In my last post I reviewed Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict which is a story about a 21st century LA girl named Courtney, who goes back in time to Regency England and experiences life in another body, of a girl named Jane.
Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict is not a continuation of Courtney's story, it is in fact a parrallel to her story and is about Jane and her experience in the 21st century in Courtney's body.
While the first story is one that we dream to be transported into, this story is the opposite, showing us how someone from our favourite books could cope today, in our time, where dating is completely different and public displays of affection do not turn you into an outcast where you have no future chance of marriage or a happy life.
In Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict Jane wakes up and discovers she is living life as Courtney. Just like Courtney, Jane believes it to be a dream, until time passes and she realises she isnt going anywhere. Where as Courtney has books, movies and recollections from history to guide her through Jane's life, Jane had no previous knowledge to guide her through technology and modern day life.
Jane is completely thrown into a different scenario she isnt used to; the freedom of choice, living alone, no servants, an ex and a job! While it is something we are accustomed to, Jane on the other hand has a tough time getting a hang of it.
In the story, Jane learns more about Courtney, and while she initially sees Courtney as a lower class woman with no respect for herself as she had slept with men before marriage, she eventually discovers with the help of a Fortune Teller (the same from the first book) that you shouldnt judge people without knowing their story. This book in fact had alot more life lessons about respect, choices, relationships and free will.
Just like in the first book, Jane is given the task to deal with Courtney's past relationships with the ex that apparently cheated on her. Therefore we get to see how Jane handles the break up and how she uses the memories triggered from Courtneys life and her own to strive for a better life of love through her own choice and not forced by society or her mother.
I highly enjoyed reading this book, as I got to see how a woman from a time where society governed your life, coped with freedom and the ability to think and make choices on her own. The author still gives us romance, so dont expect a boring story about a girl trying to fix someone elses life... Jane has her own life too after all.
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: February 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Author: Laurie Viera Rigler
