Review- The Jane Austen Society

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

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.

It is no secret that I am a HUGE Jane Austen fan. As of writing, I own thirteen copies of Pride and Prejudice. I try to reread it every year, along with a least one of Jane Austen novel. I am also a huge fan of retellings or anything related to Jane Austen. I think that is why I found myself enjoying The Jane Austen Society so much.

The Jane Austen Society was a unique and there was something so comforting about it. It was delightful to read about a group of individuals who could not be more different coming together for their love of Jane Austen. That is the power of books and why I love them so much.

It did take me awhile to get into the story and become in all of the characters, as there are quite a lot of them! There were some pacing problems and moments that dragged, but I am so glad that I read this book. It was what I would call a cozy historical fiction, but don’t let that fool you, there are moments that are devastating and difficult to read.

It reminded me of The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society in some ways, so if you enjoyed that book I think you’ll love this one as well.

Thank you to Libro fm for sending me an ALC in exchange for an honest review.