Product Description

Unable to find her own Mr. Darcy, she created him. Jane Austen lives simply in the English countryside with her beloved family, entertaining them with her stories and seeking romance. She never ventures far from her own corner of the world and struggles to find her place in it. Growing up in a clergyman's home gives Jane opportunities to observe human nature at its best--and worst. Vivid and delightful characters pour from her pen--Elizabeth Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Emma Woodhouse, Fanny Price, John Willoughby . . . Jane dreams of publishing her stories and sharing them with the world, but she's just Jane from Steventon, isn't she? Will anyone ever read her novels? In this moving and authentic portrayal, Christy Award-winning author Nancy Moser transports readers back to the life and times of the literary world's possibly most beloved heroines.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #249752 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Moser (Mozart's Sister) frames this novel as a journal written by Jane Austen, following her life from when she falls in love with Tom Lefroy at age 20 until she is an established writer in her late 30s. Those familiar with Austen's life will recognize many of the circumstances—the loss of the beloved family home at Steventon when her father retired to Bath, the death of her sister Cassandra's fiancé, her mother's many illnesses. However, they may not recognize Moser's Austen, who mopes about pining after guys, resents her parents, worries regularly about whether she is a real writer and reflects on her faith in God (which was important to Austen, but which she was reticent to discuss). Austen's voice comes through in extensive quotes from her letters—paragraphs and even occasionally pages. Since these are mostly unmarked, readers may not recognize them as Austen's words, but their vivacity and wit often make them stand out from the rest of the writing. Some aspects of the book are charming, and it is an easy introduction to Austen's life. However, it fails to be compelling as it devolves into simply tracking events as they occur, and does not capture Austen's spirit. It will likely disappoint both Austen devotees and historical fiction fans. (Sept.)
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Review
"...an enjoyable fictional introduction to the life of Jane Austen for many new readers, especially Christians." -- Cindy Crosby, bookreporter.com

"...audiences can cheer for Moser's interpretation of this beloved author...." -- Laura Smith, bloggernews.com

"I loved this book ... and I think anyone who's even mildly curious about Jane Austen will love it, too." -- Kay James, romancereaderatheart.com

"Just Jane by Nancy Moser drew me in right away." -- Jennifer Donovan, 5minutesformom.com

"Just Jane is a wonderful book for any Austen fan." -- Jill Hart, blogcritics.org

"Just Jane is not to be missed by any fan of Jane Austen's work." -- Roseanna White, ChristianReviewofBooks.com

"Read This. Enjoy it.... this author certainly shows ... that Austen was a lady to be remembered." -- Amy Lignor, onceuponaromance.com

"This book was a comfortable friend, one I was sad to see end." -- ChristianWomenOnline.net

"What a marvelous book! I did not want it to end." -- Pat Glans, aromancereview.com

"a book about knowing yourself, loving yourself for who you are and realizing your greatest hopes and dreams." -- Becky Laney, blbooks.blogspot.com

From the Publisher
From the Author . . .

Dear Reader:

Thirty years after her death, Jane Austen's nephew, James Edward, wrote a biography of his aunt. There were few people left who'd known her personally. Surely this nephew would offer some profound insight as to the real Jane.

Sadly, James Edward got it wrong. For instance he said, "Of events her life was singularly barren: few changes and no great crisis ever broke the smooth current of its course. Even her fame may be said to have been posthumous: it did not attain to any vigorous life till she had ceased to exist. Her talents did not introduce her to the notice of other writers, or connect her with the literary world, or in any degree pierce through the obscurity of her domestic retirement." Although the last part of his assessment offers some truth, the first line angers me. Barren? Without change and crisis? I try to find excuses for this nephew. I try to remember his memories are that of a young boy and his words may be couched with the prejudices of a nineteenth century male.

For I found Jane's life to be quite full and eventful. Evident among her days are every dose of emotion. And I find there to be crisis enough for any one life (I dare James Edward to compete, incident for incident!) Her nephew's disconcerting opinion aside, amidst my readings I discovered a Jane Austen whom I would have liked to call friend. She was witty, wise, discerning, creative, and loyal. She was also stubborn, judgmental, insecure, and needy. She was . . . a lot like us.

I find that fact to be one of the most enlightening things that comes out of writing bio-novels about women in history. No matter when they lived, or where they lived, the core of who they were and what they desired from life parallels our own issues and quest to find purpose and meaning. Jane's life-long search to find a place to belong, a place to feel secure and confident in her self, is our search.

That is one reason why her novels have endured for two hundred years. Jane Austen wrote about people. In her stories, the world does not intrude with catastrophe or universal tragedy. The crises her characters experience develop from their everyday lives, from their families, and from their small society--that though small, still wields a mighty influence. There are rules and morals, and right and wrong amid God's constant presence. Conversely, there are people who break the rules, bend the morals, and choose wrongly. And as they do so, and as they suffer the consequences or the victory of their actions, we empathize with them, and celebrate with a sense of camaraderie. We are among friends. Jane's stories are our stories, and ours, hers (minus our sad lack of barouches, bonnets, and balls.)

Regarding Jane's voice. I did not attempt to match the unique "voice" of Jane's writing, only to hint at it. No one can write like Jane Austen. Besides, one's speaking voice is different from one's written voice, and since Just Jane involves Jane telling us her story . . . I hope my attempt did not annoy. I am certain those more scholarly than myself may find fault, but to them I simply state that I held Jane and her life story in the highest regard and did my best. Beyond that, I stand back to allow them to comment as they may.

My largest wish is that Jane somehow knew the impact her stories have had on millions of people around the world. There are Jane Austen societies in the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia, Argentina . . . Jane, a woman who never ventured outside her own corner of England, would be astonished. And humbled. Yet most likely, she would still prefer to spend her days within her beloved Chawton Cottage. Her true home. Her true place to be just Jane.

May you find your true place to be just . . . you. And may you, like Jane, journey forward to find your unique purpose.

Fondly,

Nancy Moser

Customer Reviews

Jane was a better writer.
It's interesting to think this might have been the life Jane Austen led. However, the book is written as an autobiographical novel. That means we're asked to believe it's written in Jane's words, but although it includes occasional cleverly witty remarks, Jane would never have used pronouns that don't agree with their antecedents, misused "hopefully," or allowed split infinitives into her prose. She must be spinning in her grave. These are modern errors. Writers didn't make them two hundred years ago. They diluted the pleasures of the book.

Jane as she could have been
Written in the first person, Jane begins telling us her story as an adult. This choice of narrative provides a deeply personal feel to the story. Readers who have been been reluctant to read formal biographies of Jane Austen by imagining dry, impersonal recitations of dates and details have nothing to fear here. Very little is described of her childhood (which would have made for fascinating reading), allowing the focus to dwell upon the details of her adult years.

Austen is already in the habit of writing for her own delight and that of her family as a young woman though her work will not be published until much later in her life. The reader is introduced to the large Austen clan fairly promptly, much like some of Jane's own works where many of the characters are related in some way. Thankfully a cast of characters, their spouses and number of children, is provided at the beginning of the book in the case of confusion. I utilized this ready resource on several occasions to sort out all of the relations while I was coming to know the family characters. A similar epilogue is provided, detailing the historically accurate fates of other characters that we have become familiar with over the course of the novel.

As I began reading of Jane's years as a young woman I felt that I was entering familiar waters. Though Moser has not aimed to emulate Austen's distinct writing voice there is a shade of her style to be found in the text. Moser chooses to use some of the now obsolete spellings that Jane was familiar with, as well as words no longer commonly in use that Austen deftly employed in her own work. Moser manages to keep this historical writing style firmly in place throughout the book. I do wonder though, if the word "wannabe" was in use during the nineteenth century. This one word is the only instance I can point to and wonder if it is out of time, I commend Moser on maintaining this level of consistency.

Further enhancing the authenticity of this bio-novel, Moser incorporates excerpts from Jane's novels and personal correspondence throughout Just Jane. They appear as she is editing her work, reading letters of great import from relatives and quoting humorously the words of her own characters. The importance of her writing is made clear as she totes it with her on her many journeys across the countryside. Her family's relocation from Steventon to Bath however, throws her into a long period where she no longer writes.

This period is the most difficult section of the book to read. Jane becomes bitingly cynical, judgmental and centered upon herself. With few letters existing from this time period (Jane's sister Cassandra burned her most revealing letters) Moser is left to fill in the blanks as to how Jane must have felt during this period when she refused to write. Jane struggles with the lack of control she feels in her own life and does not deal with the changes she is forced to make gracefully. Her reactions, not at all idealized, present a very human and imperfect response to her trials.

Though Moser has included notes at the end of the book to provide readers with some sense of what is historically recorded and what she has inferred, it does remain unclear which emotions are verifiable by Jane's own letters (whether from this period or not), and which are only fictional. As Jane was an author who dealt largely with the emotional currents of women, her own emotional state and opinions is of great interest to her readers, so some further elaboration would be a great help. One example is Jane's disdain of large families and childbearing, was this her true opinion as expressed in any of her letters, or was it created? As the seventh of eight children, large numbers of nieces and nephews and being born into a family of faith I was very surprised to see this attitude arise repeatedly. I would love to learn more about the authenticity of this, and other opinions presented by Jane's character. This uncertainty may drive readers to seek out Austen's published letters to read more from her own hand.

The extended time of emotional trial comes to a conclusion upon Jane's relocation to Chawton Cottage in Hampshire, not far from her native Steventon, along with her mother, sister and family friend. This re-settling seems to spark the creative flame; she once again begins writing, and comes in time to be published at long last. I believe that many readers would enjoy a more detailed analysis of this period of Jane's life, more emphasis on the years leading to, and following her publication than on the times of emotional turmoil she experienced. In this telling of her life's story, Jane comes into a stronger sense of who she is, and finds contentment in being Just Jane.

Printed by the Christian book publisher Bethany House, and written by a woman of faith, I was eager to see how Jane's faith was portrayed. I was familiar with her status as the daughter of a pastor, but was entirely unfamiliar with how her faith played out in her life - God rarely makes an appearance in her own novels. Moser incorporates Jane's belief in God throughout the story most naturally. Jane questions God, pleads with Him and at times must be content to rest in Him. Her faith-filled musings and references to God's power are not at all stilted or obviously inserted; they blend beautifully into the text and never appear overtly "preachy" or moralizing. Due to the natural incorporation of Jane's faith this title will be enjoyable for all Austen lovers regardless of their spiritual beliefs.

Just Jane is character-driven; the life of a single 19th-century woman of strong moral character does not make for an action-packed page-turner. It is most enjoyable when read slowly - savouring the development of relationships and emotional drama. A cup of tea, an open fireplace, or bathtub seem to be ideal locations to indulge in reading this title. As an Austen lover I felt that I was sitting down with a friend to learn more about her, to ask her questions - receiving both expected and surprising answers. Simply put - no devotee of Austen's work will be able to resist this fresh, historically based foray into her life.

Capturing the essence of Jane
This was part of a book club selection, but I probably would have been intrigued by it being a Jane Austen fan. I have to admit, this is my first non-Austen written work that had to do with her life, and I did not come away disappointed.
I felt the author did a good job of capturing the essence of Austen's writing style which added to the enjoyment of the book. It was a much faster read because while the author caught the essence, she still added a modern touch to the writing.
The part I liked the best was how the author showed periods of Jane's life corresponding to what she was writing about. In other words, how instances in Jane's life might have been an influence on the characters and stories she developed. No one knows if this is for sure, but I could see certain similiarities from reading Austen's works.
Also, included in the back is a section on what is fact and fiction in the book. The author does a great job explaining why she wrote certain things, and how she was able to come up with parts to "fill in."
I would recommend this book to fellow Austen fans, and to those who are interested in learning more about the life of Jane Austen.