Karen Joy Fowler Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Author's Choice Monthly Books

Publication Order of The James Tiptree Award Anthology Books

Publication Order of Outspoken Authors Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Karen Joy Fowler

Karen Joy Fowler is a science fiction author and a New York Times best-selling author. One of her best works, We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves, was a Booker Prize finalist. Sony Pictures adapted the Jane Austen Book Club as a major motion picture after spending over three months in the bestseller list. Fowler’s novel Sister Noon was among the finalists for the Faulkner Award in 2001. This talented author draws in her readers with her captivating writing style and clever plots. Having grown around books, her love for the written word started early and continues to grow with time. Fowler, a mother to grown children, lives in California with her husband.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves introduces the Cooke family. This story, narrated by Rosemary, the youngest member of the family, exposes how the family copes after an event that changes their lives. Rosemary grew up surrounded by love, attention, and chaos. She was incredibly close to her sister Fern and their elder brother, Lowell. From the time she learned to talk, Rosemary was the household’s Chatty-Cathy. However, something happens, and she just stops talking. Her two siblings disappear from her life, leaving her all alone. As if this is not enough, her lovely mother turns into a shell, and their imperious father becomes a stranger to them all. What suddenly destroyed this family?

From the day Rosemary stopped talking, she put high walls all around her and never let anyone in. At twenty-two, no one really knows Rosemary, and if she was, to be honest with herself, she doesn’t know who she is either. Her family rarely talks about the past, and Rosemary cannot recall what happened around the time that her siblings disappeared. Now in University, Rosemary is just about to uncover what really happened. The author jumps back and forth to different timelines of Rosemary’s life. We get to experience the chatty, curious child who cannot stop talking and the quiet adult who struggles to make friends.
While this story will pull at your heartstrings, Rosemary’s sarcasm will leave you laughing out loud. The protagonist is well developed, making it easy to identify with her. Her talkativeness as a child and her reserved behavior as an adult is all so easy to understand. The author’s writing style is outstanding, and the storyline is sure to blow you away. Aside from Rosemary, you also get to meet other unique characters who will stay in your mind. Rosemary narrates this story in such an emotionally raw way. Details about her unusual past slowly come to the surface, and the circumstances that led to her sibling’s disappearance drive the narrative to the last page.

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is a funny, sophisticated, and psychologically thrilling read. It is also an entertaining coming of age story. The science, literary, and psychology references add a lot to the story, not to mention Rosemary’s funny voice. Set in Indiana and California, this captivating story takes you deep into a family made up of flawed individuals. It is sad to see how the characters’ lives change overnight. However, in her own way, Rosemary still finds something to laugh about through the chaos. If you are searching for an engaging story with a great protagonist, outstanding storyline, and flawless narration, this book is a wonderful choice.

The Jane Austen Book Club

The Jane Austen Book Club introduces six characters who come together to discuss Jane Austen’s work. This group frequently meets over six months, and within this period, affairs begin, marriages are shaken, and love happens. The five women and one man in this group are obviously unfiled, and it is fun watching how their lives evolve over six months. There is the woman who has just left her husband with her lesbian daughter. A never-married dog breeder, an unhappily married French teacher, and the woman who has been married six times. While these people have different backgrounds, they all share a love for Jane Austen’s books. So, will this group stay together to discuss all of Austen’s novels?

In this book, Karen Joy Fowler takes a deep look at modern relationships, highlighting them deliciously. Austen echoes in every chapter of this book, and it is interesting how the characters’ lives are similar to those of the cast in her novels. The discussions are interesting, and you cannot help but wonder why some of these characters will not make better choices, especially when it comes to love. Through their interactions, the characters’ strengths and weaknesses come to the surface. We start with Prudie, who is unhappy in her marriage and super annoying. Next is Jocelyn, who is sensible but too focused on other people’s happiness. Allegra is the fun girl and the life of the party, while Bernadette considers herself a queen. Grigg, the only male in the group, is likable despite his odd taste in women.

This book comes with six chapters. Each chapter focuses on one of Jane Austen’s novels and one club member whose life is similar to the protagonist in the story. This makes it easier to follow the different characters’ lives. At the end is a synopsis of all Austen’s novels, making this a perfect book for Austen fans. It is clever how the author weaves the six members’ lives in this club with Jane Austen’s key characters. There is no doubt that the author is a talented wordsmith, and her narration will have you hooked from the first chapter.

The Jane Austen Book Club is a great social comedy read. It comes with a clever premise and six characters who will keep you engaged to the last page. It is fun following the discussions and seeing how the characters interpret different things in Austen’s books. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will enjoy pairing these characters with the cast in Fowler’s book. The comprehensive notes at the back of the book are great for readers who have not interacted with Austen’s work before.