All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey With Jane [Anglais] [Broché]

One Author. Three Novels. Six Countries.

The Mission: To determine if Jane Austen resonates the same in different cultures. Is she as universally accessible as she is timeless?

The Time Assigned to Complete Mission: One year

The Candidate: Professor Amy Elizabeth Smith from the University of the Pacific. Age - 42. Single. Ardent Janeite.

In her honest, humorous, and inspiring travel memoir Amy Elizabeth Smith brings readers to six diverse and vibrant countries - Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina. In each country, Ms. Smith scouts out the local book haunts, sets up a group read of a Jane Austen novel, and submerges herself in Latin America literature. The reading groups are comprised of five or six friends, friends-of-a-friend, poets, teachers, and booksellers that agree to read and discuss a Jane Austen novel in Spanish. When these groups meet, they discuss everything from the plot and characters, to the Jane Austen's marital status and popularity, to how Jane Austen's novels compare with their society and culture.

To put it simply, I LOVED everything about this book! Of course I greatly enjoyed the subject and study - how interesting it was to see other cultures' reactions and opinions about our beloved Jane Austen - but what I really loved was all the additional bits and pieces Amy Smith included in her writing. All Roads Lead to Austen is not just a scholarly study or academic work of nonfiction, it's an experience, an exploration, an adventure! I loved learning all about the funny, embarrassing, and surprising moments Amy encountered during her year abroad! And for those hoping for a little romance...don't worry, you won't be disappointed!

By recording the dialogues of literary discussions and energetic debates that took place during her travels, Amy Smith shows - rather than tells - her readers what others thought of Jane Austen. I found it fascinating to see these readers' reaction to Jane Austen. Moreover, I liked that we got to know a little about each of the readers taking part in the group reads. Whether it was their profession, appearance, conversational style, or opinions - it felt more personable knowing these readers' different personalities.

If by some chance, you missed your opportunity to study abroad, or have a case of wanderlust - All Roads Lead to Austen is the book for you this summer! Between discussing Jane Austen, exploring new countries, experiencing adventures and mishaps, and finding her own Mr. Darcy - Amy Elizabeth Smith delivers a deeply gratify study that illustrates the universal timelessness and limitless reach of Jane Austen! ¡Lo recomiendo muchisimo!

Austenesque Reviews

Wow - as an Austen lover and avid international adventurer who is next targeting Central and South American destinations, I was so excited to get my paws on this book - seemed totally up my alley. I'm also a pretty voracious reader, consuming from a minimum of one book a week to one a day, and have definitely run into some I had trouble getting into at the start that eventually rewarded perseverance (Smith herself says this about Jane's S&S, I believe). This is perhaps the first book I can recall finally deciding to simply abandon in order to end my misery. I slogged through 150 pages before making this decision, wanting to give the book a solidly fair shake. While the author clearly is an earnest and good-hearted person with an inquiring mind and adventurous spirit, against all logic, I couldn't muster the slightest bit of caring or interest in her as a protagonist. At several points I found myself feeling like I was reading a dry recounting of Things That Happened In This Sequential Order. The first and second book discussions were fine; by the third, it was like reading a written description of a tennis match - boring as a conversation, yet not grittily academic enough to offer new insights onto Austen's work. (Spoiler alert: Jane's books have universal appeal, time and culture notwithstanding. I think if you love Jane, you already know this, sheez.)

The author also gets very ill - and heck, being sick at home can be alarming, MUCH more so when it's a mystery disease incurred while traveling! - but her primary symptoms manifest as exhaustion and an awful lot of whinging and unpleasant behavior toward locals, which made me cringe and want to sequester her in bed until she wouldn't be roaming about bolstering the stereotype of the obnoxious American tourist. After she finally receives a diagnosis of what's wrong with her, she exults, "I wasn't a big whiney Austen loser after all!" Er, no: that's exactly what she seemed like, venerable cultural exploration goals notwithstanding. Clearly I missed some charm that the numerous other reviewers who described the book glowingly DID catch, but as I read it, I felt this work was probably going to be most appealing to the organizers of a book club; somehow all the juicy glory of the amazing journey Smith took was just lost in translation. I wish Smith much happiness with her new beau, but thought I should post a counterpoint that this may not be precisely the dreamily literary travelogue the prospective reader may be anticipating.

Unlike Kerouac, this English professor took her years of teaching Jane Austen" on the road" throughout Central and South America. The idea was to see how Miss Austen's books were received through book club readings and discussions. La Professora Smith, introduced Pride & Prejudice to one group; another to Sense and Sensibility; still another group was given Emma to read. I was gratified to note that many more men took part in the discussions than would ever happen in the US, and I wondered what perceptions we'd see from the macho point-of-view. Droll, witty and earnest observations led to common themes. Through space, cultures and time, many things remain the same: meddlesome mothers, class prejudices, a woman's role in domestic issues, courting and marriage. We discover that we are not so different after all. This is an essential take along on a vacation; not going on a vacation, yet? That's OK, this book can take you away with a smile.