“MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND,” by Shannon Hale, Bloomsbury, Jan. 31, 2012, $22 (young adult)
Sometimes the real world just sucks and you yearn to escape to a simpler time — a time when men treated women like ladies and ladies acted like, well, ladies. A slower pace and a charming landscape, something straight out of a storybook, is what you need.
In Shannon Hale‘s Austenland books, that’s just what the main characters get, sort of.
Shannon’s latest foray into the land of Jane Austen is “Midnight in Austenland,” a light mystery that’s perfect for an afternoon read.
Lately, Charlotte Kinder’s life plan has hit some bumps in the road. Her husband left her for a new trophy wife, her children are tired of her interest and she’s perpetually being set up on blind dates.
So when the opportunity arises for her to take a vacation at Austenland, she jumps at the chance. For two weeks, she’ll assume a Regency period existence, complete with a corset, country manor house, and gentleman actors who are the essence of Austen’s most beloved characters.
It’s playacting at its finest, with everyone, including the guests, playing a role. On it’s face, Pembrook Park is exactly what Charlotte imagined: beautiful gardens, servants catering to her every need and tea in the parlor. But as one of the actors tempts Pembrook’s guests with a mystery, Charlotte begins to question where fiction ends and fact begins.
Like Catherine Morland in Austen’s “Northanger Abbey,” Charlotte’s imagination has a tendency to go a bit wild. And though her inner, and sometimes voiced, tangents fit Charlotte’s character, she comes across a bit silly for them. (And she’s far from the silliest person in this book.)
“Midnight in Austenland” has an over-the-top, wild around the edges feel to it. And, honestly, that’s probably why it works. Shannon’s tongue-in-cheek treatment gives readers cues and speaks to the author’s own enjoyment of the subject matter.
Truth be told, I’ve never been a big fan of “Northanger Abbey,” so I didn’t enjoy “Midnight in Austenland” as much as its predecessor, “Austenland,” but that could also be because Mr. Mallery, Charlotte’s scripted love interest, is no Mr. Darcy.
If you’re a Jane Austen fan, you’ll probably love either, or both, of Shannon’s books. There are lots of twists and turns and a lively heroine for readers to fall in love with. Both books are fast and fun and may just satisfy an inner fantasy you’re nursing yourself.
**Shannon will be at the King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City for a celebration of “Midnight in Austenland” on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 2-4 p.m.
