Book Review: "Just Jane" by Nancy Moser

Not Just a Plain Jane

What if Jane Austen had kept a diary of what inspired her to write her novels, her relationships, her hopes, her worries, her life? This book recreates that very question with an inside look at what Jane Austen's life would have been like. Told from first person narrative, Nancy Moser imagines what Jane Austen would have told only her diary her innermost feelings as she struggles to become a writer and hopefully discover love along the way. Fans of Jane Austen will enjoy this fictional autobiographical tale of one of the world's most beloved authors.

I love all things Jane Austen. I love all the movie versions that have come out of her books. Right now it's very "in" to be an Austen fan especially with the two recent movies that have come out about Jane Austen. I kept forgetting at times while reading that this was a fiction novel and not really Jane Austen's memoirs! The first person narrative is done extremely well that will make the reader think they have discovered the lost diaries of the author. I felt like I was literally dropped into the time period because the rich narrative made the story come alive. I liked how Jane would get the inspirations for her characters. She and her sister Cassandra were very much like Elizabeth and Jane Bennett from P&P while you could also seem resemblances from the people she would meet. Her reasons for never getting married are portrayed here as her reaction to societies' expectations on the role of women. I loved the authenticity with the way the book was written, right down to the "olde English". The only fault I found with the book is that you are dropped right into the middle of the story but are not given that much background info. There are a lot of characters mentioned as well, and it is easy to get quickly confused. Other than that, I found this book a joy to read. This book is highly recommended for historical fiction fans and those Austen fanatics who get enough of that 6 hour version of Pride and Prejudice.

Just Jane by Nancy Moser is published by Bethany House (2007)

Comments

  1. Deena Peterson1:07 PM

    Just got my copy in the mail...looking forward to seeing what it's like:-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous12:58 AM

    i love jane austen too..and before the interest-explosion of late. i hadn't heard of/seen this book before today but i am very interested now. will have to keep my eye out... :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous10:05 PM

    Nancy Moser surprised me again! I love Jane Austen, too...such a noble woman who is a role-model to all young (and old) women. I get chill bumps every time I step into Jane's world, and the excitement of this novel just ravished me. Thanks for the suggestion, you will not be disappointed choosing this one!

    ReplyDelete

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