Book Review: A Walk with Jane Austen

A Walk with Jane Austen, by Lori Smith, is the story of the author's journey to England where she visited many sites associated with Jane Austen. The book blends her descriptions of Jane's environment with thoughts on Jane's life, as well as Lori's own life. At the beginning of the book, Lori spends a week getting acquainted with a handsome young man at Oxford, and throughout the book she wonders what the future holds for the two of them.

I found the book to be an unusual way to learn more details about the life of Jane Austen. I enjoyed the author's comparisons of her own life to Jane's and to Jane's heroines. When she mentioned being a bit of a Marianne one day when she'd rather be an Elinor, I could sympathize.
I wouldn't put this book in the can't put it down category, nor would I put it in the deep spiritual insight category (although it did have its thought-provoking moments), but I found it a pleasant companion for an evening bath. It will be a valuable tool someday when we visit England; Austen sites will be on our must-see list.

Lori Smith also hosts the blog Jane Austen Quote of the Day, with a quote from an Austen book almost daily, and occasionally a quote about Jane herself.