Book Review - Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Bestselling author Shannon Hale returns to Austenland, where bonnets are in vogue and gentlemen can waltz, and one player is planning something a little more sinister…

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And—perhaps of the most lasting importance—could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen’s world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

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As mentioned in my preview post, in 2009 I read Shannon Hale's Austenland.  This was mere weeks before I began The Calico Critic, before I became aware of the plethora of Austen-themed novels and websites that so permeate my reading life now.  I was enthralled with Hale's work, reading the book at home and listening to the audiobook while playing taxi driver in my minivan. It was a delightful introduction to the world of Austenesque fiction.

Now Shannon Hale has written a follow-up novel,  Midnight in Austenland. Once again we are transported to Pembrook Park, where clients pay for a totally immersive vacation experience, taking on a fictional Regency persona for two weeks. Fellow residents are paid actors, scripted to portray certain personalities and to play romantic (yet Regency-appropriate) figures amongst the clientele. While Midnight in Austenland refers to the first book on occasion, it’s very much a stand-alone title that can be read independently.

The main character and focus of Midnight in Austenland is Charlotte Kinder, a divorced mom of two who has come to Pembrook Park for the first time.  In many ways she’s not just on a vacation, but she’s also running to escape the pain of her husband’s infidelity and the distance she’s beginning to feel between her children.  Two weeks in England, portraying a Regency character of her own design sounds like the perfect escape.

While in England Charlotte not only has an escape from her normal existence, but she has a few experiences that are surprising, frightening and life-changing.  She finds her heart and mind stretched in new ways, and in some respects is not the same person by the end of her fortnight at Pembrook Park. In short, her numb heart begins to thaw.

Perhaps because Austenland was my first foray into Austenesque fiction, and perhaps because I enjoyed it so much, it’s hard to imagine that Midnight in Austenland would ever live up to the same level of enjoyment that I experienced with the first book.  I can honestly say that this second title is not my favorite of the two, but trumping the first is a near impossibility in my mind.  That being said, there was much that I liked in Midnight in Austenland.

Hale frequently shifts from present-day to moments to moments in Charlotte’s past, as far back as her childhood to as recently as the last year as she was dealing with the disintegration of her marriage.  Through these flashbacks, we get to know Charlotte and see the process of growth and maturation that she’s going through as she vacations at Pembrook Park.  While Charlotte is frequently self-absorbed, we also see that she isn’t a selfish person, wanting to put her kids’ well being first before anything.

Without giving anything away, Charlotte literally stumbles across a dark mystery and is led to try to solve it, which takes up most of the Pembrook Park portions of the story.  She also becomes romantically drawn to someone at Pembrook. Personally, I wish more time had been given to her romantic relationship and less time to the mystery, but her quest to solve the crime was probably more chock full of interesting plot points than a romantic story line would have been.

While at times I found Charlotte’s self-absorption to be a little bit much for her mature age, I did enjoy seeing her grow as an individual. Near the end of the novel, she gives one character a piece of her mind in such a way that I was literally cheering her on, aloud.  I loved how she told this contemptible person off, and that she really seemed to grow a spine over the course of her time at Pembrook.  It’s said that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, and in her case this was certainly true.

Overall I can say that Midnight in Austenland was a fun read, perfect for most Janeites, and for fans of Northanger Abbey in particular.  I loved returning to Pembrook Park, and hope that Shannon Hale is able to make her way back there again in the future.  I’m also looking forward to the upcoming movie version of Austenland, starring Keri Russell.  Shannon has created a delightful world and I can once again recommend that you take your own journey to Pembrook Park within the pages of this fun novel.

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If you'd like a taste of Shannon Hale's latest, below are the first 37 pages of Midnight in Austenland!

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CONTEST RESULT ANNOUNCEMENT

Although I enjoyed Midnight in Austenland, I need to make room on my bookshelves.  So I decided to pass on my used copy, in addition to the giveaway copy I already had available.  So we have not one, but two winners!

Congratulations to Julie, who won for joining our Facebook page.  And congrats to Patricia, who won my gently-read copy of Midnight in Austenland as well, for tweeting about our giveaway! 

Thanks to all who entered.  If you'd like another chance to win Midnight in Austenland, check out these giveaways:

Paper Blog: Deadline to enter is Feb 7, 2012

Mundie Moms: Deadline to enter is Feb 13, 2012

And while you're here, you may want to enter my other giveaway, my ARC of Victoria Connelly's novel, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy.  This giveaway ends at 12:01am EST on February 5th.

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA for providing the review
copy and giveaway copy of Midnight in Austenland.

Book Review and Giveaway - Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly

Fledging illustrator and Darcy fanatic Kay Ashton settles in the seaside town of Lyme to finish her book, The Illustrated Darcy, when a film company arrives to make a new adaptation of Jane Austen's Persuasion. Kay is soon falling for the handsome bad boy actor playing Captain Wentworth, but it's the quiet screenwriter Adam Craig who has more in common with her beloved Mr. Darcy. Though still healing from a broken heart, Adam finds himself unexpectedly in love with Kay. But it will take more than good intentions to convince her that her real happy ending is with him.

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Victoria Connelly’s second book in her trilogy featuring Jane Austen addicts, Dreaming of Mr. Darcy is a fun follow up to A Weekend with Mr. Darcy. Kay Ashton is a new resident to the seaside town of Lyme Regis, renovating an old building to be a bed and breakfast for the local tourism industry.  As one of the pivotal locations in Jane Austen’s Persuasion, Lyme is a magnet for Janeites on holiday and for the occasional movie production.

Before she’s even ready to receive tenants, Kay is beset with a large portion of a film crew, in town for a new iteration of Persuasion.  Amongst their number are the famous and beautiful, and Kay quickly becomes infatuated with Oli Wade Owen, the young man cast to play Captain Wentworth.  She also becomes acquainted with the film’s quiet screenwriter, Adam Craig.  Kay pines for Oli while Adam falls for the oblivious bed and breakfast hostess.

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy gleans its name from the fact that Kay has a tendency to fantasize about fictional Austen men, a la Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice and Captain Wentworth of Persuasion. This is why she was more apt to fall for Oli Wade Owen than the more realistic, kind and thoughtful Adam Craig.  The assigned title of this novel is fine, but if the marketing had worked, it would have been more aptly titled Dreaming of Captain Wentworth.  There are some mentions of Darcy throughout the story, but the book gleans more from Persuasion and even Emma than from Darcy’s novel.

Connelly almost makes Lyme a character itself, and her love for Austen’s final novel is very evident in the frequent mentions of the book’s characters and scene locations.  Her work here has increased my desire to visit this coastland town quite a bit. And Kay’s role as a clueless matchmaker so reminded me of Emma that I had Romola Garai in mind as I cast the different parts in my head.

Dreaming of Mr. Darcy was an enjoyable read.  I liked Victoria Connelly’s characters and the journey on which she takes them throughout her story.  While at times fantastic (Local townie gets to go on dates with a mega superstar?), the tale still felt realistic and genuine as well. Connelly keeps the adult content to a minimum, with a mentioned bedroom scene with no details.  There were times of humor, family drama and of course delightful romance.  And while there’s a wink to the previous A Weekend with Mr. Darcy, this title stands on its own very well.  Janeites (and Persuasion fans in particular) will enjoy this one, and I look forward to the third book in the collection, Mr. Darcy Forever.

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Dreaming of Mr. Darcy Giveaway!

If you'd like to enter to win my Advanced Copy (ARC) of Dreaming of Mr. Darcy, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  Also take note of the following contest guidelines:

• The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on February 5th, 2012.
• Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Sunday the 5th.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
• The winner must supply a U.S. mailing address for prize shipment.
• You may tweet about the giveaway once per day for bonus entries. Please report the direct URL to the tweet in the Rafflecopter form.
• Entries will be verified.  Fraudulent entries will be deleted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Want more chances to win?
Here are some other Dreaming of Mr. Darcy giveaways!

• My Jane Austen Book Club - deadline is January 30, 2012
• Laura's Reviews - deadline is February 3, 2012
• Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell - deadline is February 3, 2012

Midnight in Austenland Preview and Giveaway (US)

In 2009 I read Shannon Hale's Austenland.  This was mere weeks before I began The Calico Critic, before I became aware of the plethora of Austen-themed novels and websites that so permeate my reading life now.  I was enthralled with Hale's work, reading the book at home and also listening to the audiobook while playing taxi driver in my minivan. It was a great introduction to the world of Austenesque fiction.

Now Shannon Hale has written a follow-up to her delightful novel, Midnight in Austenland.  From what I understand, it's set in the same locale as the first title, but new characters are introduced.  There's a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and assuredly plenty of material for us Janeites to enjoy.  Here's some information about Midnight in Austenland, including over three dozen of the first pages of the book so you can start reading now!


Bestselling author Shannon Hale returns to Austenland, where bonnets are in vogue and gentlemen can waltz, and one player is planning something a little more sinister …


When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests’ Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn’t sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside’s mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And—perhaps of the most lasting importance—could the stirrings in Charlotte’s heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen’s world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

Click to read the first 37 pages of Austenland!
(If you can't see this widget, try clicking on "Read More" near the base of the post)

Midnight in Austenland Giveaway!

I'll be reading Midnight in Austenland very soon for a review on The Calico Critic, but until I share my thoughts with you, I'm pleased to offer a copy of Midnight in Austenland to one lucky reader!  The contest period ends at 12:01am EST on January 30th, 2012.

• Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  This is my first giveaway using Rafflecopter, so please bear with me on this one.
• Make sure you leave your email address in the one required portion of the Rafflecopter form. Should you win, I will contact you on Monday the 30th.  Please take measures to ensure that my email will make it past your spam filters, lest you miss my message. (CalicoCritic@gmail.com) You'll have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.
• All entries will be verified.  If any of your entries are invalid, each will be deleted from the Rafflecopter and I will make another drawing.
• The winner must supply a U.S. mailing address for prize shipment.

If you can't see the Rafflecopter form, try clicking on "Read More" below:

Eleven from Eleven - Screen Favorites of 2011

In addition to the dozens of great books I read this year, I also saw quite a few movies and completed some amazing workout videos as well.  So if you're looking for a fun night at the movies or a great workout at home, here are a number of options for your video player!

Top 11 Film Picks

First, the fluff!  Most of these are now available for home viewing, but a few are still in the theater. Check them out!

Captain America - When I took in Captain America, of the many Avengers films coming to theaters this decade, I had low expectations for this comic book character.  I knew virtually nothing about him, and he didn't seem as fun as Iron Man.  Boy was I surprised! This movie was alot of fun and remarkably clean by today's standards.  When my sons get a little older, I'm definitely sharing this one with them.

Winnie The Pooh - I took my six year-old to see this one.  It's just sweet, (thankfully) not annoying and lovely.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - I wasn't a massive fan of Pirates 2 or 3, but this one was just plain fun.  Although I could have done without the vicious mermaid scene.  However, I closed my eyes through most of that moment, so I guess I can't comment on it too much!

Kung Fu Panda 2 - I actually liked this one better than the original.  Great family story, beautiful animation. And I can't get enough of Jack Black's panda antics!

The Adventures of Tintin - As I've explained to my father multiple times, this is not about a dog, Rin Tin Tin.  There is a dog involved, but he's just a sidekick to the titular character, a young man named Tintin.  I knew very little before I went, and I had a blast!  If you like animation, Pirates of the Carribean  and Indiana Jones, this is for you.  Go see it before it leaves the theathers!

X-Men: First Class - There are certain elements of the 60s that aren't attractive to me, so I went into this one thinking it might not go over well.  How wrong I was!  I loved this one.  Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy were marvelous!

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows  - I was unsuccessful in getting my husband to take me to see the original in the theater, which I regretted when we saw the fun movie on DVD later. For this go 'round, I took myself to the theater and had a great time!  With the lack of occultism in this film, I think I liked it better than the first!  Robert Downey Jr.'s poor excuse of an English accent is horrible, but I don't care.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 - The night I saw this was bittersweet on so many levels.  We were preparing to move away from south Florida after 5 wonderful years, and this amazing book and movie series was coming to an end.  I shed many tears in the closing train station scene.




And a few true quality pieces...

Jane Eyre - Based on the novel from which I wrote my first term paper, this somber piece surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.  It's put the book back on my TBR list for the first time since high school.


Hugo - Based on Brian Selznick's intriguing novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, this film took my breath away.  It was amazingly touching and beautiful, and one of the few of 2011 that I would love to own on Blu-ray.  The book is of course, on my "Must Read" list.

Persuasion - Okay, I know this wasn't released in 2011, but I saw it for the first time this year.  I loved it so much, I had to make this one exception in the list.  As a Janeite I'm ashamed to say that I haven't read Austen's final novel yet, but I'm so glad that I was finally able to see this 2007 production.  I promptly put the new annotated Persuasion on my wish list, and thankfully my son was so nice to buy it for me for Christmas.  The movie has done its job in generating more interest in the source material for sure!

Top 11 Workout Picks

Choosing 11 exercise DVDs is a simple task this year.  Ten of them come from a workout series that pushed me harder than any other has before.  The Peak Fit Challenge videos by Michelle Dozois are by far my top picks, and are certainly permanent favorites in my large collection. PFC was extremely challenging, but Michelle makes it fun and really connects to her viewers.  I especially appreciated the non-condescending appeal to the over-40 set.  Those in their 40s and 50s keep up with the younger cast members-- they certainly aren't over the hill!  If you'd like to read the long-winded details of my journey with Peak Fit, you can read my 8-week journey here.

The full Peak Fit Challenge series is currently sold out, but in the meantime, you can purchase individual selections from the Challenge with Michelle's Peak 10 workouts, found on her website and from other retail outlets.  One of my favorites (and also one of the toughest) is Cardio Interval Burn, over an hour of intense training that will have you sweating buckets and feeling accomplished when you've completed it!


I'm also a big fan of videos produced by The Firm.  In 2011 they released their Firm Express: Get Thin in 30 series.  While I do have this series, I haven't gone through all of the workouts yet.  The ones I have completed are just great-- challenging, but with small, achievable bursts.  If you're not ready to go for the whole 14-disc series, try The Firm: Ignite Calorie Burn , which has excerpts from the same program.  As always, The Firm is challenging and fun, with a combination of cardio and strength training.

I hope my pics of 2011 bring you a bit of fun as well as a bit of fitness.  Have a great 2012!