My share in the conversation...Jane Austen's First Love

Today I am reviewing Syrie James's book, Jane Austen's First Love as my participation in the Holiday Blog Tour that runs through December 14. Anyone that chooses to leave a comment below will be included in the fantastic giveaway. For more information about the blog tour click on this link for a complete list of stops and to see pictures of the fabulous prizes. 

I am purposely less specific in this review as I do not want to give away any of this sweet story. It needs to be experienced and enjoyed by each reader. If you have not yet read this one, I hope you will find the time to do so.

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Jane Austen’s First Love by Syrie James, is a book that any Janeite or Regency history enthusiast, should fancy. It is based on snippets from letters by Jane Austen and historical documents that Syrie James found during her extensive research for this book. (She gives much valuable information about her research and discoveries in her Author’s Afterward at the end of the book. I found it fascinating to read and wanted to know more.) The author uses this historical information, puts it together with real people and some actual events and creates a magical imagining of what might have taken place that summer in 1791.

The book begins with Jane writing her remembrances of that special summer, brought to mind by an old letter that Cassandra had found.  Jane and Cassandra reminisce for a bit, then we, as readers, are transported back in time, twelve and a half years earlier, as memories come flooding back to the mind and heart of dear Jane…

...Cassandra, Jane, young Charles and their mother travel to Godmersham to the Knights’ home, then on to Goodnestone to the Bridges’ home to celebrate the engagement of Edward Austen (Knight) to Elizabeth Bridges. The narration is then filled with events and happenings that depict how people lived in Jane Austen’s time. It was mesmerizing to read their daily activities and entertainments.

As this first love blooms, we are privy to the thoughts and emotions, the settings and flirtations and the growing interest by both parties. It is a lovely tale of what might have been and gives me the hope and satisfaction that maybe Jane Austen truly experienced what it was like to be in love. Two of my favorite parts were the strawberry-picking party and everything leading up to and including the Midsummer Night’s Eve festivities.

Some of the things that I found quite interesting (and in this case, I truly mean ‘interesting’, thought-provoking, fascinating…not just a ‘term used when there is no more promising attribution’), were the nuances to the works of Jane Austen. Without giving away any of the details, I will just say that much reminded me of Emma. There were allusions to Pride and Prejudice with fine eyes. Several things said by characters in Jane’s novels were used by various people in this ‘what-if’.  This made it appear as if these sayings were catalogued by Jane Austen and later used as her inspiration in her writings.  

At times as I was reading this book, I found myself feeling that this was a true accounting of Jane Austen as a young fifteen year old girl discovering her first love, the dashing Edward Taylor. The words were written in the style of Jane Austen and it was all beautifully done. Thank you, Syrie James, for making this a real and emotive experience. Well done! I highly recommend this book. It is one to savor and to feel.

For those of you that leave comments, be sure to leave me your email address so I can pass it on should you be one of the winners of any of the exciting prizes!