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May 21, 2010

Steph Su rated it:

Laurie Horowitz’s brilliant debut novel began as an exercise, as Horowitz, a Jane Austen enthusiast, thought she needed more practice writing the dialogue of mean people. The result is a witty social commentary on the old rich, interwoven with a love story that will make readers sigh.

Technically, THE FAMILY FORTUNE is a retelling of Jane Austen’s PERSUASION. However, it’s interesting to see how Horowitz places the story in modern times. Practical Jane Fortune is 38 years old and perpet More...

3 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 20, 2009

Megan rated it:

A modern day version of Persuasion taking place in Boston and Cape Cod. I can't praise this book enough. I loved the modern adaptation to Austen. A good read!

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 16, 2011

olde_fashioned rated it:

It's not something I'm overly proud of, but it's a fact of life for an Austenite: we buy anything published with the name "Jane Austen" on it, regardless of whether it be good or bad, and especially if it's fanfiction (for that's exactly what it is). Excitement heightens if it's a continuation of one of her existing novels (imaginary glances into a life at Pemberley after the Darcy wedding bells have ceased to clang, for example), a continuation of one of her unfinished fragments, or a More...

2 comments like

Jul 29, 2010

jenn rated it:

More like 3.5 stars. This one was really cute. I especially appreciated the fact that the heroine worked (even though she didn't have to) in the literary world, and that her love object was an author. Giving two people shared passions instead of having them fall breathlessly in love for no frakkin' reason can't be that difficult to do, so why don't more people write that way?

The setting was wonderful, but I'm biased - at one point, the heroine moves into an apartment two blocks fr More...

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May 03, 2010

Emilyandherlittlepinknotes rated it:

I am a huge Jane Austen fan and I loved Persuasion, The Familt Fortune is loosely based on it.

Jane Fortune is The 38-year-old founder and editor of a prominent literary journal, Euphemia Review, Jane pines for true love while devouring novels and dealing with the financial crisis of her once wealthy family, which force them out of their Beacon Hill home. Beacon Hill is rented by The Goldmans, who are related to Max Wellman, Jane’s first and true love. When an enigmatic writer named J More...

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Jan 25, 2010

Cindi rated it:

An adequate modern retelling of Persuasion (one of my favorite Austens). When Jane Fortune's family finances take a downturn, Jane must leave the Beacon Hill manor she's always lived in. Separated from her shallow father and sister, Jane discovers her value as a person and of the contributions she has made through the philanthropic institution she runs which helps new writers. She also reconnects with Max Wellman, the first writer to receive a fellowship, and her only love. I liked the way Horo More...

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Jan 29, 2012

Bry rated it:

There are so many great Jane Austen fan fiction books out there like Pemberley by the Sea, Captain Wentworth's Persuasion, The Pemberley Chronicles. I had really hoped this book would make that list, but sadly it does not.

The first issue I had with this book was the setting. Jane Fortune was from Boston, Massachusetts and areas, people, and specific places were often referenced, yet not adequately explained in my opinion. So I could see those people who are from Boston experience More...

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Jul 22, 2008

Jessica rated it:

The cover of this book says "Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion," so I thought, well, "Clueless" was fun, maybe this will be, too. Not so much. It's a very heavy-handed update of Persuasion - so subtlety, wit, or charm. I cannot motivate myself to finish it - too many good books out there that I'd rather spend the time on. Take a pass on this one.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 27, 2009

Christina (Boupie) rated it:

"romance"

I actually really enjoyed this. Horowitz does a very good job adapting Persuasion to a more modern retelling. The setting of Boston was perfect... in fact it made me miss the city a little bit. Even though I did not afgree with all of her changes I found it to be both a light and quick read. I guess I am somewhat of a snark because I love Jane (Anne updated)and her snarkiness... she was a little jaded at parts but that was easy to skip beyond. Her family is obnoxio More...

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Aug 23, 2007

Maryll rated it:

Claims to be "a radiant retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion" which should make old Jane spin in her grave. But it beats watching Oprah on a rainy afternoon

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 14, 2008

Allyn rated it:

Cute story but the storyline towards the end of the book wasn't developed very well.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 10, 2011

Natalie rated it:

A solid re-telling of Austen's Persuasion. If you're familiar at all with the original work, then nothing in this retelling will come as a surprise. That said, Anne Elliott is a much more endearing character than Jane Fortune. Something about putting all the Regency-era values on a modern, American woman made the character feel dis-jointed and uncomfortable in her own skin. I'm a sucker for a romance, but even the ending wasn't quite as fulfilling as Austen's work. Overall, it was enjoyable More...

2 comments like

Nov 04, 2010

Holly rated it:

You’ll often find Jane Fortune – a member of one of Boston’s most prestigious long-standing moneyed families at home on a Saturday night, curled up with a book. Although her vain father Teddy and pretentious sister Miranda are happiest attending parties and being seen among society’s elite, Jane is perfectly content to stay out of the limelight. She’s of the literary variety and works hard to run the family’s foundation and publish the Euphemia Review, which has launched the career of several au More...

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Jul 06, 2011

Chachic rated it:

Originally posted here.

I can't remember where I first heard about The Family Fortune by Laurie Horowitz but I do know that I became interested because it's a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. I was glad to find a bargain copy in a Book Sale branch and when I went to the beach for a vacation, I decided to bring this with me because it seemed like the perfect light read. Also, look at that cover, doesn't that make you want to read this book in a beach setting?

The last More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 02, 2011

Michelle rated it:

Oh Jane Fortune! How do I love thee!!

Just so you know I did go into this retelling of Persuasion, my all time favorite Jane Austen novel, with a hefty does of wariness. I mean, nothing could come close to imitating the original on this one, right?

Truth be told, Laurie Horowitz did a fabulous job of updating my beloved Persuasion for the modern world in The Family Fortune. The Fortunes are decidedly Boston Old Money with connections and oodles of spare time to devote to th More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Mar 12, 2010

Lori rated it:

"The Family Fortune" by Laurie Horowitz is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's "Persuasion" but it's a delightful read whether you are an Austen fan or not, or familiar with "Persuasion" or not.

Jane Fortune is a Boston woman in crisis. She's pushing 40 (38, in fact), she's unmarried with little prospects, her family fortune appears to be in serious jeopardy and her first love, author Max Wellman, is back.

Jane edits a More...

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Jun 15, 2009

Jenny rated it:

I picked this book up off the shelf at the library, something I don't like to do because most of the time the books have things in them that I don't like. This book was no exception; it had some language (a few F bombs) and a scene that I thought was offensive. I almost took it back to the library without finishing it, but I was sucked into the story - a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. I really enjoyed the plot, just wish she could have left out the needless profanity and the sex s More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 21, 2011

Rosanne rated it:

3.5-An excellent re-telling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion set in contemporary Boston.

My favorite part of this book is that Jane is not a bumbling idiot who, when you read about her ‘adventures’, makes you want to die from second hand embarrassment. That is absolutely one of my biggest pet peeves in women’s fiction, like who are these women and why would any guy want to go near them?

Jane, while not at all perfect, is still accomplished, smart, tactful, and a really great per More...

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Mar 11, 2011

Karen rated it:

I LOVED the humor in this book. Things like : the job of the single person at a family party is to be useful and pleasant so you can get invited back, so the next time you can be as miserable as the last. The characters are great updates of the Austen originals. Makes me think maybe Persuasion is really funny and I just didn't get all the 18th century jokes. Plus the setting in Boston is a lot of fun. Except the book must have been written long before it was published since they go shopping at F More...

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Jan 20, 2010

Rebecca rated it:

Love the use of Persuasion; the author does a great job adapting the plot to modern-day society. It was believable, yet true to the Austen's original intent.

There is unnecessary usage of swear words in the book (not a ton, but enough to annoy me), as well as a sexually explicit scene I had to skip over. Without these drawbacks this would have been a four-star book.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 24, 2012

Jess rated it:

This was cute! As far as adaptations go, it was far enough away that it didn't read as a straight retelling and yet it was close enough that you were into it on both levels. Plus, I got a thrill out of not having Anne (Jane's) financial circumstances reduced at the same time as the rest of the families since she had her own money. This is the benefit of modern retellings.

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Dec 23, 2008

Caryn rated it:

_Persuasion_ by Jane Austen is flawlessly retold in modern upper crust Boston society. Understandably, the story does ask you to suspend some disbelief in order to stay true to the original story. I loved knowing what was going to happen next, but wondering how the author was going to portray the characters in a modern world. I really enjoyed this book.

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Aug 08, 2011

Elizabeth added it

This update of Persuasion features a priggish and self-pitying version of Anne Elliott. For a sharper, more thoughtful, and funnier update, try Paula Marantz Cohen's Jane Austen in Scarsdale. The Family Fortune left me sort of hating Jane Fortune, which is not the appropriate way to feel about a Jane Austen heroines, not even Emma.

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Jan 27, 2010

Patty rated it:

This is a decent, easy read. It is very nostaglic for me because of all the references to Boston and Dover (the town next to where I grew up). I found her family depictions very amusing. I was mildly annoyed at times with her timidness and low self-esteem but I suppose that is integral to the tale. Good book for the beach or an airplane.

1 comment like

Aug 31, 2010

Usako rated it:

It was a cute modern re-telling for Persuasion -- better than some other Austen re-tellings. I thought some parts were a little forced especially with Max. I didn't get that same romantic feeling as I did with Wentworth. Maybe it's because Max turned into a Casanova?? Something felt off about this book but it was alright.

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Nov 12, 2009

Sharon rated it:

Another modern telling of Jane Austen that I just stumbled upon. This one is "Persuasion," with Boston brahmins and Palm Beach standing in for British aristocracy and Bath. Of course, you know how it will turn out, but the characters and dialog are well-written and the Boston setting is a nice change from the ubiquitous NYC.

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Aug 20, 2010

Carla rated it:

I loved this book, which is a retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion in modern times. I thought that the portrayal was spot-on, although I can't profess to know anything about "Old Boston" society. The wry commentary and introspection as the heroine figures things out was quite entertaining.

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Jun 13, 2009

Laura rated it:

This modern-day retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion is a great Summer Reading book. It's funny and romantic and all the right people end up happy. For my conservative friends, beware, there is some bad language and one bedroom scene that I skipped entirely.

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Jun 20, 2010

Kristi rated it:

This was a cute modern take on Austen's "Persuasion" with a setting in upper class Boston. The main character was well developed and I really liked her. I was almost giving this book 4 stars until the book started wrapping up. I thought it could have had a stronger ending and there was one page of sex that I thought just didn't need to be there- out of place and a bit crude for me. But if you know that going into it, and you like "Persuasion," it was kind of a fun quick read.

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Jan 21, 2010

Alice rated it:

Another modern telling of Jane Austen that I just stumbled upon. This one is "Persuasion," with Boston brahmins and Palm Beach standing in for British aristocracy and Bath. Of course, you know how it will turn out, but the characters and dialog are well-written and the Boston setting is a nice change from the ubiquitous NYC.

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