According to Jane, another book I can't wait to read!
I had the pleasure of sitting next to Marilyn Brant during lunch at the RWA conference, and had a lovely discussion about Jane Austen's novels, both agreeing that Pride and Prejudice is our favorite. It wasn't until the end that I found out about her debut novel, According to Jane. It won RWA's Prestigious Golden Heart Award in 2007 and is due in bookstores September 29th.
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.
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.
Although Marilyn and I agreed on our favorite novel, there was some debate on the better film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I'm firmly in Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfayden's camp while she votes for Colin Firth, but she does believe that Kiera Knightley's version introduced young people to the story that wouldn't otherwise know about it.
Which is your favorite?
Oh, you are so wonderful to mention my book--thank you!!! And thanks for the fun conversation about P&P and the various film adaptations--it was a pleasure meeting you :).
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