* NATIONAL BESTSELLER * “This novel delivers sweet, smart escapism.” –People “Fans of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will adore The Jane Austen Society… A charming and memorable debut, which reminds us of the universal language of literature and the power of books to unite and heal.” –Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost … heal.” –Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
Just after the Second World War, in the small English village of Chawton, an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable.
One hundred and fifty years ago, Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, one of England’s finest novelists. Now it’s home to a few distant relatives and their diminishing estate. With the last bit of Austen’s legacy threatened, a group of disparate individuals come together to preserve both Jane Austen’s home and her legacy. These people–a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others–could not be more different and yet they are united in their love for the works and words of Austen. As each of them endures their own quiet struggle with loss and trauma, some from the recent war, others from more distant tragedies, they rally together to create the Jane Austen Society.
A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, Natalie Jenner’s The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with readers for years to come.
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A small group of men and women from diverse backgrounds are brought together through their love of Jane Austen. Each has suffered from varying degrees of trauma. I enjoyed watching as they found their will to live again through their friendship. These characters could have been so much more than their one dimensional portrayal by Ms. Jenner.
Sadly I’m not able to recommend this novel due to the lack of character depth and profanity.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
This women’s fiction novel will delight Jane Austen fans. When eight people, a laborer, young widow, a doctor, a moviestar and others get together in Jane Austen’s home town of Chatown to preserve her home and legacy and so begins The Jane Austen Society. This historical fiction novel by Natalie Jenner was a delightful read and I enjoyed reading it until the end. I received this free book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Absolutely delightful!
I just adored Ms Jenner’s debut novel–I listened to Richard Armitage’s narration in about a day and a half (good grief, that man could narrate cereal boxes to me–fortunately, this novel was light years above grocery store fare!) and loved every minute of it. The vibe of it is very similar to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society , but at its heart it’s really a love letter to Austen and her fans. It’s possible to read and enjoy the book if you’re not a fan of the famous author, but there are definitely times when you might feel a teensy bit of sympathy for the friends and family of society members, who often just don’t “get” their obsession with the author. (That’s okay, we love them anyway. Except for that one–he knows who he is and what he did.
The characters here are wonderful, and at least two of the interwoven storylines closely resemble Austen novels themselves–Emma and Persuasion. I loved reading about all of the various reasons why each character loved Austen and which novel and heroine was their favorite (honestly, other than Adam shaking his head a lot at Darcy and a few discussions of Mr. Knightly and references to Henry Crawford there wasn’t nearly as much focus on the heroes, which was fine). It was delightful to see so many different people finding solace in a single author’s work; as an Austen fan, it made loving Jenner’s characters that much easier.
As someone who also rediscovered Jane Austen’s novels during a time of personal struggle and found solace in them (except Mansfield Park . I keep trying, and I just can’t) the author’s premise here really resonated.
If you’re listening to the audio version as I did, the conversation at the end between Ms Jenner and Kathleen A. Flynn is well worth the listen; a little background into the book and its conception is discussed, as well as whole lot of Austen. (And Northanger Abbey wasn’t dissed, even once. These two are my new favorite Janites! And yes, I see the hypocrisy here after my MP comment, but this is a hill I will die on.)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book (I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the wonderful Richard Armitage). A first novel, it had a few flaws, but it was a warm and cozy read. I bought it because of the setting (post WWII England) and because of Jane Austen. It turned out to be the perfect escape into another place and time.
NOTE: Most of my reviews are for Christian fiction. While not in that category, this book is free from a lot of bad language, etc., which I appreciated.
I loved this book!
I cannot believe that this novel is a debut. It was brilliant! I simply am addicted to this book and Natalie Jenner’s phenomenal writing.
Is it the name of the book where anything Jane Austen I must love and gravitate too? Is it the amazing book cover that just brings me back to simpler times? Is it the motley crew of characters that are so different they make up the perfect society? Well, it is everything! I love every bit of this from the historical background, and the characters’ solidarity in rallying together as they endure their own difficulties and creating something absolutely remarkable.
I also did read this and listen to the @librofm narration by Richard Armitage which was absolutely phenomenal. It really did give so much more to the story hearing Armitage read to me. It added so much more to my reading experience.
I am a huge fan of Austen’s work and loved the quotes and the incorporation of Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility throughout the story. This was a great escape read, that was also charming and beautiful. It is a story about people with hurt, suffering from loss and are real people with real struggles. I loved that I was able to relate with the characters.
The writing was beautifully researched and was rich in detail that I really enjoyed. I am a fan of Jenner’s writing and look forward to her future novels. I cannot stop talking about this fantastic historical fiction novel.
The Jane Austen Society far exceeded my expectations as a period piece that takes readers into Jane Austen’s world. Set in the forties, the story follows individuals from a small town in England along with several outsiders who are all drawn together by their love for Jane Austen’s work. They eventually form a society for the preservation of all things Austen.
What I love most about this book is the ordinariness of the characters. In some ways, this resembles Austen’s work, which focuses on the daily lives and ordinary (yet witty) conversations between the individuals. The conversations often revolved around Austen’s writing, but just as frequently were about life. The writing was vivid and so delightful, making readers feel at home in 1945 England. Relationships developed at an ordinary pace, but there were still plenty of surprises.
There were a lot of major characters, but fairly easy to keep track of since they were all so different from each other. Adeline, the former too-progressive school teacher, and Dr. Gray, the doctor, were my favorites. I didn’t love the movie star’s backstory, but she was still a wonderful character and it was fun to see the impact of adding an American to the otherwise all-English-cast. I did love that a teenager was thrown into the mix. The characters had depth and changed as the story progressed. Two of the subplots were clearly the stories of Emma and Persuasion. I think there may be more of Austen’s stories embedded in this book, but that will require a closer reading of both Austen’s novels and Jenner’s. Challenge accepted.
The pacing was good. The first few chapters were interesting but felt disconnected, jumping forward rapidly and then going backwards again. After the initial confusion, everything became linear and started moving forward at a steady pace. At that point, it became nearly impossible for me to put the book down –
I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next and how things would turn out for each person.
Natalie’s writing was beautiful and I already want to reread the book, although I think I’ll wait to let it settle a bit before I do. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Jane Austen and historical fiction and good storytelling. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and have reviewed it willingly.
What a lovely debut novel! Readers who enjoy historical fiction and Regency stories, like those by Jane Austen, will appreciate this book! It was easy to be transported to another time and place as the author does a great job of describing the setting and scenery. The characters have flaws, which make them relatable and realistic. At first, it seems like these characters have nothing in common, but soon we find that they all have a love for Jane Austen and a goal of preserving her legacy. There is clean romance and history to keep it interesting, and happy endings that will make any Jane Austen lover content. This book is a very cozy read, perfect for reading with a cup of tea. I enjoyed this debut novel and look forward to reading more by this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Thought-provoking in its analysis of Austen, The Jane Austen Society at once pays homage and has an endearing, colorful cast of its own. The trials of war, survival, and carrying the burdens of others are themes that contrast with the tiny little moments that make up the joy of life all prevalent in this story of hope.
Natalie Jenner has an authorly voice that captures an era and a bright group of people with a beautiful cadence and concept. From details like the subtle and leading POV shifts to the timeline of the novel, all of the characters are introduced and set up extremely well before the deeper everydayness of their lives is explored. Their relationships intertwine and wind through the story, exploring the heart of friendship, companionship, sacrifice, and even romance.
I particularly appreciate how the pleasure of reading is portrayed in this story. The joy found in rereading favorite authors, the keen humanity found in Austen’s stories, the comfort of books, and literature as a uniting force are all concepts woven through polite conversations, characters’ thoughts, and ultimately a commonality bringing together an unlikely community. The analysis, in particular, of Austen’s depth and the slight parallels to her familiar tropes Natalie engages with her own characters are simply delightful.
I must mention there is more than one romantic thread in this story and ALL of them are a delight! The couple that parallels Emma and Knightley, though, are my absolute favorites! Their conversations are just so smart, meaningful, and full of wit. They forge their own identities, not merely regurgitations of Austen’s famous duo, as an intellectual and emotional match.
The audiobook version of this novel is a pleasure to listen to, as well. Narrator Richard Armitage delivers a memorable and impactful performance with various accents (English variations, American, and even Scottish!) and a heavy dose of emotion. His embodiment of the character Dr. Benjamin Gray, in particular, is my favorite.
I highly recommend this novel for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, author Katherine Reay, or fans of post-WWII stories of triumph.
**content note: to my readers who know I typically review inspirational fiction, I want to fill you in on some content expectations. This is a “secular” novel, and has some mild and brief strong language, and an implied homosexual relationship. **
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.
I must admit that I came into this novel blind, as in, I have never read any of Jane Austen’s novels. Weird for an English Major and a bookworm, but true. I know I need to remedy the situation, and I will. That being said, this was an interesting read from the standpoint of someone who knows very little about the author, her works, and her life. I liked the way the author developed the characters and fit them together. As a life-long reader, I can also see how a group of people, especially those in the author’s home, would come together to preserve a legacy.
Not knowing the books leaves me at a disadvantage when it comes to discussing how they were handled here, but I do know that my lack of experience didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the novel. If you are a Jane Austen fan this is a book for you… if you don’t have any experience with Austen, but like a good story about a group of people who fit together over their love of reading, this book is also for you. THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner is a good read with relatable characters that kept me entertained throughout.
Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
#TheJaneAustenSociety #NatalieJenner #StMartinsPress
Jane Austen has just a few relatives left living after WWII. When her old ancestral home is being threatened by poor relatives and bad management, a group of individuals come together to save one of Jane’s legacies.
There are good many characters throughout this story. But, the author does a pretty good job melding them all together. I enjoyed the camaraderie of this diverse group of people as they work together the create the Jane Austen Society.
This is a charming, sweet read. I have not read a lot of Jane Austen (GASP!). I will have to remedy this issue. This book brings out so much information about her life and her history, I want to read more of her works.
If you need a quick, enjoyable read, this is it!
I received this copy from the publisher for a honest review.
The author wove a tale of Jane Austen book lovers in the town where she wrote and lived at one time, that started in 1932 and went into the mid 40’s. Her characters were written well as lonely, brave, single and widowers with a common thread of loving the books she wrote. You will enjoy the journey she takes you on as they make their way in life and save themselves and her history. Recommend.
Few things draw disparate people together so quickly as discovering they love the same writers. Few writers cement such friendships as deeply as Austen does. I believe that the readers of Jenner’s book will fall in love with the readers inside Jenner’s book, all of us thinking and dreaming of Austen the whole while. What could be better? Nothing, that’s what! A wonderful book, a wonderful read.
I can’t remember the last time I was so utterly charmed by a novel as I am with The Jane Austen Society. Natalie Jenner creates a world populated with characters who come together to preserve Jane Austen’s home in the village of Chawton after WWII. And in so doing she explores love and grief and hope, all while plunging us headfirst into Austen’s words. A celebration of the human spirit and the power of stories, I just love this book!
The Jane Austen Society is a joyous novel. Written beautifully from the first sentence to the last, Natalie Jenner casts a spell that will have you falling in love with each of her lovingly-drawn characters, with the charming English village in which the story is set, and with Jane Austen herself. I read it straight through, relishing every word and regretting only that it eventually had to end. With tears still in my eyes from the perfect closing scene, I ran to pull a Jane Austen novel from my bookshelf, eager to remain in the magical world Natalie Jenner conjured. In a time where it is so easy to feel we are all at odds with one another, The Jane Austen Society is a beautiful reminder that connection and care are at the heart of the human experience.
This was a delightful and charming book about people coming together to preserve the last home of Jane Austen in the village of Chawton in the mid 1940’s. A wonderful debut novel that I recommend for Jane Austen fans and fans of The Chilbury Ladies Choir. I was fortunate to receive an e-galley of the book and think I will buy a hard copy for my personal library.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the review copy.
Jane Austen Legacy
In the small town in England where Jane Austen lived and wrote her books, a group of Jane Austen fans form a society to keep her legacy alive. The propose to purchase books and the cottage she lived in to keep as an attraction for Jane Austen fans that visit their small English town.
First there is a young farm boy, Adam Berwick then he recruits Doctor Benjamin Gray who recruits the young widow Adeline Grover. Adeline then recruited Eva Stone who recruited Frances Knight. The lawyer Andrew Forrester was recruited next. The last to be recruited were Yardley Sinclair an auction dealer and Mimi Harrison a movie star. The made for quite an assortment of diverse people for the Jane Austen Society.
Old relationships are rekindled, new relationships grow, and secrets are revealed in this story built around the works of Jane Austen. It has an amazingly happy ending…several of them actually.
It was a delightful book to read, I really enjoyed reading it and I think you will as well. I recommend this book.
Thanks to Natalie Jenner, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and advance copy of the book for an honest review.
Natalie Jenner’s The Jane Austen Society delighted this Janite reader!
The village of Chawton after the war is filled with diverse, lonely individuals.
Frances Knight no longer leaves the grounds of the Knight estate. Her father is dying upstairs but still rules with an iron fist.
Adam Berwick’s dream of university was ended with the deaths of his brothers during the war, leaving him his mother’s soul support. She presses him to find a suitable wife, but love eludes him, and if found, would be dangerous.
Dr. Gray is not coping with the early loss of his beloved wife, even to the point of self-medicating. Adeline Lewis is pregnant and widowed, her childhood sweetheart killed in the war.
And even the visiting Hollywood star, a fading beauty, wonders about the unreliability of her fiance and the future of her career.
Bookended by the two worst wars the world had ever seen, they were ironically the survivors, yet it was beyond him what they were surviving for. ~from The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
A character talks to another about Jane Austen, and then another pair open up about the books that inspire them. Books and reading and Jane Austen feed their souls. Friendship–and love– blossoms on what had been thought barren ground.
Their readings are insightful and deep, some even surprising this old reader of Austen. Huh. Why didn’t I think of that? It’s all delivered through the action and dialogue and a part of the characters opening up to each other.
The idea of saving Austen’s legacy gives them a goal and brings something positive and hopeful into their lives. They become a community bound by a common love.
The love stories are inspired by Austen’s novels, the quarreling pair who resist their mutual attraction, the couple past their prime rekindling a love squashed by their separation of class.
Reading this book during a COVID-19 lockdown was balm for the soul. These war-wounded people who discover reasons to go on are inspiring.
They turn to books for healing, to “disappear into fictional worlds of others’ making,” “hoping to find some answers.” As we do today, isolated in our homes and searching for community, turn to books.
Books are bridges. In Jenner’s story, they bring solace and community and wholeness.
I was given a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is an old fashioned book…not as old fashioned as Jane Austen, however. It is a small town in England, the one where Austen lived as she was writing, but it is a time more current. An add group people comes together to form a small group to try to put together an Austen museum. They all have back-stories; all have had previous contact. They are pretty much regular people except for one aging movie star and from this grow a variety of relationships, all intriguing and all meant to be.
What a happy story, although there is plenty in it that is not so happy. There is the middle-aged village doctor; the young, widowed ex-school teacher; the middle-aged lawyer; the auction house expert from London; the not-middle-aged, but aging, movie actress, owner of the local estate; and the middle-aged man-of-odd-jobs. All have had life treat them harshly and yet, mostly, they don’t hold grudges. They see it as the way life is. All are alone, although many have not always been. All have seen love, and death. What, you say? Real life? Absolutely, except in a very special place. I loved this book. Read it. You will, too. I highly recommend it to romantics and non-romantics. It is a lovley read.
I received a free ARC of The Jane Austen Society from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thejaneaustensociety
The Jane Austen Society is a sweet, heartwarming, delightful story that slowly builds, adding compelling characters and events and leaving you with a very satisfying tale about a village full of interesting people who capture your attention and hold it until the very end. Their love of Jane Austen and her books and their desire to honor her memory are a marvelous bonus.
I requested an advance copy of this book really just because of the title and connection to Austen. I’m a fan and the book description was intriguing. I was not disappointed at all. The story is about Jane Austen but not just about her. The characters in the village of Chawton are compelling, well-developed and the real stars, and the not-so-nice villains of the story provide a nice contrast. The villagers have survived two world wars and a lot of personal tragedy before, during and after the wars. A lot has changed in the village, but on the other hand some things never change. Chawton is a small village and everyone knows everything about everybody else – or do they? There is mystery and drama and suspense and all the emotions people experience: fear, anger, resentment, tragedy, loss, hope – and love.
The first few chapters set up the environment and characters and jump around in time a little as we learn a bit of backstory about everyone. Then it’s like a flower unfolding as we learn more and see them come together to form the Jane Austen Society. Of course it’s not without its difficulties and personal relationships have their issues as well. Choice are made that seem to exacerbate rather than solve problems, but we learn that these choices are likely made for all the right reasons.
Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of The Jane Austen Society for my honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation.
Charming, cosy, and quaint!
The Jane Austen Society is a delightfully nostalgic, heartwarming tale that takes us to the small village of Chawton, England post-WWII and into the lives of an unusual, eclectic group of people that includes a farmer, a doctor, a former school teacher, a young maid, a solicitor, a movie star, an antique auctioneer, and a distant relative of Austen as they join together to preserve and honour the iconic writer and the legacy she left behind.
The writing is tender and rich. The characters are multilayered, caring, and engaging. And the plot is an absorbing mix of life, loss, love, family, friendship, heartbreak, loneliness, familial expectations, second chances, and literary dabblings.
Overall, The Jane Austen Society is a sweet, touching, sentimental debut by Jenner that does a wonderful job of reminding us of all the special, remarkable characters and tales Jane Austen created and why we still enjoy and love them so much today.