Thank you to Laurel Ann Nattress (of Austenprose) for allowing me to be apart of the blog tour and giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book and thank you to Syrie James for writing it.
Genre: Austenesque/Historical Fiction/Romance/Young Adult
Publisher: Berkley (Penguin Group USA)
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-0425271353
eBook ISBN: 978-0698139268
I became a fan of Syrie James
after reading Nocturne, so when I was
asked if I might consider reviewing her latest work, I could not resist the
temptation. I find that I was not disappointed in the beautiful tale that James
has so masterfully woven.
Jane Austen is a precocious
fifteen year old who dreams of doing something useful, writing something of
importance and falling in love. When her older brother Edward (who was adopted
and raised by wealthier cousins) announces his engagement Jane get’s her
chance. Jane, her sister Cassandra, their brother Charles and Mother travel to
Kent to celebrate. While there Jane meets the worldly Edward Taylor and she
falls in love with him. It makes for a fascinating tale.
What I found exciting as I read
was the connection to the novels Austen herself wrote. A play is to be produced
at home after poor weather cancels some of their previously planned events
which is reminiscent of Mansfield Park. Matchmaking
attempts gone awry such as in Emma,
Sisterly bonds as in Sense and
Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, rapier wit as evident in Pride and Prejudice, and an active imagination as in Northanger Abbey.
In the book, Jane herself has the
traits of heroines in her own novels. Jane tried to be a matchmaker and just as
Emma discovered, it does not always have the results you were hoping for and
the human heart is better left to discovering its own wants and desires. Her
wit and impertinent remarks reminded me of Elizabeth Bennent in Pride and Prejudice. Jane is a bit like
Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility
in that she meets a dashing stranger who she falls madly in love with. We also
know that in real life Jane and her sister Cassandra had such a strong bond and
it is portrayed beautifully on the pages. There bond reminded me of Jane and
Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice and
of Elinor and Marianne in Sense and
Sensibility.
We all know Austen’s works and
they always say to write about what you know, so I cannot help but think that
each of Austen’s heroines had a little bit of herself in them. Or that her
novels did not have some of her own experiences in them. I wouldn’t have
expected less form James in this regard, for I feel that when she writes
something about Austen she makes sure to do her justice.
Jane Austen’s First Love is a captivating read. Any Austen fan
would like to think that Jane herself had been in love at least once even though
she never married and this book fulfills our greatest wish as fans---to see
Austen in love. James has done her research for the novel and really brings the
characters to life. Edward Taylor was a real person and just the sort of man
Jane would have been drawn to.
James has constructed a beautiful
love story. A fitting interlude that while it brings pangs of regret for its ending
can only be looked back upon with fond remembrance. As Elizabeth Bennett said in
Pride and Prejudice, “Think only of
the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” This novel has given me pleasure, indeed.
AUTHOR BIO:
Syrie James, hailed as “the queen of nineteenth century re-imaginings” by Los Angeles Magazine, is the bestselling author of nine critically acclaimed novels that have been translated into 18 languages. Her books have been awarded the Audio Book Association Audie, designated as Editor’s Picks by Library Journal, named a Discover Great New Writer’s Selection by Barnes and Noble, a Great Group Read by the Women’s National Book Association, and Best Book of the Year by The Romance Reviews and Suspense Magazine. Syrie is a member of the WGA and lives in Los Angeles. Please visit her at syriejames.com, Facebook or say hello on Twitter @SyrieJames. - Syrie’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/
AuthorSyrieJames - Syrie’s Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/
author/show/806500.Syrie_ James?from_search=true
Grand Giveaway Contest
Win One of Five Fabulous Jane Austen-inspired Prize Packages
To celebrate the holidays and the release of Jane Austen's First Love, Syrie is giving away five prize packages filled with an amazing selection of Jane Austen-inspired gifts and books!
To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any of the blog stops on the Jane Austen's First Love Holiday Blog Tour.
Increase your chances of winning by visiting multiple stops along the tour! Syrie's unique guest posts will be featured on a variety of subjects, along with fun interviews, spotlights, excerpts, and reviews of the novel. Contest closes at 11:59pm PT, December 21, 2014. Five lucky winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments on the tour, and announced on Syrie’s website on December 22, 2014. The giveaway contest is open to everyone, including international residents. Good luck to all!
To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any of the blog stops on the Jane Austen's First Love Holiday Blog Tour.
Increase your chances of winning by visiting multiple stops along the tour! Syrie's unique guest posts will be featured on a variety of subjects, along with fun interviews, spotlights, excerpts, and reviews of the novel. Contest closes at 11:59pm PT, December 21, 2014. Five lucky winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments on the tour, and announced on Syrie’s website on December 22, 2014. The giveaway contest is open to everyone, including international residents. Good luck to all!
