I went into this one hesitantly because I am not a Jane Austen fan and wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I ended up staying up way past my bedtime 3 nights in a row to read it. The characters are so well-developed and endearing that I couldn’t help but to hope all of their ambitions came to fruition.

A lovely, thoughtful story about found family, mutual support through grief and loss, and how one can truly care for others. Interwoven with the stories of these people all drawn to one another in the small English town of Chawton are meaningful analyses of Jane Austen’s writing and characters, digging deep into why her work has enthralled people for so much time. Whether it’s her humor, sharp social observations, or realistic characters and relationships, there’s something about Austen’s work that continues to draw people in and soothe them, especially during their most challenging times.

I’ve been an Austen fan since I was a child - the first book I remember purchasing with my own money was Pride and Prejudice at age 12 - and am still finding new things to love in her work with every reading. This book has made me want to read them all again right now, and find people to talk about them with as Benjamin and Adelaide, Adam and Mimi, and all the others of the Jane Austen society do. I also love how much focus was given to the importance of maintaining Austen’s literary legacy in one place, in England, but also how that wasn’t as important as the emotional and physical well-being of one of their friends.

This was a delightful book that I happily recommend, especially to those who enjoy Jane Austen’s work or World War 2 era historical fiction.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I'm a proud Janeite, but I approach literary and cinematic portrayals of fellow Austen enthusiasts with caution. Too often, they miss the mark, reducing the charm of Austen's legacy to caricature. That said, The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner was a delightful exception.

Set in the 1940s, the novel introduces a fictional group of misfits—a teenage maid, a doctor grappling with addiction, a grieving widow, and even a Hollywood star—united by their shared love for Austen's works. Their mission: to save the historic Chawton cottage where Austen lived and penned her final novels.

Jenner's writing shines with sensitivity, capturing the quiet struggles and transformative moments that shape her characters' lives. The book beautifully explores how Austen’s timeless themes—love, resilience, and self-discovery—remain relevant, even in post-war England.

While this novel will undoubtedly resonate with fellow Austen devotees, it also holds broad appeal. Jenner’s nuanced storytelling ensures that even readers unfamiliar with Austen can appreciate the universal power of literature to heal, connect, and inspire. A must-read for those who cherish character-driven tales infused with warmth and heart.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

This one was such a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting much going in because I’m not a huge Jane Austen fan, but I ended up loving it!

The Jane Austen Society is a historical fiction novel set in the charming village of Chawton, England. Centered around a group of dedicated Austen enthusiasts, the story offers a glimpse into the world of Jane Austen's fandom and the enduring appeal of her works.
The novel's characters are endearing and well-developed. From the passionate Austen scholar to the young woman seeking solace in the author's words, each individual brings a unique perspective to the story. The author's portrayal of the characters' relationships and interactions is heartwarming and thought-provoking.
However, the novel's pacing is slow. While the leisurely pace allows for a deeper exploration of the characters and their surroundings, it may not appeal to all readers seeking a fast-paced plot. The focus on the intricacies of Austen fandom and the historical context can sometimes feel indulgent, leading to a somewhat leisurely reading experience.
Despite its slow pace, The Jane Austen Society is charming and well-crafted. It offers a delightful escape into the world of Jane Austen and her devoted fans. Those who appreciate character-driven stories and a leisurely reading pace may find this novel particularly enjoyable.

I enjoyed the Austin theme the writing and the story. I immediately read another of her books and sold to all of my library clients

The Jane Austen Society - Natalie Jenner ⭐⭐⭐
Just after the Second World War ... an unusual but like-minded group of people band together to attempt something remarkable.

I love good Austentatious material - although I have to admit to being pretty well beyond the saturation point for WWII historical fiction.

This is a nice read – I liked it, but didn’t love it. I could sort of see what the author was trying to do in creating an Austen-type novel in the 20th century – and it worked to an extent. It got more captivating in the last third of the book which flowed easily but until then I did not get engrossed in the storytelling like I wanted it to and therefore it took me a long time to finish it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an impartial and honest review.

there was so little keeping the story going, idk what the point of this book was. truly felt like the author didn't get anywhere beyond "a society for people who all want to preserve jane austen's legacy."

I’m not typically a historical fiction reader, I’ve always loved Jane Austen so I was drawn to read the book. It was a decent read that I read over the course of a few days. It kept my attention but it didn’t completely suck me in. That being said, I still enjoyed the book. The story is about a group of very different people from very different backgrounds. However, they band together to save Jane’s home in Chawton and preserve the novelists legacy. Together, they create the Jane Austen Society.

I absolutely loved this book. Beautifully written and extremely heartfelt. One you definitely want to have on your shelves for a re-read. Highly recommend.

This is a must read for any Jane Austen fans. I loved the story of the village and the villagers. Such a fun bunch of Society members. Just loved this book.

So I admit it took me a while to get to this one, but I finally have. I am not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. The characters were compelling and the setting was fascinating. Now I admit I cannot read Jane Austen, I have read her, but it is always a slog for me and I can't seem to retain the story lines in my head. But I also know she is beloved. And I loved this book. It is fiction, but there is a real Jane Austen Society in Chasten, which this loosely based on I am sure. It was throughly enjoyable read, and I wish I had not waited so long to read it.

I know I’ve read Jane Austin when I was young but I certainly don’t remember the stories. It’s wonderful that she’s had such an impact on so many readers. I may need to go back and revisit some of her work.

This is what I would describe as a quiet little story. It just moves along at a slow pace, meandering here and there as the characters come together. A special read for those Austen fans out there, to be sure.

Title: The Jane Austen Society
Author: Natalie Jenner
Release Date: May 26th, 2020
Page Count: 315
Format: Audiobook
Start Date: February 24th, 2023
Finish Date: February 24th, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

I won an ARC of this book from Goodreads awhile back. Sadly, I lost my copy. I was really excited to read the book, so I purchased it in audiobook. There were parts that were a little weird to me, but I enjoyed the creativity behind it all. The story takes place during the WW2 era. I enjoyed this book so much that I know that I will be reading it again. I'd love to buy a physical copy of this book as well. I hope that I can find other people who read this book as well. I think there's an adaptation for this book, but I'm not fully sure on that.

Set in the last village that was Jane Austin’s home, a group of vastly different people come together to preserve her home and find new direction in their lives. A laborer, a widow, an actress, doctor and others believe Jane’s home is worth saving. Bound by her words they will move heaven and earth and any other bureaucratic nonsense that gets in their way. It’s uplifting and smile worthy. Happy reading

I am glad I gave this book a second chance. I started reading it and found the very beginning to be a bit slow, but then the pandemic hit, so I put it down. I wasn't able to read anything for fun for a few months. However, I picked it back up and loved it! I appreciated the subtle parallels to Austen’s characters in this fictionalized account of Chawton residents forming the Jane Austen Society in the 1940s. As I lifelong lover of Jane Austen's works, I liked how Natalie Jenner wove a strong around characters developing unlikely friendships around Austen’s books.

Just decided not to finish it up. I'm not in the mood for a non-Christian read, and this would require some discernment which I don't have the brain power for at the moment. Maybe I'll come back later, but I'm not sure I will give that this book is ... well, just not to my taste for the moment.

I picked up this book initially because of the title, because I have read through Jane Austen numerous times over the years, and generally find them to be enjoyable. Then, after reading the synopsis, it gave me vibes similar to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and a little bit the “Jane Austen Book Club” movie.

Historical fiction is not one of my main focuses when I read; a majority of what I pick up tends to be fantasy, but I do like picking up other genres when the story sounds interesting to me, and I loved Guernsey (the book WAY more than the movie).

This book was a little slow to get into, because there were so many characters to get introduced to, but there was still enough going for it to where I was interested by all these characters and seeing how their stories and their lives began to weave together. It wasn’t a fully cozy story, and there were some difficult moments to read through. Even more than that, there were some moments when the story would drag a bit.

It is a bit of a lower stakes book, all really focused on the small town of Chawton and a group of people who bond over Jane Austen and a desire to preserve her home. This book is a very character focused tale, so if you’re looking for something with a big or complex plot, this probably isn’t the book for you.

But I do like character driven stories, and find that plot can be a tiny bit weaker so long as there are characters I am invested in enough to keep reading.

Overall though, despite me having read this book….oh goodness, I just looked it up on Goodreads…I read this in May 2020, so more than two years ago. Now I feel even worse about taking so long to get a review up. Overall I did find it to be a good book.