This is a well-written, engaging, and at times funny trip through the halls of academia. Back in her college days, Anne Corey and Adam Martinez were more than just friends. They were two parts of one unit, planning a lifetime together. Then after her mentor, Dr. Russell, suggested that Anne put her career first and take her post-graduate degree at Yale, Anne and Adam split up. Adam continued on his plan to do counseling in California while Anne worked on her PhD in Connecticut.
Jump forward a number of years. Dr. Anne Corey is an instructor at Fairfax College--the same college that has just hired Dr. Adam Martinez as the new president. Anne needs to come to peace with her past relationship with Adam and plot a way forward. Add into the story a number of well drawn characters and some very witty situations and you have the makings for an excellent read.
Now in honesty, I chose this to read book because the back cover mentioned it as a modern retelling of Jane Austen's PERSUASION. Being a 21st century guy and unfamiliar with 19th century literary prose, I have never been able to get into much of Austin's work. They are, however, my wife's favorites. Still, without her depth of familiarity with Austen, it was easy to see the ghost of Jane Austen throughout the book. In the pages of BY THE BOOK you find traces of Captain Frederick Wentworth, William Elliot, Captain Harville, Lady Russell, and of course Anne Elliot.
Even though I only ever managed to finish PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, it wasn't hard to imagine a bit of Fitzwilliam Darcy in Adam, or a little bit of George Wickham in Rick. Like any Jane Austen heroine, Anne is a strong insightful woman who simply must find balance between the demands of academia and her desire for a fulfilling personal life.
Whether you read the book as a homage to Jane Austen or read it as a delightful, insightful, fun book, I highly recommend that you do read it.
Jump forward a number of years. Dr. Anne Corey is an instructor at Fairfax College--the same college that has just hired Dr. Adam Martinez as the new president. Anne needs to come to peace with her past relationship with Adam and plot a way forward. Add into the story a number of well drawn characters and some very witty situations and you have the makings for an excellent read.
Now in honesty, I chose this to read book because the back cover mentioned it as a modern retelling of Jane Austen's PERSUASION. Being a 21st century guy and unfamiliar with 19th century literary prose, I have never been able to get into much of Austin's work. They are, however, my wife's favorites. Still, without her depth of familiarity with Austen, it was easy to see the ghost of Jane Austen throughout the book. In the pages of BY THE BOOK you find traces of Captain Frederick Wentworth, William Elliot, Captain Harville, Lady Russell, and of course Anne Elliot.
Even though I only ever managed to finish PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, it wasn't hard to imagine a bit of Fitzwilliam Darcy in Adam, or a little bit of George Wickham in Rick. Like any Jane Austen heroine, Anne is a strong insightful woman who simply must find balance between the demands of academia and her desire for a fulfilling personal life.
Whether you read the book as a homage to Jane Austen or read it as a delightful, insightful, fun book, I highly recommend that you do read it.