According To Jane (Paperback)

~ Marilyn Brant (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett's teacher is assigning Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". From nowhere comes a quiet 'tsk' of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who's teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author's ghost has taken up residence in Ellie's mind, and seems determined to stay there. Jane's wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go - sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane's counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham. Still, everyone has something to learn about love - perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie's head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; Original edition (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758234619
• ISBN-13: 978-0758234612
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #51,995 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even if you've never finished P&P, this is the book for you, September 23, 2009

By	P. Walters (Southwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've had a pesonal battle with Pride and Prejudice for years, never making it beyond the first few pages. After watching first the Kiera Knightly version, then the BBC version with Mr. Firth playing Mr. Darcy (thankyouverymuch), I even managed to make it halfway through the Jane Austen classic, but finishing it was not meant to be. So it was a surprise to me how much I enjoyed Marilyn Brant's homage to this classic.

From about page 5 I was hooked. Ellie and Sam are charming, and I enjoyed watching them battle and banter their way along. (The 80s references were well enjoyed and appreciated as well!) Even as Marilyn brought Jane into the story, it was done with such a light touch that it was like adding sprikles to a sugar cookie--just perfect! However, I think the crowning moment for me was the first post high-school interaction between Sam and Ellie in the bar. I was expecting one thing, and totally got another, a lovely gift I wasn't expecting and just made me fall in love. I rushed through the book and finished it in less than 2 days. Now I can't wait for the paper version to come out so I can have that copy on my "keeper" shelf.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A P&P lover's take, October 15, 2009

By	Michelle N. (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

As an avid reader whose favorite book is Pride & Prejudice, I've read a variety of Austen-related novels in my time. According to Jane is not for absolute purists, much in the same vein as ITV's delightful Lost in Austen series was not. That said, I found it to be a thoroughly engaging and highly entertaining read.

The story follows Ellie and her relationships from ages 15-34. Throughout the book, the author flits in and out of time recounting Ellie's experiences as they become relevant to the story. As someone who generally doesn't like it when an author jumps around in time, I have to say that this non-chronological progression feels natural and is not confusing or distracting. In a way, it gives the novel a more intimate feeling, as though one were listening to a friend reveal her story piece by piece.

As some have pointed out, Ellie is a flawed heroine. She is naive, she doubts herself, and she often chooses not to listen to that little voice inside her head (not just Jane's, but her own) telling her something is wrong. The combination leads to disaster enough times that one would forgive Ellie for throwing in the towel. Yet, she never seems to give up on believing true love is possible. Ellie continues to seek it out and to give of herself despite the very real potential for heartbreak. That hopefulness and willingness to try endeared Ellie to me; her flaws made her real.

Sam is everything I'd hoped he be. He is that perfect mix of charming, intelligent, sarcastic, intense, and yet sometimes vulnerable---attractive and infuriating at the same time.

I won't spoil any endings here, but suffice it to say that this is a tale worth finishing. I loved Marilyn Brant's wit and insights and will be definitely be seeking out more of her work.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Take On Austen and Relationships, September 23, 2009

By	Erica O'Rourke - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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There is no shortage of Jane Austen-themed books available to readers these days -- stories about the author herself, sequels to her novels, retellings of her classic tales of society and the search for love. Marilyn Brant's novel offers a fresh, welcome perspective. According to Jane goes beyond an update of a single beloved book and instead, imagines what Austen would have to say about love in the modern age. And Jane, unsurprisingly, has plenty to say.

Brant's Jane is as wry and witty as you would expect -- but the true treasure is Ellie, the modern woman receiving advice from Austen's ghost. She's charming, smart, and delightfully real. Her adventures in dating, and family struggles are both humorous and touching, and by novel's end, readers will be pulling for Ellie to find a love worthy of any Austen heroine.