- Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Dutton Adult (June 25, 2009)
- ISBN-13: 978-0525950769
Back of the book blurb: Jane Mansfield has long wished to escape the confines of life in 19th-century England. But awakening as 21st-century Los Angeleno Courtney Stone is not what she had in mind. Nothing – not even her face in the mirror – is the same. The only thing familiar, the only thing she appears to have in common with the strange woman whose life she has landed, is a love of Jane Austen.
Not everything about the modern world is disagreeable. Jane may not be rich, but she has her first taste of privacy, independence, even the chance to earn her own money … the freedom to say what she wants when she wants.
There are, however, complications. … confusing memories that are not her own. And the friend named Wes, who is as attractive and bewildering as the man who broke her heart back home. How is Jane to navigate a world in which kissing and flirting and even the sexual act itself raise no matrimonial expectations? Jane cannot help but wonder if she would be better off in her own time, where at least the rules are clear – if returning is even an option.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: With Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, Laurie Viera Rigler offers a satisfying conclusion to the parallel storyline that engaged readers in Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. Confessions, you may recall from my review, explores what happens when Courtney Stone, a devotee of Jane Austen’s writing, awakens in Regency England, inhabiting the body and circumstances of Jane Mansfield.
As much as I enjoyed Confessions, I found Rude Awakenings to be even more of a creative feat. In Confessions, Courtney had the relative advantage of traveling back in time – she had at least a passing knowledge of what to expect in her new place in time. Jane (as Courtney) faces hundreds of wildly fantastic new experiences that are beyond her imagination.
The author provides a sharp contrast between the two worlds by using first person present-tense point of view for the entire narrative. Jane thinks and talks with the mannerisms and vocabulary of her well-to-do English upbringing; she quickly realizes that she must adapt a more contemporary tone. Rigler also employs a lot of humor, as Jane tries to understand this strange new world:
One of the garments is bright pink with three large openings; the other consists of two bowl-shaped pieces of fabric in a pale yellow, connected with strips of fabric and decorated with lace and embroidery of the same color. Anna hands me the yellow article; I turn it this way and that. Ah. I could fit one of the bowls inside the other and – yes, that must be it. I place the bowl-like sections upon my head and attempt to tie the strips of fabric under my chin.
Yes, Jane is viewing contemporary women’s underwear for the first time, and has fashioned a hat of sorts from the bra!
Rude Awakenings has an intriguing love triangle to follow – actually more of a “love hexagon” if you consider two women and four men, with 200 years, the Atlantic Ocean, and all of North America between them.
The men are minor characters compared to Jane’s starring role. She learns bits and pieces about Courtney’s history from Wes and Frank as well as a handful of female friends. Ultimately, though, Rude Awakenings focuses on the choices Jane makes, guided mainly by her centuries-old ethos.
While Jane Mansfield walks in Courtney’s shoes, literally and figuratively, she realizes that her actions may affect Courtney’s future, if and when they are returned to their original settings. She takes to heart the well-spoken advice of a curious friend who understands Jane’s unusual predicament:
… there is nothing nobler than to give up one’s self in service to another.
Rigler peppers the novel with such timeless wisdom, including Jane’s realization that
It is easier to be principled when one is sitting on a pretty little fortune than it is when one is necessitous and poor.
Whether or not Jane is able to keep to her principles, and what potentially life-altering decisions she makes for both herself and Courtney, are revealed in this delightful novel that reads like a modern-day fairy tale with a moral that holds true across the ages.
The many themes provide discussion fodder for book groups, and fans of Jane Austen’s novels may be especially amused by both the direct and more subtle references to the author and her work. Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict stands strong on its own, but do read Confessions first for the two views of the story.
Take a look at this one-minute book trailer, a quick video journey from Jane’s world in 1813 to the Los Angeles that greets her in 2009:
Great review! I cracked up when I read the underwear quote!
I’m not up on this… So, this book isn’t a sequel but the other viewpoint, yes? These two girls switch places? Hmmmm, I just might try these! Thanks, Care
I really liked the first book and I can’t wait to read this one!
I admit that I’m not reading this review — now. I’m getting ready to start the book today!
I just read and reviewed it, too, and like you I enjoyed it even more than the first book! It was extremely funny, and I found Jane to be such a great narrator! Definitely one of my favorite of the genre I read this year!
Good review. I joined the Anything Jane Challenge and have been considering one of these two books for that. Interesting concept of Jane coming forward to today. I’m sure that would be harder than the other way. Loved the underwear quote.
How much fun! I could probably read nothing but Jane Austen periphery literature for an entire year and not run out of material. Maybe there could be challenge for something like that!
I enjoyed Confessions, but it wasn’t my favorite of the Austen updates that seem to proliferate nowadays. I’m curious to read this new book, though; I’d love to see how Jane reacts to modern life. That bra quote is hilarious!
I loved Rude Awakenings as well. Great minds think alike-I used that same quote on the underwear. Just hilarious!
Both of these books look like great fun to me. I’ve got them on my wish list. Great review!
Kelly – there was a lot of humor as Jane encountered modern conveniences.
Care – RUDE AWAKENINGS was written after CONFESSIONS, but they occur simultaneously (not as confusing as I just made it sound!)
Beth – it’s a great follow up, very satisfying
Julie – oh, you’ll like it. Guaranteed, or free Twinkies for life
Kay – I loved Jane’s voice. Rigler is very talented to carry that off and keep the tone for the entire novel.
Margot – hope I didn’t mislead you. It’s Jane Mansfield, not Jane Austen, who comes forward in time. She comes from Regency England … lives contemporaneously w/Jane Austen
Sandy – go to Stephanie’s blog http://www.thewrittenword.wordpress.com for the full scoop on the “everything Austen” challenge
Jessi – I may be at an advantage by *not* knowing a lot about Austen’s work …
Dar – that’s funny that we picked the same quote! I’ll have to go back and re-read your review. Subliminal impact, perhaps …
Kathy – oh, you MUST read them!
These sound great. Should one read them in order?
Sounds like a riot! I have the first book at home, but haven’t read it yet. I better get crackin’ so I can get to this one. Great review!
I haven’t read either of these, but am excited by all of the raves. Thanks for the great review!
I have Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict on my list for the Everything Austen Challenge. I may have to add this one as an extra. Thanks for the review!
I am really glad that you liked these books. I watched the trailer, and thought it was pretty good, although I don’t watch too many book trailers, so I don’t have much to compare it to. I want to read both of these books, and am putting them on my wish list. Thanks for the great review!!
rhapsody – they are written as stand-alone novels, but I would suggest reading CONFESSIONS first … any detractors out there?!
Anna – it was a very fun book; I had no problem swallowing the unusual premise. Enjoy them when you can
stacy – oh, I hope you get to CONFESSIONS soon … you’ll want to pick up RUDE AWAKENINGS right after, to see the other side of the story.
bookmagic – these are two great choices for Everything Austen!
zibilee – I liked the trailer; it was mostly fast-paced images, which is very effective in catching my attention. Some trailers try to put actors in the role of characters, and that doesn’t work as well for me.
I have not read either of these books, but everyone seems to like them
I read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict and really enjoyed it! Can’t wait to get my hands on Rude Awakenings now. Great review