Publication
St. Martin's Press, c2020.
Series
Status
Available
Description
""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 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"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member lindapanzo
I've read a few Jane Austen books in my lifetime but certainly not all of them and I certainly don't consider myself a huge fan. Nonetheless, once I get past the character introductions (and the character interactions), which were a bit slow going for me, and got into the formation and meeting of
This book takes place mainly in the mid-1940's in the small village of Chawton. A number of villagers and a few others form the Jane Austen Society to preserve Austen’s former home. While there is much talk about Austen novels and Austen characters but I suspect this book and its characters would appeal even to others, like me, who don't think of themselves as Jane Austen fans.
I would recommend it. People, like me who loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, would likely love this one.
(I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
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the Jane Austen Society members, I really enjoyed this short novel. It makes me want to read more Austen, for one thing.This book takes place mainly in the mid-1940's in the small village of Chawton. A number of villagers and a few others form the Jane Austen Society to preserve Austen’s former home. While there is much talk about Austen novels and Austen characters but I suspect this book and its characters would appeal even to others, like me, who don't think of themselves as Jane Austen fans.
I would recommend it. People, like me who loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, would likely love this one.
(I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
More than 100 years after Jane Austen’s untimely death, several residents of the village of Chawton form the Jane Austen Society to preserve Austen’s former home from its gradual decay. This novel follows the lives, friendships, and loves of the eight members of the Society. Austen lovers will
This review is based on an electronic advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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enjoy the lively discussion of Austen’s works and debates about each society member’s favorite Austen heroine and hero. While it’s difficult for an author to surprise readers when characters and plot lines parallel those in Austen’s novels, Jenner does pull off a surprise or two. In addition to Austen fans, this novel will appeal to readers who relish gentle reads, and especially those set in English villages.This review is based on an electronic advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member sprainedbrain
First, I would like to personally thank Natalie Jenner, because it’s pretty obvious this book was written just for me.
LibraryThing member brangwinn
I’m a librarian and I know that literature has the power to heal. While I’ve never been the fervent Jane Austen fan, I was fascinated by the group of such different people brought together to save part of Austen’s heritage. I loved discussion of the characters and how different people related
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to different Austen books. This is one of those gentle books, there are problems, the ending is slightly different than what I had hoped for but it was a satisfying book. What the book does best is show how two hundred years after her death, Austen’s writing still speaks to readers. Show Less
LibraryThing member LadyoftheLodge
"The Jane Austen Society" tells the story of a group of seemingly unrelated and quite different people, who come together with a common interest in the infamous Ms. Austen. Their literary interests bind them together, along with a desire to preserve as much as possible of Jane Austen's life and
The characters are realistic and engaging. The story starts out a bit slowly, as the author describes each character's backstory. However, readers will quickly start to see how the threads of their lives interweave and will become engaged with the characters and the story line. All is nicely wrapped up at the end, with some surprising twists ("I should have see it coming, but. . ."). "Janeites" will surely enjoy this novel. Personally, I did not want it to end. The author achieved her goal of making me want to dive back into Jane's books and re-read them all.
I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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objects related thereunto. Each person has his or her own "demons" and scars. Their common goal helps each of them to conquer and to heal. The characters are realistic and engaging. The story starts out a bit slowly, as the author describes each character's backstory. However, readers will quickly start to see how the threads of their lives interweave and will become engaged with the characters and the story line. All is nicely wrapped up at the end, with some surprising twists ("I should have see it coming, but. . ."). "Janeites" will surely enjoy this novel. Personally, I did not want it to end. The author achieved her goal of making me want to dive back into Jane's books and re-read them all.
I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
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LibraryThing member KateBaxter
Oh, such a delightfully charming read from a new voice within the historical fiction genre. Author Natalie Jenner, a self-proclaimed Austen fan, has artfullly captured the charm of an Austen period piece. However it is set 150 years later in the post WWII years. The subtle interplay among the cast
We find in this story eight main characters: Adam Berwick-quiet, mild-mannered local farmer who became enchanted with Austen's writing by way of a young lovely's recommendation; Dr. Benjamin Gray-town physician and lonely widower; Adeline Lewis Grover-local schoolteacher, recently widowed and expecting; Frances Knight-unmarried and only child of current and aged heir to the Knight estate who is a direct descendant of Ms. Austen's brother; Andrew Forrester-Mr. Knight's solicitor; Mimi Harrison-film star and bright Smith College graduate; and Jack Leonard-Mimi's fiancé and narcissistic leading man. With no male heir of the Knight estate immediately known, any and all Austen artifacts are in great peril. As a way of furthering education and the study of Ms. Austen's life and writing, the group assembles to discuss what can be done. Thus the Jane Austen Society is established and a plan is launched. Yet, oh "the best laid plans of mice and men....".
Ms. Jenner writes beautifully from her obvious love for and study of Jane Austen's works. She has deftly crafted a story of various arcing narratives which can so easily be compared to those of characters in Austen's books. It's a delightful read and and an excellent first novel by a rising star. I will definitely keep an eye open for Ms. Jenner's future writing projects.
I am grateful to author Natalie Jenner and St. Martin's Press for having provided a free uncorrected digital galley of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
The eagerly anticipated release of this book is May, 2020.
Synopsis (from author's website):
THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner is a fictional telling of the start of the society in the 1940s in the village of Chawton, England, where Austen lived and wrote or revised her six famous novels. There are eight main characters in the novel, all of whom are obsessed with Austen and conspire to create the society and turn the Austen cottage into a museum in her honor: a WWII war widow, a village doctor, a farmer and local handyman, a town solicitor, a house-girl on the Knight family estate, the anticipated heiress of that estate, an employee of Sotheby's, and a Hollywood actress. Multiple social, romantic, and cultural collisions ensue. Jenner brings all of these disparate characters vividly to life, and you'll root for all of them to find their own happiness.
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of characters reads as familiar story for Austen afficionados yet is clearly spoken in the vernacular of its later time. Her characters are well-developed, very human in their brokenness yet all willing to pull together to create something greater than each could on their own. We find in this story eight main characters: Adam Berwick-quiet, mild-mannered local farmer who became enchanted with Austen's writing by way of a young lovely's recommendation; Dr. Benjamin Gray-town physician and lonely widower; Adeline Lewis Grover-local schoolteacher, recently widowed and expecting; Frances Knight-unmarried and only child of current and aged heir to the Knight estate who is a direct descendant of Ms. Austen's brother; Andrew Forrester-Mr. Knight's solicitor; Mimi Harrison-film star and bright Smith College graduate; and Jack Leonard-Mimi's fiancé and narcissistic leading man. With no male heir of the Knight estate immediately known, any and all Austen artifacts are in great peril. As a way of furthering education and the study of Ms. Austen's life and writing, the group assembles to discuss what can be done. Thus the Jane Austen Society is established and a plan is launched. Yet, oh "the best laid plans of mice and men....".
Ms. Jenner writes beautifully from her obvious love for and study of Jane Austen's works. She has deftly crafted a story of various arcing narratives which can so easily be compared to those of characters in Austen's books. It's a delightful read and and an excellent first novel by a rising star. I will definitely keep an eye open for Ms. Jenner's future writing projects.
I am grateful to author Natalie Jenner and St. Martin's Press for having provided a free uncorrected digital galley of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
The eagerly anticipated release of this book is May, 2020.
Synopsis (from author's website):
THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner is a fictional telling of the start of the society in the 1940s in the village of Chawton, England, where Austen lived and wrote or revised her six famous novels. There are eight main characters in the novel, all of whom are obsessed with Austen and conspire to create the society and turn the Austen cottage into a museum in her honor: a WWII war widow, a village doctor, a farmer and local handyman, a town solicitor, a house-girl on the Knight family estate, the anticipated heiress of that estate, an employee of Sotheby's, and a Hollywood actress. Multiple social, romantic, and cultural collisions ensue. Jenner brings all of these disparate characters vividly to life, and you'll root for all of them to find their own happiness.
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LibraryThing member nicole_a_davis
A sweet story for Jane Austen fans but probably not for the general reader. It seemed like the author's love letter to Austen--she used the characters' conversations about Austen's books to convey her own thoughts about them. The story itself was a little bit contrived and predictable, but
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reminiscent of Austen's plots and enjoyable for the diehard fan. Show Less
LibraryThing member nancyadair
That there might be a place where people were not constantly competing against each other for their very sustenance, but were instead helping each other survive through war and injury and poverty and pain, seemed as much something out of a Jane Austen novel as anything else she could have hoped to
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.
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find.~from The Jane Austen Society by Natalie JennerNatalie 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.
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LibraryThing member kimkimkim
Such a perfect little book with interesting characters who have little to do with each other than they adore their village, Chawton, Hampshire and its most important resident of yore, Jane Austen. It is really a book within a book because what if anything are the characters doing but paying homage
I loved this book with its devotion to its time, all things Jane Austen, and so much “thwarted energy” between the pages and among the characters. I find it so hard to believe that the author had such difficulty bringing this book into the public purview and hope it encourages others with Ms. Jenner’s love of subject and ability to convey that love to never give up.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of Natalie Jenner’s debut novel.
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to their heroine by living their lives “one step ahead of the characters and one step behind Austen”. The reader is reminded that writers like Austen and the Bronte Sister are meant to be read and reread and read once again. There is always something to be discovered, a parsing of a sentence, a thought, an emotion. I loved this book with its devotion to its time, all things Jane Austen, and so much “thwarted energy” between the pages and among the characters. I find it so hard to believe that the author had such difficulty bringing this book into the public purview and hope it encourages others with Ms. Jenner’s love of subject and ability to convey that love to never give up.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of Natalie Jenner’s debut novel.
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LibraryThing member eyes.2c
... a nostalgic and charming story about a group of people who dare!
Opening in 1932 with the bulk of the story happening between 1945 and 1947 this story, was like savouring a good wine. Its very essence surrounded me. I was struck by its many flavors.
These were provided by a disparate group of
A fascinating group, some joined by their shared life in the village, others who appreciated the history of the place. All are tied together by their love of Austen. Although for many their reading is certainly wider than that as demonstrated by some of their lively conversations. All have something that sets them apart, be it their insights, energy, determination, empathy, loyalty or talents.
Benjamin Gray, the village doctor for many years, now a widower.
Miss Frances Knight, spinster daughter of the Great House (Chawton House) in Hampshire. The cottage where Austen lived forms part of that estate. Fran is the only one in her family interested in the "legacy of Jane Austen in which the Knights had a share."
Adam Berwick, a farmer who years ago was led through a chance encounter to pick up Austen's books. The Berwicks over generations have been intwined in the life of the Knights, working in various capacities on the estate.
Adeline Grover, formerly Adeline Lewis, who had been a dynamic teacher encouraging her students to wider reading, including Austen and Virginia Woolf, much to the disgruntlement of the Village School Board.
Mimi Harrison, an Hollywood Star and Austen devotee.
Evie Stone, a young girl working in the Knight's household. Evie was a star pupil of Adeline's, bright and fiercely intelligent with a scholar's disposition. Fran has given her access to the House's library collection.
Andrew Forrester, the family solicitor for the Knights, and former classmate of Fran and Benjamin.
Yardley Sinclair, Sotheby’s assistant director of estate sales, who has pointed Mimi in the direction of Austen artifacts.
Kudos to Jenner for a cleverly written and engaging plot. A winter into spring sort of story. Uplifting despite, or because of, the many personal challenges not only of the society's members, but of the formation of the society from a small beginning. An intimate and reflective novel that draws you in gently and holds you until the very last page, including the author's notes.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
Opening in 1932 with the bulk of the story happening between 1945 and 1947 this story, was like savouring a good wine. Its very essence surrounded me. I was struck by its many flavors.
These were provided by a disparate group of
Show More
people coming together in the village of Chawton, Hampshire, the home of Jane Austen in the last years of her life, to form the Jane Austen Society.A fascinating group, some joined by their shared life in the village, others who appreciated the history of the place. All are tied together by their love of Austen. Although for many their reading is certainly wider than that as demonstrated by some of their lively conversations. All have something that sets them apart, be it their insights, energy, determination, empathy, loyalty or talents.
Benjamin Gray, the village doctor for many years, now a widower.
Miss Frances Knight, spinster daughter of the Great House (Chawton House) in Hampshire. The cottage where Austen lived forms part of that estate. Fran is the only one in her family interested in the "legacy of Jane Austen in which the Knights had a share."
Adam Berwick, a farmer who years ago was led through a chance encounter to pick up Austen's books. The Berwicks over generations have been intwined in the life of the Knights, working in various capacities on the estate.
Adeline Grover, formerly Adeline Lewis, who had been a dynamic teacher encouraging her students to wider reading, including Austen and Virginia Woolf, much to the disgruntlement of the Village School Board.
Mimi Harrison, an Hollywood Star and Austen devotee.
Evie Stone, a young girl working in the Knight's household. Evie was a star pupil of Adeline's, bright and fiercely intelligent with a scholar's disposition. Fran has given her access to the House's library collection.
Andrew Forrester, the family solicitor for the Knights, and former classmate of Fran and Benjamin.
Yardley Sinclair, Sotheby’s assistant director of estate sales, who has pointed Mimi in the direction of Austen artifacts.
Kudos to Jenner for a cleverly written and engaging plot. A winter into spring sort of story. Uplifting despite, or because of, the many personal challenges not only of the society's members, but of the formation of the society from a small beginning. An intimate and reflective novel that draws you in gently and holds you until the very last page, including the author's notes.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
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LibraryThing member GrandmaCootie
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member fredreeca
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
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.
There are good many characters throughout this story. But, the author does a
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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.
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LibraryThing member Constant2m
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
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member ethel55
This was a very enjoyable read about a disparate group who come together over their love of Jane Austen. It starts a bit slowly, between the wars, but I realized the set up in Chawton (the true site of the place Jane and sister Cassandra lived near the end of Jane's life) was necessary to the story
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as a whole. There's a recluse, a doctor, a farmer, a widow, a Hollywood star--characters Jane would have been proud of to call her own as they navigate the possible sale of the Knight family estate and whether a cottage can be used as a museum for their newly formed Jane Austen Society. I knew the book had done its' job when I was itching to grab my own copy of Pride and Prejudice for an umpteenth re read. We'll see what fall brings. Show Less
LibraryThing member DrFuriosa
This is a bittersweet triumph, of learning to live with grief and celebrate joy, if being brought together by Jane Austen. I went to Chawton House last summer, and hearing a fictional account of how the society came together was heartwarming.
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
Like Frances Knight, I'm more of a Bronte fan than one of Jane Austen. Still, this novel about how a mismatched group bonds over a shared love of literature and endeavors to save a classic author's historic home is one that can warm the heart of any book-lover. Each character is damaged in their
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own way and they each find their way to a kind of happiness, all while debating the motives of Jane Austen's characters and analyzing the text of her novels. Overall, a charming read and highly recommended for Jane Austen fans. Show Less
LibraryThing member whitreidtan
I no longer remember when or how I first came across Jane Austen and her works. She seems to have always been a part, a happy part, of my reading life. I've read the six novels many times, for pleasure and for school, and I've spent hours watching film adaptations and reading modern retellings,
Set mainly just post-WWII, with only two brief bits outside of this time frame, one before the war and one during, the novel echoes Austen's own stories in the best way. An ensemble cast, composed primarily of residents of Chawton, where Austen lived out the last years of her life in a cottage on the grounds of her older brother's estate, comes together with a few outsiders who are also transported by Austen's works as they try to create a place worthy of the author, a place that justifies the pilgrims that periodically find their way to the small village looking for any sign of the once lived life of Jane Austen. Just as in Austen, the action centers almost entirely in the village, paying similar attention to the everyday realities of the main characters, Austen descendant Miss Frances Knight, farmer Adam Berwick, the widowed Dr. Gray, former teacher and war widow Adeline Grover, the young maid Evie Stone, lawyer Andrew Forrester, and outsiders actress Mimi Harrison and Sotheby's representative Yardley Sinclair, and the society they live in as do Austen's own novels. Each character is simply living his or her ordinary life when they come together in a passion project to do an extraordinary thing, to create the society. And as they create the society, their regular lives and small but important dramas continue to unfold. They are very different from each other on the surface but they are all touched in some way by real life, facing death, addiction, poverty, grief, and disappointment, understanding and learning their own hearts and their very beings, and finding or rediscovering love. And just as in Austen, there is also a villain who could derail the hopes of the society and a crass heir who cares for nothing beyond money.
Jenner has written a completely delightful novel and tied it to Austen, not just in name but in the very fabric of the story she's created. Had Austen been writing a little more than a century onward from her own time, she very well might have written characters like these, found in her own small village in the aftermath of the war. Certainly Jenner has captured the themes of Austen, love and friendship, the state of society and the paths in life open to people from each stratum within it. She has captured the change afoot after the war and its lasting effect on all those who lived through it, even if only indirectly. The reader will warm to and sympathize with each of the main characters, rooting for them to find a way to preserve Austen's quiet legacy amidst the setbacks, legal, financial, and personal. The opening of the novel is a bit slow and the sheer number of characters can be overwhelming until the way that they come together and start to weave in and out of each others' lives consistently becomes clear but the slow build is definitely worth the payoff. Austen fans will love this addition to the books about the author and the impact of her works on ordinary people, smiling broadly as yet another Austen element makes its way into the story and on the page. It is a lovingly drawn picture of an English village post war, a time capsule of society, a historical fiction full of heart. It is not even close to the actual true story of the founding of the Jane Austen Society, nor does it try to be. What it is instead, is a charming novel dedicated to the spirit of Austen, an imagined and creative exploration into the continued importance of literature and reading in our lives, and the ever enduring legacy of Austen and her novels.
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books inspired by her works, and books about the author herself. If there is the slightest hint that a book has a connection to Austen, I am all but guaranteed to pick it up. So I was delighted to discover Natalie Jenner's new novel, The Jane Austen Society, a fictionalized account of the founding of the eponymous Jane Austen Society, about a group of people in Chawton trying to preserve Austen's legacy before it's too late.Set mainly just post-WWII, with only two brief bits outside of this time frame, one before the war and one during, the novel echoes Austen's own stories in the best way. An ensemble cast, composed primarily of residents of Chawton, where Austen lived out the last years of her life in a cottage on the grounds of her older brother's estate, comes together with a few outsiders who are also transported by Austen's works as they try to create a place worthy of the author, a place that justifies the pilgrims that periodically find their way to the small village looking for any sign of the once lived life of Jane Austen. Just as in Austen, the action centers almost entirely in the village, paying similar attention to the everyday realities of the main characters, Austen descendant Miss Frances Knight, farmer Adam Berwick, the widowed Dr. Gray, former teacher and war widow Adeline Grover, the young maid Evie Stone, lawyer Andrew Forrester, and outsiders actress Mimi Harrison and Sotheby's representative Yardley Sinclair, and the society they live in as do Austen's own novels. Each character is simply living his or her ordinary life when they come together in a passion project to do an extraordinary thing, to create the society. And as they create the society, their regular lives and small but important dramas continue to unfold. They are very different from each other on the surface but they are all touched in some way by real life, facing death, addiction, poverty, grief, and disappointment, understanding and learning their own hearts and their very beings, and finding or rediscovering love. And just as in Austen, there is also a villain who could derail the hopes of the society and a crass heir who cares for nothing beyond money.
Jenner has written a completely delightful novel and tied it to Austen, not just in name but in the very fabric of the story she's created. Had Austen been writing a little more than a century onward from her own time, she very well might have written characters like these, found in her own small village in the aftermath of the war. Certainly Jenner has captured the themes of Austen, love and friendship, the state of society and the paths in life open to people from each stratum within it. She has captured the change afoot after the war and its lasting effect on all those who lived through it, even if only indirectly. The reader will warm to and sympathize with each of the main characters, rooting for them to find a way to preserve Austen's quiet legacy amidst the setbacks, legal, financial, and personal. The opening of the novel is a bit slow and the sheer number of characters can be overwhelming until the way that they come together and start to weave in and out of each others' lives consistently becomes clear but the slow build is definitely worth the payoff. Austen fans will love this addition to the books about the author and the impact of her works on ordinary people, smiling broadly as yet another Austen element makes its way into the story and on the page. It is a lovingly drawn picture of an English village post war, a time capsule of society, a historical fiction full of heart. It is not even close to the actual true story of the founding of the Jane Austen Society, nor does it try to be. What it is instead, is a charming novel dedicated to the spirit of Austen, an imagined and creative exploration into the continued importance of literature and reading in our lives, and the ever enduring legacy of Austen and her novels.
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LibraryThing member jnwelch
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner, a debut novel, is a treat for Janeites (not "Austenites" as I sometimes call them!) It's set in the village of Chawton in Hampshire, England after WWII. Enthusiasts would venture to see this area in which JA lived and wrote (as did my wife and I did many
Adeline, a young widow who lost her husband late in the war, banters Austen-like with Dr. Gray, a reticent (with her) fellow Austen enthusiast who is attracted but thinks he's too old for her. They're joined by five other locals (well, one not so local) from unlikely backgrounds, hoping to save Chawton House and turn it into the museum it is today. Among others, there is a quiet, shy farmer, a Hollywood movie star, and a chipper teenager. They all trade quotes from Austen's books like enthusiasts quote Star Wars today, and you end up rooting for all of them to sort out their dissatisfying lives and, for some, find Austen-worthy romance.
I think those who who haven't read Austen would like this book, but those who have read her will enjoy it that much more.
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years later), but there was nothing organized there and no museum. Chawton House, where she spent her last eight years and saw all of her books published (some written before moving there) is at risk of being purchased by developers.Adeline, a young widow who lost her husband late in the war, banters Austen-like with Dr. Gray, a reticent (with her) fellow Austen enthusiast who is attracted but thinks he's too old for her. They're joined by five other locals (well, one not so local) from unlikely backgrounds, hoping to save Chawton House and turn it into the museum it is today. Among others, there is a quiet, shy farmer, a Hollywood movie star, and a chipper teenager. They all trade quotes from Austen's books like enthusiasts quote Star Wars today, and you end up rooting for all of them to sort out their dissatisfying lives and, for some, find Austen-worthy romance.
I think those who who haven't read Austen would like this book, but those who have read her will enjoy it that much more.
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LibraryThing member BooksCooksLooks
I was charmed by this book from the first pages. It’s not a fast paced book, nor is it what I would call a passionate book. It rolls along rather like life in the small English village in which it takes place. The book takes place after WWII (with some flashbacks) in the village where Jane Austen
The town is inhabited by a number of different characters each one loving or coming to love the novels of Jane Austen. They are all also suffering from the aftereffects of the War with some families having lost sons, fathers, husbands. The town doctor is a widower having lost his wife to an at home accident and he suffers a level of guilt that he could not save her.
There is a subplot with an American actress who is obsessed with Jane Austen who collects memorabilia. She ends up becoming a member of the society through her love of Austen.
As some of the town folk start to come together to preserve the memory of and remaining history left from Ms. Austen’s stay they form the Jane Austen Society. It helps to heal individuals and the whole village as they work to celebrate the woman who wrote about relationships in such a down to earth way.
This was a lovely read for the most part. There is a discordant arc with the American actress that takes a dark, turn that seems very out of place from the rest of the tale. Other than that the story rolls along with some delightful twists and turns that make small town reading worth the time.
There are many references to the various Austen works in the book. It has been a very long time since I last read any of her novels but I didn’t feel at a loss. I do think a working knowledge of the various characters and the books will be helpful but is not a deal breaker to enjoy the book. But I suspect that anyone who chooses this title will be a Jane Austen fan.
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wrote her novels. People come to see where the famous author lived and are often disappointed that the villagers are not as excited as they are that they abide in the town where such greatness was created.The town is inhabited by a number of different characters each one loving or coming to love the novels of Jane Austen. They are all also suffering from the aftereffects of the War with some families having lost sons, fathers, husbands. The town doctor is a widower having lost his wife to an at home accident and he suffers a level of guilt that he could not save her.
There is a subplot with an American actress who is obsessed with Jane Austen who collects memorabilia. She ends up becoming a member of the society through her love of Austen.
As some of the town folk start to come together to preserve the memory of and remaining history left from Ms. Austen’s stay they form the Jane Austen Society. It helps to heal individuals and the whole village as they work to celebrate the woman who wrote about relationships in such a down to earth way.
This was a lovely read for the most part. There is a discordant arc with the American actress that takes a dark, turn that seems very out of place from the rest of the tale. Other than that the story rolls along with some delightful twists and turns that make small town reading worth the time.
There are many references to the various Austen works in the book. It has been a very long time since I last read any of her novels but I didn’t feel at a loss. I do think a working knowledge of the various characters and the books will be helpful but is not a deal breaker to enjoy the book. But I suspect that anyone who chooses this title will be a Jane Austen fan.
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LibraryThing member carole888fort
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is a delightful English yarn, an antidote to today’s troubled times. Chawton is a quaint village where Jane Austen lived with her family one hundred and fifty years ago. There are few family members left and the property is in danger of being sold to a
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golf course consortium. A small group of citizens, an odd bunch at that, take on the difficult task of maintaining the estate, along with the memory of the renowned author. Thus is formed the Jane Austen Society. The group consists of a teacher, a bachelor lawyer, a widowed country doctor, a quiet farmer, an actress, a servant and the last living relative of the Austen family. Everyone is devoted to the Austen legacy and will use their skills and their love of the novels to ensure the continuity of the heritage. This will not be an easy endeavour. The novel is beautifully written. If you are looking for a little escape, spend a few hours in Chawton with Jane Austen and her protectors. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
Extremely enjoyable and not just for fans of Jane Austen! A fictional account of the Jane Austen's hometown in the 1940s and the fight to make a memorial and preserve the village's world famous authoress' home before all of her belongings and buildings associated with her were sold. An outspoken
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young teacher, the village doctor, a poor farmer, a wealthy Hollywood star, and a maid come together to make a society aimed at preserving the legacy of an author they all know in love. In the process friendships are formed and romance may be on the verge of blooming for the romantics at heart. All the characters are flawed, yet take solace in Jane Austen's words, never realizing that in instances - their actions mirror those of their favorite characters. They all delight in living in the very place that she too wrote the books which they so love. Wonderful, fun, and chock full of history and romance. Show Less
LibraryThing member shazjhb
A satisfying book
LibraryThing member bookworm12
I don't always love fiction inspired by Jane Austen. Those books usually leave me wishing I was reading the real thing. This one was delightful though. It's about a group of people who live in the tiny English village where Austen wrote some of her novels. They form a society to try to preserve her
“Dr. Gray is a good man,” Adam replies simply.
“Yes, he is—which is remarkable, given how clearly he sees everyone and everything.”
“Like Austen herself.”
“Yes.” Adeline Set up even straighter in agreement. “Exactly. The humanity—the love for people—mixed with seeing them for who they really are. Loving them enough to do that. Loving them in spite of that.”
“Reading is wonderful, but it does keep us in our heads. It’s why I can’t read certain authors when I am in low spirits.”
“But one can always read Austen.”
“And that’s exactly what Austen gives us. A world so part of our own, yet so separate, that entering it is like some kind of tonic. Even with so many flawed and silly characters, it all makes sense in the end. It may be the most sense we’ll ever get to make out of our own messed-up world that’s why she laughs, like Shakespeare. It’s all in there, all of life, all the stuff that counts, and keeps counting, all the way to here, to you.”
"It is part of me, that awful, irrevocable act. And I am never going to be quite whole again because of it. You are not the problem: the loss is.”
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legacy. Each of their stories, from Mimi the Hollywood star to Adeline, the strong young widow, mirrored a portion of an Austen novel or added a new layer to the impact she had on the world. This was a cup of hot cocoa that hit the spot. “Dr. Gray is a good man,” Adam replies simply.
“Yes, he is—which is remarkable, given how clearly he sees everyone and everything.”
“Like Austen herself.”
“Yes.” Adeline Set up even straighter in agreement. “Exactly. The humanity—the love for people—mixed with seeing them for who they really are. Loving them enough to do that. Loving them in spite of that.”
“Reading is wonderful, but it does keep us in our heads. It’s why I can’t read certain authors when I am in low spirits.”
“But one can always read Austen.”
“And that’s exactly what Austen gives us. A world so part of our own, yet so separate, that entering it is like some kind of tonic. Even with so many flawed and silly characters, it all makes sense in the end. It may be the most sense we’ll ever get to make out of our own messed-up world that’s why she laughs, like Shakespeare. It’s all in there, all of life, all the stuff that counts, and keeps counting, all the way to here, to you.”
"It is part of me, that awful, irrevocable act. And I am never going to be quite whole again because of it. You are not the problem: the loss is.”
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LibraryThing member TheQuietReader
In the small English village of Chawton, there are those who have no use for the avid readers of Jane Austen who come into the village to see where the author once wrote. Others, on the other hand, of diverse backgrounds and views, become determined to save the legacy of Jane Austen in any way they
I will admit it took me some time to really get into this story. The first few chapters didn't interest me and I found the narrative style disconcerting. We would be with one character and then suddenly we would know what a different character was thinking. Once I adjusted to that, I enjoyed the story much more.
What we are presented with is a group of individuals who love the works of Jane Austen. Each one has their own favorite novel and character. As they become aware of each other, they debate and talk about what life lessons they have learned. There are many quotes from the novels which were a fun addition.
I would have liked this to be more based on reality, but it is a work of fiction and none of this happened. Still, it is a lovely book I would recommend to readers who love anything related to Jane Austen.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.
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can. This is their story.I will admit it took me some time to really get into this story. The first few chapters didn't interest me and I found the narrative style disconcerting. We would be with one character and then suddenly we would know what a different character was thinking. Once I adjusted to that, I enjoyed the story much more.
What we are presented with is a group of individuals who love the works of Jane Austen. Each one has their own favorite novel and character. As they become aware of each other, they debate and talk about what life lessons they have learned. There are many quotes from the novels which were a fun addition.
I would have liked this to be more based on reality, but it is a work of fiction and none of this happened. Still, it is a lovely book I would recommend to readers who love anything related to Jane Austen.
I received a free copy from NetGalley for reviewing purposes. All opinions expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member pgchuis
I just skimmed this really. I found the characters superficial and the discussions of Austen's work unremarkable.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781250248725
Original publication date
2020-05-26