Beth Fish Reads: Bullet Review: Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

13 December 2013

Bullet Review: Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Way back in September 2008, I posted my first book review on Beth Fish Reads. In it, I failed mention the name of the book or the author (they were in the post title) and I also failed to mention anything about the audiobook production, though I labeled the post as an audiobook.

That review was of Shannon Hale's Austenland, a book I recommended as "perfect for a lazy Saturday or to read on the beach or in a airplane." I recently finished Hale's second Austenland book, Midnight in Austenland, and although its plot is little more complicated than the first book, it still counts as great escape reading, especially for Austen fans like me.

General idea: Charlotte Kinder needs to restart her life and get over the fact that her husband, feeling threatened by her enormously successful online business, left her for a younger woman, but not before manipulating her into giving up some of her assets. Having just discovered Jane Austen, Charlotte decides a trip to Pembroke Park and a few weeks of Regency reenactment fun is just what she needs before regrouping. Despite the harmless flirting, all is not happy in Austenland. When people go missing and a cottage is burned down, Charlotte can't stop herself from investigating the mysteries.
Thoughts: I loved this mix of woman's literature and cozy mystery. Hale weaves Austen references, Regency manners, and the characters' real and pretend lives into a fun, fun bundle that took my mind off the real world for the entire book. Although Charlotte was a capable woman, I liked that she still had room to grow and wasn't afraid to see where her adventure would take her. The love story in Midnight in Austenland is realistic too and had some similarities to the love story in one of Austen's big novels (I'm not telling which one!).
Important to know: Although Hale wrote two books about Austenland, they are absolutely, completely standalone books. No need to read them in any particular order.
Movie alert: Shannon Hale's Austenland is now a major motion picture! If you missed it this fall, no worries, the DVD will be coming out soon-ish.
Audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition (Recorded Books, 9 hr, 6 min), narrated by Stina Nielsen. I loved her accents, pacing, and ability to transmit Hale's humor. Recommended audiobook.

9 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks, 12/13/13, 7:26 AM: I liked these but not as much as her YA stuff.
(Diane) bookchickdi, 12/13/13, 7:41 AM: It's interesting to go back and read those early posts. There are so many things I like to change!
Daryl, 12/13/13, 9:00 AM: oh good to know they are standalone but i think i may get them both .. i enjoy books like this, i read them between the 'deep' books .. like a palette cleanser ;)

thanks!
bermudaonion, 12/13/13, 9:13 AM: I think I have one of the Austenland books around here. I need to hunt it down.
JoAnn, 12/13/13, 9:13 AM: I cringe when I think about my early posts! Austenland was a lot of fun… glad this one entertains, too.
Meg @ write meg!, 12/13/13, 10:47 AM: I remember reading and enjoying Austenland years ago, but I've never picked up this one! It sounds like a pleasurable read.
nishitak, 12/13/13, 12:48 PM: I just saw Austenland the movie, and it was light and fun. I haven't read the book, but on reading your old review, it sounds like the movie deviated quite a bit from the book.
Kailana, 12/13/13, 3:15 PM: I hate my old posts. I rarely go back! I read the first book, but haven't got to this one yet. One day!
kay - Infinite Shelf, 12/14/13, 10:40 AM: Oh my! Revisiting old posts is always a strange experience, isn't it?
I have both Austenland novels on my ereader, I really need to get to them. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one too!