Sunday, February 28, 2010

According To Jane by Marilyn Brant

According To Jane by Marilyn Brant
Publication Date: October 1, 2009
Versions: paperback, kindle

Summary (from barnesandnoble.com):
In Marilyn Brant's smart, wildly inventive debut, one woman in search of herself receives advice from the ultimate expert in matters of the heart…



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…

I don't know if any of you guys are the same way, but I'm smitten with Jane Austen. And Marilyn Brant (the author of According To Jane) incorporates Jane into the book which I thought was really cute. Ellie (main character) is your typical get straight A's girl that studies. She's not popular but she's not some outcast either. And then there's Sam, whose your typical bad boy. Mix these two engaging characters together and you end up with a book that will take you out of this world.

The writing starts out at Ellie after high school and then switches to when she was in high school, giving you insight into Ellie's world.

Will I reread it?
I already have, and every time I do--I enjoy it even more.

This is one of those rare books that make you just sit in your room (or wherever you like to read), clutch the book to your chest and sigh in contentment.  A must read for any age.

8 comments:

Tales of Whimsy said...

I have this one at home. Thanks for the wonderful review. I can't wait to try this one.

Shantal said...

This book sounds awesome. I think this will be a great read. Adding it to my TBR pile:) Loved your review. :)

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

This book sounds so good...thank you for such a brilliant review!

Morgan said...

Oh, you guys are really great.

Juju-can't wait to hear what you think of the book

Shantal-happy to hear that your adding this book to your TBR pile

And last but not least, Melissa- your so sweet.

Corrine said...

As bad as this sounds... I haven't actually read any of Jane Austen's works. I have her listed on my 451 Challenge so that I can actually get some classics read, but as of right now, I haven't read any of her stuff. I digress though, I loved your review, and will definitely be adding this book to my reading list! :)

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