Just imagine waking up one morning and finding yourself thrust into someone else’s life. That is exactly what happens to Courtney Stone. After an evening of drowning her sorrows with her favorite things: Absolut and a Jane Austen novel, Courtney wakes up as Jane Mansfield in nineteenth-century England. Needless to say she is more than a little frazzled by this.
At first she is insisting that she is not who they think she is but soon enough realizes she must pretend to be Jane or risk being thrown into an asylum. The novel proceeds as Courtney learns what living in this time period involves and finds it’s not all as pretty as it seems in the novels she loves.
This novel is so hilarious as Courtney/Jane has trouble separating her two identities. In this time period women are not as outspoken as they are now and nor do they have the freedoms of today’s world. Many times throughout the story Courtney has trouble keeping her lips zipped. However, she does a good job of fooling people into believing she is Jane and even manages to meet the man of her dreams… or is he?
This novel is wonderful. It makes you wonder what maybe your own destiny in life might be. It had me laughing out loud in many parts and giggling at some of the language, like ‘taking a turn in the shrubbery’, meaning a walk. I’m laughing as I type that. It is truly a delightful read for not only Jane Austen fans but others as well. It has also made me want to revisit a few of Jane Austen’s novels. If you want a good laugh along with a good story, I absolutely recommend this one.
Dar, I can’t wait to read this. Is it only in hard cover?
Hi Mary, no it’s out in paperback now too. I’m still laughing when I think about the situation she was in. I look forward to your thoughts when you do read it.
Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
Hi, Dar–very happy to hear how much you enjoyed the book, and especially that it’s inspired you to revisit Austen!
Laurie, what an honor to have you stop by and comment. Thank you so much!
Sounds really fun and I've been seeing it around a lot lately. I'm not the world's biggest Jane Austen fan, but I'd like to read more of her works. I read P&P last year, but I'm so familiar with the movies that it took a little bit away from the book, I think. I'll have to check this one out–thanks for the review!
Trish, definitely check it out. You don’t have to be a big Jane Austen fan to enjoy this one at all.
Dar everytime I come to your blog my TBR list grows!! This sounds like a good book. It is on my list!
Toni, you would love this book. I know you would!