‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ By Karen Joy Fowler – Book Review December 13, 2007

 

I loved this book immensely. It tells individually the story of each member of a group of friends who gather monthly to ponder the works of Jane Austen, and their deep (or not so deep) friendships. Each of Austen’s books is discussed in it’s own chapter at a different character’s home, the focus of each being the story of that character. Tales of the woes, successes and emotional rollercoasters of the characters are told so sensitively and with such a streak of humour that each member of the book club grows to be well loved by the reader. 

Fowler’s uses of Austen quotes and references are witty and well placed, and while I must admit that I have not read the whole Austen collection (the characters in the story would judge me harshly for this!), reading this book I felt an affinity for Austen and her readers which I had not felt before.

This book combines love, heartbreak, controversial relationships, forgiveness and happy endings in a way which kept me painfully involved for the time it took to read it. I recommend the book to fans of Jane Austen, which is to say readers of Jane Austen, as you will undoubtedly be touched. As for those of us who are ashamedly lagging in reading the classics, read it anyway! The back of the book holds short summaries of Austen’s storylines which will familiarise you with plots, and I can guarantee that, having read the book, you will be a born again avid Austen reader.

Dinner at Pipers Island December 12, 2007

On Saturday, after an evening of bowling and celebrating my brothers birthday, my family and I had dinner at Piper’s Island on the river in Caversham. That evening the top level of the restaurant was taken up by a private party, so we were seated on the ground floor, and I must say the view of the river was gorgeous. 

The service was not the best. On arrival we had to search for someone to seat us, and our food did take quite a while to appear. The menu, too, left much to be desired. There was a choice of only five main courses, which were all rather more expensive than we are used to! Owing to the price, we skipped starters, and I ordered the Sea Bass. It was really very tasty, if a bit small. The rest of my party were also very pleased with their choices, which included steak, lamb and duck, and overall we were all very impressed with the standard of the food, despite none of us being full afterwards! For dessert we shared a chocolate mousse and a fruity cheesecake. The mousse was the best I have ever had, so light and creamy I found my self wishing I’d had one (or three) to myself!

Leaving we were happy with what we’d eaten, but all agreed that to get your fill at this restaurant you would need three courses, which would require a bigger budget than ours! I wouldn’t say I’d never return, but certainly not while I’m still a student!

My first blog…. December 11, 2007

I have decided to write a blog about bits and bobs which I think are worth mentioning. I have just been inspired to write this by the Channel 4 program “The Sex Blog Girls”, which is still on and is a bit funny! Don’t worry though, this is not a sex blog! Just a regular blog. I am slightly worried that writing this will distract me from all the work I have to do during the third year of my degree, but I can’t really get much more distracted at the moment!