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5 Minutes for Mom–Just Jane

Just Jane by Nancy Moser drew me in right away. Although this is not what the typical reader would describe as suspenseful, for me it was a page turner as the human drama unfolded: What will she do? Will she speak her mind? Will he be okay? Also, since it is about a well-known figure, the reader knows what is to come, so we are anxious to find out how and when it comes to be, which heightens the suspense.

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Nancy Moser has written a novelization of Jane Austen’s life. The afterward offers an explanation of Nancy Moser’s sources and process in writing a bio-novel. Moser delightfully recreates Austen’s voice without simply imitating it, so that Just Jane reads like a lost Jane Austen novel. If you’ve read all her works and hunger for more, this is definitely a book that you would enjoy. This year I have read (or re-read) a couple of Austen’s novels. As I read about the genesis of many of her well-known characters, that background added to my enjoyment of this book. But whether or not you are familiar with her novels, this book will still interest you if you crave hearing about the heart and life of a writer or reading biographies or historical fiction in general. This is simply the story of a young woman growing to the point where she can stop focusing and dissecting the many roles in her life–aspiring writer, husband-seeker, dutiful daughter and sister–to be just Jane.

The characterization is clear and colorful with an easy delineation of the various friends and family members that we grow to love (or at least understand). If you read this book, you will grow to love the heroine and will probably want to delve into more of Jane Austen’s or Nancy Moser’s skillful prose.

Bethany House is giving one reader (in U.S. or Canada) a copy of Just Jane AND the Pride and Prejudice Insight Edition which features the complete original text by Jane Austen, as well as trivia, notes, and inspiration from Jane Austen’s own writings. To win both books, leave a comment by Sunday. The winner will be announced next week here at 5 Minutes for Books.

The winners of Beyond the Mommy Years are
Beth at Sportsmomma and Steph at Adventures in Babywearing


About Jennifer D.

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

241 Comments

  • 201
    Liz Sawyer
    September 28, 2007 | Permalink |

    I could use some Good Reads!

  • 202
    Julie Lawrence
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    sounds like a good book!

  • 203
    Brook
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    Sounds wonderful! The book looks great!

  • 204
    richard titanic
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    Hope I win.

  • 205
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    Plain Jane

  • 206
    Mary Ann
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    I’d love to read this book.

  • 207
    Nina Cunningham
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    I’d love to win this…thanks so much!

  • 208
    sharon
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    sounds great, would love this one

  • 209
    Terry Hodges
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    I would love to read this book as I love anything on Jane Austin

  • 210
    Margery Yeager
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    Please pick me!

  • 211
    Lisa Sibley
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    love to have it!

  • 212
    Sharon Lowe
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    Jane Austen was a fascinating woman, independent and ahead of her time.

  • 213
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    I could really use some time to relax this would be awsome.

  • 214
    Erica Greca
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    I would love to read this (and have it sitting out for my husband to see).

  • 215
    Erica Greca
    September 29, 2007 | Permalink |

    Throw my name into the hat!

  • 216
    Michelle H.
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Please count me in also.

  • 217
    Kendra
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Love Jane Austen – would love to read Nancy’s perspective.

  • 218
    Sandy Mangarella
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    I love Jane Austen, too.

  • 219
    SC Lopez
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Great prize!

  • 220
    Margaret Coltman
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Lovely – sounds like just what I need to have a moment for me!

  • 221
    Samantha Pruitt
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    ooo gimme gimme

  • 222
    Veronica Garrett
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    I have always wanted to read Jane Austen

  • 223
    Nicole Maurer
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    I would love to read these!

  • 224
    Tiffany Howard
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    I would love to win this; I love Jane Austen.

  • 225
    andrea henry
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Sounds great.

  • 226
    Dina
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Jane Austen is my favorite!

  • 227
    Shania Duncan
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    This sounds great. Count me in!

  • 228
    Sarah Hansen
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    I’d like to read the book!

  • 229
    Pamela Hansen
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    5 minutes. that seems to be all I have anymore

  • 230
    Ed Nemmers
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Cool beans!

  • 231
    Kam Aures
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Sounds like a great book!

  • 232
    Ellie Cole
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Just the name has me so intrigued. I would love to win and read this!

  • 233
    Gerlinde
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    AWESOME I WOULD LOVE TO WIN

  • 234
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Nice

  • 235
    Heather C
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    great prize! love jane austen.

  • 236
    kerri renner
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    count me in also !!!

  • 237
    Catrina Pomerleau
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    Please enter me.

  • 238
    Connie Ausema
    September 30, 2007 | Permalink |

    LOVE EVERYTHING jANE aUSTEN

  • 239
    Noreen
    October 10, 2007 | Permalink |

    Pride and Prejudice is my all time favorite book!!

  • 240
    November 8, 2007 | Permalink |

    Liz was here. ;)

  • 241
    January 17, 2010 | Permalink |

    Ooh, I LOVE anything Jane Austen! Thanks for the chance to win.

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