Sense and Sensibility updated: HIllary Manton Lodge's Jane of Austin

In the world of Austen adaptations, there are four main categories: spin-offs that tell the continuing adventures of one or more of the characters (Molly Greeley's The Clergyman's Wife), retellings from a different point of view (Jo Baker's brilliant and beautifully written Longbourn), modern retellings that update Austen's characters (Curtis Sittenfeld's Eligible), and re-writes that stick to the story, but place it in another setting to show how Austen's insights on class, gender, and prejudice continue to be relevant (Soniah Kamal's amazing Unmarriageable and Ibi Zoboi's fabulous Pride). 

This novel fits into the third category: a modernized retelling focused on updating the story for fans who know the story and can appreciate the cleverness of Austen's characters reimagined today or readers who are unlikely ever to pick up the original. Jane of Austin is a modern take on Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility featuring three sisters whose father embezzled money from his firm and disappears to avoid the repercussions. The sisters ultimately have to relocate to Austin, where they hope to open a tea shop and support themselves. It's a fun read, and the modern twists on Austen's tale are creative, including shifting the Colonel Brandon character to a disabled war veteran.

Lodge makes the interesting decision to tell the story through Jane (the Marianne character) and Callum (the Colonel Brandon character). Austen's original emphasizes Elinor's story and point of view, so this adds another perspective and makes Marianne's point of view easier to understand (and feel less over-emotional and melodramatic). Margaret (here Margot) also has a chance to come more into her own because she's depicted as an older character with more chances to show her personality.

I had no idea that this was published by a Christian imprint until I read a few other reviews. It doesn't come through strongly in the novel, so I'm wondering what makes it specifically Christian.

Overall, I found this a light and enjoyable read, and I plan to make some of the recipes that are included (not the tea, though. Way too fussy.).

I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.