As well-known as Jane Austen is, do you know that I have never read any of her books? When I started reading The Jane Austen Society I feared that my lack of knowledge of her works would prove a deficit. I am happy to tell you that this was not the case. 🙂 It has been my pleasure to review this wonderful tome.
What I am Reviewing
The Jane Austen Society was written by Natalie Jenner. Published by St. Martin’s Press, this historical novel recounts the story of The Jane Austen Society. At 320 pages it comes in a variety of formats, I received an ARC copy as a trade paperback. I am reviewing The Jane Austen Society on behalf of Raincoast Books. An women’s fiction book covering English society in the mid-1900’s. World War II has just finished and lives were being rebuilt.
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. This is their story.
The Details of The Jane Austen Society
Part historical novel and part romance, this delightful read takes you deep into the lives of the characters. I grew to love Evie Stone, and to delight in Mimi Harrison. Yardley Sinclair raised my hackles more than once, and the doctor. Oh my, I wanted to give him a good shake once in a while and tell him to just get on with things! Isn’t that what a good story does though? Evoke the senses and the emotions, drawing you into lives and time periods?
Should you Read it?
YES! Go out, get this book, and take your time. Savour each of the characters, enjoy the look back in history. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner draws you into an captivating read. A charming debute novel by a Canadian author. If you read Miss Austen, you will also enjoy Ms. Jenner’s first published novel.
Okay – this is going on my list. In fact, I think you mentioned it once and it is already there. This sounds like a good fun read.
thoroughly enjoyed this one