Personally I found this work to be too slow to be entertaining. The characterization was good, but the pacing killed it for me.

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is a stunning historical fiction that mainly in placed in the tinny village of Chawton, England. It spans from 1932-1947 and encompasses many points of view from several different delightful characters that live in the area as well as a few others that are all drawn together by more then just fate by one person alone: Miss Jane Austen.

I have to say I am a huge Austen fan ( my personal favorite is Sense and Sensibility) and that fact paired with the unbelievably wonderful story that we have been gifted, makes this truly the best book that I have read this year.

This book has everything going for it:

Multi-layered and complex characters that are relatable, likable (excluding Jack, Monte, and Colin) intelligent, imperfect, and unforgettable.
I absolutely loved the stories of Adeline, Evie, Frances, Mimi, Andrew, Dr Gray, Yardley, and Adam. I loved their trials, their fortitude, and their compassion. I loved everything about them!

I loved how the author slowly weaved together this band of “misfits” into each other’s lives (sometimes for the second time) and how it was paced appropriately so that one could savor the complexity of the plot and root for them along the way.

I also loved that each one of the characters brought to the table something different in regards to troubles in the past and present-day and also strengths that complimented each other well.

I loved all of the facts and information concerning one of my favorite writers (ever!!!!) and all of the quotes and discussions in reference to her books and characters. Beyond ingenious!

Lastly, I loved, LOVED the ending. It was heartwarming, stunning, and perfect in every way. No other ending could possibly do justice to this breathtaking novel. It was just as it should be.

Beyond enthusiastically recommend. I have just pre-ordered a physical copy before writing this review (I rarely, rarely ever do this).

5/5 stars!!!!!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

Thank you again!

The premise of the book is sure to draw in lots of readers, as I think many of us would be thrilled for the opportunity to join a Jane Austen Society. The pacing is fairly slow, with the Society not even being formed until about forty percent of the book has passed, but for readers who want to savor insights into Austen's books and human nature, the slower pace will be just right. As a character-driven reader, I was a little disappointed not to be able to delve into each character more deeply, but at the same time, that totally fits with the book, as there are several different members of the Society we get to know a little bit. This would be a good choice for book clubs, providing plenty to discuss about the book itself in addition to pretty much guaranteeing side discussions about favorite Austen novels and characters.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Set in a very small town in post-war England, this novel explores the relationships of the village's inhabitants as they deal with loss and isolation. The force that brings them together is their love of everything to do with Jane Austen. The widowed town doctor, the grieving farm hand, an agoraphobic landholder, the young school drop-out maid, and the newly married and widowed school teacher are all avid readers of Austen, who once lived in their town. They decide to form the Jane Austen Society in order to preserve her cottage and memorabilia, and their efforts gain an infusion from a very famous movie star and a London auctioneer, both of whom are also serious Austen fans. This mismatched group comes together with their common goal, and in some cases shared history, in spite of many obstacles. For fans of Jane Austen, this will be a fun read, since the characters engage in many discussions about Austen's novels and life.

I admit I only read part of this book because I could not get into it. I couldn’t figure out a connection between all the players. Thismmay be a book for someone who knows about Jane Austen than I do.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a good post war novel with some quirky and lovable characters. I wasn't sure the Jane Austen thing would work for me but I found I was really able to get into the characters individual story lines.
In all, a good historical fiction not only for Jane Austen lovers!

What's lovely about this book is that you don't need to be a Jane Austen fanatic to understand the literary references. But fair warning - there's a lot of them! Every other page mentions Elizabeth and Darcy and the book "Sense and Sensibility" is mentioned quite often. If you're a classic book lover, this book reads like you're having a conversation with your best friend. This is also a perfect book club pick. It's the perfect length, the chapters are easy to sum up, the characters are fun to talk about and the plot isn't difficult to follow.

What makes this book different from other Austen explorations is that, instead of taking place during modern day like "Lost in Austen" or "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries," this book is set during the 1940s. This gives the story a unique historical setting. It was interesting to have Austen referenced during this time period, especially since Austen movie adaptations were new back then. It was so exciting when Jack was talking about producing a new "Sense and Sensibility" movie!

I love how consistent the plot was too. For example, the story began with one of our main characters, Adam, and it ended with him too. This circular plot was easy to follow and enjoy. This is a fun vacation read or beach read because it's a standalone novel. It's a truly beautiful story and perfect for fans of "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society!"

Honestly, I was expecting this book to be a little better but it wasn’t the worst book I’ve read this year. The characters did get a little annoying here and there, but the writing wasn’t bad.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although the writing is not bad and any fan of Jane Austen's works will love the references and analysis dropped in, there is a scene early on in the book that is completely out of place in its obscenity and sordidness. This more or less ruined the reading experience for me. Those who will be most drawn to a book about "The Jane Austen Society" will not be expecting that.

What an enjoyable surprise this was.
It was like being in a larger than life Jane Austen bookclub, and yet each of the participants in this book club like read had their own personalities, lives, struggles, and wonderful human connections.
Bravo!

The Jane Austen Society follows the lives of Austen-lovers in post-WWII Chawton. The plot is intricate and well-paced with the right amount of Austen discourse/debate for the knowledgeable reader. In fact, the continued references demand a solid base knowledge of Austen’s work and life to fully enjoy the exchanges.

The characters are well developed and grow slowly throughout the novel. Perhaps...too slowly. I admit I was extremely frustrated with some decisions made by the characters and the amount of detail included at times, but the writing has a beautiful tone. I did skim some of the sections that felt too wordy. I was very invested in the outcome of the story and the characters themselves. This is not a lighthearted romp but a true drama with heart-wrenching turns and the type of ending of which Austen would approve. I enjoyed the novel but will not revisit. I will read what this author writes next though.

For fans of Jane Austen, Austen spin-offs, and works similar to The Literary Potato Peel Pie Society.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy.

A wonderful lovely read.A small town a group of characters that come alive.a wonderful story of love for Jane Austen a delightful read.#netgalley#St.martinsbooks

A joy to read! Austen fans will love it!

As always, thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title. It's a winner!
#TheJaneAustenSociety #NetGalley