Review: A Little Bit Austen
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 11, 2013
t has an interesting cast of characters. Unlike most romances, Givens’ story courts the complicated Shakespearean-esque romance between four characters. It reminds me a little bit of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in that the complicated pairing and cross-pairing of the relationships is both ridiculous and purposeful. It’s a comedy of errors without the ass involved–unless you’re counting the mother of the girls. As an antagonist, she’s definitely one you love to hate. In the great tradition of historical marriage dramas, the cast of characters seem completely fated to cross each other and make the reader shake their heads because they certainly know how this is going to end, but can you believe the stubbornness of that character? The characters themselves are enough to keep you invested because you really do want to see them work things out in their lives…particularly since Puck seems to be masquerading as the Sandman in this one.The romantic pairings remind me of Sense and Sensibility. I’m a fan of Jane Austen. I don’t think that’s a surprise, but it does make me happy to see Givens take a slightly different spin on one of my favorite stories. Despite my love for Edward Ferrars as a companion for Elinor, he always struck me as a bit absent. Imagine if you combined Edward with Colonol Brandon and, voila, you have the Duke of Manchester. Alexander is the Willoughby with a conscience who survives. Evangeline is the older sister version of Marianne and slightly less selfish. Angela is the younger sister version of Elinor and more obedient than sensible. That being said, the unusual aspect of a romance equally focused on the dual outcomes of two marriages at issue is a definite interest. Many of Givens’ scenarios for the girls in the novel remind the reader that Austen can be sexy, too.Disclaimer: An ARC copy was provided.