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July 22, 2006

Speaking of Austen: A Book Discussion of The Inn at Lake Devine!

The Inn at Lake Devine is a comedy of social class, prejudice, and manners.
And Elinor Lipman’s stories and heroines have been compared to those of Jane Austen. Is this a fair comparison?

Here’s a quick summary of the novel: Natalie, a Jewish girl of 13, befriends blonde-haired Robin Fife at camp in the summer of 1962. Robin’s family annually visits the exclusive WASP establishment of the Inn at Lake Devine and Natalie’s motive is to be invited along so she can teach the Berry family owners some lessons in Anti-Semitism. Nothing goes as planned and the uneventful week-long visit to the Inn soon fades from Natalie’s memory. Ten years later, Natalie, now struggling to establish herself as a French chef, finds herself back at the Inn at Lake Devine to help celebrate the marriage of Robin and one of the Berry brothers. Once again nothing goes as planned. Natalie finds herself in the middle of calamitous events and very attracted to younger brother Kris. The mix of cultures and cooking that follow makes this a delicious read.

Is Natalie a modern day Jane Austen heroine?
Your comments please!

Posted by MaryF at July 22, 2006 12:37 PM