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First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen Audiobook
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Publisher Description
A thrilling literary mystery costarring Jane Austen from the New York Times bestselling author of The Bookman’s Tale Charlie Lovett first delighted readers with his New York Times bestselling debut, The Bookman’s Tale. Now, Lovett weaves another brilliantly imagined mystery, this time featuring one of English literature’s most popular and beloved authors: Jane Austen. Book lover and Austen enthusiast Sophie Collingwood has recently taken a job at an antiquarian bookshop in London when two different customers request a copy of the same obscure book: the second edition of Little Book of Allegories by Richard Mansfield. Their queries draw Sophie into a mystery that will cast doubt on the true authorship of Pride and Prejudice—and ultimately threaten Sophie’s life. In a dual narrative that alternates between Sophie’s quest to uncover the truth—while choosing between two suitors—and a young Jane Austen’s touching friendship with the aging cleric Richard Mansfield, Lovett weaves a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life lived in books.
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“Jayne Entwistle narrates with aperfect combination of engaged enthusiasm and subtlety…The chapters alternatebetween Sophie’s story in the present day and Austen’s story in the late 1700s.Entwistle delivers both delightfully with her sublime English accent andability to completely disappear from the narration. She allows both stories tounfold at a leisurely pace as Lovett’s beautiful writing shines through. EvenEntwistle’s American accent is excellent, just enough for listeners to get theidea without being distracted. There’s mystery, danger, and romance as Sophie setsout to prove Austen’s innocence. Book lovers, Austen lovers, and cozy mysterylovers will find this an enchanting listen. Winner of the AudioFile EarphonesAward.”
— AudioFile
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“A delightful novel.”
— People -
“[Lovett’s] story weaves together both past and present, fact and fiction, in pursuit of a secret that threatens to turn the literary world upside down…This novel is, at its heart, a love letter to fiction—not just for its writers but also for its readers.”
— Washington Post -
“A charming story.”
— Christian Science Monitor -
“[A] thrilling romance.”
— Woman’s Day -
“A charming, entertaining story…Lovett’s storytelling and humor keep you captivated from the first page to the last.”
— Burlington Times News -
“This novel is both beautiful and exciting…A must-read, especially for those who love books, writing, and reading!”
— Historical Novels Review -
“A book about books…an intriguing story [about] an author whose stories have not lost their romantic appeal in two hundred years.”
— Suspense Magazine -
“First Impressions is an Austen appetizer—leaving the reader eager to explore or revisit works that have touched us for more than two centuries.”
— Mountain Times (North Carolina) -
“Lovett weaves two plots together in this well-designed, ingenious novel…Ardent fans of Jane Austen and lovers of gripping stories will enjoy following Sophie’s pursuit of the truth.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Part mystery, part love story, First Impressions is a 100 percent thumping good read and a loving homage to one of literature’s most beloved authors. Lovett takes readers on a rollicking adventure that cleverly weaves in the best elements of Austen’s novels, while also giving life to Austen’s own personal history in a satisfying and captivating way. It’s a giddy novel that celebrates books and the people who love them as much as it entertains, making it the perfect read for bookworms and Janeites alike.”
— BookPage -
“[An] appealing combination of mystery, romance, and bibliophilism…An absolute must for Austen fans, a pleasure for others.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A BookPage Top Pick in Popular Fiction for November 2014
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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A Woman’s Day Magazine Pick
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About Charlie Lovett
Charlie Lovett is the New York Times bestselling author of four previous novels, including The Bookman’s Tale and Escaping Dreamland. His academic writings include Lewis Carroll: Formed by Faith and for children he has written The Book of the Seven Spells and twenty plays that have been seen in over five thousand productions worldwide. A former antiquarian bookseller and avid book collector, he and his wife, Janice, live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and (when the pandemic allows) in the village of Kingham in England.
About Jayne Entwistle
Jayne Entwistle is a voice talent and Earphones Award–winning narrator.