Fowler, Karen Joy - The Jane Austen Club

[oyceter]

I actually starting out not really wanting to read this. It wasn't because of the book itself, but rather, Fowler goes into Jocelyn's past, and there was just too many date-rape-esque situations and uncomfortable sexual situations for me. It didn't feel exploitative or anything, but it was extremely uncomfortable reading. Luckily, the sob-story tendencies died early on. I knew I fell for the book when it gets to:

"Grigg had never read Pride and Prejudice.
Grigg had never read Pride and Prejudice.
Grigg had read The Mysteries of Udolpho and God knows how much science fiction -- there were books all over the cottage -- but he'd never found the time or the inclination to read Pride and Prejudice. We really didn't know what to say."

Tee hee hee.

I think my favorite chapter was the one on Grigg and his childhood growing up with three (very cool) older sisters and reading science fiction. I only realized Karen Joy Fowler also wrote sci-fi when I saw a few discussions on her new short story (or something) that prompted discussion at Worldcon. Also, I loved that Grigg went to cons and read Ursula K. LeGuin and the like. And bonus points for the gratuitous mention of Buffy ;).

There is probably a lot more to say on the meta-ness of the book, on Sylvia pondering how she would feel as a character in a book, and other circumstances like that, but in the end, I was just bowled over by the book love. I loved how the five ladies held Austen in such regard, how they made her a part of their lives, and Grigg's initiation into the Jane Austen club.

Links:
- sophia_helix's review
- buymeaclue's review
- tenemet's review

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

I haven't read it yet, but you are making it sound more attractive all the time. (I was afraid it might be Austen juxtaposed over dismaying Social Issue sorts of stories, which I tend to find somewhat trying.)

[oyceter]

It is good, and it makes me happy because of the book-love. And Grigg is a sci-fi fan! I think that won me over more than anything else, because everyone can say they love Austen, but it takes a special author to recognize the fun of the genre I like ;).

Luckily, aside from the beginning stuff, which was really skirting the Social Issue type thing for me (is that the Social Issue sort of story that you're thinking of? What comes to mind for me is mostly stories with the anvils of political correctness), there is mostly more character-focused parts.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yes, the PC mixed with "reality" in the form of Problem Novel tropes.

[rahael.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I liked this - d'H gave it to me for my birthday. But it was Austen purely as a writer of the domestic and emotional.

[oyceter]

It made me want to read the other Austen novels that I haven't yet (Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, maybe a reread of Emma because I don't remember it at all).

[leaina.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely read the other Austens! I hadn't read Northanger Abbey in years myself, and hadn't remembered it was so hilarious. Here's a taste, from the beginning:

"No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine. Her situation in life, the character of her father and mother; her own person and disposition, were all equally against her. Her father was a clergyman, without being neglected, or poor, and a very respectable man, though his name was Richard--and he had never been handsome. He had a considerable independence, besides two good livings--and he was not in the least addicted to locking up his daughters. Her mother was a woman of useful plain sense, with a good temper, and, what is more remarkable, with a good constitution. She had three sons before Catherine was born; and instead of dying in bringing the latter into the world, as any body might expect, she still lived on--lived to have six children more--to see them growing up around her, and to enjoy excellent health herself."

(Thanks, by the way, for doing the book quote thing: I liked seeing the few I knew, and it made me even more determined to read some of the ones I didn't.)

[oyceter]

Oh, that's a great beginning ^_^.

Oo, and am glad to have made a few recs! Those are all very well-loved books on my end.