A book review of The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. This historical fiction novel is set in the charming English village of Chawton, once home of Jane Austen herself. A treasure for book and Austen lovers.
"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, NY Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
The One With All the Books!
This post is my personal, honest review of The Jane Austen Society!
The Jane Austen Society
A Novel by Natalie Jenner
I love Jane Austen. I really do and I LOVE Pride and Prejudice, so it should come as no surprise that one of my absolute favorite characters in The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is Adam. But I am getting ahead of myself. Where was I? Right. Intro.
The idea of a story about a group of strangers, united by their love for Jane Austen, forming a society, in Chawton no less, was so exciting to me that I could not wait to read the book. If you are new to Austen's world, Chawton is a quaint English village, where the legendary novelist Jane Austen herself lived and wrote her books.
This month is my birthday and selfishly I wanted to celebrate with an uplifting and inspiring read. What a better pick than a book about people who love Jane Austen and the magic of books as much as I do. That said, our August pick of Books, Babes and Life book club is Natalie Jenner's uplifting novel.
I've said it before and will say it again. Our book club is all about embracing and living LIFE to the fullest. This fascinating read implores us to look inward. Feel and allow ourselves to see emotions long supressed or put aside. It makes us look at life through fresh eyes and embrace it, making every moment, however insignificant it may seem, count.
So without furter ado, here is our August 2022 Book Club Pick.
Happy Birthday to Me and Happy Reading to You All!!!
Book Synopsis & Details
- from the publisher
* INTERNATIONAL 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 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.
Book Details:
Title: The Jane Austen Society
Author: Natalie Jenner
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Print Length: 320 pages
Publication Date: May 26, 2020
Genres: Historical Fiction, Small Town & Women's Fiction
Where to Buy: Bookshop; Amazon; Barnes & Noble
The Story - A Spoiler Free Review
Before I sat down to read The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner, based on the synopsis and reviews on the cover, I was expecting a lighthearted story, filled with romance and humor. Much like Jane Austen's novels. I was also expecting to go through the chapters so quickly that I would find myself reading the last page within a day or two. Turns out, the story is not exactly like the one I thought I would be reading. Quite the opposite in fact.
If you, like myself, are expecting a light read that will make you laugh out loud, know that it is not, although there are a few moments I did find myself laughing. What it is, however, is a masterfully written, character driven story that explores themes like grief, loss, depression, friendship, and love on a deeply emotional level. I found that it wasn't the fast read I was expecting either. On the contrary, it took me a lot longer to get through each chapter, mostly because I kept rereading them and writing down my favorite passages. I must have read chapters one and five at least three times each. That's how much I loved them and how full of noteworthy quotes they were.
"It was helping him understand how even someone without much means or agency might demand to be treated. How we can act the fool and no one around us will necessarily clue us in."
Natalie Jenner, The Jane Austen Society
Now that we have established what it is not, let's talk about what Natalie Jenner's debut novel is. Namely, a thought-provoking journey of self-discovery, urging us to face our doubts, fears, relationships, and regrets. It is an international bestseller, to which people from all walks of life can relate to, whether they are 16 or 60. It is, without a doubt, a deep, emotional read full of surprises, secrets, wisdom and yes, romance.
There are many characters in this book, whose stories are introduced through multiple timelines at the beginning, each with their own significance to the plot as the reader will soon find out. It's when their paths ultimately cross that we come to find out how impactful a single meeting or a seemingly fleeting moment can be. United by the love for the work of Jane Austen this community of unlikely strangers form close, unexpected friendships and relationships. They are there for each other in ways that none of them expected, but all needed.
"She had made space for discovery in the midst of a most contained life, the life that the world seemed bent on handing her."
Natalie Jenner, The Jane Austen Society
I LOVE books about books and those that inspire us to act. The Jane Austen Society was such a read for me. Inspired by the sweet and ingenious Evie and her excitement in cataloguing the Knight's family library, I realized that my own books were never catalogued. I have only just begun and have already discovered that we own a few quite valuable first edition books, that I would love to pass down to my children someday.
Furthermore, I love books that empower and inspire self-reflection. Encourage us to be true to ourselves, as well as be mindful about the things that bring us joy - those things truly near and dear to our hearts. Ones that sustain and lift our spirits. Such is Natalie Jenner's writing. All this and so much more is what awaits between the pages of her remarkable debut novel.
"She resented greatly that for some unfathomable reason, she no longer had the energy for the very things that had always sustained her. If ever there was a recipe for decline, that surely would be it."
Natalie Jenner, The Jane Austen Society
About the Author and What to Read Next
Natalie Jenner is the author of two books, the instant international bestseller THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY and the forthcoming BLOOMSBURY GIRLS. A Goodreads Choice Award finalist for best debut novel and historical fiction, THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY was a USA Today and #1 national bestseller and will be translated into twenty different languages worldwide. BLOOMSBURY GIRLS releases on May 17, 2022 in North America and has also sold for translation in several countries. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie has been a corporate lawyer, a career coach and, most recently, an independent bookstore owner in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs. - from the author's web page
Book Recomendations for Fans of The Jane Austen Society
If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will love the selections below. Natalie Jenner's own latest release among them. You are in for a treat!
Published in May 2022. Available in hardcover, paperback and kindle editions. Click HERE to buy online.
Published in July 2008. Available in hardcover, paperback and kindle editions. Click HERE to buy online.
Published in May 2019. Available in hardcover, paperback and kindle. Click HERE to buy online.
Final Thoughts
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is sometimes described as a slow, quiet story.
I would like to address the slow pace first. Some readers found the beginning slow, with nothing much happening and going nowhere. Some had even stopped reading after the first few chapters. If you find yourself feeling that way, I am here to urge you to not give up. Should you stick to it, you will find it well worth it. Slow it may be but trust me when I say it is going somewhere and it is a journey worth taking should you choose to stay on the ride.
It is the slow beginning in fact, which reminded me in more ways than one of Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol - an exemplary peace of classical literature. Both start off slowly, attentively introducing and building the main characters. Similarly, both craft stories focused on the human experience and connection, evoking emotional responses and reflection throughout, never failing to deliver surprising, gratifying, and uplifting endings.
"By taking a few chances, Adam was starting to see that life never completely gave up on you, if you didn't give up on it."
Natalie Jenner, The Jane Austen Society
That brings me to quiet. You know how sometimes there is so much noise around, that we can't hear ourselves think? We can use a little quiet every once in a while. So, is The Jane Austen Society a quiet story? Yes, it may be so for some, but it screamed lowed enough to me. In a fast-paced world where we read, meet, and even eat standing up, one has to wonder about the importance of paying attention to "the shortening of the days", the treasures we might find discarded by the side of the road or our own closets and the neglected, full of lessons and memories, past.
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