The Dashwood Sisters Tell All

April 1, 2011
The third of Pattillos novels supposedly based on (imaginary) lost writings by Jane Austen loosely follows the plot of Sense and Sensibility. Sisters Ellen and Mimi Dodge have flown to England at the behest of their mother, whose dying wish was that the pair would go on a Jane Austen walking tour together. Like Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, Ellen and Mimi couldnt be more different. Ellen is responsible and grounded, while Mimi is a daydreamer and a flirt. Though the tour guide immediately takes a shine to Mimi, she is distracted by a dashing, flirtatious Brit. Ellen is shaken to find her mother has also arranged for Daniel, the man she loved and lost in college, to go on the tour. But the biggest surprise of all is a package from their mother containing what appears to be the diary of Jane Austens sister, Cassandra, which draws more than a little attention from their fellow tourists. Every bit as charming as Pattillos previous pastiches, this is sure to be a hit among readers who cant get enough Jane Austen.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)