I just finished reading The Jane Austen Book Club and my overall impression is fair to bleh to OK, I suppose.  The book is arranged in an interesting fashion and it was a unique idea but each chapter/phase always left me a little blank.  While some of the writing is great, most of it is formulaic, predictable and at times even irritating.  I did enjoy the end of the book but I’m not sure if that’s because it greatly improved or because I was just ready to find out what happened to these people and get them the heck out of my life.  I think, overall, it’s a 3 star (out of 5) kind of book.  (Maybe a 2.5 star out of five… but lets be generous and say 3.)

The author and reviewers each state that you don’t have to be familiar with Austen’s novels to enjoy the book.  While this is true, having read the Austen books would help.  I, in the interest of full disclosure, have never read any of Austen’s work and often find those people who are so taken with her work (so taken with her they must quote her and speak as if she is a member of the family) to be a bit odd.  Maybe that was part of the issue I had with the book…. each of the characters were the types who speak of Jane Austen like they know her intimately and those folks are usually not my type of folk. 

After reading this I do think I would like to try to read some of Austen’s work but with the caveat that I’m reading it for enjoyment and not to give my life meaning, to unite with women everywhere or some other ridiculous notion.  She’s a novelist.  These are books.  Little stories of fiction.  Move on, people!

So, overall, if you’re given this book as a gift, then it’s worth reading it.  If you found it in the library, sure, give it a try.  But if you’re thinking of dashing out this instant to the bookstore ’cause you gotta have it…. then think again.