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Jane Austen Ruined My Life

Beth Pattillo
GuidepostsBooks (2009)
ISBN 9780824947712
Reviewed by Jeneke Lesak for RebeccasReads (3/09)

“Jane Austen Ruined My Life” by Beth Pattillo is a hilarious and touching story about an English professor, justly named Emma, whose marriage has recently ended due to an unexpected walk-in on her husband in a compromising position with her teaching assistant.  Emma swears the trouble she is having is the fault of Jane Austen, that her hopes were misguided through her love for Austen’s writing.  Emma put such faith in a happy ending as part of her reality, the finding and marrying of the perfect man and living happily ever after, but now her world is completely turned on end.   

So, she sets off to England to expose Jane Austen for the hypocrite that she must be, meets a woman who is a member of a secret Jane Austen society, “The Formidables,” which has in its possession hundreds of letters that have never been revealed to the public—letters that tell a hidden truth of a lost love and unhappy endings.  There is a series of mysterious tasks Emma must complete to be allowed to read the letters in the first place.  Along with her association with the quirky secret society woman, a string of coincidences occur one after the other as soon as she arrives in London.  The surprise presence of her old best friend Adam brings up a whole new set of emotions, as does another attractive fellow who show much interest in Emma.  This book is overflowing with a stream of mishaps and events that keep the read moving and entertaining.

The author, an obvious Jane Austen fan, has clearly had fun with this novel.  “Jane Austen Ruined My Life” should be a definite pleaser to anyone who loves this classic author, as it is packed with solid biographical information, beautiful details of the English countryside and cities, and is written with an intimate nature, pleasant and charming.  It is a good tale of how a woman grows into her identity realizing that she must stay to true to herself instead of always catering to everyone else.  Somewhat predictable, but absolutely engaging, this novel is a true delight.  It makes me want to travel to England and go on a Jane Austen tour!

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