Reflections - The Jane Austen Book Club

The Jane Austen Book Club

The day after I watched the video of The Jane Austen Book Club, a paperback copy of the novel arrived from Maggie. “At the beginning of March, I bought this book with you in mind . . ." she wrote in the accompanying card. Maggie and her daughter Rachel read the book before mailing it to me.

Fowler weaves a wonderful tale fleshing out characters like Austen does. Each of the six members of the club matches the personality or theme of the novel they host.

The first host is Jocelyn, a stylish, accomplished, well off woman who makes matches for everyone but herself. She hosts Emma. Like Emma, Jocelyn ends up with a man at the end of the novel. 

The last host is Sylvia who suffers because her husband is interested in a younger woman. Sylvia hosts Persuasion, the novel about second chances, and is faithful to her man until he comes back to her.

The chapter on Emma gives Janeites lots of inside jokes but the novel as a whole has enough substance to please readers whether or not they’re familiar with Austen novels.

This was my third reading. The point of view struck me again. It’s “we” is the omniscient total of the six book club members without being any one of the characters. That gets awkward when Fowler writes phrases similar to “none of us knew this except Jocelyn and Brigg, of course.”

I liked Prudie in the book better than the movie though she’s the least likable of the six. The movie has her developing a relationship with one of her students. Even her name suggests that’s an exaggeration. She’s edgy but not a teacher in danger of losing her job for inappropriate behavior.

I enjoyed the story honoring Jane and mentally thanked Maggie for her kindness each time I picked up the novel.

The Jane Austen Book Club Movie