffensive, entertaining way, and I think that's great. I hope the writing gets better, though.
I know it seems silly to write so much after just a few pages, but I was reading today and had so many thoughts about the book!
I enjoyed the first Austenland, even though there were some challenges in it. It was light and frothy and fun.
This book so far shows few signs of froth and fun. That could change, though. This is a good thing. But there are lots of cliches so far - and I'm just on page 7 or 8. They're cliches and they are not done well, either. You understand what Hale is getting at - for example in the magazine excerpts - but it doesn't ring true. It's not convincing. The characters don't seem to have their own voices. The daughter is 13 on one page and 14 three pages later. That's not a big deal, but didn't Austenland have an inconsistency or two, also? This reminded me of that. Don't publishers have proofreaders?
Also, the tone of the book so far is, of course, trying to mimic Northanger Abbey but it seems out of place. As far as plot goes, it's strange to have a grown woman sneaking through bushes trailing her young daughter's equally young boyfriend, and then hiring a detective to do the same. That's not balanced, and it's almost ignored that it's, in so many different ways, so very highly dumb to do that, even if a mother is worried about her daughter. I don't believe, either, that the main character would read so much Austen in a weekend. And, I can't respect a character who has never read a novel in her adult life that wasn't Agatha Christie. This is a person who just launches into Jane Austen's works? It doesn't feel real.
I'm surprised at all the great ratings here. Perhaps that means it's going to get better.
I will say that I love that Hale had this idea of a Jane Austen-themed resort and that she seems to be using it for more books. I hope she continues, but with more levity and,maybe, a tone that makes me believe she's an Austen afficionado. I like also that her books seem to be sweet and stay away from silly, unnecessary vulgarity that so many people often mistake for sophistication. Hale just wants to tell a good story in an inoffensive, entertaining way, and I think that's great. I hope the writing gets better, though.
I know it seems silly to write so much after just a few pages, but I was reading today and had so many thoughts about the book!
August 26, 2015
Review of the author
Shannon Hale is an amazing writer, I love her books and her writing style. She brings the characters to life. I've read a few of her books i.e. Austenland, Midnight in Austenland and one of the Ever After High books. I favour her regency books more. She makes her characters very quirky and comical.
My views and opinions
Charlotte was a woman with no confidence, she felt like she was the reason why her husband cheated. Because she was too plain and boring for him. The truth is she's a strong independent woman who finds she is more confident than she first thought, throughout the book you see her grow as a person.
Charlotte had never before read any Jane Austen novels even though it was on her list of things to do in life along with get married, she realizes she has done most things on that list apart from the simplest of all, read Jane Austen novels. Once she has read them, Charlotte wants a holiday. A Jane Austen styled holiday. Yes, that's right off to Pembroke Park we go.
REST OF THE REVIEW IS ON MY BLOG
http://www.sarahbooklover.co.uk/2015/...
Shannon Hale is an amazing writer, I love her books and her writing style. She brings the characters to life. I've read a few of her books i.e. Austenland, Midnight in Austenland and one of the Ever After High books. I favour her regency books more. She makes her characters very quirky and comical.
My views and opinions
Charlotte was a woman with no confidence, she felt like she was the reason why her husband cheated. Because she was too plain and boring for him. The truth is she's a strong independent woman who finds she is more confident than she first thought, throughout the book you see her grow as a person.
Charlotte had never before read any Jane Austen novels even though it was on her list of things to do in life along with get married, she realizes she has done most things on that list apart from the simplest of all, read Jane Austen novels. Once she has read them, Charlotte wants a holiday. A Jane Austen styled holiday. Yes, that's right off to Pembroke Park we go.
REST OF THE REVIEW IS ON MY BLOG
http://www.sarahbooklover.co.uk/2015/...
February 1, 2022
This book surprised me on multiple levels. We return to Austenland with a rich divorcee who is trying to get over her ex while dealing with teenage kids. Rather than finding herself in Pride and Prejudice, she has stumbled into a much more Gothic feeling Northanger Abbey world, complete with a murder mystery.
I loved the mystery that our protagonist takes it upon herself to solve. Lots of clues, lots of dead ends, action, and some really good twists. I love mystery novels, and I think that is one of the reasons why I liked this novel a lot more than the first one. I also felt like the lead character was a lot more substantial, with true baggage and trials to work through. Her character arc was compelling, and taught me a lesson about healing.
I loved the mystery that our protagonist takes it upon herself to solve. Lots of clues, lots of dead ends, action, and some really good twists. I love mystery novels, and I think that is one of the reasons why I liked this novel a lot more than the first one. I also felt like the lead character was a lot more substantial, with true baggage and trials to work through. Her character arc was compelling, and taught me a lesson about healing.
June 18, 2017
İlk kitaptan sonra bunu okumak konusunda biraz tereddütlüydüm açıkçası. Çünkü Austenland'i okumamın en büyük etkeni Mr. Darcy muhabbetiydi :D
Kitap ilk başlarda biraz sıkıcıydı ama Kanlı Cinayet muhabbeti geliştikçe keyiflenmeye başladı..
Charlotte için dileğim de yerine geldiği için kitabı mutlulukla kapattığımı söyleyebilirim :)
Kitap ilk başlarda biraz sıkıcıydı ama Kanlı Cinayet muhabbeti geliştikçe keyiflenmeye başladı..
Charlotte için dileğim de yerine geldiği için kitabı mutlulukla kapattığımı söyleyebilirim :)
February 13, 2012
What a delight! Hale does something remarkable here. She justaposes 3 seemingly opposite genres, and combines them in an amazingly successful way. She appeals to those of us who love anything Jane Austen, with the balls, empire waist dresses, restrained emotions and communications, dashingly handsome men saying wonderfully romantic things to women, etc.
Then she takes the Gothic side of the Regency-plus Era that produced, at one extreme, the sinister predatory mansion that possibly harbors vampire-werewolf-like (think Twilight) humans, and the less extreme Northanger Abbey hysteria of a supposed (turns out to be real) murder-mystery.
She combines these two with modern day cliched women suffering from the malaise of victimhood, depression, not-good-enough-for-man syndrome, and yet liberated financially (thanks to the Women's Movement) (ha). One such hiding out in Austenland is pudgy, flighty Miss Charming (oh, the Names!) whose killer boobs define her; one is pop-culture rock star, overcoming drug addiction, again, like Miss Gardenside (grows her own?); and one, our heroine, Mrs. Cordial, (nicer than Kinder) the typical clueless, abused-by-adulterous-Xhusband, guilt-ridden, well-intentioned-mother of teens.
All three find their very capable selves through the Austenland experience, thanks to the actions of men (oh, oh), one Colonel Andrews, "a little light in the loafers, who potentially would be a very good hair dresser", one a Heathcliff-like, but real murderer, too caught up in the power of the sinister mansion to see clearly, and one, just a great brother figure-turned love interest. (This sounds absurd, doesn't it?!)
And yet or because of, this seemingly impossible 3 genre-scenario, with actor/characters constantly moving in and out of real and pretend life in thought, action and vocabulary, she produces hilarity. The Humorous tone is slippery because at some point it borders on Farce, (making fun of Austen-attachment-dilusions, which some readers may feel slightly offended by), and/or Irreverent Bathos (trivializing murder ((oh, well, he deserved it anyway)) which might also put off some readers), and Satire poking fun at the "liberated" but man driven modern woman, (which criticizes modern woman at her core: family versus self versus business success).
What a juggling act!!! And still, this is, as others have said, a laugh-out-loud novella. Others have quoted the fun laugh lines, but the one that kept me laughing for days as I rethought about it was: "Colonel Andrews clasped his hands together, his face aglow. (think hair dresser) Charlotte was so elated by his happiness that she wanted to squeeze his cheeks. His face cheeks, that is. Not that he didn't look great in breeches, ..."
And this quote brings to mind another writing technique Hale imploys that produces hilarity, and that is the constant double mindedness of the insecure narrator/heroine, where her reckless-couragous self is constantly being brought up short by her Inner Thought self. It is a riot. And the fact that this heroine actually becomes the heroine and saves the day, as well as herself, gives hope to all of us modern day women who relate with Charlotte Mrs Cordial in so many ways! Wonderful!
Then she takes the Gothic side of the Regency-plus Era that produced, at one extreme, the sinister predatory mansion that possibly harbors vampire-werewolf-like (think Twilight) humans, and the less extreme Northanger Abbey hysteria of a supposed (turns out to be real) murder-mystery.
She combines these two with modern day cliched women suffering from the malaise of victimhood, depression, not-good-enough-for-man syndrome, and yet liberated financially (thanks to the Women's Movement) (ha). One such hiding out in Austenland is pudgy, flighty Miss Charming (oh, the Names!) whose killer boobs define her; one is pop-culture rock star, overcoming drug addiction, again, like Miss Gardenside (grows her own?); and one, our heroine, Mrs. Cordial, (nicer than Kinder) the typical clueless, abused-by-adulterous-Xhusband, guilt-ridden, well-intentioned-mother of teens.
All three find their very capable selves through the Austenland experience, thanks to the actions of men (oh, oh), one Colonel Andrews, "a little light in the loafers, who potentially would be a very good hair dresser", one a Heathcliff-like, but real murderer, too caught up in the power of the sinister mansion to see clearly, and one, just a great brother figure-turned love interest. (This sounds absurd, doesn't it?!)
And yet or because of, this seemingly impossible 3 genre-scenario, with actor/characters constantly moving in and out of real and pretend life in thought, action and vocabulary, she produces hilarity. The Humorous tone is slippery because at some point it borders on Farce, (making fun of Austen-attachment-dilusions, which some readers may feel slightly offended by), and/or Irreverent Bathos (trivializing murder ((oh, well, he deserved it anyway)) which might also put off some readers), and Satire poking fun at the "liberated" but man driven modern woman, (which criticizes modern woman at her core: family versus self versus business success).
What a juggling act!!! And still, this is, as others have said, a laugh-out-loud novella. Others have quoted the fun laugh lines, but the one that kept me laughing for days as I rethought about it was: "Colonel Andrews clasped his hands together, his face aglow. (think hair dresser) Charlotte was so elated by his happiness that she wanted to squeeze his cheeks. His face cheeks, that is. Not that he didn't look great in breeches, ..."
And this quote brings to mind another writing technique Hale imploys that produces hilarity, and that is the constant double mindedness of the insecure narrator/heroine, where her reckless-couragous self is constantly being brought up short by her Inner Thought self. It is a riot. And the fact that this heroine actually becomes the heroine and saves the day, as well as herself, gives hope to all of us modern day women who relate with Charlotte Mrs Cordial in so many ways! Wonderful!
June 8, 2012
Once again, I seem to be in the minority. And I realize, once again, that I'm a pretty independent thinker. (And on a side note, I'd like to add that just because a person loves something - whether it be writing, or art, or sewing, or anything creative, doesn't automatically mean they are good at it, or excel at it. Even with practice.)
Ms. Hale certainly seems like a nice person with a wonderful family and an apparently fairy tale life. Good for her.
Understanding that someone's opinion of a novel is totally subjective, I submit that this particular genre (adult fiction) is not part of Ms. Hale's portfolio of appreciable attributes. She's been fabulous at writing YA novels. Every single one of her adult works have left me cold.
Her character and plot development are just so ....lacking, dull, trite. I remember reading a certain phrase and actually thinking: "wow, what a wonderful turn of phrase. Ms. Hale must think so, too. It feels like she came up with those words and then crafted a whole chapter around them just to showcase them." Sentences seem just so calculated that I end up feeling inexpertly manipulated (i.e. totally aware that someone is trying to manipulate me and being unsuccessful. Too glaring in the intent, thus ensuring failure....if any of that makes sense. It's a bit difficult for me to express in my own inept way.)
The whole contemporary-person-vacation-in-a-Victorian-setting-thing just strikes me as strange. Even Ms. Hale, whose idea this is, seemed to be confused at the whole back and forth, setting within a setting. Nothing about this, not a single character or event felt authentic.
I love to support local authors. In this instance about the only really good thing I can say is that I'm glad I didn't actually buy this book. I saw it on the shelf of the library as I walked past, decided to "give it a go" and am content that I can deposit it back at the library without a backward glance. I'm sorry, I just can't recommend this on any level.
Ms. Hale certainly seems like a nice person with a wonderful family and an apparently fairy tale life. Good for her.
Understanding that someone's opinion of a novel is totally subjective, I submit that this particular genre (adult fiction) is not part of Ms. Hale's portfolio of appreciable attributes. She's been fabulous at writing YA novels. Every single one of her adult works have left me cold.
Her character and plot development are just so ....lacking, dull, trite. I remember reading a certain phrase and actually thinking: "wow, what a wonderful turn of phrase. Ms. Hale must think so, too. It feels like she came up with those words and then crafted a whole chapter around them just to showcase them." Sentences seem just so calculated that I end up feeling inexpertly manipulated (i.e. totally aware that someone is trying to manipulate me and being unsuccessful. Too glaring in the intent, thus ensuring failure....if any of that makes sense. It's a bit difficult for me to express in my own inept way.)
The whole contemporary-person-vacation-in-a-Victorian-setting-thing just strikes me as strange. Even Ms. Hale, whose idea this is, seemed to be confused at the whole back and forth, setting within a setting. Nothing about this, not a single character or event felt authentic.
I love to support local authors. In this instance about the only really good thing I can say is that I'm glad I didn't actually buy this book. I saw it on the shelf of the library as I walked past, decided to "give it a go" and am content that I can deposit it back at the library without a backward glance. I'm sorry, I just can't recommend this on any level.
October 28, 2011
I'm afraid I'm not very objective when it comes to reviewing anything by Shannon Hale. I am definitely a fan girl. Combine that with my guilty love for Austen-inspired novels, and it's a recipe for my whole-hearted admiration.
Midnight in Austenland is similar to its predecessor in premise. Charlotte, a successful, but kind of beaten-down woman, books herself a vacation to the exclusive and rather secret Austenland. (And seriously, why doesn't this place really exist? You could make a fortune.) Though she doesn't embrace the role-playing so whole-heartedly at first, she soon discovers that there is a very fine line between reality and fantasy.
If you are a fan of the first novel, you'll really enjoy this one. However, I doubt that this companion will persuade any non-believers. Nor do I think it is meant to. The plot is fun, with a little bit of a murder mystery, gossip, and plain Jane Austen fun. (With a healthy dose of Shannon Hale humor). Oh, and a bit of heartbreak and romance. Because, next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.
Charlotte's story begins sadly, but in a very honest way that I think many women will relate with. And though there is fun and frivolity, I was also pleased that Charlotte grew very significantly as a character throughout the book.
All in all, an excellent addition to Shannon Hale's repertoire, and highly recommended for those who enjoy her work.
Midnight in Austenland is similar to its predecessor in premise. Charlotte, a successful, but kind of beaten-down woman, books herself a vacation to the exclusive and rather secret Austenland. (And seriously, why doesn't this place really exist? You could make a fortune.) Though she doesn't embrace the role-playing so whole-heartedly at first, she soon discovers that there is a very fine line between reality and fantasy.
If you are a fan of the first novel, you'll really enjoy this one. However, I doubt that this companion will persuade any non-believers. Nor do I think it is meant to. The plot is fun, with a little bit of a murder mystery, gossip, and plain Jane Austen fun. (With a healthy dose of Shannon Hale humor). Oh, and a bit of heartbreak and romance. Because, next to being married, a girl likes to be crossed in love a little now and then.
Charlotte's story begins sadly, but in a very honest way that I think many women will relate with. And though there is fun and frivolity, I was also pleased that Charlotte grew very significantly as a character throughout the book.
All in all, an excellent addition to Shannon Hale's repertoire, and highly recommended for those who enjoy her work.
June 23, 2015
Midnight in Austenland was quite different in tone to the fun and entertaining first book in the series, Austenland. We have a new main character, Charlotte and the story alternates between her past (marriage troubles) and her time at Austenland where she spends her days living a Austen-inspired fantasy whilst her kids are spending time with their father and stepmother. Charlotte finds it difficult to distinguish between fact or fiction when a murder mystery is to be solved by the guests within Pembrook Park.
Undoubtedly, Charlotte and actors find themselves so immersed in the experience that they develop true feelings. However unlike the first book, I didn't find the Charlotte and her love interests as charming and likeable.
Whilst Charlotte spends her time in Austenland she also reflects on her life with her ex-husband. It was a shame that the book didn't show her turning her life around. The last few pages attempts to give Charlotte her happily ever after but it was unconvincing. Overall, not a bad read but I recommend the first book!
Undoubtedly, Charlotte and actors find themselves so immersed in the experience that they develop true feelings. However unlike the first book, I didn't find the Charlotte and her love interests as charming and likeable.
Whilst Charlotte spends her time in Austenland she also reflects on her life with her ex-husband. It was a shame that the book didn't show her turning her life around. The last few pages attempts to give Charlotte her happily ever after but it was unconvincing. Overall, not a bad read but I recommend the first book!
August 6, 2012
Took about half way through to get into it, but loved it after that. I did find one teensy error in the book. I love it when I find an error that the editor did not. This one was a change of eye color. Perhaps the character had colored contacts. Ha ha.
This was one of those books that you reread in fast motion after you first finish reading it...just to re-swoon...and there was much more to swoon over than in the first Austenland. I love Shannon Hale. She's an amazing author.
This was one of those books that you reread in fast motion after you first finish reading it...just to re-swoon...and there was much more to swoon over than in the first Austenland. I love Shannon Hale. She's an amazing author.
October 19, 2014
OMG this book was so much more perfect than the first. Such a surprise. I really loved it!! ♥
Charlotte was such a funny,interesting and deep and unique character!! <3 Her 'inner thoughts' conversations were amazing xD And OMG the mystery and the surprisingly enough, great suspense?? WOW!!
I loved the ending so damn much!!!
I don't want to spoil anything but this book is the best thing EVER!!!! READ IT ♥ Ughhh i want to re-read it and just live inside it!!!!
Charlotte was such a funny,interesting and deep and unique character!! <3 Her 'inner thoughts' conversations were amazing xD And OMG the mystery and the surprisingly enough, great suspense?? WOW!!
I loved the ending so damn much!!!
I don't want to spoil anything but this book is the best thing EVER!!!! READ IT ♥ Ughhh i want to re-read it and just live inside it!!!!
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