Scott D. Southard

As a Jane Austen fan, I often hope that she led a happy life full of love. Especially since she's created so many characters that I love to read. I know many of her readers feel the same way. We really only have a glimpse into Jane's life since her sister, Cassandra, burned many of her letters after Jane's death. Scott Southard attempts to fill in some of the missing years of Jane Austen with his latest book A Jane Austen Daydream.

Southard takes us on a fiction tour of Jane Austen's love life. Through her hopes and disappointments. Through her crushes and daydreams. Readers will recognize some of the dialog in this book taken from many of her novels. The Austen family in this book also resembles the Bennetts from Pride and Prejudice. I have often thought that Jane was a great observer of life, and had probably formed her characters from real life.

Though I did enjoy reading this book, I did think it was a bit too long. And also at times the story did drag a bit for me. I did appreciate the care Southard took with this beloved author and his attempt to give us a complete picture of Austen. I'm still not sure what to think about Jane's last love, though. Wishful thinking on the author's part? I didn't love this book, but I'm glad that I read it. I'm sure any Janeites would appreciate it.… (meer)