Austenland

By: Shannon Hale

Genre: Romance (20-somethings)

Pages: 197

Published: 2007

Told in: Third Person

Compare to:

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, Laurie Viera Rigler

Bridget Jones’s Diary, Helen Fielding

Twenties Girl, Sophie Kinsella  

In a nutshell:

Jane has never had much luck with relationships, which is why she resorts to fantasies about her own “Mr. Darcy.” But when she inherits a trip for a full 1819 immersion experience in England she decides to get her Austen obsession out of her system. But as Jane encounters new romances, she begins to question what is real and what is just pretend.

What you may enjoy:

You don’t need to know or love Jane Austen books/movies to enjoy this. It is a fun, quirky romance that mixes past with present in a unique twist. The main character is relatable for women who were ever single in their twenties. It’s a cute story that will make you giggle.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This is not an Austen novel, it is not hot and steamy, and the main character is not very witty or snarky. If you are expecting these things, do not read this book. It reads like watching a romantic comedy. It is predictable and sometimes cheesy, with characters who think too much on love.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Two men fist fight

Sex and Nudity:

Woman mentions her past affairs; man has an affair; boy kisses a girl 7 times; mentions breasts (at least 9 times throughout the book); man and woman kiss passionately, mildly graphic (twice); man kisses woman’s neck (twice); boy talks about kissing; boy puts hand up a girl’s skirt; woman wraps her legs around a man; man asks to have sex; man tries to force himself on a woman; man kisses woman (at least 4 times throughout the book); man attempts to unhook a woman’s bra; man kisses a woman’s hand (twice).

Language and Profanity:

Dammit (twice), damn, jackass

Drugs and Alcohol Abuse:

Drunk man corners a woman 

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Ross Poldark

By: Winston Graham

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 393

Published: 1945

Told in: Third Person

Series: Poldark Saga, #1

Compare to:

Persuasion, Jane Austen

Outlander, Diana Gabaldon

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy

In a nutshell:

Set in Cornwall, 1783-1787, Ross Poldark returns from fighting in the American Revolution to find that the girl he loves is engaged to his cousin, and that his father has died leaving him a derelict estate. To forget his past love, Ross throws himself into his work. But when he finds and takes in an urchin girl life for Ross begins to change.

What you may enjoy:

This is a social historical fiction; while it mentions world events that were occurring during the period it is centered on average people instead of a war or politics. It reads like a classic without feeling like a heavy book. The characters feel real and relatable, each with their own set of flaws and strengths. If you enjoy British historical fiction about the social middle class, this book is probably a good read for you.

What you may NOT enjoy:

To quote Goodreads reviewer, Ian, this is “a moderately entertaining book about nothing.” At times there is too much detail about mining or minor characters that can simply be skimmed over. It takes more than half of the book for anything to happen. There is no real draw to encourage readers to continue reading.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Cock fight, killing one rooster; boys beat girl; boys throw rocks at man; man shot in the ankle, mentioned; man’s face cut with a bayonet, mentioned; dog’s tail cut off; two men fist fight; group of men fight; rocks thrown at man; man beats his daughter, mentioned; man hit and killed wife, mentioned; man shot at; man slapped; man punched; man shot in the hand; man shot in the neck; man stabs baby; man stabs woman; man falls from a house and dies

Sex and Nudity:

Woman seduces man; man has sex with a prostitute, mentioned several times; man looks at a girl’s naked body, non-graphic; man accused of being a pedophile; man kisses girl (mentioned at least 6 times); man takes girl’s dress off; girl wakes up in man’s bed after alluded sex; man slaps girl’s bottom

   

Language and Profanity:

Damnably 2xs; damn 7xs; damned 4xs; damme (damn) 9xs; damnation; bitch 2xs; hell 4xs; God 8xs

Drugs and Alcohol Abuse:

Man and woman get drunk regularly; man too drunk to get on his horse; man and woman passed out from drinking; man heavily intoxicated; drinking throughout; people frequently drunk 

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