Day: January 7, 2013

The Jane Austen Marriage Manual by Kim Izzo

As it usually happens, I don’t remember where I read about this book that made me request it from the library. It probably wasn’t a proper review, but somewhere made it sound interesting.

I don’t know why I didn’t expect a chicklit novel, but I got a chicklit novel. That’s fine since I’m use to them. As with many books in this genre and romantic comedies, the premise is outlandish and preposterous. The protagonist basically is conning people for most of the book by portraying a wealthy aristocrat named Lady Kate in order to catch a rich husband. I can understand her motivations, but her actions were still crazy.

Also, this novel was too long for a fluffy romance. Towards the end, I just wanted it all to end quickly and to get with the romantic lead. There really wasn’t enough of them together to be honest.

Quotations from Jane Austen books start every chapter and in a way, the author is writing a real theme about how Austen and today’s modern world meet. It doesn’t necessarily work. I do not recommend it for Austenites looking for any insight. This is just a chicklit novel with Austen in the title and a few references.

It wasn’t all bad. The ludicrous antics of Lady Kate were rather funny and I did laugh out loud a couple of times. That has to be worth something. I also found Kate relateable because we are out of work, broke, and single. It is tempted to think about winning a rich husband, but it’s a bit of second hand embarrassment how she does it.

Still, a somewhat amusing novel. Only recommended if you like chicklit novels.

Read December 31st, 2012 to January 1st 2013.