Helpful Score: 2
The premise to this book is brilliant. It would be awesome to see what Jane herself thought of her books becoming their own genre within the literary world. The vampire thing is just icing on the cake after that. Despite this promising beginning the book is failed to keep my original interest (i couldn't even finish the book...I gave up 3/4 of the way through) which is sad considering I had been anticipating this book for months.
What annoyed me more than anything in the book how plain and boring Jane is. I get that she is trying to live a 'normal' and unassuming life but would it have been too much to allow her the littlest bit of sass, independence, and humor. I know, I know...she is a 'middle-aged' British woman who should be all stereotypes have no visible (or real) emotions or humor. But seriously. She left England almost 2 centuries ago and witnessed how people, countries, and cultures grew, morphed, and transformed into our modern selves. Does the author really believe that none of that would have rubbed off on Jane, wouldn't have altered her personality or mindset even in the slightest? She just comes off as such a timid pushover who can never express what it is she really wants.
Furthermore, this book is all vague build up with anti-climactic endings. For instance, Jane has a literary enemy in the form of a Bronte fan which seems like she will serve as a wonderful thorn in Jane's side throughout the novel, yet she is easily dispatched within 2 pages. Jane is forced to reveal her secret identity to those close to her, and the replies make it seem as if all Jane had said was something ridiculously obvious like the sky is blue.
Of less importance were the excerpts from 'Constance' at the beginning of each chapter which are supposed to be written by Jane Austen but don't come across as her style. So with every chapter beginning I was pulled back out of the story a bit because I was comparing with Austen.
I understand that as yet another addition to the Austen genre this book is meant to be fun, fluffy, and slightly silly, but with such a promising premise it had the potential to be so much more.
Oh...and they are making a sequel called Jane Goes Batty in which her book Constance is made into a movie while Jane herself is being filmed for a freaking reality show...good grief.
What annoyed me more than anything in the book how plain and boring Jane is. I get that she is trying to live a 'normal' and unassuming life but would it have been too much to allow her the littlest bit of sass, independence, and humor. I know, I know...she is a 'middle-aged' British woman who should be all stereotypes have no visible (or real) emotions or humor. But seriously. She left England almost 2 centuries ago and witnessed how people, countries, and cultures grew, morphed, and transformed into our modern selves. Does the author really believe that none of that would have rubbed off on Jane, wouldn't have altered her personality or mindset even in the slightest? She just comes off as such a timid pushover who can never express what it is she really wants.
Furthermore, this book is all vague build up with anti-climactic endings. For instance, Jane has a literary enemy in the form of a Bronte fan which seems like she will serve as a wonderful thorn in Jane's side throughout the novel, yet she is easily dispatched within 2 pages. Jane is forced to reveal her secret identity to those close to her, and the replies make it seem as if all Jane had said was something ridiculously obvious like the sky is blue.
Of less importance were the excerpts from 'Constance' at the beginning of each chapter which are supposed to be written by Jane Austen but don't come across as her style. So with every chapter beginning I was pulled back out of the story a bit because I was comparing with Austen.
I understand that as yet another addition to the Austen genre this book is meant to be fun, fluffy, and slightly silly, but with such a promising premise it had the potential to be so much more.
Oh...and they are making a sequel called Jane Goes Batty in which her book Constance is made into a movie while Jane herself is being filmed for a freaking reality show...good grief.
Helpful Score: 2
Highly recommended for those Austen fans that aren't too stuck on themselves! Entertaining and sweet, a quick read and a laugh out loud take on how Jane Austen would feel about the new craze surrounding her books! Cute surprises for all of you literary fans out there!
Helpful Score: 2
I dont know who this book was trying to appeal to, but there were so many negative reviews here on PBS, that this book lingered on my To Be Read bookshelf, as a wishlisted book. I am sorry I listened to the negative reviews because this book did appeal to me. I read the whole book in one sitting. So what reading category do I fit into? :
1. Never have read an entire Jane Austen book, but have seen movies instead. BUT I have read Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights, and never seen the movie.
2. Not a big paranormal or vampire reader, but read some, but mainly the cutesy ones, nothing too dark.
3. Love snappy dialogue.
4. Love characters who have pets
5. Love great side characters
6. People who change and grow and forgive and stretch
I also wanted to add, I had avoided this book because It has a gay lesbian genre tag, and I thought oh man they made Jane into a Lesbian in NYC. Which could see happening, since some of her characters, are so independent, and outspoken back in an area, when women had certain expected role. It almost seemed like it was blasphemy to do that to Goddess Jane Austen, hence my reluctance. But No Jane Austen is NOT a lesbian vampire, just a vampire. She lives in a small town in NY, where she runs a bookstore.
I really thought this book held true to what little I have read or seen written by Jane Austen. It held some yesteryear charm, and had the modern updating. Plus Jane is a vampire. I dont want to give anything away but you find that there are a few more Undead old writers hanging around and that just adds to the fun.
I now Want book two and so on.
1. Never have read an entire Jane Austen book, but have seen movies instead. BUT I have read Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights, and never seen the movie.
2. Not a big paranormal or vampire reader, but read some, but mainly the cutesy ones, nothing too dark.
3. Love snappy dialogue.
4. Love characters who have pets
5. Love great side characters
6. People who change and grow and forgive and stretch
I also wanted to add, I had avoided this book because It has a gay lesbian genre tag, and I thought oh man they made Jane into a Lesbian in NYC. Which could see happening, since some of her characters, are so independent, and outspoken back in an area, when women had certain expected role. It almost seemed like it was blasphemy to do that to Goddess Jane Austen, hence my reluctance. But No Jane Austen is NOT a lesbian vampire, just a vampire. She lives in a small town in NY, where she runs a bookstore.
I really thought this book held true to what little I have read or seen written by Jane Austen. It held some yesteryear charm, and had the modern updating. Plus Jane is a vampire. I dont want to give anything away but you find that there are a few more Undead old writers hanging around and that just adds to the fun.
I now Want book two and so on.
Helpful Score: 1
Jane Austen didnt die two hundred years ago, but was in fact, turned into a vampire and is currently living in Brakeston, New York as the owner of a book store. Jane has a good friend, Walter Fletcher, who would love to be more than that with Jane, but she shies away from the closeness. She cant stand the thought of loving someone and then watching them die, while she is immortal.
Jane also isnt thrilled with the fact that she receives none of the royalties from her books that are still being published, but shes considered dead, so there is nothing to become of it. Except, Jane has another novel that she wants published, under her current name of Jane Fairfax. The problem is she keeps getting rejection letters from the publishing companies.
When Jane finally sells her novel, she is overjoyed. She is back in the spotlight, but that isnt in her favor. Because of it, her old lover, poet Lord Byron, who is also the man who turned her, finds her and wants to sweep her off of her feet. Then Jane is accused of plagiarism with her new novel, comma and she just cant seem to catch a break.
Filled with dry wit, page-turning charismatic characters and seamless writing, JANE BITES BACK is a unique twist on the Austen novels of old. An entertaining romp that I highly recommend!
Jane also isnt thrilled with the fact that she receives none of the royalties from her books that are still being published, but shes considered dead, so there is nothing to become of it. Except, Jane has another novel that she wants published, under her current name of Jane Fairfax. The problem is she keeps getting rejection letters from the publishing companies.
When Jane finally sells her novel, she is overjoyed. She is back in the spotlight, but that isnt in her favor. Because of it, her old lover, poet Lord Byron, who is also the man who turned her, finds her and wants to sweep her off of her feet. Then Jane is accused of plagiarism with her new novel, comma and she just cant seem to catch a break.
Filled with dry wit, page-turning charismatic characters and seamless writing, JANE BITES BACK is a unique twist on the Austen novels of old. An entertaining romp that I highly recommend!
I really did enjoyed this book
I am not into the vampire craze that is going around now. But this book is good. I even ordered the other 2 books
I am not into the vampire craze that is going around now. But this book is good. I even ordered the other 2 books
Well, it kept me entertained even if it had it's annoyances. It picked up for me about halfway through. Lucy was my favorite character. She was fun! Jane, well, a bit boring. I hated, HATED the Charlotte Bronte twist.
The whole Byron/Brian thing got old really fast. Jane couldn't seem to make up her mind how she really felt about him. She had moments where she'd stand up to him, and then not.
Not a bad book and might appeal to Jane Austen fans. I, personally, am glad I read it, but probably won't be picking up the next.
The whole Byron/Brian thing got old really fast. Jane couldn't seem to make up her mind how she really felt about him. She had moments where she'd stand up to him, and then not.
Not a bad book and might appeal to Jane Austen fans. I, personally, am glad I read it, but probably won't be picking up the next.
This book was okay. Not the greatest book I've read, but not the worst either. Kinda silly at times.
I am not an Austen purist, so I thought I would give this book a try. Jane, who wanted some *ahem* male companionship, is bitten by Lord Byron and turned into a vampire. She moves around, but finally settles in New York and opens a bookstore.
The part of her life that is the most unsatisfying to her is her lack of newly published material, so she decides to publish Austen's unfinished work called "Constance".
Enter a potential romance (or two), crazy Charlotte Bronte, and we're off. The book has some romantic scenes, but it is not really a romance. I wanted to like the book but it just did not hold my attention. I did not care that much about Jane.
Overall, this book is a pass.
The part of her life that is the most unsatisfying to her is her lack of newly published material, so she decides to publish Austen's unfinished work called "Constance".
Enter a potential romance (or two), crazy Charlotte Bronte, and we're off. The book has some romantic scenes, but it is not really a romance. I wanted to like the book but it just did not hold my attention. I did not care that much about Jane.
Overall, this book is a pass.
One word. "YAWN."
