Ambles in Austenland

[Edit: I'll be in Tennessee and Mississippi the next few days. If you're in the area, check my events page.]

One really cool bit of feedback I've had on austenland, and one I didn't anticipate, are the women who email and tell me how their relationship improved with their husband after reading the book. I love that. One woman said, "I read a lot of self-help, and I find myself looking at my husband and analyzing him for what's wrong. And then I read austenland and I was like, "C'mere, honey..." Indulging in the occasional good romance is good for women, I think. It doesn't pull us away from our significant others--it spruces us up, makes us feel all gooey and affectionate, and reminds us how much we love them. Really, I should be getting thank you cards from the husbands. Hop to it, gentlemen.

From single women, I've heard that reading austenland gave them new hope in a dating scene, helped them to feel pretty and desirable again. Also, I've had so many readers tell me that they didn't read books. Then because they loved the movie of Pride & Prejudice, they decided to read this book. And have read several other books since. I love that austenland has become a gateway book! A book that non-readers read and discover that they might like reading after all. So cool.

And on the other hand, I've come under criticism from some for writing a "vulgar" and "trashy" book. This absolutely astounds me. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for every reader having that individual reading experience, for their experience to be much different than mine. I'm just so surprised by it! If it were a movie, I feel pretty confident it'd be rated PG. When I was writing austenland, I thought, "People like me who enjoy romance but don't like to read the smutty stuff will dig this book! It's so fun and clean and yet still sexy!" And then come the accusations of vulgarity. sigh You really, really can't anticipate how people will respond. For me, a kissing scene is good clean fun, but for others it's wrong and degrading. For me the mild language was clean and added spice and character, but for others it was offensive. I am so sorry about that. I would so like for all readers to feel "safe" in my books. A part of me wants to please everyone, to never offend anyone, to make everyone happy...but I don't know how. I just have to keep going with what I know--writing for my internal reader. And let all those external readers respond any way they need to.

I just hope they respond nicely.

Comments

[Laura]

Wow, really? I agree with you -- I thought it was wonderful, good, clean fun. Like you said, a romance without all the smut. I loved it, and didn't feel icky about reading it. Loved, loved, loved.

[Kelsey]

Wow. It's hard to believe the stuff people complain about, especially with all the books out there that really are trashy and a bit too detailed. But it's interesting to see how much people's opinions differ on the same book.

[janalee]

Hey, I'm all for a little clean kissing :) I truly enjoyed this book, because it was funny and gooey [in a romantic sort of way].

[Ellenboro]

I don't think a kissing scene is anything bad. I also don't think that adding mild language to a book such as the ones you put in Austenland, is anything wrong. When one starts to read YA books you encounter more than just mild languege and kissing scenes. And when you read adult fiction it can get worse. I don't understand why some people are reacting this way. I have friends who read it who thought the book was just perfect. I did as well.

[Emily M.]

Complaints about the suggestiveness of Austenland are just silly. It's a perfect romance that way--nice and suspenseful and the main characters don't have sex until they are offstage, which IMO is as it should be. The most suggestive part of it was the, um, horse commentary, and that whooshed right over my head the first time I read it, it was so delicate. But appropriate too, you know?

I let a new friend borrow my copy the other day and she loved it.

[Ruby Diamond]

I, too, am one of those ladies who snuggled with her husband after reading it. :) Thanks for a good snuggle book!

[Biel]

It's so awesome that people felt inspired by your book! I for one never thought austenland was the least bit vulgar. I, like you, enjoy romance without the smut, and for me you hit it dead-on.

[Jun]

A happy husband thanks you!!!
Austenland made my week!

[Sir Squeetus]

Thank'ee kindly

[Calliope1of9]

I didn't find anything in Austenland offensive, and I think some people overreated to minor things in the book. It is an adult book after all. I don't believe you have anything to feel sorry about, Shannon. :)

[Calliope1of9]

Whoops I meant 'overreacted'

[Enna Isilee]

Honestly there were a few places in Austenland that made me kinda cringe and think, "Shannon wrote THIS?" But they were so far outnumbered by how often I laughed and said, "Oh yeah, Shannon wrote this." that it hardly even bothered me.

[australiangirl]

I agree, Enna Isilee. Some parts I did not enjoy but other parts made up for it so it was all ok.

[Rachel]

Shannon, I just wanted you to know that I have great respect for your writing and I really did lose myself in Austenland. I LOVED it, actually. I did question not-so-much the kissing scene, but the past relationships that Jane had been through; some pretty yucky boyfriends to be frank. The swearing though, was (in my opinion) in everyway appropriate. Just enough, but not too much. Thankyou for making me feel pretty when I read your books. :D

[Jane]

Vulgar? Trashy?

I wonder what words those people use for the rest of the world. ;)

[kristen]

i have a "PG only" friend who loved Austenland. Her only comment was, "boy, that girl is a little bit of a hussy in the beginning, isnt' she?". A comment about the character, I can see. A comment about the author? Rediculous.

[jemima]

My main quibble with the book was that there was a subtle ethical issue that wasn't being questioned within the it. For people to go (especially again and again) to a resort (or anywhere) where the raison d'etre is to flirt until the lines between fiction and reality are blurred to the extent that there is physical contact is almost like they are, frankly, they have no morals. I'll just submit something for your consideration: these actors and regular resort-goers each know that all this is a put-on, but they have physical relationships anyway. Does that seem right? Also they toy with their emotions.

All that said, perhaps this peeve of mine could have been taken care of by addressing it in the book as a way in which the resort was lacking ethically. Hurt emotions are addressed but not the physical relationships so much. It is an ethical issue. Do you kiss someone romantically because you are being paid to do it?

Again, all that said, except for a few phrases and some commentary by the narrator and the above pet peeve I really enjoyed the rest of Austenland. I can see how Shannon meant to make it clean and fun. I do appreciate the lack of swears and vulgarity - there are so many in chick-lit type novels today. It was brave of Shannon to put something out for adults that did not include these elements which some people seem to consider de rigeur in novels.

Shannon, I don't mean to be confusing. I would welcome your comments on my post. I hope you continue to write for adults. Thank you for not joining the vulgarity band wagon. Cheers!

[Gabrielle]

LOL... still reacting to the idea that "Austenland" was "smutty"... it's one of the cleanest chicklit books out there. Ignore the insane prudes who creep out from their homes once a day to criticize authors, Shannon. Writers write about imperfect people, that's a given. Indecency with a point to make is given. Indecency for no literary reason at all is disgusting. Austenland wasn't indecent, and even if it was, it would be for a point.

BTW, I LOVED B1000. It was a beautifully made book with a beautiful story inside of it. I'm thinking you have another Newbery call coming.

[maribeth_kayla]

I didn't think it was vulgar or trashy. At. All.

[bekah]

you can't please everyone
write with your heart
to please yourself
if you please others while doing than have a pat on the back
writing shouldnt be about pleasing someone else
it isnt high school english

[Mads]

I'd like to tell all of the people who said Austenland was "vulgar" to try going to high school for a day... then they'll see the true definition for vulgar!

[calandria]

I didn't think the make out scenes were trashy or vulgar. I just didn't think they were romantic.

[Stefany D]

Shannon is a great writer and is trying to sell her books by writing what she likes and what will appeal to as many readers as possible, and at the same time keeping her values and standards in tack and pleasing her faithful fans. We have to remember it is an adult book and for adult fiction it is clean, totally PG. However, in LDS culture it is not usually accepted for single women to good around thinking about men as a tasty, yummy treats to try and devour because they look good. I think that part shocks the LDS population but that kind of thinking is a part of mainstream culture. The book is a good combination of mixing the high dating standards with main steam America’s dating standards. Whatever a women’s dating standard might be, Shannon was brilliant at reaching a satisfying combination to appease and draw in the reader. (Yeah, there are those few who believe kissing should be only within the bonds of marriage and those would be the people who are offended) I loved how you didn’t know whom and if she would even hook up until the very end. It was a great flick! Yeahh for Shannon!

[elizabeth]

well, i loved it.
i mean, i even bought it, which is weird for me because i'm really more of a library kinda girl

anyway,my mom and i both read it, and neither of us was offended.
^^

[Panda]

I didn't think there was anything wrong with the content. I've read young adults books with worse things in them! Austenland was very good for an adult book.

[Enna Isilee]

There really was only one line in the whole entire book that made me hesitate. And I'm not going to post it because standing alone it will sound even more... yeah.

[Callie the Strongbad Fan]

I know that Austenland had its sexy side, but I know that it was just a reflection of real life. The characters in the book believably acted like real life people and sometimes real life people do a lot of making out and talk about sexy stuff. And in real life, people swear. Austenland was just being true to life.

[Shelby]

Not smutty at all. I was one of those girls you thought it would be for! The ones who hide from romances because they are yucky. But I found Austenland and I was like this is Shannon Hale. She wouldn't write anything to gross me out. So I read it. And it is now on my re-read forever and ever list. SO THERE!

[swimbabe]

I finally read the book. I'm in High School and I loved it, Shannon. Really, I did. But there were some parts that were a little too cheesy for me, but hey, what's life without the cheese? LOL! I do like it and I got a friend to read it and she L.O.V.E.s it! The flirting with what's-his-bucket's-name…that gardener dude. Yeah? Well, uh! He bugged me…maybe it’s just cause I’m a HS student who doesn’t flirt like that. LOL! But other than that a huge kudos to you, Shannon. It was great!

Swimbabe

[Debbie]

My 'individual reading experience' was one of gleeful, unoffending entertainment. Jane's line 'Hooray for ham!' is hilariously brilliant and almost made me lose it on the bus, and I smiled throughout the day every time I remembered it. Thank you, Shannon, for making my commute, and work, that day so enjoyable.

[Calliope1of9]

I almost forgot about "Hooray for Ham." ! (At least I think that was the specific line that cracked me up from Austenland...)

[Melissa aka Librarybooks]

Wow - I cannot believe there were people that read Austenland and were offended by the content. Do they not read other adult books? It was a fun book yet tasteful. I get embarrassed with graphic love making scenes - so I was relieved there were none. Yet they seem to be in a lot of other adult books.

The book reminded me of all the loser guys out in the world and ones I dated. (Just like Jane’s reject boyfriends) It made me appreciate my husband even more!

[Melody]

Ah, man, I was in Tennessee just a couple of weeks ago! I have such poor timing!

[Clairissa]

Trashy? Are you kidding me? I was in love with Austenland and have recommended it to dozens of other friends who have read it, and in turn, loved it as well. You are such a gifted writer! And that reminds me....my husband definitely needs to send you a thank you card ;)

[Bohae]

Well, here's my opinion: Austenland rocks! It's a great book, not "vulgar" at all. To me, the real world can be millions of times worse than what people want it to be. You just got to live with it and try to enjoy it the best of your ability :)

[Dasha-girl]

I met Shannon! Thank YOU (shannon) SO much for being as awesome as you could. MAx and Maggie were adorable!!

[Perssi]

i think that austenland is cool, and that it shouldn't be called "vulgar"
i don't think you should feel offense, because they (the people who disliked austenland) are just being open without thinking of who they might be offending.

[asha]

wow, shannon, writing a gateway book must be so special!
i'm going to read Austenland again (after i've read B1000 again that is ;) )

[terryfic]

I love your books shannon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yes i truly love them. Austenland was awesome and don't worry about it being vulgar and all that trash!! I used to hate books but my friend made me read Goosegirl and I have become an ever after fan of yours.
Keep writing,
Keep bringing smiles on our faces and mking our days
Wish you all te besT! :)

"Hooray for Ham."

[Nita]

Hi Shannon,

I haven't read Austenland yet, but it's on my list of books to buy, along with Book of a Thousand Days. I always buy your books, rather than borrow them.

What I like, Shannon, is that you are one of the few - perhaps only-modern-day author whose books for adults I will buy. I just can't stomach the graphic sexual content. Instant turn-off for me. I picked up a book by Nora Roberts at the library once because I heard she was so popular, and the first chapter had a vulgar sexual reference. I didn't read a page further.

I think I'm extra sensitive because I was raised by very conservative Christian parents who never let us read anything more scandalous than Little House on the Prairie. So as I got older, I reacted strongly to things like sexual content and strong language in books because it made me feel...dirty. So I don't read it. And I tend to not 'trust' modern day authors' works because I assume that stuff will be in there that will offend me.

I'm not super picky. I can take suggestiveness and I can take mild language. I just won't read a smutty bed scene.

My point, Shannon, is that I'm glad I can order any of your books without a moment's worry. You are an author I trust. (smile)

[australiangirl]

I have a friend who doesnt really like reading. She would rather be 'doing' something. Well, one day I badgered her into reading Princess Academy and guess what?! She loved it!!!

[Q]

Wish that would happen with a friend of mine who is borrowing my copy of PA...as she has been for almost a year...

[Marianne]

I loved the book! We are reading it for our Enrichment night book club. So if a bunch of church ladies have read it, it can't be all that bad. It was so tame compared to other things out there and so hilarious. We are even watching Pride & Predjudice with Colin Firth as a refresher. But really, who needs an excuse to watch P&P.

[rachael]

What do people who don't like a little kissing in books read, anyway? Even kids' books sometimes have kissing in them! To me, this is just silly. Loved the book, especially when Jane plays the piano!

[elizabethbennett]

Looking at this now reminds me...I need to get Austenland back from my best friend. She reluctantly liked it. Reluctantly, because she thought it was bad for me. Thinks I'm too in love with Mr. Darcy or something.....uh, ha! *shifty eyes* :D

[Aleigh Reeder]

I very much liked this book. I couldn't put it down. The kissing was done tastefully. It was full of energy with a hint of suggestion but nothing explicit.

There was something else that struck me. You have in essence created a humorous "Great Gatsby." There is an underlying commentary of the fake and extremist behavior of the rich. And Jane is Nick the interloper. I'm sure it was unintentional, but all the same well done. The Great Gatsby was rather depressing, and I like your version much better, especially the ending. I hope this gets made into a movie someday I really want to see that fight scene. :)