Reader's Ink discussion

In an interview with the author, Lurie admits that this novel is somewhat reminiscent of Jane Austen or Henry James. Any thoughts?

This is embarrassing, but I'm not a big fan of either James or Austen. So I'm not really the one to ask. I have read books by both, but they did not leave what I would call a lasting impression so that I could compare with the work that Alison Lurie writes. Sorry.

I THINK BOTH AUSTEN AND JAMES ARE MORE ROMANTIC, BUT AUSTEN'S CHARACTERS SUFFER MORE OPENLY WITH THE CLASS DISTINCTIONS. BOTH USE MANNERS TO MASK BAD BEHAVIORS AND INSECURITIES, BUT AUSTEN'S AND JAMES'S CHARACTERS ARE NOT NEARLY AS INSUFFERABLE AS LURIE'S. BOTH RELY ON OTHERS FOR A CONSCIENCE AND THE ABILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN SPITE OF WHAT WOULD SEEM SAFE. ROSEMARY AND FRED ARE AS SELFISH AND VAIN AS ANY JAMESEAN CHARACTER. PLOT IS ALSO ABANDONED IN PURSUIT OF "SELF-REALIZATION", AND ONLY VAGUELY ARE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBITIES EXPLORED.

I thought it was Austen-esque in terms of the writing---sort of a wry look at the bizarre dynamics of particular, insulated societies. Like Austen, Lurie also gives something of a social commentary through the eyes of a quasi-marginalized character (Vinnie), who is not pretty or young or particularly desired, but SHE has desires. Ya know?