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Jane, Actually or Jane Austen's Book Tour
With the invention of the AfterNet, death isn’t quite the end to a literary career it once was, and Jane Austen, the grande dame of English literature, is poised for a comeback with the publication of Sanditon, the book she was writing upon her death in 1817. But how does a disembodied author sign autographs and appear on talk shows? With the aid of Mary Crawford, a struggling acting student who plays the role of the Regency author who wrote Pride and Prejudice and Emma and Sense and Sensibility. But Austen discovers her second chance at a literary career also gives her a second chance at happiness and possibly even … love.
406 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2013
9 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Petkus
8 books22 followersJennifer Petkus divides her time creating websites for the dead, writing Jane Austen-themed mysteries, woodworking, aikido and building model starships. She has few credentials, having failed to graduate from the University of Texas with a journalism degree, but did manage to find employment at the Colorado Springs Sun newspaper as a police reporter, copy editor and night city editor before the paper died in 1986. She lives in fear of getting a phone call from her dead Japanese mother. Her husband is the night editor at The Denver Post. Her best friend is a cop. She watched Neil Armstrong walk on the Moon live.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 9, 2013
What would YOU say to Jane Austen if it became possible to communicate with her personally after two centuries? This book explores that possibility with an endless array of “what-if’s:” Is there an afterlife? If so, in what form? If departed souls are immortal, will the living be able to communicate with them? Will one departed soul be able to contact another departed soul? How will departed souls legally verify their identities? Can a disembodied soul fall in love with another disembodied soul?
A little background is necessary. In her debut novel, Good Cop Dead Cop, the author establishes a discovery that enables departed souls to contact the living via a technological marvel known as the “afternet.” In her second novel My Particular Friend, she mashes together Sherlock Holmes with Jane Austen’s Bath for a regency romp that is impossible to pin a label on. With great warmth and humor the author ingeniously mashes together the “afternet” with the very-alive but disembodied soul of Jane Austen and you actually get “Jane Actually.”
Jane’s identity has been legally verified by the Afternet authentication committee and she has finished her incomplete novel Sanditon, she has acquired an agent and staunch promoter in Melody Kramer and a grand book tour is planned. Although Jane communicates easily over the afternet she is invisible so the search begins for a suitable avatar to be her visual embodiment. A young acting student coincidently named Mary Crawford is one of the finalists. She knows next to nothing about Jane Austen, not even the literary significance of her own name. However Jane takes a liking to her and she is chosen over more qualified candidates. Getting Jane and Mary to ‘sync-up’ using the afternet proves difficult and frustrating but they warm to each other nevertheless.
Everything appears to be progressing smoothly but there is trouble afoot for Jane in the person of Dr. Alice Davis, one of the world’s most foremost subject matter experts on Jane Austen. One of her English counterparts, fellow expert and journalist Courtney Blake, has discovered a never-before-seen letter that Sotheby’s London auction house has verified as written in Jane’s hand. Dr. Davis plans to spring this revelation on Miss Austen at the JASNA associated general meeting and prove this Jane Austen is a fraud if she is unable to define her own letter’s contents.
Her unlikely and unwitting accomplice is Stephen Abrams a doctoral candidate whom she advises. Stephen meets Jane’s avatar Mary and the beginnings of a romance ensue. Mary is utterly devoted to Jane but poor Stephen is unaware to what extent Dr. Davis's plan is to discredit Jane’s identity.
Jane also has been communicating with an Albert Ridings for a decade via the afternet. Albert died during World War One and was from the same general region as Jane. She has disguised her identity this entire time, not wishing him to get caught up in her celebrity. Their relationship appears to have progressed to intimate fondness, and even love for each other but her lack of forthrightness may jeopardize his trust and faith in her.
The author’s depiction of Jane Austen is chillingly authentic. She is intelligent and savvy, having eavesdropped on practically every development in the two centuries since her death. As this reviewer suspected, Jane is kind and loyal but does not suffer fools as she turns on those who wish to manipulate her with caustic wit. She shows mastery in most things except perhaps her own confused feelings about love. A precarious romantic moment is in the air for both couples as the invisible follow the visible through a country dance at the JASNA AGM:
“It was time for Stephen and Mary to progress through the line and Albert and Jane effortlessly followed them. ‘But love requires hands to hold and lips to kiss,’ Jane said. ‘Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments as the man said.’ Albert said in response.” (A quote from Darcy in P & P)
As it was all but impossible to categorize My Particular Friend, Jane, Actually (or Jane Austen’s Book Tour) defies literary labels as well! It is part science fiction, part fantasy/paranormal, part romance, part mystery/suspense and ALL Jane Austen. Is it absurdly fantastic? Yes! Is it compellingly entertaining? Double-yes!!
The author’s love for Jane Austen pours forth from her impressive research and footnotes. And, before you lose yourselves in Jane, Actually, be sure to read the introductory explanation on the complexities of the afternet v-e-r-y carefully. One wonders what Jennifer Petkus will come up with next when she comes back to earth. Her creative imagination, character development, and gifted writing skills apparently know no boundaries.
A little background is necessary. In her debut novel, Good Cop Dead Cop, the author establishes a discovery that enables departed souls to contact the living via a technological marvel known as the “afternet.” In her second novel My Particular Friend, she mashes together Sherlock Holmes with Jane Austen’s Bath for a regency romp that is impossible to pin a label on. With great warmth and humor the author ingeniously mashes together the “afternet” with the very-alive but disembodied soul of Jane Austen and you actually get “Jane Actually.”
Jane’s identity has been legally verified by the Afternet authentication committee and she has finished her incomplete novel Sanditon, she has acquired an agent and staunch promoter in Melody Kramer and a grand book tour is planned. Although Jane communicates easily over the afternet she is invisible so the search begins for a suitable avatar to be her visual embodiment. A young acting student coincidently named Mary Crawford is one of the finalists. She knows next to nothing about Jane Austen, not even the literary significance of her own name. However Jane takes a liking to her and she is chosen over more qualified candidates. Getting Jane and Mary to ‘sync-up’ using the afternet proves difficult and frustrating but they warm to each other nevertheless.
Everything appears to be progressing smoothly but there is trouble afoot for Jane in the person of Dr. Alice Davis, one of the world’s most foremost subject matter experts on Jane Austen. One of her English counterparts, fellow expert and journalist Courtney Blake, has discovered a never-before-seen letter that Sotheby’s London auction house has verified as written in Jane’s hand. Dr. Davis plans to spring this revelation on Miss Austen at the JASNA associated general meeting and prove this Jane Austen is a fraud if she is unable to define her own letter’s contents.
Her unlikely and unwitting accomplice is Stephen Abrams a doctoral candidate whom she advises. Stephen meets Jane’s avatar Mary and the beginnings of a romance ensue. Mary is utterly devoted to Jane but poor Stephen is unaware to what extent Dr. Davis's plan is to discredit Jane’s identity.
Jane also has been communicating with an Albert Ridings for a decade via the afternet. Albert died during World War One and was from the same general region as Jane. She has disguised her identity this entire time, not wishing him to get caught up in her celebrity. Their relationship appears to have progressed to intimate fondness, and even love for each other but her lack of forthrightness may jeopardize his trust and faith in her.
The author’s depiction of Jane Austen is chillingly authentic. She is intelligent and savvy, having eavesdropped on practically every development in the two centuries since her death. As this reviewer suspected, Jane is kind and loyal but does not suffer fools as she turns on those who wish to manipulate her with caustic wit. She shows mastery in most things except perhaps her own confused feelings about love. A precarious romantic moment is in the air for both couples as the invisible follow the visible through a country dance at the JASNA AGM:
“It was time for Stephen and Mary to progress through the line and Albert and Jane effortlessly followed them. ‘But love requires hands to hold and lips to kiss,’ Jane said. ‘Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments as the man said.’ Albert said in response.” (A quote from Darcy in P & P)
As it was all but impossible to categorize My Particular Friend, Jane, Actually (or Jane Austen’s Book Tour) defies literary labels as well! It is part science fiction, part fantasy/paranormal, part romance, part mystery/suspense and ALL Jane Austen. Is it absurdly fantastic? Yes! Is it compellingly entertaining? Double-yes!!
The author’s love for Jane Austen pours forth from her impressive research and footnotes. And, before you lose yourselves in Jane, Actually, be sure to read the introductory explanation on the complexities of the afternet v-e-r-y carefully. One wonders what Jennifer Petkus will come up with next when she comes back to earth. Her creative imagination, character development, and gifted writing skills apparently know no boundaries.
August 3, 2016
Disclaimer: The author sent me an ebook.
What a delight! What a Tour de Janeite! AGM Fort Worth, Chawton, Harvard Book Store(ok, only one chapter)! Jane Austen is in the 21th Century(via the AfterNet!) and has finished Sanditon. She is on a book tour. So much wit and charm in the book. With footnotes! In my not so well state, I was occasionally confused about what was happening and how it related to the whole. Everything came to together in end. Parts of the ending I wanted more of a conclusion. Certain things seemed left open....sequel(or spin-off) please!
What a delight! What a Tour de Janeite! AGM Fort Worth, Chawton, Harvard Book Store(ok, only one chapter)! Jane Austen is in the 21th Century(via the AfterNet!) and has finished Sanditon. She is on a book tour. So much wit and charm in the book. With footnotes! In my not so well state, I was occasionally confused about what was happening and how it related to the whole. Everything came to together in end. Parts of the ending I wanted more of a conclusion. Certain things seemed left open....sequel(or spin-off) please!
July 25, 2013
Really enjoyed this book! Planning a complete review and giveaway on my blog shortly.
October 16, 2013
Hold on to your bonnet’s, Janeites – this new Austenesque tale by Jennifer Petkus creates a world where many of our Janeite wishes come true!
- Wish #1 – Jane Austen can communicate with us! An invention call the Afternet (similar to Internet) allows the dead (or disembodied, as they prefer to be called) to communicate with the living.
- Wish #2 – A new release by Miss Jane Austen! First thing Jane does when she is able to communicate with the world is finish her fragment of Sanditon and seek a publisher! (Thank you, Jane!)
- Wish #3 – Jane becomes a part of the Jane Austen community! She goes on a national book tour, reads blogs, and attends both the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and the JASNA Annual General Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas! (Could you imagine?!?)
Sounds like enormous fun, doesn’t it? Well…it most definitely is!
I must admit I had the BEST time reading this novel! This is probably because it is about OUR world – the Jane Austen community – and pretty much the most exciting thing that could ever happen to it! I loved how many different areas of the Jane Austen community were featured in this novel – from scholars to bloggers, from various JASNA chapters to brick-and-mortar booksellers. It was especially fun to recognize some well-known blogs that I frequent, hear mention of famous scholars and actors, and read some excerpts from Jane Austen’s Sanditon.
I greatly enjoyed all the characters in this novel, especially Jennifer Petkus’s portrayal of Jane Austen. Of course she was quick-witted, intelligent, and spirited, but what I liked seeing was her very human emotions and mistakes (even after 200 years of observing the world!) feeling anxiety about her new release, experiencing guilt and remorse for practicing a terrible deception, and showing a pig-headed stubbornness that rivals many of her characters! I loved that Jane Austen had an online “pen-pal” (Albert Ridings) she was communicating with for a couple of years. There is a very sweet relationship between Jane Austen and Albert (who is also disembodied). I enjoyed seeing Jane experience the same relationship pitfalls we all do – keeping secrets about yourself, feeling insecure, not wanting to admit you were wrong…lol!
Another element that I really enjoyed in this story was all the digital communications and multimedia prose. I loved reading the instant messages and emails the characters were sending each other, as well as the articles, newspaper tidbits, and various blogposts! In addition, I found the footnotes and introductory notes to be very helpful, informative, and entertaining!
This story is incredibly well-crafted and originative! It is abundantly clear that a lot of thought, research, and creativity went into the conception and execution of this novel. I may have wanted an teensy bit more resolution (maybe there will a sequel one day?), but overall, I found Jane, Actually to be a splendidly diverting and engaging Janeite love-fest that I didn’t want to see end!
Note: While this novel does have elements of science-fiction/paranormal in it (advanced technology, the ability to communicate with the dead), it doesn’t travel far into the futuristic unknown. There are no space journeys to galaxies far away, droids, or Klingons. :)
- Wish #1 – Jane Austen can communicate with us! An invention call the Afternet (similar to Internet) allows the dead (or disembodied, as they prefer to be called) to communicate with the living.
- Wish #2 – A new release by Miss Jane Austen! First thing Jane does when she is able to communicate with the world is finish her fragment of Sanditon and seek a publisher! (Thank you, Jane!)
- Wish #3 – Jane becomes a part of the Jane Austen community! She goes on a national book tour, reads blogs, and attends both the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and the JASNA Annual General Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas! (Could you imagine?!?)
Sounds like enormous fun, doesn’t it? Well…it most definitely is!
I must admit I had the BEST time reading this novel! This is probably because it is about OUR world – the Jane Austen community – and pretty much the most exciting thing that could ever happen to it! I loved how many different areas of the Jane Austen community were featured in this novel – from scholars to bloggers, from various JASNA chapters to brick-and-mortar booksellers. It was especially fun to recognize some well-known blogs that I frequent, hear mention of famous scholars and actors, and read some excerpts from Jane Austen’s Sanditon.
I greatly enjoyed all the characters in this novel, especially Jennifer Petkus’s portrayal of Jane Austen. Of course she was quick-witted, intelligent, and spirited, but what I liked seeing was her very human emotions and mistakes (even after 200 years of observing the world!) feeling anxiety about her new release, experiencing guilt and remorse for practicing a terrible deception, and showing a pig-headed stubbornness that rivals many of her characters! I loved that Jane Austen had an online “pen-pal” (Albert Ridings) she was communicating with for a couple of years. There is a very sweet relationship between Jane Austen and Albert (who is also disembodied). I enjoyed seeing Jane experience the same relationship pitfalls we all do – keeping secrets about yourself, feeling insecure, not wanting to admit you were wrong…lol!
Another element that I really enjoyed in this story was all the digital communications and multimedia prose. I loved reading the instant messages and emails the characters were sending each other, as well as the articles, newspaper tidbits, and various blogposts! In addition, I found the footnotes and introductory notes to be very helpful, informative, and entertaining!
This story is incredibly well-crafted and originative! It is abundantly clear that a lot of thought, research, and creativity went into the conception and execution of this novel. I may have wanted an teensy bit more resolution (maybe there will a sequel one day?), but overall, I found Jane, Actually to be a splendidly diverting and engaging Janeite love-fest that I didn’t want to see end!
Note: While this novel does have elements of science-fiction/paranormal in it (advanced technology, the ability to communicate with the dead), it doesn’t travel far into the futuristic unknown. There are no space journeys to galaxies far away, droids, or Klingons. :)
July 11, 2013
I received a copy of Jane, Actually as part of a GoodReads giveaway.
The invention of the AfterNet allows dead (or rather, "disembodied") souls to stay in contact with those still on earth. With the advent of this new technology, a recently-authenticated Jane Austen, having hung around as a voiceless, formless ghost for two centuries, completes and publishes her unfinished novel Sanditon, sending 21st century Janeites on both sides of the Atlantic into a frenzy. Add her living best friend, publisher Melody, struggling actress Mary (who serves as Jane's earthly form, or avatar), the disembodied form of a WWI soldier, and a couple skeptics, and we're off to the races.
I'm not usually into sci-fi-tinged fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. The book reads extremely easily--it's paced extremely well. The characters are charming and three-dimensional, with a nice mixture of romance, comedy in the vein of Douglas Adams or Jasper Fforde, and just plain fun storytelling.
Highly recommended.
The invention of the AfterNet allows dead (or rather, "disembodied") souls to stay in contact with those still on earth. With the advent of this new technology, a recently-authenticated Jane Austen, having hung around as a voiceless, formless ghost for two centuries, completes and publishes her unfinished novel Sanditon, sending 21st century Janeites on both sides of the Atlantic into a frenzy. Add her living best friend, publisher Melody, struggling actress Mary (who serves as Jane's earthly form, or avatar), the disembodied form of a WWI soldier, and a couple skeptics, and we're off to the races.
I'm not usually into sci-fi-tinged fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. The book reads extremely easily--it's paced extremely well. The characters are charming and three-dimensional, with a nice mixture of romance, comedy in the vein of Douglas Adams or Jasper Fforde, and just plain fun storytelling.
Highly recommended.
July 23, 2013
What a cute story. What if your favorite authors could come back and complete their unfinished book or better yet write new ones. Jane Austen comes back with the help of the AfterNet and the publishers really want her to finish Sanditon, the book she was writing when she died. How do you get a disembodied form to go on talk shows and book signings? Why you find someone to link up with and be their avatar.
This is part science fiction, romance, a touch of mystery and an all around good read. My only complaint is that the print is so small that it really makes it difficult to read for very long due to eye strain. I received this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway and I recommend this book.
This is part science fiction, romance, a touch of mystery and an all around good read. My only complaint is that the print is so small that it really makes it difficult to read for very long due to eye strain. I received this from LibraryThing Members Giveaway and I recommend this book.
January 30, 2016
This is one of the strangest and yet compelling books I have ever read. Jane Austen exists as a 'disembodied' person in the twenty-first century, completes her unfinished work 'Sanditon', and goes on a book tour. Bizarre and yet it works.
October 1, 2013
Jane Austen is back and she’s not a vampire! With the invention of the Afternet disembodied souls can now communicate with the living so 200 years after separating from her body Austen is publishing a completed version of Sanditon--which she’s worked on since leaving it unfinished at the time of her death--and she’s planning new novels, exploring social media, and maybe finding love with a long dead but charming WWI soldier. She’s helped by Melanie, her agent who’s become a close friend, and Mary, a struggling young actress who’s taken on the role of Jane’s avatar for book signings and other appearances, but there are those who don’t believe Jane is the actual Jane Austen and they are digging into the past to create trouble.
Jane has been able to observe the world in the time since she’s died, but while she’s been changed by her experiences Austen is just what you’d expect: mannered but high spirited, and avid, witty and observant but with a touch of melancholy since the “life” of the dead is necessarily circumscribed. This is a longish book with lots of characters, points of view, and plot lines, but the characters, including Austen, are complex, interesting and mostly endearing, the story is riveting, especially in its latter chapters, and easy to follow, and the imagined world is fascinating and a joy to inhabit. The author has also written a mystery that involves the Afternet, Good Cop, Dead Cop, that I can’t wait to try, as well as a regency era novel, My Particular Friend, inspired by both Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All three books are the first of a series so there is potentially a lot of good reading to look forward to.
Jane has been able to observe the world in the time since she’s died, but while she’s been changed by her experiences Austen is just what you’d expect: mannered but high spirited, and avid, witty and observant but with a touch of melancholy since the “life” of the dead is necessarily circumscribed. This is a longish book with lots of characters, points of view, and plot lines, but the characters, including Austen, are complex, interesting and mostly endearing, the story is riveting, especially in its latter chapters, and easy to follow, and the imagined world is fascinating and a joy to inhabit. The author has also written a mystery that involves the Afternet, Good Cop, Dead Cop, that I can’t wait to try, as well as a regency era novel, My Particular Friend, inspired by both Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All three books are the first of a series so there is potentially a lot of good reading to look forward to.
August 13, 2013
Jane, Actually is a delightful and unique tale of Jane Austen and her afterlife. I have never read anything like this and I enjoyed it immensely. I found it highly entertaining and believable; after all, I’m a huge supernatural fan, as well as Jane Austen. It was fun imagining Miss Austen continuing her life and writing after her unfortunate death.
I really enjoyed all the characters in this book. From Jane, herself, to Mary Crawford, her avatar, and finally to Albert, Jane’s disembodied ”friend.” Jane is so lovely in this book. She’s intelligent, witty, moody and temperamental. I loved that she can struggle with her career and her love life just like the modern woman of today. Ms. Petkus created a very natural and believable Jane Austen. The only thing I wondered about while I read it, is how Jane happened to retain her sanity in the afterlife. I still wonder about that.
Jane’s supporting cast each had his/her own personality and story. Every little subplot flowed well into the main storyline. Mary was wonderful as Jane’s avatar. I loved how her character gained more confidence with Jane as her friend and mentor. And she wasn’t even a Jane Austen fan.
Ms. Petkus was even able to throw in some equality issues in the mix. I loved that Jane easily accepted that Melody, her agent and best friend, “preferred the company of women.” It was not a big deal to Jane; as it should be.
In the end, Ms. Petkus gave us a wonderful rendition Jane Austen’s happily ever after. This book is fun, sweet and romantic. I highly recommend reading it.
I really enjoyed all the characters in this book. From Jane, herself, to Mary Crawford, her avatar, and finally to Albert, Jane’s disembodied ”friend.” Jane is so lovely in this book. She’s intelligent, witty, moody and temperamental. I loved that she can struggle with her career and her love life just like the modern woman of today. Ms. Petkus created a very natural and believable Jane Austen. The only thing I wondered about while I read it, is how Jane happened to retain her sanity in the afterlife. I still wonder about that.
Jane’s supporting cast each had his/her own personality and story. Every little subplot flowed well into the main storyline. Mary was wonderful as Jane’s avatar. I loved how her character gained more confidence with Jane as her friend and mentor. And she wasn’t even a Jane Austen fan.
Ms. Petkus was even able to throw in some equality issues in the mix. I loved that Jane easily accepted that Melody, her agent and best friend, “preferred the company of women.” It was not a big deal to Jane; as it should be.
In the end, Ms. Petkus gave us a wonderful rendition Jane Austen’s happily ever after. This book is fun, sweet and romantic. I highly recommend reading it.
September 29, 2013
This book kinda took me by surprise, at first I was not sure that I liked where the story was heading but the more I read the more I really got into it. I think it would be so cool if this could really happen. Wow, the questions I would have for so many people. If you feel a little lost give it a bit and you will do as I did and fall completely in love with all of the characters and the story. That would be the reason for only 4 stars.
June 14, 2013
I was on vacation and I appreciated to read this book piece by piece every day. I liked it and I will tell my friends about it.
June 26, 2017
Jennifer Petkus conveys an interesting look at what might have been for Jane Austen.
February 9, 2015
This was a book I happily won on Goodreads. I entered the competition because I have always been interested in the life and times of Jane Austen and been a fan of her work, but I must confess to not having dipped between the pages of her books I own on my shelves at home since my school days (many moons ago). Having keenly watched and loved the many films and TV adaptations over the years and of course, my chick lit hero Bridget Jones has a connection to Jane Austen. So it was with great fascination that I started reading this intriguing concept about what could happen to the dead (or disembodied as they like to be known) if they were allowed to make contact again with the living via the Afternet.
It was an engaging storyline where Jane Austen firstly proves her identity to the Afternet committee to gain herself an agent/friend named Melody and finishing off her last uncompleted work before her premature death over two hundred years earlier. The book deal follows and then the book tour arranged but there is a problem, which stands in the way of its successful launch. As there are legions of loyal fans waiting for its release and wanting to meet the famous author so an Avatar named Mary (who is an actor) gets hired and trained to play the part for an invisible Jane since the writer cannot do book signings herself, appear on talk shows or meet and greet people. Mary learns how to communicate Jane’s words to the masses through a terminal and earpiece that she uses to convey the author’s thoughts and feelings to others. There are three love stories going on too during this time between the main characters helping to inject some romance and further our understanding of life for those involved as Jane prepares to give her keynote speech at the AGM in front of dedicated Janeites. With a couple of hiccups standing in the way of this going according to plan, as another author and Jane Austen expert plan to prove that this Jane is not ‘the’ Jane so what will prove her identity to satisfy all in the end. You should read this book to find out and I am sure, like me, you will learn things you did not know about Jane Austen and what it would be like if she really did return to us.
It was an engaging storyline where Jane Austen firstly proves her identity to the Afternet committee to gain herself an agent/friend named Melody and finishing off her last uncompleted work before her premature death over two hundred years earlier. The book deal follows and then the book tour arranged but there is a problem, which stands in the way of its successful launch. As there are legions of loyal fans waiting for its release and wanting to meet the famous author so an Avatar named Mary (who is an actor) gets hired and trained to play the part for an invisible Jane since the writer cannot do book signings herself, appear on talk shows or meet and greet people. Mary learns how to communicate Jane’s words to the masses through a terminal and earpiece that she uses to convey the author’s thoughts and feelings to others. There are three love stories going on too during this time between the main characters helping to inject some romance and further our understanding of life for those involved as Jane prepares to give her keynote speech at the AGM in front of dedicated Janeites. With a couple of hiccups standing in the way of this going according to plan, as another author and Jane Austen expert plan to prove that this Jane is not ‘the’ Jane so what will prove her identity to satisfy all in the end. You should read this book to find out and I am sure, like me, you will learn things you did not know about Jane Austen and what it would be like if she really did return to us.
April 3, 2015
Today I am sharing Jennifer Petkus’s novel Jane Actually. Thank you to Jennifer for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge Austen fan and am always delighted to share the various stories about Jane Austen and her work.
Synopsis:
Jane has been hovering about for about 200 years in the after world. One day a device becomes available to let people communicate with the disembodied the After Net. Melody is one such person who can communicate with the real Jane Austen. She is agent and representing Jane’s interests for her next novel Sanditon. Jane writes the novel and then the discussion of her tour and speaking events begins. How will she appear to her public? Will the After Net committee believe that Jane is who she says she is?
My Thoughts:
As I said above I am a huge Austen fan. I credit my senior year English teacher Mrs. Vogel for teaching me to appreciate the writing of Jane Austen. How many of you have read the one about Pride and Prejudice and the zombies? I was not one of them. When initially pitched this idea I though it sounded interesting about reading what Jane would be like. I unfortunately did not enjoy the book as much as I thought I would.
This novel discusses what it is like for an author to go through the process of getting published and then go on tour. If you are interested what this process is like; then this novel might appeal to you. I also discovered that this novel is in a series and there is a novel prior to this one. I felt that the author did a good job of creating the characters that are well written.
Synopsis:
Jane has been hovering about for about 200 years in the after world. One day a device becomes available to let people communicate with the disembodied the After Net. Melody is one such person who can communicate with the real Jane Austen. She is agent and representing Jane’s interests for her next novel Sanditon. Jane writes the novel and then the discussion of her tour and speaking events begins. How will she appear to her public? Will the After Net committee believe that Jane is who she says she is?
My Thoughts:
As I said above I am a huge Austen fan. I credit my senior year English teacher Mrs. Vogel for teaching me to appreciate the writing of Jane Austen. How many of you have read the one about Pride and Prejudice and the zombies? I was not one of them. When initially pitched this idea I though it sounded interesting about reading what Jane would be like. I unfortunately did not enjoy the book as much as I thought I would.
This novel discusses what it is like for an author to go through the process of getting published and then go on tour. If you are interested what this process is like; then this novel might appeal to you. I also discovered that this novel is in a series and there is a novel prior to this one. I felt that the author did a good job of creating the characters that are well written.
February 1, 2015
Sheer delight! Wonderful! Fabulous! Fantastic! I love this book!
This is an absolutely brilliant concept that is perfectly delivered. It is a Jane Austen What if, as in What if some dead people could communicate through the After.net,and what if one of them was THE Jane Austen. And what if she got a literary agent and a publisher and a book tour. And in order to connect with her fans she needs an living interpretation in the form of an actress.
We are treated to wonderful realistic characters from Mary Crawford, the Ohioan actress who never read any of Miss Austen's works, the stressed out agent, the nutty professor who wants to debunk Jane's claim and the Conference leaders who are suddenly confronted with a real idol. Oh and then there is Jane's refusal to write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. She does complete and publish Sanditon.
This is a book where I wanted to get to the end for everything to turn out right (like a Jane Austen ending) but I didn't want the book to end because it was that good.
This is an absolutely brilliant concept that is perfectly delivered. It is a Jane Austen What if, as in What if some dead people could communicate through the After.net,and what if one of them was THE Jane Austen. And what if she got a literary agent and a publisher and a book tour. And in order to connect with her fans she needs an living interpretation in the form of an actress.
We are treated to wonderful realistic characters from Mary Crawford, the Ohioan actress who never read any of Miss Austen's works, the stressed out agent, the nutty professor who wants to debunk Jane's claim and the Conference leaders who are suddenly confronted with a real idol. Oh and then there is Jane's refusal to write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. She does complete and publish Sanditon.
This is a book where I wanted to get to the end for everything to turn out right (like a Jane Austen ending) but I didn't want the book to end because it was that good.
April 5, 2016
This novel had a very strange premise; the "Afternet" is a way for the dead to speak to the living. Dead, or disembodied, people exist as a sort of energy ball, able to see 360 degrees, having no senses except sight, but yet they take up physical space and must travel to destinations as a human with a corporeal form would. Jane Austen has her identity confirmed by an Afternet committee, and she then gets an agent and an avatar who will "play" her on her book tour to promote her newly finished SANDITON. The author made heavy use of footnotes, but for the oddest things, things that are common knowledge and have no need for further explanation. It seemed that she couldn't quite figure out the parameters of the dead for her own story, and the "love stories" embedded in the text were tortuous and hard to follow. Ultimately, more of an unsettlingly strange read than an enjoyable one. Very dismal take on the afterlife.
October 12, 2014
This book and I had kind of a slow start, but I'm glad I stuck with it, because it did become one of my favourite books. The whole concept of the Afternet intrigued me, its philosophical implications as well as all the practical problems and possibilities. Very well constructed! Also, the character of Jane Austen was very carefully integrated into the setting - one could imagine that the real Jane Austen would have reacted just like this fictional representation. Jennifer Petkus' intuition for modernized regency dialogue is uncanny. Really well written.
July 29, 2014
"Seems like a lot of information before the story even starts, but I guess it make sense as I go."
24.0% "I'm really enjoying this! I wasn't sure if I would, not being a Janeite, or even familiar with any work other than P & P, but the author does a great job filling in the blanks."
50.0% "Love this book! It's funny, with an interesting plot The footnotes may proof overkill to a Janeite, but for newbies, they provide the perfect balance between not providing enough background info and disrupting the story with extraneous explanations"
24.0% "I'm really enjoying this! I wasn't sure if I would, not being a Janeite, or even familiar with any work other than P & P, but the author does a great job filling in the blanks."
50.0% "Love this book! It's funny, with an interesting plot The footnotes may proof overkill to a Janeite, but for newbies, they provide the perfect balance between not providing enough background info and disrupting the story with extraneous explanations"
November 24, 2013
Very fun read - a real surprise. The author wrote a clever and fascinating book about how Jane came back in a form of afterlife. You will love this book - some sci-fi and romance all together. Lots of fun!
November 7, 2015
A very enjoyable read on the afterlife of Jane Austen.
April 23, 2014
We are proud to announce that JANE,ACTUALLY by Jennifer Petkus is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
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