Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Writing Jane Austen

by Elizabeth Aston (Goodreads Author)

2.88 of 5 stars 2.88 · rating details · 459 ratings · 147 reviews

Critically acclaimed and award-winning—but hardly bestselling—author Georgina Jackson can’t get past the first chapter of her second book. When she receives an urgent email from her agent, Georgina is certain it’s bad news. Shockingly, she’s offered a commission to complete a newly discovered manuscript by a major nineteenth-century author. Skeptical at first about her abi...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published April 13th 2010 by Touchstone (first published March 27th 2010)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Must've Done Something Good by Cheryl Cory

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Once Upon A Second Chance by Marian Vere

Austen Inspired

120th out of 121 books — 38 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 799)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

May 30, 2011 Ceridwen rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Library

Recommended to Ceridwen by: no one

Shelves: abandoned, books-about-books, for-teh-ladies, janeites, rule-britannia

No.

NONONONONONO.

OMGWTFBBQ?

Man, I have not read that much, but I am so totally done with this. Damn you, library, with your fancy displays and crap with the word Austen in the title. I am a loose and profligate library patron, because all is free for the taking, only with the possible pinch of 30c fines if I don't get this stupid shit back in three weeks. And I will get it back, Oscar, I will.

Here's where the book took air and flew: when everyone referred to Austen as a Victorian novelist.

A VIC...more

79 likes · like · see review

Mar 21, 2011 Liralen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, fiction, reviewed, austenian

Hmm.

I liked that this was not a sequel to an Austen book. That isn't a criticism of the author's other books, which are Austen "sequels" - I haven't read any of her other books - but, as much as I love Austen, people who try to copy her style usually... fail. Badly.

Which brings us to Georgina.

It took her half the book to even get around to trying to read Pride and Prejudice. Half the book. She spends most of the rest of the book moping around and making excuses not to write.

Honestly? I get havin...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2011 Jinky rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011, playaway-audio

"Critically acclaimed and award-winning — but hardly bestselling — author Georgina Jackson can’t get past the first chapter of her second book. When she receives an urgent email from her agent, Georgina is certain it’s bad news. Shockingly, she’s offered a commission to complete a newly discovered unfinished manuscript by a major nineteenth-century author. Skeptical at first about her ability to complete the manuscript, Georgina is horrified to learn that the author in question is Jane Austen.

To...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 20, 2010 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am reading Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston. I have read five of the six books previously published by Ms. Aston and they are delightful. Those, starting with Mr. Darcy's Daughters, are romances about the relations of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, starting with their children. Elizabeth and Darcy are not in them except for possibly the last one, Mr. Darcy's Dream, which I have not had a chance to read yet.

WJA is a contemporary comedy about Georgina Jackson, a very serious writer who has published...more I am reading Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston. I have read five of the six books previously published by Ms. Aston and they are delightful. Those, starting with Mr. Darcy's Daughters, are romances about the relations of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, starting with their children. Elizabeth and Darcy are not in them except for possibly the last one, Mr. Darcy's Dream, which I have not had a chance to read yet.

WJA is a contemporary comedy about Georgina Jackson, a very serious writer who has published one rather gloomy book set in the late 19th Century. It was a critical success, but it did not sell well. Her agent and publisher demand that she tackle a project that she seems totally unsuited for. The publisher has discovered the first chapter of a previously unknown book Jane Austen started but never finished. He intends to auction this document off for a ton of money but he also wants to bring out a book written in JA's style that starts with the chapter and goes on. He wants this book completed in 12 weeks.

Her agent is unremittingly mercenary. She says Jane Austen "couldn't be better, couldn't be bigger. What a writer, bankable all the way, in print for two hundred years and now a superstar. That my kind of client. Not much sex and violence, of course, with is a pity, but that Andrew Whosit guy will put the sex back in when he does the TV adaptation."

There are many problems with Georgina taking this project on, not the least of which is that she has never read a single word written by Jane Austen and doesn't want to. She thinks JA's books are romantic nonsense and that they are worthless as literature. She believes fascination with JA is "damaging, people harking back to a time when people were seriously oppressed, and pretending it was some kind of golden age." In other words, Georgina is a bit of an intellectual self-righteous snob.

For the first half of the book I wanted to reach into the book and first strangle and then slap Georgina silly. I don't think this is an accident. Ms. Aston wrote her as a procrastinating coward. Unable to admit that she never read JA and can't imagine writing a book in her style, she runs and hides from her agent and publisher, seeking refuge in London, Oxford and Bath. She is constantly harassed by her agent but it is JA she can't hide from. She runs into her everywhere. And I think that there is more to Georgina that her initial cowardice indicates.

****** SPOILER ********

Finally she reads JA and only then realizes how impossible her task is. Her landlord suggests she tell her publisher she can't do it and sue him for mental distress or loss of artistic integrity. His sister agrees and suggests that she, "Be a victim. . . . That's the modern way."

I am having lots of fun reading this book and I can hardly wait to see what happens next.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 21, 2011 Laurel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, women-s-fiction, austen-inspired, anthology-authors, austen-sequel

A 21st-century homage to Jane Austen, or not your mother's traditional Austen sequel

Stepping into the 21st-century, Elizabeth Aston’s new novel Writing Jane Austen offers a completely different vintage of Austen inspired paraliterature than her previous six books based on Pride and Prejudice characters and their families from the early 19th-century. Set in present day London, readers will immediately discover that Austen’s influence of three or four families in a country village, social machinat...more A 21st-century homage to Jane Austen, or not your mother's traditional Austen sequel

Stepping into the 21st-century, Elizabeth Aston’s new novel Writing Jane Austen offers a completely different vintage of Austen inspired paraliterature than her previous six books based on Pride and Prejudice characters and their families from the early 19th-century. Set in present day London, readers will immediately discover that Austen’s influence of three or four families in a country village, social machinations and romantic entanglements are far removed from this author’s intensions – and our heroine Georgina Jackson is no Lizzy Bennet. One wonders out loud if this change is a good thing. Well, this is definitely not your mother’s traditional Austen sequel. With one eyebrow raised, I am reminded of Mr. Knightley’s comment in Austen’s novel Emma, “surpizes are foolish things”. We shall see if his advice is warranted.

Georgina Jackson is an American writer living in London with one highly acclaimed but not so best-selling book under her belt. Her specialty is grim late Victorian and her second novel is way over deadline. Her high-powered agent Livia Harkness is about to scratch her off her client list when she offers her a literary chance of a life-time to complete a recently discovered unfinished manuscript by Jane Austen. Georgina is not impressed. She does not do early nineteenth-century. She is however, getting nowhere with her present novel, over-drawn at the bank and terrified to be deported back to America with no money and a dead career. With little choice she begrudgingly accepts the job, even though she thinks Austen is only about frivolous romance and has never had a desire to read one of her books.

The pressure is on to complete the novel in three months so she sets off on a research expedition to discover everything she can about Austen in the Bodleian Libray in Oxford. Overhelmed, she heads to Bath to follow in Austen’s footsteps through the beautiful Georgian city. Finding the Jane Austen™ franchise everywhere and seemingly everyone making money off it, Georgina is repulsed and now dislikes Austen and her obsessive fans even more. Next she travels to Lacock, a Regency-era village to experience life as Jane would have known it. There she finds more trinket shops, tour buses and a film shooting of yet another adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Discouraged, Georgina returns to London to her rented room in a terrace house she shares with her landlord Henry Lefroy an unemployed banker, Maude his precocious teenage sister and Anna Bednarska the indefatigable Polish housekeeper. They all know and admire Austen’s works and are ready and willing to coach her through any snags. Still procrastinating and stymied to write a word, Georgina finally opens Pride and Prejudice. Engrossed, she reads all of Austen’s six major novels nonstop for two days. Her life would never be the same.

This fast passed novel is packed full of Austen lore galore, though you do not have to be a Janeite to enjoy all the in-jokes and jabs at the Austen industry. Anyone who has seen the BBC 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice will get half the humor. Janeites will get all of it and laugh and roll their eyes at how Austen fandom is viewed by the uninitiated. Even though this is a new style for Aston, the framework has been around since Helen Fielding introduced us to her angst-ridden and weight obsessive Bridget Jones in 1995. Is this chick-lit you ask? Definitely. Aston’s heroine Georgina Jackson is as ambitious and insecure as her pink covered compatriots but without the main drive to find a man. Instead, Georgina’s objective is to find Austen and learn to write like her. Aston is a master at research and I found her historical references to Austen, her novels and her family quite impressive. By three-quarters into the book I wished the heroine would accept her plight and just get on with writing, but that was the author’s prolonged point. Readers will be entertained by the quirky humor of Georgina’s dilemma, charmed and annoyed by the well-crafted supporting characters and surprised by the eventual outcome. However, if you are expecting a drawing room drama punctuated by romance, Writing Jane Austen is exactly what its title implies.

Laurel Ann, Austenprose
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Sep 04, 2012 Autumn rated it 2 of 5 stars

In Writing Jane Austen, the protagonist has a plum, yet quite terrifying, project dropped into her lap: a fragment of a heretofor unknown Jane Austen novel has been discovered, and she has been handpicked to complete the manuscript.

I find myself at a loss as to how to review this book. I almost quit after page seven, finally got interested, then lost interest again, then found something enjoyable... and so on and so forth. The premise is more than faintly unbelievable: the writer of one, less th...more In Writing Jane Austen, the protagonist has a plum, yet quite terrifying, project dropped into her lap: a fragment of a heretofor unknown Jane Austen novel has been discovered, and she has been handpicked to complete the manuscript.

I find myself at a loss as to how to review this book. I almost quit after page seven, finally got interested, then lost interest again, then found something enjoyable... and so on and so forth. The premise is more than faintly unbelievable: the writer of one, less than popular (but scholarly! We're told that over and over again!)novel is chosen to complete what would be considered somewhat of a holy grail of Anglo literature? On the strength of holding a doctorate in history--and that in an era subsequent to that of Austen, no less? Then we're treated to over 200 pages of hemming and hawing, procrastination, insults to Austen and her 'Janeites', yadda-yadda-yadda. The end is pretty ridiculous, too, and where did the pseudo-romance come from? Right out of the blue, and in the last few pages.

This looks like a one star review, right? I wish there was an option to have 1.5 stars, because this book would fit there for a few reasons: first, I did really enjoy the bits where she discusses the writing process (Henry and Maud's breakdown of the structure of a Jane Austen Novel is particularly delightful), and cringed and nodded my way through her expose of the publication and marketing process. It's a soul-stealer, particularly for women. The sly references to Jane Austen's life and connections made me smile more than once (Henry's last name being Lefroy? HAHA!) I've not read any of Aston's other books; the attempts by other authors to copy Jane Austen's style have been nothing less than painfully bad, so I avoid them. I do enjoy Austen's books though. She definitely has a particular style and wit that would be very hard to copy. Perhaps that's why I was left unsatisfied by this book--WHY would anyone less than an Austen scholar, or at the very least a decent writer, be given those pages to complete? I just can't buy it at all, and the unlikeability of the protagonist wasn't likely to change my mind.

I just can't recommend this book at all, except to those souls who will read anything with "Austen" or "Darcy" in the title. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Apr 27, 2012 Lauren rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, audiobooks

Technically, this was an audio book listen, but it was the only thing I was able to accomplish in the past week or so. The narrator was amazing, able to capture the different mannerisms and personalities of so many different characters with different accents. I was really impressed by her.

While I immediately warmed to the narrator, no matter how hard I tried, I could not like the protagonist. Georgina Jackson is an American scholar whose first book received modest critical success and has sudde...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 07, 2011 Julie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-lit

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This book is just not right. The pacing and plot development are terrible.

We learn pretty much right away that Georgina's supposed to finish a Jane Austen book. She says nononono, even literally running away like a child, until page 140!! Then suddenly she agrees to it. She then spends the next hundred pages NOT writing, whining about how stupid Jane Austen is (and lying about not having read any of it), having writer's block, and panicking. Also having visions of people from that time period--w...more This book is just not right. The pacing and plot development are terrible.

We learn pretty much right away that Georgina's supposed to finish a Jane Austen book. She says nononono, even literally running away like a child, until page 140!! Then suddenly she agrees to it. She then spends the next hundred pages NOT writing, whining about how stupid Jane Austen is (and lying about not having read any of it), having writer's block, and panicking. Also having visions of people from that time period--why is the author slapping the reader upside the head with this while the character remains completely oblivious and really rather unsympathetic?

Then, all of a sudden, in one line, "something clicked" and she was ready. What? What kind of character development is that? You don't move a plot forward by just suddenly saying there it is. It has to come from somewhere! Oh, and it's not from those visions, which clearly present interesting story bits.

But she starts writing, she's in a groove, la di da. She hurts herself from typing too much, okay sure. Then she falls in love with someone out of the damn blue (Author, please. It's not hard to drop hints, do some lingering gazing, have unsettling questioning thoughts--just sprinkle it in there). She writes a big chunk of the book, but oh no, it doesn't work.

(This should be the halfway point of the book, not 2/3 or 3/4 to the end.)

From who knows where, she gets a new story. She writes a whole damn book in about a page and a half. But oh no, something else is wrong! Don't worry, everything is resolved in another page and a half, tied up with a cliche little bow.

Seriously??

The main character doesn't grow as a person. She doesn't seem to learn anything about herself or the world. At least she randomly falls in love one day.

The other characters, Henry, Anna and especially Maud, are more thoughtful, interesting and developed characters.

I think there's some fascinating potential in this storyline, and I don't understand why an editor didn't rip it apart and put it together again in a more pleasing way. Especially what with all the talk of Austen's brilliance--the lack in this book stands out even more. (less)

4 likes · like · see review

Aug 05, 2010 Joanna rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 100-books-2010, austenalia

This book was going to be a solid one star until the last, perhaps, seventy pages. The heroine, Georgina, spends the majority of the book being insufferable, running away from her problems, being snooty, and being dismissive of Jane Austen. None of these qualities make her the slightest bit endearing. In fact, they make her into a self-victimizing woman child. Not someone you want to follow for the duration of an entire novel.

The name dropping of various Austen-related characters and historical...more

like · see review

Apr 11, 2010 Linda C. rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Linda by: book publicist

Elizabeth Aston has written six novels set within Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy universe. Her latest novel, Writing Jane Austen is set in 21st century Britain and features a young female protagonist who is an award winning and critically acclaimed author named Georgina Jackson. Georgina's debut novel while celebrated in literary circles did not sell very well at all. She is also in a writing slump and cannot get past the first chapter of her second novel. Forty eight different versions of chapter one...more Elizabeth Aston has written six novels set within Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy universe. Her latest novel, Writing Jane Austen is set in 21st century Britain and features a young female protagonist who is an award winning and critically acclaimed author named Georgina Jackson. Georgina's debut novel while celebrated in literary circles did not sell very well at all. She is also in a writing slump and cannot get past the first chapter of her second novel. Forty eight different versions of chapter one to be exact.

It is at this point she is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: to finish a recently discovered uncompleted novel by Jane Austen.

Georgina is horrified because she has never read anything by Jane Austen and has never wanted to. She also is intimidated because she knows that Jane Austen has fervent, rabid fans. How could anyone try and imitate the literary style of Jane Austen? That would be impossible. It certainly could not be done in three months time which is what her shrew/harpy of an agent and her publisher give her.

Georgina hesitates, but a financial crisis forces her to take up this Literary Call to Adventure.

I found the novel to be a light, breezy read that is laugh out loud funny. Georgina's literary agent, Livia Harkness, explodes off the page as someone I would never want to meet in real life.

Aston shows how Jane Austen's works are continuing to have an impact: from academic treatises to themed tours of the city of Bath to trinkets. Almost as if her fans are making a pilgrimage to sacred sites and the venerating of saints' relics.

The story is has a delightfully quirky tone and shows the stresses of pressure put on someone to create magic with the written word.

I think fans of Jane Austen will find many Easter Eggs hidden within the text. I recognized a character insertion of Miss Bates from Emma and feel that there are probably more such delights to be discovered by "Janeites." Those who are not big fans of Austen will also enjoy the novel.

Overall, I recommend this book. This would be a good summer beach read.

(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 07, 2010 Janelle rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I’ve been sitting here for the last fifteen minutes trying to find a pretty & poetic way of saying: I didn’t like it. At. ALL.

Aston’s Writing Jane Austen has the potential to be a lovely tribute to the subject and her work, but with undeveloped characters, rushed plotlines and lack of conflict, this story falls flat.

The protagonist herself spends nearly the entire first half of the book whining about how she can’t accomplish the task she’s been given because she’s not familiar with Austen’s...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 25, 2010 Vivian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Nov 22, 2010 Kate Maxwell rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-austen-esque, contemp

Having loved almost all books written by Elizabeth Aston, I thought that this book would make a nice addition to my Austen bookshelf. However, I was left wanting with this book. It truly had great potential, but it was not realized, unfortunately.

Georgina Jackson, a PhD in late 19th century history, has to be one of the dumbest PhD's in literature! Not only had she not read Jane Austen, she was completely resistant to the fact for more than half of the book. There were many times that I wanted t...more Having loved almost all books written by Elizabeth Aston, I thought that this book would make a nice addition to my Austen bookshelf. However, I was left wanting with this book. It truly had great potential, but it was not realized, unfortunately.

Georgina Jackson, a PhD in late 19th century history, has to be one of the dumbest PhD's in literature! Not only had she not read Jane Austen, she was completely resistant to the fact for more than half of the book. There were many times that I wanted to smack her, tell her to grow up and act like a professional.

Ms. Jackson was given a task of completing a manuscript that was believed to have been written by Jane herself. She was given a very short time line in which to finish, and just barely made it. Along the way, I was sure that the author meant for Georgina to come to some self-discovery, but that fell short as well. The main character, Georgina, needed to be slapped and told to grow up. My favorite character in the book was Maud, and we didn't see enough of her, and I thought she was under-utilized as well. Maud was very sophisticated for a 16 year old, and I was really hoping that she would have stepped in more to help with the book project.

It is my opinion that this book could have focused less on whining and more on character development. I finished the novel, in hopes of seeing how the final project turned out. There were a few points along the way that I would have liked to have read what Georgina had written, but with the little description of Georgina's book, I would not have purchased it even if it were published.

I do hope that Ms. Aston goes back to the style of books that she wrote previously. One thing that I have loved about this author is that she has taken the genre and each book seems to be slightly different than the others in the focus - meaning mystery, human interest, adventure (except for Mr. Darcy's Dream... too short and not enough substance. Could have been better IMHO).

I would not recommend this book, unless you don't mind whining and angst over Jane Austen. I was hoping for more of what JA has given to the world of literature (which could have been better developed). The ending was rushed, but at least it wrapped up the book.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Rebecca rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Dec 26, 2011 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

A few of the reviews for this book are immensely harsh, but I wonder if some of those readers actually read the whole book. For example, one complains that they refer to Austen as being a Victorian-era writer. A few characters do so, but those characters are the less educated "villains" of the story. The protagonist, and therefore the author, certain know and state that Austen was of the Regency period.

Here's the thing...the book is a nice little trifle. I never laughed out loud. I never worried...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 07, 2012 Lorca Damon rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved the premise of the book, but I hated the main character! Her actions made almost no sense to me. As a Ph.D. in history, she should have recognized the historical value of an unfinished, unpublished manuscript from a vital part of literary history rather than dismissing it as flighty nonsense. When finding out that she was hand-chosen to complete the unfinished manuscript and therefore reviving her sinking writing career (at that point, her fellowship has been cut off, her dad can't suppo...more I loved the premise of the book, but I hated the main character! Her actions made almost no sense to me. As a Ph.D. in history, she should have recognized the historical value of an unfinished, unpublished manuscript from a vital part of literary history rather than dismissing it as flighty nonsense. When finding out that she was hand-chosen to complete the unfinished manuscript and therefore reviving her sinking writing career (at that point, her fellowship has been cut off, her dad can't support her anymore, and she has maxed out the overdraft on her bank account while mooching off the kindness of her landlord whom she hasn't paid in quite some time), rather than show a little gratitude to her agent and the publisher of the work, she literally shuts her cell phone off and leaves town, actually skipping the appointment they had set up without so much as a note saying she wouldn't be there. For someone who has already published a work, that behavior is career suicide (I'm not even published yet and I would NEVER snub an agent and a publisher like that).

Worse, she takes of for Bath on the pretense of studying more about Jane Austen--whom she is still dismissing as a trivial writer at this point--going so far as to be annoyed by the die-hard Janeites who keep appearing in her line of sight. Incidentally, her stay in Bath is provided and funded by a friend that she hasn't visited in years, yet Georgina looks down her nose at the friend's Jane Austen shop and even makes disparaging comments about the merchandise, the customers, the vendors, etc.

I gave this three stars because I openly admit I didn't finish it. After watching this character be rude and spiteful towards literally everyone she has come in contact with so far, I quit reading. I think we're to expect that she will get sucked into an admiration of Jane Austen once she finally gets over herself, but I can't wait that long. I really hope this rare opportunity is ripped out of her petty, ungrateful hands and given to an author who is more deserving and would put more effort into it. I can only hope that the story--and the main character--redeem themselves soon, but I won't be reading that long.(less)

like · see review

May 05, 2010 John rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, library_books

Is this chick-lit? On balance, not really. I suspect the audio narrator had something to do with it, but it seemed Young Adult in tone to me, with a dash of chick-lit thrown in.

Georgina is browbeaten into writing a full length book exactly in the style of Jane Austen, based upon an 18 page fragment, in a matter of weeks by her agent, with no confidence in her ability to do so. She has never read anything by, or about, said author. The progress of that endeavor forms the basic premise on which th...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 Sara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, 3rd-person-limited, british-characters, chick-lit, fiction

This book was written by a Jane Austen fanatic and even though I have never read a Jane Austen book in my life (I have seen some of her movie adaptations), I thought it looked like a cute and charming read and that's why I checked it out from the library. It was a quick read and pleasant enough, but there were some things that didn't make any sense. The story revolves around Georgina, an American writer living in Britain. She's only had one book published and she gets a call from her agent sayin...more This book was written by a Jane Austen fanatic and even though I have never read a Jane Austen book in my life (I have seen some of her movie adaptations), I thought it looked like a cute and charming read and that's why I checked it out from the library. It was a quick read and pleasant enough, but there were some things that didn't make any sense. The story revolves around Georgina, an American writer living in Britain. She's only had one book published and she gets a call from her agent saying that the first chapter of an unfinished Jane Austen novel was found and they want Georgina to finish the book and write it in a voice similar to Austen's. Okay....if this really did happen, why the hell would you ask somebody WHO HAS NEVER READ A JANE AUSTEN BOOK OR KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HER? Oh, hey, did I mention Georgina has never read a Jane Austen book? Because she hasn't. Seriously, why not get a freaking Jane Austen expert to finish the book? Duh. So Georgina bitches to her landlord and his younger sister how she doesn't want to write this book (but she has to or she won't have any more money and will have to go back to the States) and whines about what a "wretched" woman Jane Austen is. OMG, at least read her freaking books before she complain about her, you ungrateful wrench! She finally does read all of Austen's books - six of them in two days...which I think is ridiculous and that can't be possible to read six full length novels in two days. True, she barely eats and sleeps and doens't take any showers, but the thought of reading six books in two days make me want to tear my hair out. She doesn't read these books until two weeks after she heard she has to finish this novel which is called "Love and Friendship", one of the worst titles for a book - or anything - I've ever heard. What was she doing in the previous two weeks? Besides bitching and complaining? Well, she did go on a couple of Jane Austen tours in Bath and did at least read a book about Jane Austen. Even though this book gave me a headache at times with the total ridiculousness of it all, I did like the ending and thought it was satisfying. (less)

like · see review

Jan 23, 2011 Fluffychick rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, books-read-in-2011, austenesque

This is the story of Georgina, an American living in England whilst completing post doctorate research. She rents a room in the house of Henry LeFoy, his teenage sister Maud and housekeeper Anna.
She's a published author specialising in historical misery. Although her debut novel was critically well received, it appears that no-one actually enjoyed it and unfortunately she's struggling to write her next book. Her scary editor, Livia, makes her an offer she shouldn't refuse, when publisher Dan Vas...more This is the story of Georgina, an American living in England whilst completing post doctorate research. She rents a room in the house of Henry LeFoy, his teenage sister Maud and housekeeper Anna.
She's a published author specialising in historical misery. Although her debut novel was critically well received, it appears that no-one actually enjoyed it and unfortunately she's struggling to write her next book. Her scary editor, Livia, makes her an offer she shouldn't refuse, when publisher Dan Vassey "finds" the opening chapter of a long forgotten, never completed Jane Austen novel. Georgina has to complete the book in double quick time for loads of cash which will allow her to stay in England.
The problem is that Georgina has never read any Austen and sees it as the antithesis of her gritty, downtrodden understanding of the nineteenth century. She refuses to do it but circumstances, lack of money and pressure from her friends force her to reconsider.

Firstly, I didn't like Georgina at all. I found her to be a literary snob in thinking that Austen is twee, fluffy and lacks realism. She spends the first half of the book simply running away from anyone who is trying to make her write the book, making it a chain of events rather than a definite plot. She is sneering about all the Austen haunts that she visits and comes across as a weak, bigoted character with major author angst.
When she finally reads all the Austen novels she has a complete turnaround and tries to avoid writing the book as she realises she isn't worthy of the task! Georgina is a self confessed procrastinator and there's even references to helpful websites (but I didn't check if they were real!) The middle section of the book is all about the process of writing and heck, does it seem painful...this is enough to put any budding author off! This focus on effort and process manages to kill off any interest in the story and characters for me...it became a grind for me too.
Henry gradually becomes the romantic hero, but he's so weakly written that he's practically transparent. Maud is possibly the most interesting character and I though Livia would have been far better approaching her to write the Austen book!
The final denouncement when Georgina finally writes the much demanded book wasn't a big surprise, but did manage to tie everything together. There are several sub-plots going on throughout that relate to Austen plots, but these are unnecessary and a bit forced, as was the quirk of putting in names of Jane Austen's many characters as an in-joke.
Disappointing and a bit pointless for me. Sorry!(less)

like · see review

May 18, 2010 Jenny Massey rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

May 03, 2010 Leticia rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: austenspired

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 03, 2013 Trudy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-madison-mega-marathon

I enjoyed this story, but it could have been even better if Georgina's character had shown a bit more growth/development by the book's end. Her reluctance to take on a prestigious writing project with a very tight deadline and her complete lack of familiarity with Jane Austen's novels seemed promising. The story appeared to have so much potential. Young Maud was a delight, and I was hoping her character might serve as more of an inspiration to Georgina.

As it was, the story was entertaining, tho...more

like · see review

Mar 19, 2011 Courtney rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-for-girls

It was better than ok, but not great. I thought it was better than 2 stars, but not quite 3, so when you look at my review, know that I was being generous.

It was a very easy read, and moved along quickly. I had read another book by Aston (Mr. Darcy's Daughters) which had I had enjoyed. This was completely different than MD'sD in that it is set in present day England. The plot centers around a newly found long-lost Chapter 1 of an previously unknown work of Jane Austen. Our heroine, Gina, is cal...more

like · see review

May 16, 2010 Michael rated it 2 of 5 stars

  Note: this review is based upon the unabridged audiobook by Brilliance Audio which was performed by Julia Whelan.

  Note: this review is based upon the unabridged audiobook by Brilliance Audio which was performed by Julia Whelan.

I am so disappointed with this story, which is really a shame. The premise seemed compelling enough to pick it up, but what followed was not nearly as charming. It suffered from two fundamental problems:

1. The most unlikable protagonist I've encountered in some time. Georgina Jackson was amiable to most, but when she wasn't crying "why me" over a professional opportunity, she was enthralled by how much Jane Austen had manipulated the culture around her despite refusing to partake of the aforementioned author's work herself. Add to this her unwavering immaturity, it really became a wonder how the character could have reached her present station in life with such a crippling attitude. This is altogether made worse by the fact that...

2. There was not a single conflict in the entire plot. The character faced no challenge intellectually or physically, and much of the story revolved around the protagonist's refusal to do anything other than run away inexplicably and complain about something she was easily capable of doing. We are then left apathetic when we arrive at the final twists of the plot. There was no climax, nor an oomph to the progression: just a long overdue fizzle to a thankful conclusion.

So why rate it even two stars when I clearly didn't appreciate it? Julia Whelan's performance. She put forth a marvelous and incredibly enjoyable reading that she alone was the driving factor behind my continuance after three chapters. I would not have made it beyond that had I invested time into physically reading it. Those two stars are for her.

This isn't to say I've written the author off completely; that's not the case at all. I still have a weakness for Austen-esque titles, and she's contributed a great deal to that genre so the probability of my crossing paths with her work is still relatively high. I just can't recommend this book to anyone; Jane Austen fans in particular.(less)

like · see review

Sep 26, 2012 April rated it 2 of 5 stars

This was a pleasant but fairly unmemorable cute story about a young female who is forced by her agent to finish a recently discovered Jane Austen story. The problem? She has writers block and she has never actually read any Austin novels. Way too much of the book (I'd say over half) is the main character procratinating writing and procrastinating reading Austin, who, not surprisingly becomes her favorite author when she finally succumbs. There are some typical Austin-like subplots but I just did...more

like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 Karyn rated it 2 of 5 stars

For the entire first half of this book, I wanted to kill the main character. She's an author, she's broke, and she needs a writing gig. She's given one, it's just lands in her lap, and she can't make herself do anything. Excuses abound. Procrastination abounds. I'm about to throttle her.

Then she finally gets going, and can't stops, but produces crap. And then all of a sudden it all works out. All just too simple and pat. Didn't buy it. The end is silly and superficial. Her love interest doesn't...more

like · see review

Jun 22, 2010 Jeanne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: jane-austen

Georgina Watson has writer’s block. After a critically acclaimed debut novel, she cannot seem to get past the first chapter of her second novel.

There’s no need to worry because her agent has a new project for her: a novel written in the style of Jane Austen. The first chapter of a never published Austen novel has been discovered. All Georgina has to do is write the rest of it.

One problem: Georgina has never read anything written by Jane Austen. Ever. Moreover, she is an expert on literature of t...more

like · see review

Aug 28, 2011 Nicole rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: audible

Ehh. It got compelling in the middle, and predictable at the end. It was a book about things happening to other people, with virtually no chance for the reader to feel like any of it was happening to them. "Subtle" Austen references were like being hit with an anvil if you know the books at all. The heroine spent most of the book being kicked around by other people, and she was like that friend you have who keeps messing up her life out of sheer unreasonable stubbornness and seems to enjoy her m...more

like · see review

Jun 04, 2012 Angela Risner rated it 4 of 5 stars

I adore Elizabeth Aston's continuations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her novels are the only ones I've found to stand up to the Austen standard. This was her first foray (that I'm aware of) into a novel set in modern times.

The heroine of the story is an author who has never read any Jane Austen, yet is coerced into completing a manuscript of Austen's that has just come to light. The story follows her as she travels through Austen's life, seeing the world as Austen must have.

Parts of it...more

like · see review

Jun 11, 2011 K likes Tea rated it 1 of 5 stars

As a Jane Austen fan and wannabe writer, I wanted to like this book. This is the story of a historian/writer given the chance to finish an uncompleted novel started by Jane Austen. However, this smart and sassy academic hates Jane Austen. She hates her even though she has never read a single of Austen's book nor seen any tv/movie adaptions. She spends the fist 100+ pages bashing Austen, Austen fans and running from an amazing career-making opportunity. The reader cannot help but feel insulted as...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 26 27 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (1)

More editions...

Genres

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

19 users

Romance

3 users

Adult

3 users

Womens Fiction

3 users

Romance > Contemporary Romance

2 users

Book Club

2 users

Contemporary

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Elizabeth Aston

I’m the daughter of two Jane Austen addicts, who decided to call me after a character from one of Jane Austen’s novels. So it’s no wonder that I also became a passionate Jane Austen fan.

Elizabeth Aston is a pen name (it's actually my married name). I first wrote under the name Elizabeth Pewsey, and now Attica Books are reissuing those novels as ebooks under my Aston name.

I've also published seve...more

More about Elizabeth Aston...

Books by Elizabeth Aston

The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Writing Jane Austen

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Writing Jane Austen

“Why did she want to stay in England? Because the history she was interested in had happened here, and buried deep beneath her analytical mind was a tumbled heap of Englishness in all its glory, or kings and queens, of Runnymede and Shakespeare's London, of hansom cabs and Sherlock Holmes and Watson rattling off into the fog with cries of 'The game's afoot,' of civil wars bestrewing the green land with blood, of spinning jennies and spotted pigs and Churchill and his country standing small and alone against the might of Nazi Germany. It was a mystery to her how this benighted land had produced so many great men and women, and ruled a quarter of the world and spread its language and law and democracy across the planet.” — 3 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Writing Jane Austen
avg rating	preview: Writing Jane Austen Goodreads rating: 2.88 (459 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6680730-writing-jane-austen?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1368431474l/6680730.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6680730-writing-jane-austen?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Writing Jane Austen by Elizabeth Aston[/url]

Writing Jane Austen

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website