I was browsing the library and discovered this book. It has two lovely, familiar words in the title: Jane, and Austen. So I decided to read it. And I'm very glad I did.
The novel allows us a glimpse into the lives of six "Austenites" of varying degrees. There's Jocelyn, who breeds dogs and matchmakes and generally controls the world she lives in, the creator of the club. And Sylvia, her best friend currently seperating from her husband of thirty-two years, and her daughter Allegra, adrenaline-addict and lovelorn lesbian. Bernadette is the crazy-kooky one of the bunch, with flyaway grey hair and and refreshing ignorance of time. Prudie is a quiet French teacher, unaware of her own value and desperately seeking something. Last of the all is Grigg, the only male in their group, whose Austen is one the others can't quite grasp, and whose connection with Jocelyn is charged with something.
These six individuals all believe in a different Austen; a dignified Austen and a playful one, an idealist and a pragmatist. Through their takes on Austen's novels and their lives during the year of the club, we are granted a glimpse into humanity and delighted by what we find.
This book? This book, everyone should read.
"There were days when just the sight of fresh, bright acne or badly applied mascara or the raw, infected skin around a brand-new piercing touched Prudie deeply. Most of the students were far more beautiful than they would ever realize." -- Karen Joy Fowler
