Customer Reviews

According To Jane

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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.

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.

While the premise sounds odd (Jane Austen in a role similar to an invisible friend or "A kind of literary twilight zone thing"), the witty banter, lovable characters and unforgettable story take me to my happy "I don't actually want this book to end but I just want the characters to find what they're looking for" place.

Brant manages to jump around time and place without making you lose a second of the story to confusion. She has the rare ability as an author to take you from reliving your awkward high school years along with Ellie (and the traumatic male/female interactions) to within the psyche of a single, searching, adult woman in the next paragraph. Ellie is a unique female protagonist that I find endearing in her failures and utterly relateable in her fears, while trying to find herself (though I wish she weren't already worried about marriage at the mere age of 26!).

It's no surprise to me that this book took home the coveted Golden Heart Award for Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements in 2007. Brant has the humor of Sophie Kinsella with the best-friend-esque (made that up) intimacy of Jennifer Weiner. The sex scenes are humorous in an actual funny, relatable way as opposed to the over-done, awkward to read (unless that's just me) scenarios found in other novels featuring "strong romantic elements."

I had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn at an Eloisa James author signing at our public library. It was my first author visit and I got 2 authors out of it! When she found out that I had a book blog, she offered to send me a copy of According to Jane. I have to admit that I have never made it through Pride and Prejudice - more of a time thing rather than a lack of not wanting to - and still it languishes on my shelf. But no worries, you do not have to have read Pride and Prejudice to enjoy According to Jane. With all the different Jane Austen books out there right now I wasn't really sure what to expect with this one. That and not having actually read Pride and Prejudice (and having met the author in person) made me a little worried about this one - I shouldn't have been. This was a delightful book to read.

I have been finished with this book for a couple of days now, and actually started writing this review yesterday morning - but it seems like the more I enjoy a book, the harder it is for me to write the review. I don't feel like I will be able to do the book or the author justice - but I will try.

We meet Ellie in the beginning of the book in her high school English class (in the mid 80's). Jane has just tsked, tsked her way into Ellie's head - It was so real to her that she actually looked around the room to see who was tsking. But fear not, Ellie is not portrayed as a "crazy" lady. Jane becomes a part of her life like a sister or a best friend would. Their conversations are humorous, thought provoking, and emotional - even though they all take place in Ellie's head.

I loved all the 80's references as that is when I was in high school and college. Talk about remembering all the teenage angst and crushes, and how easily one could get their feelings hurt or misunderstandings could start. What happens to Ellie in high school continues to shape her on her romantic journey through college and young adulthood. All the while, Jane keeps a running commentary going on as she lets Ellie know when she is disappointed or when the current beau is a Darcy or a Wickham.

You really must join Ellie on her journey to discovering the love of her life, and experience all of her romantic entanglements along the way. It would be nice if we all had our own Jane to keep us company when our romantic world seems to be in flux - even if she is not always right. . .

Excellent debut novel - can't wait to see what other books this author will bring!

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.

This is a fun romance with a slightly paranormal twist. After discovering the works of Jane Austen in high school, Ellie is suddenly plagued with the disembodied voice of dear Jane in her head, commenting on daily life and dispensing advice just as she chronically does in her novels. Jane soon becomes Ellie's best friend and confidant and tries to help her steer clear of romantic pitfalls through her categorization of men. But Ellie can't seem to follow Jane's advice with certain men, especially Sam, leading to a string of hard lessons in romance. Over time, Ellie is able to find what, and who, truly makes her life complete and to find her own happy ending.

If you are looking for new and interesting ways to read about Jane Austen this is the book for you! Ellie Barnett is blessed (and on some days she would say cursed) to have the voice of Jane Austen in her head. Ellie started hearing Jane's voice when her teacher assigned Pride and Prejudice for the class to read. Jane gives her advice on just about everything from difficult siblings, proper lady like behavior and love. Can Jane help Ellie find her true love or does Jane have her own "prejudices" that keep Ellie from seeing the love of her life right before her eyes? You must read the book to see!

Author Marilyn Brant worked as an elementary school teacher, a library staff member, a freelance magazine writer and a national book reviewer before becoming a full-time novelist. According to Jane is her first novel, which won the prestigious 2007 RWA Golden Heart Award. Her next, not yet titled, novel is set for release in 2010. Marilyn resides in Illinois with her husband and son.

One day in sophomore English class, Ellie Barnett's teacher assigns Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, and Ellie's world is never the same. Ever since that fateful day, the one and only Jane Austin has taken up residence in Ellie's head, her ghost guiding Ellie through some of the most difficult times in her life, serving as her voice of reason and a friend she can trust. As years of boyfriends come and go, Jane remains a constant, along with another not so cherished person, Sam Blaine. Sam, the cute bad boy in high school, has been a source of torment in Ellie's life. Through her college years and after, Ellie has found herself running into him at the worst possible moments. Ellie can't deny her attraction to Sam, any more than she can deny Jane her say. Could it be possible that even Jane Austin has something to learn about love? Jane claims he is her Mr. Wickham, but could he really be her Mr. Darcy?

Admittedly, I thought this was a peculiar premise for a book, but after reading it, in fact after page one, I can't think of enough positive adjectives to throw at it that could possibly give it justice. Told in first-person, this book jumps past and present smoothly, with an equal mix of sweet, funny, and heart-breaking. And, may I add, several `ahh' moments. I find this equally suited for young adults as I do for romance lovers, but would categorize it as literature with romantic elements. The plot flowed well without any dead spots. The secondary characters were endearing and the setting perfect. Mostly, Jane Austin fans will revel in this modern day unique twist on a classic, as well as learning interesting facts about Jane herself. There is just enough mystery of `why' to keep you guessing, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying. This was a truly, irrevocably inspiring novel.

Having never made it through a Jane Austen novel I still loved this book. An excellent romance adding in Jane Austen as the heroine's internal narrator was different but effective. This was one of the rare books that I couldn't put down but now that I've finished I wish I had more to read. I can only hope that Ms. Brant's next novel is as good.

I couldn't put my kindle down throughout the whole story. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next in Ms. Barnett life.