Lost in Austen

As someone who lives in Texas, when I heard a friend of mine say the title, LOST IN AUSTEN, my first thought was about Austin, Texas. At first I just ignored the book, figuring it was just another Jane Austen-based book taking advantage of the continuing popularity of Ms. Austen's works. However, just as I turned to leave, I noticed the subtitle: Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure. I grabbed it then and there.

I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books as a child. I used to spend hours going through every path the book offered, often backtracking and peeking ahead to see what could have happened. Eventually, I knew the books so well I always made the right choices.

I am new to the fascination of all things Austen, particularly the joy to be found in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. As a child I missed out on many of the traditional classics many of my peers read due to an inopportune move to another school and a change in reading tracks. So my first read of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE was not until a few years ago. I loved it. I also find that I like the recent adaptation of P&P starring Keira Knightley. Someday, I hope to finally read SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, another classic Austen book.

Therefore, LOST IN AUSTEN was an intriguing find. As I wound my way through the various choices, acquiring (and losing) confidence points, fortune and connections, I grew to appreciate the research that went into this book. While it is based on PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, there are many items and experiences based on other Jane Austen books, as well as her life. The footnotes are fascinating reading. Not to mention it's a great character study to see how you would answer when you know how the story is supposed to go.

Since I find the story of loathing turned to love to be a beautiful and romantic story, I think most fans of literature would appreciate the intrigue, the romance and the chance to prove that they are smarter than Ms. Elizabeth Bennett.

Nicole