Jane Austen discussion

Shannon Hale took on idea that every Austenite wishes was true. What if there was a theme park you could travel through that was like entering Jane Austen's world? What would it be like? This series of two books loosely follows the plot line of two of her books. The first after Pride and Prejudice, while the second after Northanger Abbey

The book Austenland by Shannon Hale was done fairly well. It was about a girl who loves Pride and Prejudice and ends up going to an theme park where everything is regency era and you can create your own Austen-fied story. The plot mostly echos Pride and Prejudice; one of the characters at the park is very Darcyesque. The main character is lovable, but at times can be annoying. However the ending of the novel is fantastic, and I hope that they keep it exactly the same in the upcoming film. I am extremely excited to see the film as it will be starring J.J Field! (Some of you may remember him from his perfect performance in Northanger Abbey as Mr. Tilney.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1985019/

However I loved the sequel Midnight in Austenland so much. I couldn't put the book down as it was so amazing. It has a similar setup as the first one, although I found the heroine more endearing and very Catherine Morland in her extreme imagination. As I have already hinted at, this one focuses on a more Northanger Abbey storyline. I loved all the characters as the main male is very much like Mr. Tilney :D. It also has an underlying Wilkie Collins/Agatha Christie vibe. While it is the sequel, the charcters are not completely interdependent so you do not have to read the first one before the second. On the whole both were written well by someone who loves Austen and really made me wish that an Austenland existed.

Leah, I recently started reading Austenland, and really enjoy the idea of Pemberley Park (I think thats the name of the theme park). I had no idea they were making a movie of Austenland. The cast looks amazing, I love the casting for Miss Charming namely, I think she'll ace it. I also have Midnight in Austenland on my kindle ready and waiting for later. I don't know anything about J.J. Field but I'm aware of most of the other actors and it seems like a good cast. Do you know if it will be a movie theater film or a tv film?
-Pammie

Theater

http://dvd-copy.com/movies/Comedy/201...

http://www.squeetus.com/stage/austen_...

Looks very promising :)
-Pammie

They should have brought Colin Firth back and then everything would be just perfect!!

I have read both books and can't wait to go see the movie. I liked both but I agree Midnight in Austenland had a little more depth to it and the main character was not as obnoxious.

I like Keri Russell a lot and I have hopes that she'll bring make love-ability to the lead.
-Pammie

J.J Feild is amazing though!

I'd love to see the film, although I have to agree that I liked Midnight In Austenland much more.

I loved Midnight in Austenland!

If they change anything for script of Austenland, please don't let it be the end. The end is so romantic, but hilarious at the same time.

They're both on my "just got from the library" stack of books, can't wait to read both very soon!

Just finished the first! Not the best, but a nice, light read

I got the first one with excitement as a Darcy fan, but i was disappointed. The story is really good and can be easily read by someone who is not a native English speaker. But at the end of the book i realized that i wouldn't want to be in there.

Oh really? Why?

Well, I didn't like the idea paying someone to act as gentlemen. It is 'acting' as its name. I would rather it'd be more sincere. For example, Pembrook Park wouldn't have been only for ladies, both ladies and gentlemen (though I'm not sure there are gentlemen who would want it;) ) could have been there and lived the Regency Period. But at the end she found her Darcy for real, and that was amazing of course ;)

That is a weird concept actually... Paying someone. A happy ending is always the best way to go!

I hope we all will get the happy ending/beginning ;))

So do I!!

Elif wrote: "Well, I didn't like the idea paying someone to act as gentlemen. It is 'acting' as its name. I would rather it'd be more sincere. For example, Pembrook Park wouldn't have been only for ladies, both..."

I agree. I didn't like this book very much because the characters were annoying. The women who come to Austenland are portrayed as sad, unhappy and obsessed with a fantasy world. The gentlemen are paid to act like Jane Austen's heroes and it's just so insincere. I wouldn't want to go there.

I love Keri Russell and my mom seems to really want to see the movie so I'll probably end up watching it at some point.

I agree about the book, it seems to be a cougar fantasy town, I'm hoping the film will bring it off a bit better.

I much prefer the Austen inspired conventions in Victoria Connelly's novels where everyone dresses up but men and women are there for the love of it.

I think this movie will make it our break it on Kerri Russell's performance. From what I saw in the preview she looks delightful, as always.

Louise wrote: "I agree about the book, it seems to be a cougar fantasy town, I'm hoping the film will bring it off a bit better.

I much prefer the Austen inspired conventions in Victoria Connelly's novels where ..."

I haven't read any Victoria Connelly, Louise-- is there one of her books that stands out as your favorite?

I'd definitely recommend starting with 'A Weekend with Mr Darcy' for her Austen novels, it's based mostly on P&P and is still my favourite. It also happens to be the first book in that series.