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According to Jane
It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett's teacher is assigning Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". From nowhere comes a quiet 'tsk' of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who's teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author's ghost has taken up residence in Ellie's mind, and seems determined to stay there. Jane's wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own.
Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie's head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.
Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie's head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.
269 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
76 people are currently reading
1866 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Brant
35 books405 followersMarilyn Brant is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel won RWA's prestigious Golden Heart Award® in 2007 and she was named the 2013 Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She wrote ACCORDING TO JANE, the story of a modern woman who receives dating advice from the spirit of Jane Austen, FRIDAY MORNINGS AT NINE, and A SUMMER IN EUROPE, all women's fiction releases from Kensington Books.
She's also a #1 Kindle & #1 Nook Bestseller and has written a series of fun and flirty contemporary romantic comedies, such as ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE and PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT MATCH, along with a bestselling coming-of-age romantic mystery (THE ROAD TO YOU), a sweet holiday romance (THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS), and the 7-book "Mirabelle Harbor" contemporary romance series. Look for her latest releases, THE SECRET LIFE OF MAGGIE BLAKE, a modern romantic spy comedy inspired by the Scarlet Pimpernel (May 2022), and NOT ANOTHER ROMAN HOLIDAY, a rom-com novella set in Italy (November 2023)!
Marilyn lives in the northern Chicago suburbs with her family, analyzing novels for the storytelling website Save the Cat! and working on her own writing projects. When she isn't rereading Austen's books or enjoying the latest releases by her author friends, she's daydreaming plot ideas for her next novel, eating chocolate indiscriminately and hiding from the laundry.
She's also a #1 Kindle & #1 Nook Bestseller and has written a series of fun and flirty contemporary romantic comedies, such as ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE and PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT MATCH, along with a bestselling coming-of-age romantic mystery (THE ROAD TO YOU), a sweet holiday romance (THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS), and the 7-book "Mirabelle Harbor" contemporary romance series. Look for her latest releases, THE SECRET LIFE OF MAGGIE BLAKE, a modern romantic spy comedy inspired by the Scarlet Pimpernel (May 2022), and NOT ANOTHER ROMAN HOLIDAY, a rom-com novella set in Italy (November 2023)!
Marilyn lives in the northern Chicago suburbs with her family, analyzing novels for the storytelling website Save the Cat! and working on her own writing projects. When she isn't rereading Austen's books or enjoying the latest releases by her author friends, she's daydreaming plot ideas for her next novel, eating chocolate indiscriminately and hiding from the laundry.
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August 18, 2009Since I'm the author, I'm wildly biased on this one, of course. :)
I truly hope those who read it will enjoy the story. And I hope Jane Austen would've been pleased by her place in the novel. I like to think so...
Many thanks to everyone interested in my debut book!
I truly hope those who read it will enjoy the story. And I hope Jane Austen would've been pleased by her place in the novel. I like to think so...
Many thanks to everyone interested in my debut book!
November 20, 2009
When I received this book from the author to read for first reads, I was excited, but that excitement soon disappeared. According To Jane is sexually explicit to a point that I had to skim through much of it completely skipping huge sections in order to escape reading the multitudinous bedroom scenes.
As a English teacher and a fan of Jane Austen, I loved the idea of this book--that the famed author would guide a women in her romantic life--however, I dare say that Ms Austen would not approve of much if anything that the main character, Ellie, does in the book. I also have a hard time thinking that the author would encourage some of the things she encourages in the book. The thought that repeatedly came to mind while I read was disgust that so many confuse lust for love and casual sex for real courtship.
Over and over I questioned why this book was recommended in young adult reviews as a good book for teens. It saddens me that such explicit books gain so much approval for our teenagers especially, but really for anyone. I would never ever have this book on my classroom shelf.
As a English teacher and a fan of Jane Austen, I loved the idea of this book--that the famed author would guide a women in her romantic life--however, I dare say that Ms Austen would not approve of much if anything that the main character, Ellie, does in the book. I also have a hard time thinking that the author would encourage some of the things she encourages in the book. The thought that repeatedly came to mind while I read was disgust that so many confuse lust for love and casual sex for real courtship.
Over and over I questioned why this book was recommended in young adult reviews as a good book for teens. It saddens me that such explicit books gain so much approval for our teenagers especially, but really for anyone. I would never ever have this book on my classroom shelf.
March 6, 2019
This is utterly unique and hard to define. I wish I could recommend it to young readers because it so perfectly describes the pain of adolescence and trying to deal with the cruelty of peers and older siblings at that age. However, there are also descriptions of encounters of the sexual kind as Ellie Barnett ages from high school to her mid-30s that are NOT appropriate reading for less mature audiences. Despite that, I related so strongly to Ms. Brant's depiction of growing up and maturing that her book struck me as nothing short of brilliant.
Ellie tells the story in her own words, beginning when she was a high school geek in the 1980s. A straight-A student, she is far removed from all the cool kids, especially her overbearing older sister, Diana. Instead of trying to shield her sensitive sibling, Di takes every opportunity to embarrass Ellie in front of schoolmates. But Ellie's life changes on the day her English teacher hands out copies of Pride and Prejudice. Suddenly a voice pops up. Inside Ellie's head. And it's Jane Austen.
Yes, the Lady herself speaks directly to Ellie telepathically. The first thing JA does is to warn Ellie that Sam Blaine, who sits behind her in English class ("thanks to the eternal delights of alphabetical order," according to Ellie) is "your Mr. Wickham." Seems like JA's right, too. Sam is handsome, charming and he's popular despite being super smart. He's only the first of a series of boys and/or men we're introduced to through Ellie, and Jane is ever in her head trying to counsel her about them.
There's a lot of ironic humor throughout. For example, Ellie has her first sexual experience the night of her Senior Prom with a "safe" male friend who turns out to be completely inept and believes he's de-flowered her (as does the rest of the school) when, in truth, he has not.
JA and Ellie both are witty and have a way with words, but in characteristically different ways. The arguments going on in Ellie's head between the two are always entertaining. Naturally, Ms. Austen doesn't have full understanding of contemporary culture, so her perspective isn't always on the mark.
Jane does provide constant companionship for Ellie, encouraging and appreciating her for who she is as no one else in Ellie's world seems to. JA doles out wisdom and astute observations about what's going on in Ellie's life.
Significant truths are sprinkled about. For example:
JA: "Your mistakes in judgment are not due to the complexity of humanity, Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love."
Ellie: "You mean, I need to challenge the fairy tale and not the man?"
JA: "Precisely.
Me: YESSSS!!!
And Di, whose relationship with her husband Alex factors strongly here, correctly states, "True love... [is] all work and building trust and fighting for commitment, day after day after day. And both people need to want to make it happen. Bad. Otherwise, f**k it."
And I REALLY love the truth expressed in the turning point of this book that you can't have a healthy in-love relationship until you're okay with being alone without one. That doesn't mean that you're not open to romance, of course, but too many women marry a guy because they want to be married rather than because they're truly in love.
Ms. Brand's writing is flawless and beautiful. She successfully conveys the awkwardness of the various relationships Ellie has in her quest for her Mr. Darcy. These guys all turn out to be losers in one way or another, even when the sex is magnificently toe-curling.
I loved everything about this story: the writing, the characters, the plot development, and the theme. It transcends an ordinary romance.
Along with the realistic sexual content, a homosexual relationship of one character leads to a gay wedding, which Ellie attends.
Ellie tells the story in her own words, beginning when she was a high school geek in the 1980s. A straight-A student, she is far removed from all the cool kids, especially her overbearing older sister, Diana. Instead of trying to shield her sensitive sibling, Di takes every opportunity to embarrass Ellie in front of schoolmates. But Ellie's life changes on the day her English teacher hands out copies of Pride and Prejudice. Suddenly a voice pops up. Inside Ellie's head. And it's Jane Austen.
Yes, the Lady herself speaks directly to Ellie telepathically. The first thing JA does is to warn Ellie that Sam Blaine, who sits behind her in English class ("thanks to the eternal delights of alphabetical order," according to Ellie) is "your Mr. Wickham." Seems like JA's right, too. Sam is handsome, charming and he's popular despite being super smart. He's only the first of a series of boys and/or men we're introduced to through Ellie, and Jane is ever in her head trying to counsel her about them.
There's a lot of ironic humor throughout. For example, Ellie has her first sexual experience the night of her Senior Prom with a "safe" male friend who turns out to be completely inept and believes he's de-flowered her (as does the rest of the school) when, in truth, he has not.
JA and Ellie both are witty and have a way with words, but in characteristically different ways. The arguments going on in Ellie's head between the two are always entertaining. Naturally, Ms. Austen doesn't have full understanding of contemporary culture, so her perspective isn't always on the mark.
Jane does provide constant companionship for Ellie, encouraging and appreciating her for who she is as no one else in Ellie's world seems to. JA doles out wisdom and astute observations about what's going on in Ellie's life.
Significant truths are sprinkled about. For example:
JA: "Your mistakes in judgment are not due to the complexity of humanity, Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love."
Ellie: "You mean, I need to challenge the fairy tale and not the man?"
JA: "Precisely.
Me: YESSSS!!!
And Di, whose relationship with her husband Alex factors strongly here, correctly states, "True love... [is] all work and building trust and fighting for commitment, day after day after day. And both people need to want to make it happen. Bad. Otherwise, f**k it."
And I REALLY love the truth expressed in the turning point of this book that you can't have a healthy in-love relationship until you're okay with being alone without one. That doesn't mean that you're not open to romance, of course, but too many women marry a guy because they want to be married rather than because they're truly in love.
Ms. Brand's writing is flawless and beautiful. She successfully conveys the awkwardness of the various relationships Ellie has in her quest for her Mr. Darcy. These guys all turn out to be losers in one way or another, even when the sex is magnificently toe-curling.
I loved everything about this story: the writing, the characters, the plot development, and the theme. It transcends an ordinary romance.
Along with the realistic sexual content, a homosexual relationship of one character leads to a gay wedding, which Ellie attends.
July 10, 2011
Wouldn't it be fantastic to have a Jane Austen's voice in your head? Wouldn't you just love to have Jane Austen in your subconscious, speaking to you, being your secret friend? I know I would! Going through my adolescent years would have been infinitely more bearable! But alas, we cannot all be as fortunate as Ellie Barnett, who from the age of fifteen has had Jane Austen's voice in her head.
Ever since Ellie's teacher assigned Pride and Prejudice as their next reading assignment, Jane Austen has taken up residence in Ellie's mind. And Ellie is most thankful to have her there! Over the years Jane has helped her avoid all the Wickhams in her life, laughed with her at all the Collinses she encounters, and encouraged her in her quest to find a Mr. Darcy. But now, at the age of thirty-four and still single, Ellie starts to wonder: Where is her Mr. Darcy? Are there any left? Or is the world just comprised of various versions of Wickhams and Collinses?
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Ever since Ellie's teacher assigned Pride and Prejudice as their next reading assignment, Jane Austen has taken up residence in Ellie's mind. And Ellie is most thankful to have her there! Over the years Jane has helped her avoid all the Wickhams in her life, laughed with her at all the Collinses she encounters, and encouraged her in her quest to find a Mr. Darcy. But now, at the age of thirty-four and still single, Ellie starts to wonder: Where is her Mr. Darcy? Are there any left? Or is the world just comprised of various versions of Wickhams and Collinses?
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
December 19, 2017
I have had this book on my Wish List after reading other stories by this author. And now it was offered by kindle Unlimited so I grabbed it. What a wonderful story and I don't usually go for modern stories - I am definitely one who loves her JAFF "what-if" variations to P&P.
I have to note that I missed the '80's music, etc. due to the fact that I had children birthed in '79, '82 and '84 and refused to put anything other than children's music on the radio. I don't think it is cute when a 4 year old is dressed and dancing like Brittany Spears. So when I read this book again (and I definitely will) I will have to make a note of the music and pull it up. Oh, there are a few songs that are enduring hits which I did recognize but ask me about the '60's and I will know the music.
This story does have many flash backs and they are not in chronological order but the author does a magnificent job of interweaving the previous life events to illustrate for us why Ellie has reached a certain point in her life's journey. Of particular note are the categories into which she places men, the users, the commitment-phobic, the not-out-of-the-closet gay man, etc. And then there is the voice of Jane Austen and "why has Jane chosen to speak into Ellie's ear?" As one review states there are poignant passages and I did have a tear or two in reading such. Totally loved how Jane's experiences were brought into play here - Marilyn did so well with her research and her love of JA being incorporated into this story.
I found the family and community of this protagonist of interest and how true to life some of these relationships were presented: sibling antipathy changing into love and friendship, marriage relationships changing over the years, religious differences becoming a factor for some families, career, unwanted pregnancies, etc. The modern world has so many factors that Jane's world did not have for women and it wasn't just the fact that marriage was the only career allowed. So Jane's advice could have been outdated if not written with finesse, as our author did here.
I am sure we all knew Sam was going to somehow win Ellie's heart in the end but I must say that at about half way through the story that hot Russian guy had me wanting to have a paperback book so I could skip to the end to check out my theory...LOL. This story does have some spicy parts and I would rate it for MA only.
I have read other books by this author but not all. I will definitely make sure she is one for whom I read all. I was enrapt by this tale!
I have to note that I missed the '80's music, etc. due to the fact that I had children birthed in '79, '82 and '84 and refused to put anything other than children's music on the radio. I don't think it is cute when a 4 year old is dressed and dancing like Brittany Spears. So when I read this book again (and I definitely will) I will have to make a note of the music and pull it up. Oh, there are a few songs that are enduring hits which I did recognize but ask me about the '60's and I will know the music.
This story does have many flash backs and they are not in chronological order but the author does a magnificent job of interweaving the previous life events to illustrate for us why Ellie has reached a certain point in her life's journey. Of particular note are the categories into which she places men, the users, the commitment-phobic, the not-out-of-the-closet gay man, etc. And then there is the voice of Jane Austen and "why has Jane chosen to speak into Ellie's ear?" As one review states there are poignant passages and I did have a tear or two in reading such. Totally loved how Jane's experiences were brought into play here - Marilyn did so well with her research and her love of JA being incorporated into this story.
I found the family and community of this protagonist of interest and how true to life some of these relationships were presented: sibling antipathy changing into love and friendship, marriage relationships changing over the years, religious differences becoming a factor for some families, career, unwanted pregnancies, etc. The modern world has so many factors that Jane's world did not have for women and it wasn't just the fact that marriage was the only career allowed. So Jane's advice could have been outdated if not written with finesse, as our author did here.
I am sure we all knew Sam was going to somehow win Ellie's heart in the end but I must say that at about half way through the story that hot Russian guy had me wanting to have a paperback book so I could skip to the end to check out my theory...LOL. This story does have some spicy parts and I would rate it for MA only.
I have read other books by this author but not all. I will definitely make sure she is one for whom I read all. I was enrapt by this tale!
October 6, 2009
I won this on Firstreads and can't wait to get it. I'm an Austen junkie!!!!
Updated October 2009 - I received this book yesterday. Incredibly fast shipping with a nice handwritten note from the author. Which makes me feel really bad about the review I'm about to write.
I should preface this by saying that I don't watch rated R movies. And I stay away from most PG-13 ones too. According to Jane was rated R, maybe even X. There were multiple scenes of explicit you-know-what. There was also a lot of swearing including the F-bomb, frequently. Not my cup of tea.
I read the first fourth or so and once I hit a few 'detailed' scenes I started skimming. I thought the storyline was cute and the growth of the character interesting, but I just couldn't be okay with the other stuff. I also had a hard time with just how much Ellie, the main character, slept around. A lot of it was with "steady boyfriends" but my code of morality doesn't justify that type of behavior. And neither does Jane Austen's. I don't think she would have approved of this book. Yes, she wrote about characters who did bad things (ie Willoughby, Lydia and Mr. Wickham, etc), but she never went into details. She always wrote about the immorality of those things - she did not embrace them.
In retrospect I shouldn't have finished the book. There are images in my head now that I'd rather not be there. I guess this review is for those that might be tempted to read a fun sounding Austen-y book, but have the same standards I do. Don't read this.
I know there is a large population of people who enjoy this type of book and I do not pass judgement. It's just not for me.
Updated October 2009 - I received this book yesterday. Incredibly fast shipping with a nice handwritten note from the author. Which makes me feel really bad about the review I'm about to write.
I should preface this by saying that I don't watch rated R movies. And I stay away from most PG-13 ones too. According to Jane was rated R, maybe even X. There were multiple scenes of explicit you-know-what. There was also a lot of swearing including the F-bomb, frequently. Not my cup of tea.
I read the first fourth or so and once I hit a few 'detailed' scenes I started skimming. I thought the storyline was cute and the growth of the character interesting, but I just couldn't be okay with the other stuff. I also had a hard time with just how much Ellie, the main character, slept around. A lot of it was with "steady boyfriends" but my code of morality doesn't justify that type of behavior. And neither does Jane Austen's. I don't think she would have approved of this book. Yes, she wrote about characters who did bad things (ie Willoughby, Lydia and Mr. Wickham, etc), but she never went into details. She always wrote about the immorality of those things - she did not embrace them.
In retrospect I shouldn't have finished the book. There are images in my head now that I'd rather not be there. I guess this review is for those that might be tempted to read a fun sounding Austen-y book, but have the same standards I do. Don't read this.
I know there is a large population of people who enjoy this type of book and I do not pass judgement. It's just not for me.
April 25, 2019
I took my sweet old time getting to this story of a young woman coming into her own after years of romantic fails and lessons always circling back to the boy, then man, who was her nemesis in school and then crushed her heart their senior year. Along for the ride was the ghostly voice of one famous Regency Era author, Jane Austen, whispering advice in the heroine's mind.
The author's writing was engaging and had all the feels making this an introspective chick lit that fit the spring reading mood I was in when I picked it up.
The story spanned high school in the 80's through her early thirties for Ellie Barnett who grew up in a working class home in the Chicago suburbs. Ellie is the middle child and suffers from middle child syndrome as far as she can tell with her older bold and brash, beautiful sister two years ahead and calling her nerd while making her school and home life miserable and a younger brother who has his own talents and popularity and also sees Ellie as the quiet, geeky recluse while her parents love her, but pay attention to her siblings antics since Ellie is the good girl who makes it easy on them.
In truth, Ellie, tells in this first person narrative, is the geek who buries herself in her studies, doesn't involve herself in anything else and has few friends. She lives for literature and wants to be a librarian. She's comfortable in her niche even while resenting others for seemingly having it easy because they are more social.
The author allows the reader to see things through Ellie's eyes even while making it obvious that younger Ellie and even adult Ellie isn't that good at reading other people or seeing herself very well. Ellie knows she's smart, but puts herself down and retreats from any efforts to put herself out there. She constantly settles when it comes to men thinking this is the best that she can do. It takes her years to see her sister well and have a relationship with her and the same goes for herself and Sam Blaine, the high school crush and heartbreaker who keeps returning to her life and milestone moments. She doesn't see it, but his arrival always brings a little epiphany that puts her closer to getting on the right path.
Ellie isn't much different from many people who take a long time to figure stuff out. She has to do it wrong a few times to finally wake up and realize that she had the key to getting it right all along if she can get over her hangups and get perspective. She is the Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh gang and though she'll never be the Tigger, I was glad when she takes on a more hopeful perspective rather than fatalistic one in the end.
As for part of Ellie's issues, she has a ghostly voice in her head that arrived in her sophomore year of high school. Jane Austen is with her in spirit and speaking to her. It took me the longest time to work out if this was Ellie herself with a make believe 'friend' or a visitation from a spirit. I'll leave that a mystery for other readers. Suffice to say, Ellie was getting the benefit of advice and observations on highschool and adulthood from a woman who was from 200 years in the past and a whole different social context. The author didn't give Jane Austen some special dispensation in grasping the modern society so it resulted in cracking me up several times at the reaction things produced in Jane. It was also obvious to the reader, but not necessarily to Ellie, that Jane was wise, but not infallible. To be honest, I skimmed a lot of Ellie and Jane's mental dialogue because it distracted me more than advanced the story many times.
All in all, it was moderately engaging and I can recommend it to Chick Lit fans who enjoy being along while a woman figures out her love life with a ghostly companion in tow.
The author's writing was engaging and had all the feels making this an introspective chick lit that fit the spring reading mood I was in when I picked it up.
The story spanned high school in the 80's through her early thirties for Ellie Barnett who grew up in a working class home in the Chicago suburbs. Ellie is the middle child and suffers from middle child syndrome as far as she can tell with her older bold and brash, beautiful sister two years ahead and calling her nerd while making her school and home life miserable and a younger brother who has his own talents and popularity and also sees Ellie as the quiet, geeky recluse while her parents love her, but pay attention to her siblings antics since Ellie is the good girl who makes it easy on them.
In truth, Ellie, tells in this first person narrative, is the geek who buries herself in her studies, doesn't involve herself in anything else and has few friends. She lives for literature and wants to be a librarian. She's comfortable in her niche even while resenting others for seemingly having it easy because they are more social.
The author allows the reader to see things through Ellie's eyes even while making it obvious that younger Ellie and even adult Ellie isn't that good at reading other people or seeing herself very well. Ellie knows she's smart, but puts herself down and retreats from any efforts to put herself out there. She constantly settles when it comes to men thinking this is the best that she can do. It takes her years to see her sister well and have a relationship with her and the same goes for herself and Sam Blaine, the high school crush and heartbreaker who keeps returning to her life and milestone moments. She doesn't see it, but his arrival always brings a little epiphany that puts her closer to getting on the right path.
Ellie isn't much different from many people who take a long time to figure stuff out. She has to do it wrong a few times to finally wake up and realize that she had the key to getting it right all along if she can get over her hangups and get perspective. She is the Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh gang and though she'll never be the Tigger, I was glad when she takes on a more hopeful perspective rather than fatalistic one in the end.
As for part of Ellie's issues, she has a ghostly voice in her head that arrived in her sophomore year of high school. Jane Austen is with her in spirit and speaking to her. It took me the longest time to work out if this was Ellie herself with a make believe 'friend' or a visitation from a spirit. I'll leave that a mystery for other readers. Suffice to say, Ellie was getting the benefit of advice and observations on highschool and adulthood from a woman who was from 200 years in the past and a whole different social context. The author didn't give Jane Austen some special dispensation in grasping the modern society so it resulted in cracking me up several times at the reaction things produced in Jane. It was also obvious to the reader, but not necessarily to Ellie, that Jane was wise, but not infallible. To be honest, I skimmed a lot of Ellie and Jane's mental dialogue because it distracted me more than advanced the story many times.
All in all, it was moderately engaging and I can recommend it to Chick Lit fans who enjoy being along while a woman figures out her love life with a ghostly companion in tow.
April 18, 2010
I generally love all things Austen, but I found myself frequently frustrated with this book. First off, the whole gimmick that the spirit of Jane Austen decides to take up residence in the mind of a teenage American girl and impart advice did not work for me. At times, when Jane's voice would be absent for a while, I forgot that was even the concept of the book and didn't miss it at all. The point of Ellie's internal debates with Jane could have just as easily been achieved by Ellie having an interior dialogue with herself or with an actual friend. And, god, Jane could be annoying! Things were driven into the ground way too much. We get it, Jane disapproves of Sam Blaine. No need to reiterate that position for 5 pages at a stretch.
And, from a feminist point of view, I hated how at the end of the book Ellie comes to this mature decision to live for herself and make her own happiness, but then totally throws it out the window when Sam Blaine comes back into the picture. And I was really lacking some character development for Sam. All we really see is him sexually harassing Ellie in high school and being kind of a jerk. I would have liked to see more signs of redeeming qualities in high school to make his about-face at the end of the book more believable.
And then there are the sex scenes. While I have no problem with them in theory, I could have used some fair warning that I was actually reading a raunchy romance novel. The back of the jacket leads one to believe this is a frothy chick lit book geared toward high schoolers, but then you get these X-rated sex scenes, which, let me tell you, are awfully awkward to be reading while one is commuting to and from work.
Basically, I did not relate to Ellie at all.
And, from a feminist point of view, I hated how at the end of the book Ellie comes to this mature decision to live for herself and make her own happiness, but then totally throws it out the window when Sam Blaine comes back into the picture. And I was really lacking some character development for Sam. All we really see is him sexually harassing Ellie in high school and being kind of a jerk. I would have liked to see more signs of redeeming qualities in high school to make his about-face at the end of the book more believable.
And then there are the sex scenes. While I have no problem with them in theory, I could have used some fair warning that I was actually reading a raunchy romance novel. The back of the jacket leads one to believe this is a frothy chick lit book geared toward high schoolers, but then you get these X-rated sex scenes, which, let me tell you, are awfully awkward to be reading while one is commuting to and from work.
Basically, I did not relate to Ellie at all.
January 5, 2010
What young lady would not want romantic advise from Jane Austen?
Here's a new novel that tugged at my heart strings and validated my belief that if the world was run according to Jane Austen, we would be much smarter and happier. Enuff said!
Fifteen-year old Ellie Barnett is a bookish geek. She excels at academics, but according to her caustic older sister, she is digging herself into a hole of permanent unpopularity with her scraggly hair, lack of make-up, and inattention to fashion. There is however, one boy who since kindergarten has paid her a bit more attention than she is comfortable with. Sam Blaine may be good-looking, athletic, brainy, and popular - but he is trouble - and just happens to sit behind her in English class taunting her with pokes in the back with his pencil and sexual innuendo. When she cracks open her next reading assignment, a copy of Pride and Prejudice, she begins to hear voices. Jane Austen's British voice to be exact, interjecting observations and advice, specifically warning Ellie to beware of Sam Blaine. He is her Wickham, that charming scoundrel that wooed Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and then eloped with her younger sister Lydia. Ellie does not doubt the advice, just the whole hearing voices thing really freaks her out her out. Jane Austen's spirit has somehow inhabited her mind, commenting in her acerbic early ninteenth-century sensibility on Ellie's 1980's life and romances and she does not know why.
Over the course of twenty years, we follow Ellie through her life challenges as a single women looking for love and happiness in what Jane Austen deems to be a morally confusing world. Who of us could ever forget their own first love, the painful realization that you are being used, or the first time you were dumped? As Jane offers Ellie witty and wise advice on family conflicts, career choices, and a barrage of bad boyfriends that come and go, Ellie slowly realizes that she must learn some life lesson before she can move on. For Ellie, one painful lesson was bad-boy Sam who Jane advises to stay clear of yet she is still drawn too. As their lives keep crossing paths over the course of the years, they never seem to be at the right place at the right time to work it out. Ellie trusts and values Jane's opinion. Who better to advise her than an author who is valued for her keen judgment of human nature and romantic insights? But with Sam, she holds strong prejudices. Could she be wrong? Is he really her Wickham, or could he be her Mr. Darcy?
What an unexpected, uplifting, and urbane debut novel! To paraphrase Jane Austen's character Lady Catherine, Marilyn Brant has given us a treasure. Granted that there are hundreds of Jane Austen inspired novels written over the years, this totally unique and original concept of Austen's ghost inhabiting and advising a modern young woman is brilliant. The play of early nineteenth-century social mores against twentieth-century culture is so droll that I laughed-out-loud several times in total recognition. Like Austen, Brant excels at characterization offering a heroine in Ellie Barnett that I could totally identify with, and a hero in Sam Blaine that is so endearingly flawed that any woman worthy of her worn out VHS copy of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries will be happy to swoon over. Subtly powerful and amusingly acerbic, you will be gently reproved into agreeing in the power of love to transform us all.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
Here's a new novel that tugged at my heart strings and validated my belief that if the world was run according to Jane Austen, we would be much smarter and happier. Enuff said!
Fifteen-year old Ellie Barnett is a bookish geek. She excels at academics, but according to her caustic older sister, she is digging herself into a hole of permanent unpopularity with her scraggly hair, lack of make-up, and inattention to fashion. There is however, one boy who since kindergarten has paid her a bit more attention than she is comfortable with. Sam Blaine may be good-looking, athletic, brainy, and popular - but he is trouble - and just happens to sit behind her in English class taunting her with pokes in the back with his pencil and sexual innuendo. When she cracks open her next reading assignment, a copy of Pride and Prejudice, she begins to hear voices. Jane Austen's British voice to be exact, interjecting observations and advice, specifically warning Ellie to beware of Sam Blaine. He is her Wickham, that charming scoundrel that wooed Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and then eloped with her younger sister Lydia. Ellie does not doubt the advice, just the whole hearing voices thing really freaks her out her out. Jane Austen's spirit has somehow inhabited her mind, commenting in her acerbic early ninteenth-century sensibility on Ellie's 1980's life and romances and she does not know why.
Over the course of twenty years, we follow Ellie through her life challenges as a single women looking for love and happiness in what Jane Austen deems to be a morally confusing world. Who of us could ever forget their own first love, the painful realization that you are being used, or the first time you were dumped? As Jane offers Ellie witty and wise advice on family conflicts, career choices, and a barrage of bad boyfriends that come and go, Ellie slowly realizes that she must learn some life lesson before she can move on. For Ellie, one painful lesson was bad-boy Sam who Jane advises to stay clear of yet she is still drawn too. As their lives keep crossing paths over the course of the years, they never seem to be at the right place at the right time to work it out. Ellie trusts and values Jane's opinion. Who better to advise her than an author who is valued for her keen judgment of human nature and romantic insights? But with Sam, she holds strong prejudices. Could she be wrong? Is he really her Wickham, or could he be her Mr. Darcy?
What an unexpected, uplifting, and urbane debut novel! To paraphrase Jane Austen's character Lady Catherine, Marilyn Brant has given us a treasure. Granted that there are hundreds of Jane Austen inspired novels written over the years, this totally unique and original concept of Austen's ghost inhabiting and advising a modern young woman is brilliant. The play of early nineteenth-century social mores against twentieth-century culture is so droll that I laughed-out-loud several times in total recognition. Like Austen, Brant excels at characterization offering a heroine in Ellie Barnett that I could totally identify with, and a hero in Sam Blaine that is so endearingly flawed that any woman worthy of her worn out VHS copy of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries will be happy to swoon over. Subtly powerful and amusingly acerbic, you will be gently reproved into agreeing in the power of love to transform us all.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose
October 19, 2009
A clever premise, beautifully executed. This book flew by, and I was sorry when it had to end; this was a book I did not want to put down. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Jane Austen or who just enjoys a well-written novel.
Edit: I agree with the other reviewers who have noted that this book is much more explicit than you'd expect. I definitely would not categorize this as a young adult novel.
Edit: I agree with the other reviewers who have noted that this book is much more explicit than you'd expect. I definitely would not categorize this as a young adult novel.
November 28, 2009
Despite the cover copy’s statement that Jane Austen’s “wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts …” this story is more an affront to Jane Austen’s wise and witty advice, since Ellie ignores most of it. Readers expecting any kind of Victorian propriety in this story will be dismayed by its sexually explicit scenes. Belief in the sexual-freedom myth is alive and well in this story. It saddens me to see so many of this novel’s characters exhibit so little self-respect. But the main thing I want to say is that According to Jane’s cover promo copy is very misleading. It looks romantic, implies Victorian manners, and conveniently doesn’t mention the details are disturbingly beyond erotica.
The book is well-written with realistic dating and family situations, but it offends any common sense of decency. For example, in the beginning of the story, Sam strokes the side of Ellie’s breast during high school English class. Why does no one in the novel consider this improper, nauseating, perverted, harassing, or assaulting?
If this is what you want to read, okay. But if this is not your cup of tea, don’t be fooled by the cover.
The book is well-written with realistic dating and family situations, but it offends any common sense of decency. For example, in the beginning of the story, Sam strokes the side of Ellie’s breast during high school English class. Why does no one in the novel consider this improper, nauseating, perverted, harassing, or assaulting?
If this is what you want to read, okay. But if this is not your cup of tea, don’t be fooled by the cover.
November 18, 2011
Part of me really thinks that Brant's novel is actually a look into my future. The similarities between her book and my life are almost eery, but I couldn't put it down, nor could my friend who I gave a copy of this to for her birthday. I love Jane Austen, so that's immediately what sucked me in.
And then there was more. The protagonist Ellie studied English in college (like me) and then went to graduate school at a university a few hours south of Chicago so she could study to be a librarian (also me). After that she gets a job at her old high school library (ME!). There were actual goosebumps on the back of my neck.
But even if you take away my odd connections to the character, you still have a fantastic story. Brant perfectly captures the insecurities that come along with high school and how just because you get older doesn't mean they go away. I occassionally got annoyed with Jane, but I think that was kind of the point - readers need her less as Ellie needs her less, too. It's hard to really say much without giving away spoilers, so I'll just leave it at this book was a random bookstore find and I completely fell in love. Any Austen-head probably will, too.
And then there was more. The protagonist Ellie studied English in college (like me) and then went to graduate school at a university a few hours south of Chicago so she could study to be a librarian (also me). After that she gets a job at her old high school library (ME!). There were actual goosebumps on the back of my neck.
But even if you take away my odd connections to the character, you still have a fantastic story. Brant perfectly captures the insecurities that come along with high school and how just because you get older doesn't mean they go away. I occassionally got annoyed with Jane, but I think that was kind of the point - readers need her less as Ellie needs her less, too. It's hard to really say much without giving away spoilers, so I'll just leave it at this book was a random bookstore find and I completely fell in love. Any Austen-head probably will, too.
September 13, 2013
A very enjoyable read! Liked the characters, liked the story, & of course, Miss Austen. Even though I thought this book could gone have without Austen's voice & been great anyway. This was my first book by this author. I thought her style of writing was very realistic & I couldn't put it down. I'm already looking at her other books:)
April 8, 2017
Talk about a blast in time! I grew up in the 1980s and so enjoyed the music references in this book. I really liked this book. The characters and plot were interesting, seeing Jane as a ghost with her Regency advice bestowed upon was funny and very appropos even during the 80s. The Sam and Ellie relationship was fun to figure out because I kept trying to see if Sam was similar to Mr. Darcy, if Ellie was Elizabeth Bennett. Overall, I liked the book and would recommend it.
September 15, 2009
Have you ever gotten giddy from reading a book, just because you felt it was written for you? I treasure that experience, because it doesn’t come along very often---and indeed, it has been a very long time since it last happened to me. Finally, Marilyn Brant’s debut novel, According to Jane, showed up on my doorstep, jumped into my eager hands and fulfilled all my expectations.
I love this book. I can’t quite put it into words, but it struck me on so many levels that I’m still not able to get the characters out of my head. Ellie is engaging, despite wanting to kick her in the behind a couple of times after watching her make some um…questionable decisions. The boyfriends (I’ll just lump them all together shall I?), well…I can see how she ended where she did with them. Argh…could you not have seen that coming (repeat statement as needed)? As for Di, the funky sister, I was quite pleased with her story and relieved where it ended (wiping brow motion). I loved Sam. I would have jumped Sam in the first scene. Can I ask why Ellie didn’t jump Sam? Yes, we wouldn’t have had a story, but seriously…she should have jumped him. And finally, Miss Austen…I must admit, at the first “tsk” I seriously rolled my eyes and shuddered. Uh, oh, where in the world was this going? In fact, it did take me a while to warm up to the insertion of the ever wonderful Jane Austen into this story. I get the point/purpose and how it was necessary for the plot and all, but there were times when I got a little frustrated with Miss Jane’s quips. Mm, pride and prejudice rears its head once again (and I’m not meaning the title).
Being a woman of…well, someone who can remember the 80’s…I was delighted with this as the setting for most of the book. The nostalgia hit me over and over with each song mentioned in the story. Many memories evoked there. A special note on the dance scenes...thank you, thank you, Ms. Bryant for the way you wrote them together (read the book and you’ll see what I mean).
Finally, the sum of all things considered, what hooked me the most in this book was the dialogue. Wordy, even pretentious, novels can be interesting to read--sometimes. They wow you with how much they know and how complicated they can tie the characters up. But my favorite, and Bryant hit the mark for me, is where rather than simply reading a story, you begin to feel like you’re curled up on a sofa with a nice drink, listening to a long lost friend catch you up on the story of their life. Suddenly, you feel compelled to identify and compare your own experiences, drawing the two of you together in a special bond of familiarity. So now, after having finished According to Jane, Ellie has become my friend. We have shared our lives together, both the good and the bad, much like she shared hers with Miss Austen. Only without the insufferableness…
I love this book. I can’t quite put it into words, but it struck me on so many levels that I’m still not able to get the characters out of my head. Ellie is engaging, despite wanting to kick her in the behind a couple of times after watching her make some um…questionable decisions. The boyfriends (I’ll just lump them all together shall I?), well…I can see how she ended where she did with them. Argh…could you not have seen that coming (repeat statement as needed)? As for Di, the funky sister, I was quite pleased with her story and relieved where it ended (wiping brow motion). I loved Sam. I would have jumped Sam in the first scene. Can I ask why Ellie didn’t jump Sam? Yes, we wouldn’t have had a story, but seriously…she should have jumped him. And finally, Miss Austen…I must admit, at the first “tsk” I seriously rolled my eyes and shuddered. Uh, oh, where in the world was this going? In fact, it did take me a while to warm up to the insertion of the ever wonderful Jane Austen into this story. I get the point/purpose and how it was necessary for the plot and all, but there were times when I got a little frustrated with Miss Jane’s quips. Mm, pride and prejudice rears its head once again (and I’m not meaning the title).
Being a woman of…well, someone who can remember the 80’s…I was delighted with this as the setting for most of the book. The nostalgia hit me over and over with each song mentioned in the story. Many memories evoked there. A special note on the dance scenes...thank you, thank you, Ms. Bryant for the way you wrote them together (read the book and you’ll see what I mean).
Finally, the sum of all things considered, what hooked me the most in this book was the dialogue. Wordy, even pretentious, novels can be interesting to read--sometimes. They wow you with how much they know and how complicated they can tie the characters up. But my favorite, and Bryant hit the mark for me, is where rather than simply reading a story, you begin to feel like you’re curled up on a sofa with a nice drink, listening to a long lost friend catch you up on the story of their life. Suddenly, you feel compelled to identify and compare your own experiences, drawing the two of you together in a special bond of familiarity. So now, after having finished According to Jane, Ellie has become my friend. We have shared our lives together, both the good and the bad, much like she shared hers with Miss Austen. Only without the insufferableness…
October 11, 2009
With According to Jane author Marilyn Brant presents a chick lit story with a Jane Austen twist.
The chick lit portion of the book holds its own within the genre. Brant uses a time shifting technique flopping from past to present that is quite competent. The characters have depth enough to make us care about them.
The problem with the book is the Jane Austen device. Not only do I not buy it, but I believe it detracts from the book. The book provides that the main character is somehow a descendent of Jane's lost love and thus Jane is "haunting?" her mind in order to ensure she fairs better in the world of love than Jane did. It's not enough of a reason for Austen to be there. It feels gimmicky.
Gimmicks work to sell books initially (I was interested in this book because of the Austen thing--I like Austen). But I believe this book would be better without it. I cannot recommend this book to an Austen fan. I would embarrass myself. Unlike some other Austen-linked books (my most recent favorite being Prada and Predjudice ) Brant doesn't use Austen's clever plot outlines, or use Austen's very strong female characters as a model for her own. She actually speaks as Austen herself. To me--and others may not feel this way--I was offended by someone speaking for the author. As an Austen fan, I do not want anyone speaking for her, especially as part of a chick lit novel. I found myself skipping over any section that contained these exchanges. If I was any less dedicated a reader, I simply would have tossed the book.
That said, if the Austen piece was removed, the rest of the novel is fun. It's a typical self-discovery, coming of age book that is plotted through the loves in the main character's life. I would have liked to hear more about these episodes (what we got was interesting and sometimes quite nicely steamy). I'd like to see the characters in the more day to day dialogue, instead of rushed to move the plot ahead. I found the characters of ex-boyfriend Andrei and sister Di especially interesting and would have liked to see more of them.
As Brant's first novel, I think According to Jane is a decent first effort. I'd recommend the book to people who really enjoy chick lit. However, I hope she will drop the gimmicks and focus on developing characters (which she is quite good at) for her future books. Otherwise, she will not hold this reader for much longer.
Note: This book should not be listed as a young adult novel. It is not appropriate in its content or theme for young adults. It should be listed as romance or chick lit.
The chick lit portion of the book holds its own within the genre. Brant uses a time shifting technique flopping from past to present that is quite competent. The characters have depth enough to make us care about them.
The problem with the book is the Jane Austen device. Not only do I not buy it, but I believe it detracts from the book. The book provides that the main character is somehow a descendent of Jane's lost love and thus Jane is "haunting?" her mind in order to ensure she fairs better in the world of love than Jane did. It's not enough of a reason for Austen to be there. It feels gimmicky.
Gimmicks work to sell books initially (I was interested in this book because of the Austen thing--I like Austen). But I believe this book would be better without it. I cannot recommend this book to an Austen fan. I would embarrass myself. Unlike some other Austen-linked books (my most recent favorite being Prada and Predjudice ) Brant doesn't use Austen's clever plot outlines, or use Austen's very strong female characters as a model for her own. She actually speaks as Austen herself. To me--and others may not feel this way--I was offended by someone speaking for the author. As an Austen fan, I do not want anyone speaking for her, especially as part of a chick lit novel. I found myself skipping over any section that contained these exchanges. If I was any less dedicated a reader, I simply would have tossed the book.
That said, if the Austen piece was removed, the rest of the novel is fun. It's a typical self-discovery, coming of age book that is plotted through the loves in the main character's life. I would have liked to hear more about these episodes (what we got was interesting and sometimes quite nicely steamy). I'd like to see the characters in the more day to day dialogue, instead of rushed to move the plot ahead. I found the characters of ex-boyfriend Andrei and sister Di especially interesting and would have liked to see more of them.
As Brant's first novel, I think According to Jane is a decent first effort. I'd recommend the book to people who really enjoy chick lit. However, I hope she will drop the gimmicks and focus on developing characters (which she is quite good at) for her future books. Otherwise, she will not hold this reader for much longer.
Note: This book should not be listed as a young adult novel. It is not appropriate in its content or theme for young adults. It should be listed as romance or chick lit.
November 6, 2009
Okay, this book was a free download on Amazon for the kindle or iphone app and that's why I risked it-I recommend that if you read this book please check it out of the library or download it for free as that's about what it is worth. It's not badly written, but it's a little weird. It is a first person narrative of Ellie, the main character, who suddenly in the middle of one of her high school classes, begins hearing the voice of Jane Austen herself. This continues throughout the book and is quite a main focal point with Jane and Ellie developing an intimate relationship bordering on the scizephrenia level. In some ways this is sort of facinating but unfortunately the author focuses on Ellie's love life which is way more graphic (R-rating) than anything dear Jane would have experienced. Plus, the ending is completely unsatisfying. In fact, to add to the weird factor the author includes at the end an interview conducted by Ellie, interviewing the author herself and interjecting comments from the other characters in the book...it was just odd and left me wondering if the author needed to get off the prescription drugs or get on some....
June 2, 2010
Perfection!
This book has a plot that moves from Ellie's teen years to her early thirties as she attempts to make sense of her romantic life or lack of it, while having conversations in her head with Jane Austen.
The story starts with Ellie as a sophomore in high school, but this book is definitely NOT a young adult book and is more mature in content than YA books, so be aware of that.
Ellie is a very likable character as she argues with or listens to Jane's opinions about the various boys/men she meets. As a reader you would probably want to have read Pride and Prejudice, although all you really need to know is Darcy is the hero, Wickham is the villain and Bingley is nice in a vague sort of way. Jane describes men in terms of being a Darcy or a Wickham.
This is a very layered story, not only about Ellie's romantic pairings, but also her changing relationship with her sister and cousin and the friends who pop up here and there.
I loved evertyhing about this story. It was funny and poignant and mostly hopeful. Give it a try.
This book has a plot that moves from Ellie's teen years to her early thirties as she attempts to make sense of her romantic life or lack of it, while having conversations in her head with Jane Austen.
The story starts with Ellie as a sophomore in high school, but this book is definitely NOT a young adult book and is more mature in content than YA books, so be aware of that.
Ellie is a very likable character as she argues with or listens to Jane's opinions about the various boys/men she meets. As a reader you would probably want to have read Pride and Prejudice, although all you really need to know is Darcy is the hero, Wickham is the villain and Bingley is nice in a vague sort of way. Jane describes men in terms of being a Darcy or a Wickham.
This is a very layered story, not only about Ellie's romantic pairings, but also her changing relationship with her sister and cousin and the friends who pop up here and there.
I loved evertyhing about this story. It was funny and poignant and mostly hopeful. Give it a try.
October 7, 2010
Super, super cute! I'd heard a lot about this book, and I'm glad I finally picked it up. It starts when Ellie is in high school, being teased by super-cute-and-natch!-bad-boy Sam, and their English teacher assigns them Pride and Prejudice.
And Ellie starts to hear Jane--yep, *that* Jane--talking to her. Jane keeps Ellie, who is a self-described "geek" company, and assures her that life will get better.
And that she needs to stay away from Sam. (Jane says he's Ellie's Mr. Wickham)
The story runs through the rest of Ellie's high school years, and then goes through all her dating and life woes in her 20s/early 30s--and somehow, Sam is always around, seeming to break her heart or bother her--until she learns that...well, I don't want to spoil it! But the ending was what really sold me on the book--it was a cute and clever spin on all the Austen stuff going on in books these days.
Oh, and as a heads up, this book does have some pretty steamy sex scenes in it, so if you don't like that kind of thing, that would make this one a skip for you.
And Ellie starts to hear Jane--yep, *that* Jane--talking to her. Jane keeps Ellie, who is a self-described "geek" company, and assures her that life will get better.
And that she needs to stay away from Sam. (Jane says he's Ellie's Mr. Wickham)
The story runs through the rest of Ellie's high school years, and then goes through all her dating and life woes in her 20s/early 30s--and somehow, Sam is always around, seeming to break her heart or bother her--until she learns that...well, I don't want to spoil it! But the ending was what really sold me on the book--it was a cute and clever spin on all the Austen stuff going on in books these days.
Oh, and as a heads up, this book does have some pretty steamy sex scenes in it, so if you don't like that kind of thing, that would make this one a skip for you.
May 26, 2023
There is so much that I could say about this book - because there is so much that I thought and felt while reading it!
I loved it. There were elements of my own reality in so many of the characters and events that made up this story that it was kinda freaky - but I think that just goes to show how real the story was.
It was totally rad. I totally loved it. (I know I said that already!)
I loved it. There were elements of my own reality in so many of the characters and events that made up this story that it was kinda freaky - but I think that just goes to show how real the story was.
It was totally rad. I totally loved it. (I know I said that already!)
September 24, 2009
You need to read this book, it is absolutely delightful. I'm still a bit stunned and not quite sure where to start with this review.
The Book blurb really says it all perfectly in this one case.
Ellie is handed a copy of Pride and Prejudice in school, and behind her Sam is busy teasing her. And suddenly there's a voice in Ellie's head telling her to stay away from him. He is your Mr. Wickham says the voice of Jane Austen in her head.
And there it begins. Ellie's journey through life with Jane Austen as friend and counsellor for the next 20 odd years of her life - through her trials as a teenager, fitting in with her family, school and the years beyond, her hopes and dreams for the future and more importantly in her interactions with the men in her life.
Its hard to tell you what i felt for the other characters in this book without giving away any spoilers.
Ellie is a typical geek looking for a happy ending with prince charming. Along the way, you learn life lessons through Ellie's experiences and trial and error. And later through looking at past events with the fresh eyes of an adult
In school, Ellie likes Sam. She's attracted to him inspite of all Jane's warnings to pay him no attention - he's her first love. At the same time she hates Sam for his arrogant ways and confidence. And thus begins the boy trouble. And it continues for quite a while with a motley crew of men (who she tries to classify into her 6 categories of men)
Then there's Di - Ellie's elder sister who's a pain in her ass growing up. You want to hate her, and at the same time you want them to be close sisters.
As much as i wanted to hit Ellie on her head when it came to her choices in men specially when some weren't kicked out sooner - the girl is improving when it comes to who she picks. But i still wanted to hit her when it came to Sam. And hit Jane as well. Sam was too hot and too good to be blindsided for being confident.
Sam. I loved him. From the first time he was featured in page two where he called out Ellieeee
Whats bestest in this book is the writing. Its simple. Yet it has many layers. And it gives you that warm cosy feeling. The characters are all very well written, you identify with Ellie. You want Sam. And you wish you had someone like Jane to lean on during the horrible times.
The only problem i had with this book was the ending wasnt as strong as i would have liked it to be. But it was a happy one and in its own way, a perfect one
A lil snippet of the beautiful writing:
On her failed relationships because of bad choices in men:
Ellie: Humans are complicated Jane. Really complicated. And I've made mistakes because I've repeatedly chosen not to see that.
Jane: It is more likely a result of the philosophy you persist in holding dear. Romanticism encourages an abandonment of restraint and, as you've so often wished to fall in love without regard to rationality, this invites the absurd. Your mistakes in judgement are not due to the complexity in humanity Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love
Ellie: You mean, i need to change the fairy take and not the man?
Jane: Precisely
This book is currently available for free at the sony e-book store
The Book blurb really says it all perfectly in this one case.
Ellie is handed a copy of Pride and Prejudice in school, and behind her Sam is busy teasing her. And suddenly there's a voice in Ellie's head telling her to stay away from him. He is your Mr. Wickham says the voice of Jane Austen in her head.
And there it begins. Ellie's journey through life with Jane Austen as friend and counsellor for the next 20 odd years of her life - through her trials as a teenager, fitting in with her family, school and the years beyond, her hopes and dreams for the future and more importantly in her interactions with the men in her life.
Its hard to tell you what i felt for the other characters in this book without giving away any spoilers.
Ellie is a typical geek looking for a happy ending with prince charming. Along the way, you learn life lessons through Ellie's experiences and trial and error. And later through looking at past events with the fresh eyes of an adult
In school, Ellie likes Sam. She's attracted to him inspite of all Jane's warnings to pay him no attention - he's her first love. At the same time she hates Sam for his arrogant ways and confidence. And thus begins the boy trouble. And it continues for quite a while with a motley crew of men (who she tries to classify into her 6 categories of men)
Then there's Di - Ellie's elder sister who's a pain in her ass growing up. You want to hate her, and at the same time you want them to be close sisters.
As much as i wanted to hit Ellie on her head when it came to her choices in men specially when some weren't kicked out sooner - the girl is improving when it comes to who she picks. But i still wanted to hit her when it came to Sam. And hit Jane as well. Sam was too hot and too good to be blindsided for being confident.
Sam. I loved him. From the first time he was featured in page two where he called out Ellieeee
Whats bestest in this book is the writing. Its simple. Yet it has many layers. And it gives you that warm cosy feeling. The characters are all very well written, you identify with Ellie. You want Sam. And you wish you had someone like Jane to lean on during the horrible times.
The only problem i had with this book was the ending wasnt as strong as i would have liked it to be. But it was a happy one and in its own way, a perfect one
A lil snippet of the beautiful writing:
On her failed relationships because of bad choices in men:
Ellie: Humans are complicated Jane. Really complicated. And I've made mistakes because I've repeatedly chosen not to see that.
Jane: It is more likely a result of the philosophy you persist in holding dear. Romanticism encourages an abandonment of restraint and, as you've so often wished to fall in love without regard to rationality, this invites the absurd. Your mistakes in judgement are not due to the complexity in humanity Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love
Ellie: You mean, i need to change the fairy take and not the man?
Jane: Precisely
This book is currently available for free at the sony e-book store
January 6, 2010
The story switches back and forth the whole book through. It's told in 1st person from Ellie's point of view.
At the beginning, Ellie is 15. And this is where she gets in touch with Pride & Prejudice and thus Jane Austen, with whom she gets a good friend and companion ... so to speak.
Ellie is pretty much an average girl. She gets good grades. She loves books. She thinks about boys. If only she could get that bad boy Sam out of her head.
Then we see her, a few years later with her disastrous relationships with guys (one turns out to be gay, another is a two-timer, then one who's scared of being committed and doesn't want children ... etc).
Her relationship with her family isn't described thoroughly, probably because she just doesn't have a very good one, especially with her very mean sister Di. Yet. Because that improves a lot, as time goes by.
As I said, the story switches back and forth the whole time.
First she's 15. The next chapter she's an adult. Then we get a flashback and she's 17, then 18. Then she's an adult again and the author tells us how Ellie loses her virginity, to the one guy she supposedly hated (& feels attracted to nonetheless), - Sam Blaine. She's happy and in 7th heaven, only Sam suddenly doesn't speak to her anymore. She's hurt and angry. Their ways part anyway, because it's the last year of school.
In the last few scenes of the book, she's finally already 34. Just like in the first chapter, as she begins to tell us her tale of finding her one true love.
The Jane Austen, in Ellie's mind proves to be a very important friend to Ellie. Austen warns & encourages Ellie all the while with help and advice. At the very end of the book, we even get to know, why Ellie can hear Austen's voice in the first place.
You are more imaginative than any of them. Your cousin. Your siblings. Even your schoolmates. They have talents, to be sure, but beyond an intelligent mind there must be a creative spirit. It is not enough to absorb mere facts. True invention is in the application of vision. This you have in grand measure, far beyond your years and experience.
It was funny how Austen eyes the male speciesstill very suspicously. Let me give you an example ...
It is more likely a result of the philosophy you persist in holding dear. Romanticism encourages an abandonment of restraint and, as you’ve so often wished to fall in love without regard to rationality, this invites the absurd. Your mistakes in judgment are not due to the complexity of humanity, Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love.
Yet, as for knowing the truth of your fate, Ellie, I confess I do not. I do believe, however, that it is always better to have loved well—fully and purely—for once, rather than halfheartedly for always. I had hoped this advice might be of use to you, too.
So ... is the book worth your time? Oh, yes.
WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING !
This might be a YA book, but includes plenty love scenes. You have been warned.
At the beginning, Ellie is 15. And this is where she gets in touch with Pride & Prejudice and thus Jane Austen, with whom she gets a good friend and companion ... so to speak.
Ellie is pretty much an average girl. She gets good grades. She loves books. She thinks about boys. If only she could get that bad boy Sam out of her head.
Then we see her, a few years later with her disastrous relationships with guys (one turns out to be gay, another is a two-timer, then one who's scared of being committed and doesn't want children ... etc).
Her relationship with her family isn't described thoroughly, probably because she just doesn't have a very good one, especially with her very mean sister Di. Yet. Because that improves a lot, as time goes by.
As I said, the story switches back and forth the whole time.
First she's 15. The next chapter she's an adult. Then we get a flashback and she's 17, then 18. Then she's an adult again and the author tells us how Ellie loses her virginity, to the one guy she supposedly hated (& feels attracted to nonetheless), - Sam Blaine. She's happy and in 7th heaven, only Sam suddenly doesn't speak to her anymore. She's hurt and angry. Their ways part anyway, because it's the last year of school.
In the last few scenes of the book, she's finally already 34. Just like in the first chapter, as she begins to tell us her tale of finding her one true love.
The Jane Austen, in Ellie's mind proves to be a very important friend to Ellie. Austen warns & encourages Ellie all the while with help and advice. At the very end of the book, we even get to know, why Ellie can hear Austen's voice in the first place.
You are more imaginative than any of them. Your cousin. Your siblings. Even your schoolmates. They have talents, to be sure, but beyond an intelligent mind there must be a creative spirit. It is not enough to absorb mere facts. True invention is in the application of vision. This you have in grand measure, far beyond your years and experience.
It was funny how Austen eyes the male species
It is more likely a result of the philosophy you persist in holding dear. Romanticism encourages an abandonment of restraint and, as you’ve so often wished to fall in love without regard to rationality, this invites the absurd. Your mistakes in judgment are not due to the complexity of humanity, Ellie. They are due to the lens with which you view love.
Yet, as for knowing the truth of your fate, Ellie, I confess I do not. I do believe, however, that it is always better to have loved well—fully and purely—for once, rather than halfheartedly for always. I had hoped this advice might be of use to you, too.
So ... is the book worth your time? Oh, yes.
WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING ! WARNING !
This might be a YA book, but includes plenty love scenes. You have been warned.
October 13, 2009
I had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn at an Eloisa James author signing at our public library. It was my first author visit and I got 2 authors out of it! When she found out that I had a book blog, she offered to send me a copy of According to Jane. I have to admit that I have never made it through Pride and Prejudice - more of a time thing rather than a lack of not wanting to - and still it languishes on my shelf. But no worries, you do not have to have read Pride and Prejudice to enjoy According to Jane. With all the different Jane Austen books out there right now I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. That and not having actually read Pride and Prejudice (and having met the author in person) made me a little worried about this one - I shouldn't have been. This was a delightful book to read.
I have been finished with this book for a couple of days now, and actually started writing this review yesterday morning - but it seems like the more I enjoy a book, the harder it is for me to write the review. I don't feel like I will be able to do the book or the author justice - but I will try.
We meet Ellie in the beginning of the book in her high school English class (in the mid 80's). Jane has just tsked, tsked her way into Ellie's head - It was so real to her that she actually looked around the room to see who was tsking. But fear not, Ellie is not portrayed as a "crazy" lady. Jane becomes a part of her life like a sister or a best friend would. Their conversations are humorous, thought provoking, and emotional - even though they all take place in Ellie's head.
I loved all the 80's references as that is when I was in high school and college. Talk about remembering all the teenage angst and crushes, and how easily one could get their feelings hurt or misunderstandings could start. What happens to Ellie in high school continues to shape her on her romantic journey through college and young adulthood. All the while, Jane keeps a running commentary going on as she lets Ellie know when she is disappointed or when the current beau is a Darcy or a Wickham.
You really must join Ellie on her journey to discovering the love of her life, and experience all of her romantic entanglements along the way. It would be nice if we all had our own Jane to keep us company when our romantic world seems to be in flux - even if she is not always right. . .
Excellent debut novel - can't wait to see what other books this author will bring!
I have been finished with this book for a couple of days now, and actually started writing this review yesterday morning - but it seems like the more I enjoy a book, the harder it is for me to write the review. I don't feel like I will be able to do the book or the author justice - but I will try.
We meet Ellie in the beginning of the book in her high school English class (in the mid 80's). Jane has just tsked, tsked her way into Ellie's head - It was so real to her that she actually looked around the room to see who was tsking. But fear not, Ellie is not portrayed as a "crazy" lady. Jane becomes a part of her life like a sister or a best friend would. Their conversations are humorous, thought provoking, and emotional - even though they all take place in Ellie's head.
I loved all the 80's references as that is when I was in high school and college. Talk about remembering all the teenage angst and crushes, and how easily one could get their feelings hurt or misunderstandings could start. What happens to Ellie in high school continues to shape her on her romantic journey through college and young adulthood. All the while, Jane keeps a running commentary going on as she lets Ellie know when she is disappointed or when the current beau is a Darcy or a Wickham.
You really must join Ellie on her journey to discovering the love of her life, and experience all of her romantic entanglements along the way. It would be nice if we all had our own Jane to keep us company when our romantic world seems to be in flux - even if she is not always right. . .
Excellent debut novel - can't wait to see what other books this author will bring!
September 9, 2009
Author Marilyn Brant worked as an elementary school teacher, a library staff member, a freelance magazine writer and a national book reviewer before becoming a full-time novelist. According to Jane is her first novel, which won the prestigious 2007 RWA Golden Heart Award. Her next, not yet titled, novel is set for release in 2010. Marilyn resides in Illinois with her husband and son.
One day in sophomore English class, Ellie Barnett’s teacher assigns Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, and Ellie’s world is never the same. Ever since that fateful day, the one and only Jane Austin has taken up residence in Ellie’s head, her ghost guiding Ellie through some of the most difficult times in her life, serving as her voice of reason and a friend she can trust. As years of boyfriends come and go, Jane remains a constant, along with another not so cherished person, Sam Blaine. Sam, the cute bad boy in high school, has been a source of torment in Ellie’s life. Through her college years and after, Ellie has found herself running into him at the worst possible moments. Ellie can’t deny her attraction to Sam, any more than she can deny Jane her say. Could it be possible that even Jane Austin has something to learn about love? Jane claims he is her Mr. Wickham, but could he really be her Mr. Darcy?
Admittedly, I thought this was a peculiar premise for a book, but after reading it, in fact after page one, I can’t think of enough positive adjectives to throw at it that could possibly give it justice. Told in first-person, this book jumps past and present smoothly, with an equal mix of sweet, funny, and heart-breaking. And, may I add, several ‘ahh’ moments. I find this equally suited for young adults as I do for romance lovers, but would categorize it as literature with romantic elements. The plot flowed well without any dead spots. The secondary characters were endearing and the setting perfect. Mostly, Jane Austin fans will revel in this modern day unique twist on a classic, as well as learning interesting facts about Jane herself. There is just enough mystery of ‘why’ to keep you guessing, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying. This was a truly, irrevocably inspiring novel.
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
One day in sophomore English class, Ellie Barnett’s teacher assigns Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, and Ellie’s world is never the same. Ever since that fateful day, the one and only Jane Austin has taken up residence in Ellie’s head, her ghost guiding Ellie through some of the most difficult times in her life, serving as her voice of reason and a friend she can trust. As years of boyfriends come and go, Jane remains a constant, along with another not so cherished person, Sam Blaine. Sam, the cute bad boy in high school, has been a source of torment in Ellie’s life. Through her college years and after, Ellie has found herself running into him at the worst possible moments. Ellie can’t deny her attraction to Sam, any more than she can deny Jane her say. Could it be possible that even Jane Austin has something to learn about love? Jane claims he is her Mr. Wickham, but could he really be her Mr. Darcy?
Admittedly, I thought this was a peculiar premise for a book, but after reading it, in fact after page one, I can’t think of enough positive adjectives to throw at it that could possibly give it justice. Told in first-person, this book jumps past and present smoothly, with an equal mix of sweet, funny, and heart-breaking. And, may I add, several ‘ahh’ moments. I find this equally suited for young adults as I do for romance lovers, but would categorize it as literature with romantic elements. The plot flowed well without any dead spots. The secondary characters were endearing and the setting perfect. Mostly, Jane Austin fans will revel in this modern day unique twist on a classic, as well as learning interesting facts about Jane herself. There is just enough mystery of ‘why’ to keep you guessing, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying. This was a truly, irrevocably inspiring novel.
Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
October 11, 2024
(Small amounts of spoiler)
The title caught my eye at the shops. I was intrigued by the storyline. A girl who is haunted by Jane Austen herself. Ellie isn't just haunted by Jane through her teen years though. Austen has been with Ellie from the age of 15 to 34 years old. So this is a coming of age storyline with Jane Austen's help.
Just like Ellie, I was a geek in my English classes because I enjoyed reading the books assigned. Not all sophomore teens can understand Austen's satire, let alone dialogue. So that's why I was a book mouse. I might not of had Jane Austen "haunting" me. I did have Jane's works to use as guidelines in finding a Mr. Right. But like Ellie has realized, I've set that bar pretty high.
"Heaven forbid! - That would be the greatest misfortune of all! - To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! - Pride and Prejudice."
At the beginning of each chapter, Marilyn Brant gives a quote from one of Jane Austen's works. This one is from chapter 9 and I think it is the perfect description of Sam Blaine. Jane and Ellie consider him to be Mr. Wickham. In my opinion, teenage Sam is a lot like the teenage boys that were in my school. The Wickham comparison is pretty good. But unlike Wickham, I think Sam can and has shown that he is changing. He wants to be a better person. So I was glad that Sam proved Ellie (and Jane) wrong about him.
Most romance books that have H and h reunited have the heroine be celibate. I disagree with that. In According to Jane, I was very happy that Ellie isn't celibate while Sam wasn't also.
I think that it's plausible that 15 y.o. Sam knew that Ellie was "The One." After all, my Uncle married his Junior High School sweatheart. They are still married and very happy. So finding "The One" at such a young age can happen.
I am very glad I have this book. I've read it 5 times now since I bought it almost three years ago. I didn't always like Jane's "hauntings" because I thought they interfered with this nice story. They were good though
The title caught my eye at the shops. I was intrigued by the storyline. A girl who is haunted by Jane Austen herself. Ellie isn't just haunted by Jane through her teen years though. Austen has been with Ellie from the age of 15 to 34 years old. So this is a coming of age storyline with Jane Austen's help.
Just like Ellie, I was a geek in my English classes because I enjoyed reading the books assigned. Not all sophomore teens can understand Austen's satire, let alone dialogue. So that's why I was a book mouse. I might not of had Jane Austen "haunting" me. I did have Jane's works to use as guidelines in finding a Mr. Right. But like Ellie has realized, I've set that bar pretty high.
"Heaven forbid! - That would be the greatest misfortune of all! - To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! - Pride and Prejudice."
At the beginning of each chapter, Marilyn Brant gives a quote from one of Jane Austen's works. This one is from chapter 9 and I think it is the perfect description of Sam Blaine. Jane and Ellie consider him to be Mr. Wickham. In my opinion, teenage Sam is a lot like the teenage boys that were in my school. The Wickham comparison is pretty good. But unlike Wickham, I think Sam can and has shown that he is changing. He wants to be a better person. So I was glad that Sam proved Ellie (and Jane) wrong about him.
Most romance books that have H and h reunited have the heroine be celibate. I disagree with that. In According to Jane, I was very happy that Ellie isn't celibate while Sam wasn't also.
I think that it's plausible that 15 y.o. Sam knew that Ellie was "The One." After all, my Uncle married his Junior High School sweatheart. They are still married and very happy. So finding "The One" at such a young age can happen.
I am very glad I have this book. I've read it 5 times now since I bought it almost three years ago. I didn't always like Jane's "hauntings" because I thought they interfered with this nice story. They were good though
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2018
I sure could have used Jane in my head through high school until I met my own Mr. Darcy! Unfortunately, I somehow missed her novels when growing up but found all the other classics! I still can't figure how that happened. Needless to say, I am making up for it now!
"But I was an egocentric teenager. I expected to be Special. I expected the Universe to have a Grand Plan for me. And I supposed this Jane thing was part of it." (quote from the book)
I have read and enjoyed several of Ms. Brant's novels. This was her debut novel and what a creative and unique premise it is! I mean, having a trusted confidant and best friend inside your head to help you through life's ups and downs would be so helpful. But why Jane? Well that is certainly one reason worth reading this book. The other reasons would be the writing and the characters you become invested in. For Ellie Barnett, her family, friends and several of her boyfriends and especially Jane Austen, all play a role in who she is.
"I loved that her wisdom, so evident in her most famous novel, seemed to shine through and illuminate the character of each person I met, and most impressively, of the people I knew best." (quote from the book)
This is more than just a coming of age story. This is a journey of searching and finding your heart and confidence that was battered and bruised from the choices you made through adolescence and beyond. It is a journey of forgiving others but especially yourself. It is realistic in the sense it doesn't skim the sexual activity of Ellie Barnett either. I will never look at the card game 'Go Fish' in the same light again! With each of her experiences, she learns and grows from them.
"And I gained a clarity of heart once I finally decided to search for myself, even though, in the process, I had to face the fact that this understanding had come too late." (quote from the book)
I highly recommend this novel but for mature audiences.
January 11, 2010
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads for giving me this book for free in one of their book giveways!!!!!! I'll keep signing up for them and you keep 'em coming :)
"According to Jane" is an intriguing spin on a typical piece of chick-lit. For those hard-core Austen fans, like myself, it will cause you to instantly be jealous of Ellie, the lucky protagonist who has the honor of being the vessel in which Austen's spirit decides to reside. Austen is depicted as I would have imagined; sharp-witted, slightly stoic with a dry sense of humor, and, at times, dark and ominous.
The relationship that grows between the two women, starting from when Ellie is in her early teens until she reaches the ripe age of 34, is similar to any other frienship. There are ups and downs, fights and calm discussions, proclamations of admiration,a genuine love for each other's company, and respect for their advice and role in each other's lives.
Marilyn Brant's juxtaposition of Austen's Victorian ideals and Ellie's "modern" decisions is brilliant. It gives Brant the opportunity to show how ahead of her time Austen was even with her reservations and tight-lipped warnings.
Yes, it is a little weird and far-fetched that a famous author would somehow take up residence in a person's mind, and that person does not end up being a bag lady mumbling to herself in the middle of street. But it was fun to suspend reality and think, "What if?"
All-in-all, this book was a great read, not only for the Austen fan, but for any fan fond of friendships, true love and self-discovery.
"According to Jane" is an intriguing spin on a typical piece of chick-lit. For those hard-core Austen fans, like myself, it will cause you to instantly be jealous of Ellie, the lucky protagonist who has the honor of being the vessel in which Austen's spirit decides to reside. Austen is depicted as I would have imagined; sharp-witted, slightly stoic with a dry sense of humor, and, at times, dark and ominous.
The relationship that grows between the two women, starting from when Ellie is in her early teens until she reaches the ripe age of 34, is similar to any other frienship. There are ups and downs, fights and calm discussions, proclamations of admiration,a genuine love for each other's company, and respect for their advice and role in each other's lives.
Marilyn Brant's juxtaposition of Austen's Victorian ideals and Ellie's "modern" decisions is brilliant. It gives Brant the opportunity to show how ahead of her time Austen was even with her reservations and tight-lipped warnings.
Yes, it is a little weird and far-fetched that a famous author would somehow take up residence in a person's mind, and that person does not end up being a bag lady mumbling to herself in the middle of street. But it was fun to suspend reality and think, "What if?"
All-in-all, this book was a great read, not only for the Austen fan, but for any fan fond of friendships, true love and self-discovery.
September 24, 2009
Ellie Barnett communicates with the famed Jane Austen. She has done so, ever since high school. It all started back when Ellie was sitting in Mrs. Leverson’s English class. She and Sam Blaine were flirting. There had this banter going on between them but hadn’t acted on it yet. Mrs. Leverson tells the class that their next book assignment is to read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Ellie skims the book and realizes P&P is not her cup of tea. That is when she hears a female’s voice with a British accent talking to her. The voice tells her that Sam is Ellie’s “Mr. Wickham”. Ellie discovers the voice is none other than Jane…Jane Austen.
As Ellie goes through life and many relationships, she can count on one person to always be there through it all…Jane. Ellie dreams of one day finding her Mr. Right. Though even the reigning queen of romance has a thing or two to learn about love.
I absolutely loved According to Jane. Marilyn Brant out did herself with this debut novel. I read this book in only a matter of a few hours. Ellie and Jane had me spellbound. I kept finding myself smiling and laughing. Forget the Jane Austen you know…this Jane is hip, fresh and sassy. She says it like it is. It was great to see Ellie blossom from a young girl into a beautiful woman. Fans of Jane Austen will fall for Ellie in According to Jane. According to Jane is a pleasure read and it belongs on everyone’s shelf.
As Ellie goes through life and many relationships, she can count on one person to always be there through it all…Jane. Ellie dreams of one day finding her Mr. Right. Though even the reigning queen of romance has a thing or two to learn about love.
I absolutely loved According to Jane. Marilyn Brant out did herself with this debut novel. I read this book in only a matter of a few hours. Ellie and Jane had me spellbound. I kept finding myself smiling and laughing. Forget the Jane Austen you know…this Jane is hip, fresh and sassy. She says it like it is. It was great to see Ellie blossom from a young girl into a beautiful woman. Fans of Jane Austen will fall for Ellie in According to Jane. According to Jane is a pleasure read and it belongs on everyone’s shelf.
November 19, 2010
Triple A+ book. I picked it up today and didn't put it down until I finished it. Okay, so that's a lie. I had to put it down to get my son from school and to make dinner and to do all that stuff, but my head was still firmly between the pages of this book all the while.
This is a life long romance done right. There is the heartbreak and insecurity of the teen years, the anger and bitterness of the early twenties and the forgiveness and ultimate reconciliation of the early thirties. And through it all, the wonderful voice of Ellie. Ellie, with her charming idiosyncratic ways and her bubbly, optimistic view of the world, who charms and delights even as she suffers through some of the most cringe-worthy scenes imaginable. And Sam. GAH. SAM. He's the perfect mix of confidence and insecurity. And his love for Ellie... it's simply palpable. Watching the two of them hit and miss their ways through life gave me that perfect ache, you know the one.
I have much, much more I could say, but I'm pretty sure no one wants to read a bunch of "OMG DID YOU SEE THAT LOOK THAT PASSED BETWEEN THEM" babble. :D So I'll leave at this: According to Jane is a entertaining frolic through romance and would be throughly enjoyed by anyone with a fully functioning heart.
This is a life long romance done right. There is the heartbreak and insecurity of the teen years, the anger and bitterness of the early twenties and the forgiveness and ultimate reconciliation of the early thirties. And through it all, the wonderful voice of Ellie. Ellie, with her charming idiosyncratic ways and her bubbly, optimistic view of the world, who charms and delights even as she suffers through some of the most cringe-worthy scenes imaginable. And Sam. GAH. SAM. He's the perfect mix of confidence and insecurity. And his love for Ellie... it's simply palpable. Watching the two of them hit and miss their ways through life gave me that perfect ache, you know the one.
I have much, much more I could say, but I'm pretty sure no one wants to read a bunch of "OMG DID YOU SEE THAT LOOK THAT PASSED BETWEEN THEM" babble. :D So I'll leave at this: According to Jane is a entertaining frolic through romance and would be throughly enjoyed by anyone with a fully functioning heart.
July 24, 2011
Told in first-person, this book jumps between the past and present. After being assigned to read Pride and Prejudice in high school, Ellie suddenly hears a voice in her head. The voice belongs to the one and only Jane Austin. Jane soon becomes Ellie's best friend and confidant and stays with her into adulthood. Jane comments on daily life and dispenses advice just as she chronically does in her novels. She also tries to help Ellie steer clear of romantic pitfalls of the men she meets over the years. However, Ellie doesn't always follow Jane's advice when it comes to men, especially Sam, her secret love.
I love the banter between Ellie and Jane. There were a couple of instances that made me laugh. Ellie also reminded me of myself in my 20's. She is naive, she doubts herself, and she often chooses not to listen Jane's advice or to the little voice inside her head. You know, the one that tells us to listen to our gut feelings? Her relationships with her siblings, cousin and friends made me smile at times, especially when she and her sister developed a close relationship considering they never had one.
If you enjoy the writings of Jane Austin, I suggest you give this one a try. You might just enjoy it.
I love the banter between Ellie and Jane. There were a couple of instances that made me laugh. Ellie also reminded me of myself in my 20's. She is naive, she doubts herself, and she often chooses not to listen Jane's advice or to the little voice inside her head. You know, the one that tells us to listen to our gut feelings? Her relationships with her siblings, cousin and friends made me smile at times, especially when she and her sister developed a close relationship considering they never had one.
If you enjoy the writings of Jane Austin, I suggest you give this one a try. You might just enjoy it.
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