A Walk with Jane Austen: A Journey Into Adventure, Love, and Faith

I read a review of this book before buying, so I went into it with the knowledge that it was journalistic, and as much about the author as it was about Jane Austen. I'm also a Christian, and of similar age to the author, and in addition, have traveled to England and seen some of the same sights. For all these reasons, I loved it. Lori Smith is very honest regarding her struggles with her health, unfulfilled desires, and especially her faith. To say it was "engaging" is not enough--I really couldn't put it down. I came away encouraged by her reminders of God's grace, freely given, grace not given in exchange for anything I've done or can ever do. She also exhorts one, using Jane's example, to be faithful in the little, everyday things--that this is what makes an extraordinary life. Regarding Jane Austen, I learned many "factoids" that I had never encountered, and enjoyed the seamless comparisons Smith made to her own experiences. The descriptions of the Austen sites are excellent and have me scheming...how can I get back to England ASAP? An excellent, addicting, journal-type read! Women: get some comfort food, a quilt and this book--instant English "vacation."

This refreshingly honest book will resonate in your soul. While it's not a biography of Jane Austen, it explores important issues of faith and love with which Austen struggled -- and it shows how current Austen fans like author Lori Smith can deal with those same issues in true Austen style (gently and thoughtfully). Smith gives voice to the fears and doubts that walk around inside all of our souls, while showing that God's grace is bigger than any of it. This is a "walk" that I thoroughly enjoyed reading!

Lori Smith joins the ranks of travel memoirists with the engaging story of her trip through Jane Austen's England and the coinciding Austenian romance that arose during her stay. Lori reveals herself to us as a quintessential Austenian character--charming, essentially good, but honestly and vulnerably flawed. Her struggles with faith and her exploration of Austen's religious roots, her musings on life as a single woman in the 21st and 19th centuries, and her detailed and insightful descriptions of Austen's history and the places that figured in her history will delight both Austen fans and fans of the memoir genre.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lori Smith's "A Walk with Jane Austen," it is unquestionably an enjoyable and thought provoking read. Once again Lori has bravely and generously let the reader sit beside her and hear her thoughts, listen to her humbly own her strengths and goodness, while at the same time actively confront and challenge her growing edges. Such self examination of her own character is an inspiration to the reader. Lori has a veritable gift for meaningfully writing about unquestionably challenging human struggles without making the topic overwhelming or odious---this is because the prose is so absolutely lovely, funny, and honest, that the reader feels completely natural and at ease at every turn.

This is a beautiful book about Lori Smith's real life adventures when she went to England to explore Jane Austen's world. Interwoven with her own stories are fascinating and little-known facts about Jane Austen. Lori lets us into her life, as well as Jane's, and everyone will find something to relate to and learn from. It is a fun and inspiring book, and way too short!