A Janeite Dream Come True!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
Hold on to your bonnet’s, Janeites – this new Austenesque tale by Jennifer Petkus creates a world where many of our Janeite wishes come true!
- Wish #1 – Jane Austen can communicate with us! An invention call the Afternet (similar to Internet) allows the dead (or disembodied, as they prefer to be called) to communicate with the living.
- Wish #2 – A new release by Miss Jane Austen! First thing Jane does when she is able to communicate with the world is finish her fragment of Sanditon and seek a publisher! (Thank you, Jane!)
- Wish #3 – Jane becomes a part of the Jane Austen community! She goes on a national book tour, reads blogs, and attends both the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and the JASNA Annual General Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas! (Could you imagine?!?)
Sounds like enormous fun, doesn’t it? Well…it most definitely is!
I must admit I had the BEST time reading this novel! This is probably because it is about OUR world – the Jane Austen community – and pretty much the most exciting thing that could ever happen to it! I loved how many different areas of the Jane Austen community were featured in this novel – from scholars to bloggers, from various JASNA chapters to brick-and-mortar booksellers. It was especially fun to recognize some well-known blogs that I frequent, hear mention of famous scholars and actors, and read some excerpts from Jane Austen’s Sanditon.
I greatly enjoyed all the characters in this novel, especially Jennifer Petkus’s portrayal of Jane Austen. Of course she was quick-witted, intelligent, and spirited, but what I liked seeing was her very human emotions and mistakes (even after 200 years of observing the world!) feeling anxiety about her new release, experiencing guilt and remorse for practicing a terrible deception, and showing a pig-headed stubbornness that rivals many of her characters! I loved that Jane Austen had an online “pen-pal” (Albert Ridings) she was communicating with for a couple of years. There is a very sweet relationship between Jane Austen and Albert (who is also disembodied). I enjoyed seeing Jane experience the same relationship pitfalls we all do – keeping secrets about yourself, feeling insecure, not wanting to admit you were wrong…lol!
Another element that I really enjoyed in this story was all the digital communications and multimedia prose. I loved reading the instant messages and emails the characters were sending each other, as well as the articles, newspaper tidbits, and various blogposts! In addition, I found the footnotes and introductory notes to be very helpful, informative, and entertaining!
This story is incredibly well-crafted and originative! It is abundantly clear that a lot of thought, research, and creativity went into the conception and execution of this novel. I may have wanted an teensy bit more resolution (maybe there will a sequel one day?), but overall, I found Jane, Actually to be a splendidly diverting and engaging Janeite love-fest that I didn’t want to see end!
Note: While this novel does have elements of science-fiction/paranormal in it (advanced technology, the ability to communicate with the dead), it doesn’t travel far into the futuristic unknown. There are no space journeys to galaxies far away, droids, or Klingons. 🙂
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Jennifer generously brings with her THREE copies (1 paperback and 2 ebooks) of her new release Jane, Actually for me to give away to THREE lucky readers. WOOT WOOT! (Paperback is open to US residents only)
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment!
- This giveaway is open worldwide (paperback for US residents, ebook for international readers). Thank you, Jennifer!
- This giveaway ends October 16th!
Want to double your chances of winning? Read my interview with author Jennifer Petkus and leave us a comment!
Jane, Actually sounds lovely! I’ve read some wonderful reviews on this book and I’m so excited about it and can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the delightful review and interview and the chance to win a copy of Jane, Actually. Cheers~ Elizabeth MacGregor (I am in the USA)
Thank you for stopping by and reading my review, Elizabeth! Glad to hear I’m not alone in singing this book’s praises! 😀
This is a new (and rather brilliant) spin! Hmmm, methinks this will have to be added to the pile. Darn school, I’m not getting nearly enough reading (for pleasure anyway) done! Love the review Meredith, really got me interested!
I hope you find some more reading time soon, Stephanie! Thanks for coming over and checking out my review!
Can you imagine what it would be like to get a “be my friend” request on social media from Jane Austen! How intriguing to imagine Jane Austen and her beloved characters in today’s digital age. Thank you for the giveaway!
Yes! It would be so fun to see Jane Austen on twitter, facebook, and her own BLOG!
Well, even if there are no droids or Klingons, this still sounds like a blast! It sounds original and you gave it 5 out of 5 so this will have to go on the must read pile. Thank you!
LOL! It was a blast! Not a big fan of Klingons…kind of glad they weren’t in this novel!
This is very exciting. I so wish we had more from Jane and this sounds like we finally do!
This is the kind of book where you wish it would become reality! How awesome would it be to see Jane Austen finish Sanditon?
That would be awesome if Jane Austen could finish Saditon! Or write even more beloved books! Can’t wait to read!
It would indeed! *sigh* Thanks for popping by and reading my review!
This sounds like an amazing read!! Love everything Jane Austen! Excited! 🙂
Me too, Jordan! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
So looking forward to reading this one!
Good luck in the giveaway!
Sounds like such a fun book! Will definitely read it even if I don’t win the giveaway! Thank you!
🙂 I’m sure you will have as much fun reading it as I did!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It sounds like something a bit different. I have this waiting for me on my kindle already, will have to bump it up the TBR list 🙂
Thank you, Ceri! I’m sure you will love it!
This sounds amazing and I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the great review and for finding these great selections.
Thank you, Joy! So glad you enjoyed the review! I’m so very happy I read Jane, Actually! I hope there is more!!!
I find myself fascinated by the idea of a What if Jane were here story and that she is a part of our Janeite madness. Thanks for sharing your review thoughts. I’m eager to give this one a try.
Thanks for reading my review, Sophia Rose! It would be so awesome if Jane Austen could interact with our Janeite world! 🙂
This sounds like such an original concept and so much fun! I’d really love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
smhparent at hotmail dot com
Yep, definitely original for this genre! Thanks for checking out my review!
Ooooh, this books sounds amazing! And it is giving me so many ideas!…
Awesome! Best of luck in the giveaway!
This sounds so original and so fun! I can’t wait to get a copy and meet Jane today! … Katherine
LOL! How cool would it be to encounter her in our world?!?
I loved Jennifer’s other book, My Particular Friend. It was so well written and such a great homage to both Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen! I haven’t read Jane, Actually yet but I’ve got it on my TBR list!
I think you will love Jane, Actually, Jessica! It’s got some great geeky references! 🙂 I’m definitely interested in reading My Particular Friend, so glad to hear you loved it!
Had the pleasure to meet Jennifer in Decatur, GA. This book sounds great! Wishing her the best with her new release and adding this one to my shelf!! Great review!!
Thank you, Cynthia! I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
No need to enter me, as I already have a copy. Just glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. Definitely sounds like a must-read for Austen fans!
Thanks for stopping by, Anna! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this one! 🙂