Customer Reviews

An Accomplished Woman

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I picked this book up without much hope, having loathed every other Jane-imitator I've tried, but wow. Jude Morgan has not merely written a passable JA imitation, she has written a book that charms in its own right; it rings with wit, while also providing a story line that Regency fans will enjoy. Some of the characters are strongly reminiscent of JA; I recognized Mrs. Eldon and Lady Catherine DeBourgh, as amusing as ever. The heroine has some of the characteristics of both Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse, but she is very much distinct from them, no mere faded copy. I highly recommend this to anybody who wants a good Austen-like (as opposed to Austen-rip-off) read.

I don't quite understand why Jude Morgan/Tim Wilson/T.R.Wilson/Hannah March is not more popular. His writing is excellent. The stories themselves are good, but it is the writing that makes his books outstanding. This particular book, written in the style of a Jane Austen novel, is as perfectly executed as any she wrote. Not to mention that Jude Morgan's books have even more laugh-out-loud and tongue-in-cheek moments than Jane's did. (Perhaps he needs a better agent.) If you like this book, also try his INDISCRETION and A LITTLE FOLLY, two other comedies of manners written in the style of Austen.

I found myself laughing so many times during this story at the turns of phrase that Jude Morgan uses in "An Accomplished Woman". Really the dry wit in this story is just too too funny.

Not only is there humor in an "An Accomplished Woman", but there is a wonderful story and a number of twists and surprises in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and now I am out looking for other titles by this author.

Lydia Templeton is called upon to be a companion to her godmother's ward, something that Lydia really has no inclination to do. What transpires as Lydia tries to remain impartial to Phoebe Rae's various love interests kept me up reading late into the night.

The conclusion is fun and totally suprising. All readers will enjoy this humorous story which is so Austen like as to almost make you think she has returned to write for us now.

I cannot believe that Jude Morgan is not more widely acclaimed as a brilliant regency era novelist. When I read this book, I expected another one of those thoroughly dissatisfying rip-offs, and was totally unprepared for genius. Morgan creates the Austeneque world with charm, elegance and uncanny precision. At the risk of being disloyal to my favorite authoress, I will go so far as to say that Morgan's writing is possibly even wittier than Jane's.

I seldom write reviews ... actually, I think this is only my second ever written. So it has to be a book that leaves an impression. And An Accomplished Woman has done just that. I LOVED IT! I laughed, chuckled, smiled, gasped, and sighed. I am anxious to read more by Jude Morgan and hope to find more joy.

I liked the concept, but would have enjoyed a more unique story. It seemed very similar to many other period books I have read, but it wasn't a bad read if a little drawn out.

Not many books I read are gush-worthy, but this is definitely one of them. The plot is interesting but what makes this book so superb is the writing. Jude Morgan's prose is witty, hilarious, and perfectly written. I found myself laughing out loud in a few places and I am not normally demonstrative person while reading alone.

I highly recommend this book to all Austen fans and fans of historical fiction/period pieces.

Years ago Lydia Templeton caused a scandal when she rejected her neighbor Lewis Durrant's offer of marriage as filled with pride she preferred her studies though she knew prejudicial society scorned a single female choosing learning. She since serves as her widowed father's host and eludes her married brother's efforts to find her a spouse. Now thirty, Lydia's godmother Lady Eastmond asks her to do a favor as her Henry is ailing. She wants Lydia to chaperone her ward Phoebe Rae through the treacherous waters of high society in Bath. Unable to say no to the kind elderly woman, Lydia reluctantly agrees.

Mr. Allardyce and Mr. Beck try to court Phoebe Rae, making Lydia's chaperone lifestyle even more unbearably boring as the twit won't choose between the suitors insisting she loves both of them. Worse Durrant is in town seeking a wife while his wastrel nephew Hugh Hanley the heir is also in Bath insuring his patron wealthy uncle does not do something foolish by marrying and begetting an heir. When Lewis and Lydia meet, they make a bet over her chaperone duty and his bridal chase.

With obvious homage to Jane Austen, AN ACCOMPLISHED WOMAN is a delightful romantic comedy of errors filled with humor and twists as nothing quite works as expected for seemingly everyone. The cast is solid even tertiary players like the stereotype moms of the suitors. With a wonderful fast-paced story line filled with spins, Jude Morgan provides an amusing nod to Pride and Prejudice as the heroine's time in Bath makes her wonder whether she truly is an unaccomplished woman as nothing goes according to plan.

Harriet Klausner

This book was as close as it gets to the real Jane Austen deal! I finished the book in one evening and have ordered the rest of Jude Morgan's books. If Pride & Prejudice is on your "top ten" list, you need to purchase this book.

As a huge Austen fan, and a consumer of many sequels and Austen-esque books, I think I'm a pretty tough customer. But this book totally won me over, and I'm ordering more of Jude Morgan's works. Austen-philes may be occasionally irritated (as I was) by the obvious homages -- the plot is essentially a tidy mix between Emma and Pride and Prejudice -- but if you love Emma and Elizabeth, you'll love Lydia. To say more would give too much away.

Morgan manages to imbue Lydia with even more spunk than Austen's heroines -- and many laugh-out-loud moments as well. I really loved it.