What do readers think of My Jane Austen Summer by Cindy Jones? Write your own review.

I found the characters, especially Lily, to be annoying. Also, the story line was only mildly
interesting. For me, giving this book an "average" rating, may be generous.

When I first began reading "My Jane Austen Summer," and in fact more than half-way through it, I was tempted to consider it as lightweight fiction with nothing I could take away from it. As I continued on to the end, however, I saw what author Cindy Jones is trying to show her readers about relationships, secrets, and our inner selves. As the participants at the Literature Live Jane Austen festival debated about the main character of "Mansfield Park" in the “Fanny Wars,” I expect that some book clubs might have “Lily Wars” regarding whether or not they like the main character here. This novel would be better for those readers who have a familiarity with Austen’s works, as well as the Bronte’s and other authors of the same time and similar genres.

If you have read all of Jane Austen's six completed novels, including Mansfield Park, the title 'My Jane Austen Summer' will tempt you, Resist temptation here, as Jones adds nothing to understanding of Jane. This book is poorly written and its plot line is fourth-rate. If you have not read Austen's novels don't even think of wasting your time and money on My Jane Austen Summer.

The book provides an interesting premise - sending the protagonist, Lily Berry, to a financially struggling, summer-long Jane Austen festival in what is ultimately an escape from her habit of living her life for others rather than herself. Eventually, without realizing it as it happens, she finds the life she needs to live for herself. Helping her - intentionally or not - is a colorful cast of characters. While few extend beyond the superficial, they serve the author's purpose of teaching Lily what she needs to learn. The book is amusing and, in places, poignant. A pleasant read.

The idea is clever--Lily is a Jane Austen aficionado whose own life seems to be falling apart. Caught in a cycle of repeating the same mistakes, she decides to do something different. An opportunity arises and she takes off for London to be a part of a theater festival featuring Mansfield Park. Her expectations for her foray to England are not exactly met, but she ultimately does find a new path in her life. This is a light froth of a book which will appeal to fans of contemporary chick lit. treatments of 19th century women's literature.

If you consider yourself a Janite (i.e., Jane Austen aficionado) and love "Mansfield Park," this book may be of interest to you. Through one of her characters—an English teacher, Omar—Cindy Jones readily acknowledges that “Austen’s work doesn’t adapt well or easily” (p. 37). However, Jones resolves this issue through her protagonist’s (Lily’s) conceptual confidante, “My Jane Austen.” Jones notes that we each have our own “My Jane Austen” through which we filter the 18th-19th century author’s work. And, it is through an understanding of and relationship with our own “My Jane Austen” that we will make interpretations about the meaningfulness of this novel. Overall, an interesting read.

When her mother dies and her boyfriend breaks up with her, Lily Berry retreats into books. After being fired from her job for reading, she seeks solace in England with Literature Live, a novel re-enactment that her local Indie bookseller is involved with. Her dream of living in Mansfield Park as her favorite Austen heroine, Fanny Price, is quickly dashed as she comes to understand the social hierarchy of the actors, academics and volunteers involved with the production. This is certainly a book about using literature as an escape, but Lily is able to realize that regardless of the setting, she is never the protagonist in her own novel/life. As she struggles to understand her self and make sense of her situation, "her" Jane Austen is a shadowy figure in the periphery, offering looks of encouragement and consternation. Lily is a great character - a dash of Bridget Jones, Lizzie Bennet and Fanny Price. This is definitely a fun, engaging read for those who are Austen fanatics and those who are not!