Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler is more a parallel story to the hugely popular Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict than a sequel and it was awesome! It was funny, witty, and ever so charming. I was completely captivated by Jane’s adventures as Courtney in the modern world.
A little background is in order I think. In Confessions, Courtney ends up in Jane’s world in the 1800’s and struggles to find her way there and it was a series of hilarious happenings that kept me laughing. In Rude Awakenings, Jane Mansfield ends up in Courtney’s world which is our world now and Jane is none to happy with how things seem to have changed. She doesn’t seem to have a servant, men are coming into her room, and oh my—the clothes—they don’t cover your whole body. One of the most hilarious scenes for me was when Jane/Courtney is putting on underwear…
- ‘One of the garments is bright pink with three large openings; the other consists of two bowl-shaped pieces of fabric in a pale yellow, connected with strips of fabric and decorated with lace and embroidery of the same color. Anna hands me the yellow article; I turn it this way and that. Ah. I could fit one of the bowls inside the other and — yes that must be it. I place the bowl-like sections upon my head and attempt to tie the strips of fabric under my chin.’ (pg 22/23)
Jane had wanted to escape the rigidness of her own life and well she certainly succeeded when she ended up waking up in this one. The story takes us through Jane trying to accustom herself to our world. Think about it, she’s never seen tv, dvd’s, cars—any number of what we consider modern conveniences. When she finds Pride & Prejudice playing in the glass window she is fascinated. I think though she’s most surprised at the apparent lack of morals people have in this day compared to her time and she feels very conflicted over that.
The real Courtney’s friends Anna and Paula think she’s off her rocker. That hit on the head in the pool really mixed up her marbles. Then there’s Courtney’s ex Frank and the whole scandal there involving Wes. With Wes, she just doesn’t know what to think. She still can’t come to terms with having a man in her apartment unchaperoned but she sure does like having him around but apparently he lied to Courtney so that’s just one messed up situation too.
As time passes, Jane/Courtney becomes more used to life in this new world and she’s liking it. For the first time in her life she has independence, her own place and privacy —something she’s always craved and she learns that she can get a job, make money and take care of herself. This novel is a delightful look at our world through the eyes of a nineteen century Jane Austen addict.
While this story is witty and funny and very entertaining, Laurie’s wonderful writing style shines through. I always seem to find myself falling into her books and losing myself for a while and for me that’s the purpose of a good book. I have another favorite quote from the book to leave you with…
- ‘What makes a story true is that there is the truth of human nature and self-reflection in it, the awareness and the awakening to the fact that we indeed know nothing and that nothing we think is true is really true, that indeed we have made it all up.’ (pg 109)
A huge thank you goes out to Laurie for sending me her newest novel Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict. I hope this isn’t the end of the line for either Jane or Courtney but whatever Laurie chooses to write about next, I’m sure it’ll be just as awesome as this novel is! Make sure and pop over to Laurie’s website here, she’s got a really great site. Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict releases tomorrow, June 25, so be sure to check it out! You can purchase the book here in the US and here in Canada. Oh, and keep an eye out about mid-July, there just may be a surprise coming up.
I just love the underwear paragraph. I really will need ot look out for both of these books.
Looks like you loved this as much as I did, Dar! Both books are on my "keeper shelves". I know I'll read them again.
Wow Dar! your excitement about is infectious 🙂
I just would love to get to this one ASAP 🙂
Awesome review as always!
I have read her first book and am looking forward to reading this one as well. P&P fan here!!!
I really liked the first one, so I'm sure I'll be reading this too.
That seems like such a fun and relaxing read- real entertainment. Thanks for this review Dar, sounds like you really enjoyed it.
I just recently got an e-mail from Laurie that I had one coming to me. Love the review – since I had no idea what the story would be about. Super excited now.
Great review, and it sounds so fun! I really have to read that first one though
I think both of those books sound like great fun!
This sounds very interesting. I am a huge Jane Austen fan so this might be worth looking into. Great review.
Sounds like a fun book. The underwear excerpt was hilarious!
I have to get my tush into gear and read the first one so that I can read this one too…even more of a reason to join the Jane Austen challenge!! Loved your thoughts on this book Dar!!
Someday I'm going to have to read these books. You're tempting me and tempting me, Dar!
Glad to hear that this one was so good! It looks like a great summer read. Great review!
Very nice review
Sounds like a fun read! Will have to check it out. 😉
This sounds like a fun read. I have to get a copy of them both as I enjoy books like this.
I haven't heard of this or Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict but I'll definitely have to put both on the list. I've been looking for fun books and this sounds like a great one (so, you don't have to read them in order?). I read one a few years ago called The Man Who Loved Jane Austen (or something) which involved time traveling–puts an interesting spin on Pride and Prejudice.
I'm reading htis one now and loving it! I didnt read your full review, since I'm not done yet reading. But I can tell by the first few lines of your review, you enjoyed this one :O)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I have to read this! It sounds like such fun – thanks for the review!
Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll add these two to my Austen challenge (if I do it).
Another one for my Wish List!
WANT! That sounds awesome!
I can imagine Jane Austen would revel in the possibilities of a woman today! This one sounds very appealing – and funny 😀
I'm seeing this book everywhere! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I agree with you – isn't it the point to get lost in a book? I love that!
This is definitely on my list to read, Dar. Loved your underwear scene. lol.
For you :}
http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/06/thank-you-briana.html
I just finished this one and will be posting a review this Wednesday, the official date I kick off my Everything Austen challenge!
I think I'll be looking for the Confessions one at the library. Sounds like something I'd enjoy reading at the beach.
Great review! Love the quotes!
These both sound like fun books to read. I'll be adding this one to my TBR list. Great review Dar!
Hello, Dar! This looks very good, lucky you.
I'm a bit late in telling you this, as I have been out all day, and scheduled this post for early this morning! You have an award to pick up! HERE!
Thanks for such a wonderful blog!
Sassy
🙂
I love all things Jane Austen, so I'll have to add this to my to-read list.
Thanks for the review.
I also loved the first book and was glad to read on her site a second was coming. A different take on Austen that I can appreciate.
I can't wait to read this. Thanks Darlene.
This one is interesting! I'm going to put this into my wish list. Hope to get it soon!
Thanks to all who left a comment on my review of Rude Awakenings-lots of comments which is great. I hope those you who haven't read either Confessions or Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict do, at some point, read them. They really are great reads! Both these books have a special place on my shelf and will be reread at some point, probably when I need a pick-me-up.
For those participating in the Jane Austen Challenge, both of these books would be perfect reads for that!
Trish, you don't have to read them in order but you'd be better off reading Confessions first so you have a better idea of what's going on in the second novel. These books are really light and fun reading especially if you don't read a lot of Austen-these are perfect introductions.
I don't know how I missed this! Clearly I'm very behind on my blog reading. Too funny that we chose the same humor quote, with Jane trying to figure out the bra.
Laurie Viera Rigler put a lot of humor AND wisdom in the book, such as the second quote you have.
Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing what she writes next!