Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

By: Laurie Viera Rigler

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

In this Jane Austen-inspired comedy, love story, and exploration of identity and destiny, a modern L.A. girl wakes up as an Englishwoman in Austen's time.©2007 Laurie Viera Rigler; (P)2007 Penguin Audio, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc. and Books on Tape. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“This frothy take on literary time travel will appeal most to readers well versed in the celebrated author's memorable characters and themes.”—Booklist

“[A] delightful comic romp … Jane Austen makes a cameo appearance that is pure pleasure.”—The Times Picayune

“[A] charming novel… Rigler writes beautifully… a light and deftly orchestrated visit to 1813.”—Austen Blog

"Confessions is a novel of manners, but with a nifty twist. Laurie Viera Rigler sets the sensibilities of a 21st century L.A. woman against the manners of Regency England to watch the sparks fly. By turns funny, thoughtful, romantic and suspenseful, this engaging story is as brisk and delightful as ‘taking a turn in the shrubbery’ in the company of a handsome gentleman. If you’ve ever fantasized about being a Jane Austen heroine, this is your book."—Judith Ryan Hendricks, author of Bread Alone

“A rich, saucy lark of a book for all of us who have ever looked at our lives and marveled, 'How did I get here?'"—Marisa de los Santos, author of Love Walked In

“Courtney, flung into the past, learns the importance of living in the present even as she challenges our assumptions about identity and memory. I read this wonderful novel in a single sitting; Jane Austen fans will love it!"—Masha Hamilton, author of The Camel Book Mobile

"Rigler evokes the Jane Austen period masterfully, along with the perplexity of a 21st century L.A. woman, Courtney Stone, who lands unexpectedly in the body of a 19th century British woman in a world of chamber pots, chaperones, and different rules about finding true love. Courtney's navigation of the delicate 19th century social scene and her attempts to figure out how to get back to her ‘real’ 21st century life make for a hilarious and affecting, all-around wonderful read."—Ellen Baker, author of Keeping the House

“A devotee of all things Austen… discovers the reality of life in Regency England: rampant body odor, sexual and class repression and a style of medical care involving bloodletting… Despite the smells, little in [her] current lifestyle—including most of the men—can compete with the erotic charge of dancing in a candlelit ballroom.”—USA Today

Loved it!!!

I wasn't sure about this book when I bought it because of the whole time travel thing, but it was worth it and more. I loved it and was dispointed when it was over. One of the better books I have listened to in a while. The book was entertaining and really fun to read. I laughed out loud in parts and enjoyed the references to Jane Austen and her books. The reader was enjoyable and good with the characters.

How much fun!

If you're just looking for light reading, with no deeper meaning, this is the book for you. I love Jane Austen and it was fabulous to read a book about a modern woman dropped in that time.

Fun escapism

I really enjoyed this book. I read the other reviews before purchasing it, and had braced myself for some kind of unsatisfying ending. However, I loved the ending. And the beginning. And the middle. I listened to it all in one day, while doing yard work. I've read and listened to all of Jane Austen's books, and as a 21st century working woman, I completely related to the main character, and laughed out loud several times during the book. Five stars from me. I loved it. I'll certainly be listening to it again, as one of my favorites.

Fun Listen

I've listened to this book and its sister title, Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict, many times. Every time they are enjoyable and breezy listens. The performance here matches the tone of the book very well and the characters are spot on. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable experience worth repeating.

interesting at first

really liked the premise. I enjoyed the beginning and was wondering how it would play out.
About half way through it started to drag. There would be an interesting plot point but it never really went anywhere.
A good listen if you need a little something to read and your an Austen fan.

Okay

This book is okay but not a standout by any means. It was a pretty thin plot and the characters were not very real to me.

A fun, light listen

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator adds to the enjoyment with her range of voices and accents. She does the english accent very well. It also has a very austen like plot. It is a nice light "read" which will not tax your brain very much but will pass the time very nicely. Enjoy!!

Excellent Recency time travel story

A very good time travel story of the recency period. I don't understand those who gave it a chillier reception.

If you like Jane....

you will enjoy this book! Lighthearted and yet there is an attempt to be historically correct in the flashbacks to Austen's time period. The performance by the voice actress in amazing...switching back and forth from a British to an American dialect is seamless. The only drawback for this reviewer was the American character, Courtney, seemed a little more weak and mouse-y than I care for but the plot is to encourage her to be strong as the real "Jane's" spirit inhabits her body so that can be overlooked. Very entertaining!!!

Very charming

What about Orlagh Cassidy’s performance did you like?

Loved her performance. Voices all the different characters well and gives a dry sense of humor to Jane.