The question then arises: can a children's author make the leap to adult fiction? Based on Austenland, I say 'no', but then, I believe one should never say never. Some day an author might come along and totally disprove my flippant assumption. As for Austenland, it is at best Chick Lit, a not very flattering term that leaves the question open as to whether or not Hale has made the jump to adult literature. As for me, I am more inclined to categorize this book in the juvenile to young female adult category. Hence the place you find its review here.

Doubtless, this book will appeal to romance-obsessed females between 15 to 25 years old. If it attracts older women, then the conclusion has to be drawn that somewhere in the feminine revolution for equality we have failed to create mature, well-developed minds in the female of the species.

From these comments it can obviously be gathered that this reviewer is not enamored of Austenland. The book attempts to be naughty, but is merely underhandedly salacious. The protagonist, one thirty-ish Jane Hayes, is—as any woman in Chick Lit is supposed to be—a resident of New York (or any other major city). Like all Chick Lit characters, she has an obsession. In Jane Hayes's case it is an obsession with Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. But, what is worse, she is obsessed by Darcy as portrayed by the British actor, Colin Firth, in the BBC series of Pride and Prejudice, which also featured Jennifer Ehle.

A benevolent aunt, fearing this juvenile obsession of Jane's will lead her into a lonely life, decides to cure her of it. How? Well, even though I don't like the book, I leave it up to the reader to find out. Let it suffice that it is a pretty corny plot, but it may appeal to young girls, or to Chick Lit aficionados.

Hale does her best to infuse some humor into her plot, but even that is pretty silly stuff. A good example of her humor is her dedication of the novel to Colin Firth: "You're really a great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends." That is juvenile humor, no matter how you stretch it, for as she admits, she has never met Firth. Hale did write a letter to him, inclosing information on the novel and a copy of Princess Academy in Italian (Firth's wife is apparently Italian) to which she never received a reply. That, to me, is pretty telling, and would best have stayed hidden. By publishing the letter and the information about it, Hale almost seems to attempt a kind of emotional blackmail on Firth.

To be honest, I feel embarrassed on behalf of women everywhere for this little book being pushed as adult literature, and for actually being successful. There is this strange feeling from reading Hale's book, that her attempt at being an adult writer is somewhat hampered by her Utah background. Having read this book, it begs the question, 'Is this what today's youngish women want for their literary lives? Or is this even a healthy recommendation as good reading for young girls?' As for Hale's books for children, most appear to be retellings of stories from The Brothers' Grimm, rather than being original plots. So, how did this writer manage to get so many minor and major awards?