Tuesday 7 April 2020

Book Review: JANE IN LOVE by Rachel Givney

ABOUT THE BOOK

 'If Jane Austen had the choice between the heart and the pen, what do you think she would do?'


At age twenty-eight, Jane Austen should be seeking a suitable husband, but all she wants to do is write. She is forced to take extreme measures in her quest to find true love - which lands her in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

Magically, she finds herself in modern-day England, where horseless steel carriages line the streets and people wear very little clothing. She forms a new best friend in fading film star Sofia Wentworth, and a genuine love interest in Sofia's brother Fred, who has the audacity to be handsome, clever and kind-hearted.

She is also delighted to discover that she is now a famous writer, a published author of six novels and beloved around the globe. But as Jane's romance with Fred blossoms, her presence in the literary world starts to waver. She must find a way to stop herself disappearing from history before it's too late.

A modern-day reimagining of the life of one of the world's most celebrated writers, this wonderfully witty romantic comedy offers a new side to Jane's story, which sees her having to choose between true love in the present and her career as a writer in the past.



MY THOUGHTS


JANE IN LOVE by Rachel Givney was just what I needed to temporarily take me away from these stressful times and let me live in a story with one of my favourite authors.

With bleak matrimonial prospects, Jane is very close to permanent spinsterhood. A last ditch attempt to find a husband finds Jane visits a matchmaker and soon after, a twist in time sees Jane land in current day London.

JANE IN LOVE is certainly a story about Jane finding the romantic love that has alluded her, but it’s not solely about the romance. Liked many renown artists and authors, the real life Austen never saw fame, fortune or celebrity. She’s achieved something she could never imagine and Jane’s quiet delight at discovering her ever present popularity is very touching.

Also enjoyable was Jane’s introduction to modern life. I loved the descriptions Jane gives items she sees; cars are horseless steel carriages, pens are self-inking quills. And there’s a wonderful scene where Jane even stocks up on sugar when she sees how inexpensive it is.
JANE IN LOVE manages to be a charming and light-hearted read while also cleverly providing a critique of modern day life.

I listened to the audio version, excellently narrated by Amber McMahon. Amber created distinctive voice for all the characters, and imbued in them the emotion and personality that brought these characters to life. Amber is definitely a narrator I would listen to again.    


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Rachel Givney is a writer and filmmaker originally from Sydney, Australia (currently based in Melbourne). She has worked on Offspring, The Warriors, McLeod's Daughters, Rescue: Special Ops and All Saints. Her films have been official selections at the Sydney Film Festival, Flickerfest and many more.





ABOUT THE NARRATOR


Amber McMahon is an Australian actress and is a prominent face on the Australian theatre circuit. She trained at Flinders University Drama Centre and was a recipient of the Adele Koh Scholarship to study at the Stella Adler Company and SITI Company in New York. Amber has accumulated a diverse range of credits to her name. She is well-known for her role in Windmill’s Girl Asleep for which she won a Helpmann Award for Best Supporting Actress.





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