The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner / just wonderfully atmospheric

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

I just recently re-read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and just loved the vintage feel of it. When I saw the book The Jane Austen Society popping up on Bookstagram, on blogs, and on my Goodreads account, I became intrigued by it. I wanted to find out what it was about, and not surprisingly it gave me exactly the feel I was hoping for.

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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.

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

MY THOUGHTS

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I’ll admit right away, that historical fiction is not a genre I usual read. I like my historical fiction to be on the lighter side. Less heart-breaking, more uplifting. And many of the historical fiction books I read so far are the opposite of that. BUT both Guernsey and The Jane Austen Society delivered on the uplifting feel.

The book is FULL of characters, I stopped counting, but there are at least 7 that are prominently featured in the story. They are all wonderfully endearing, and very likable. And the way they all came together, forming the society and becoming friends was utterly charming. And of course there is some romance in the air.

The beginning of the book was a bit slow for me, until I got to know the characters and got invested in each of them. I was rooting for them all throughout the book, hoping it would all end well. And as with most of Jane Austen books, all characters, and events have a kind of purpose to it.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing. She managed to convey the time period, and the vintage feel perfectly.

last thoughts

This book is a feel good novel and was rather enjoyable. The audiobook was narrated by Richard Armitage (FYI he played the dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit). All I’ll say is that his voice was fantastic – ‘chef’s kiss’!!! The novel is a lighthearted, charming story about all things Jane Austen. And I can actually see myself going on a vacation trailing in Jane Austen’s wake, visiting Chawton in Hampshire, Bath, and Gravetye Manor.

ADD IT TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR || GET THE BOOK

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The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner