Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict | Laurie Viera Rigler | Talks at Google

TL;DR

A modern LA woman named Courtney Stone wakes up in 19th century England in the body of a woman named Jane Mansfield and must navigate love, identity, and the challenges of living in a different time period.

Transcript

this is boring here liquid and she's going to be sing about her new book which is thank you for going to say thank you Lisa Thank You Erin thanks for having me I'm delighted to be here and what I'd like to do is to read some little snippets of scenes from my book Confessions of a Jane Austen addict sort of I think of it sort of like a like a movie ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏛️ The author's inspiration for the name "Jane Mansfield" in the book was the combination of a classic Jane Austen name and a reference to the 20th-century actress Jayne Mansfield.
• 💦 The author is currently working on a sequel/parallel story that explores what was happening in Courtney's life while Jane was in her body.
• 🥰 The author enjoyed the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice but still holds a special place in her heart for the 1995 Colin Firth version.
• 🛀 Bath, where part of the story takes place, is a city that combines both 18th-century Georgian architecture with a vibrant, modern energy.
• 🤳 The author believes that Jane Austen's books are like self-help guides, offering insights into human nature and personal growth.
• 📖 The ending of the book is open to interpretation, with different readers having different interpretations of events.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long did it take the author to write this book?

It took the author about six years to write this book, with lots of research and stops and starts along the way.

Q: Why is Jane Austen's writing considered timeless?

Jane Austen's writing is timeless because she is an amazing observer of human nature, and her books explore universal themes of self-reflection and personal discovery.

Q: Are there any movie adaptations of this book?

While the book has not been made into a movie yet, it is currently being shopped around. The author suggests that the lead actress may need to play both Courtney and Jane with different hair and makeup.

Q: What other authors does the author recommend?

The author recommends Zadie Smith's "On Beauty," Arthur Phillips' "Angelica," and Ellyn Baker's "Keeping the House," among others that she can't recall at the moment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Courtney Stone, a modern LA woman and Jane Austen fan, wakes up in 19th century England in the body of Jane Mansfield.

• She must pretend to be Jane to avoid being committed to an insane asylum by Mrs. Mansfield.

• Courtney/James deals with dysfunctional relationships and attractions while trying to figure out how she got there and how to return to her real life.