Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner Narrator: Richard Armitage
Published by St. Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio on May 26, 2020
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 320
Length: 9 hours, 55 minutes
Format: ARC, Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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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.
When I spotted the title, I pictured a much different story- one that had a modern group of eclectic people sipping their wine or tea, discussing Austen’s works and eventually their personal lives. But, then I noticed the blurb and a spark of excitement leaped in me because this wasn’t ‘a’ Jane Austen society (or book club or fan club) this was ‘THE’ Jane Austen Society as in a fictional account of the very first one set in her home village of Chawton, no less, during the Post-WWII period. I was now deeply interested and took up my earbuds to enjoy the melodious voice of Richard Armitage tell me the story of The Jane Austen Society.
The story gets its inauspicious start when a tired farmer, Adam Berwick, clumps along his path home to the village and takes a short cut through the church graveyard for a bit of quiet time to himself only to encounter a gorgeous woman with the enthusiasm of a fangirl looking for bits of her favorite authoress, Jane Austen.
The encounter is like the drop of a stone into a pond. Softly, gently goes the stone in and gradually the ripples form and the waves expand outward when first Adam, then bittersweet Dr. Gray, and pert school teacher who went through personal tragedy, Adeline Grover, are introduced. They form the casual book club which grows into something more as others and their stories are added. A society of people from all walks of life forms to protect and introduce the heritage of a small village authoress, whose books are timeless to a world needing to rediscover a literary great.
The Jane Austen Society starts slow and starts with a few voices to build into a full and rich cast that I enjoyed meeting and found each of them interesting. The pace marches steadily as the conflict becomes known and is taunt with a quiet tension by the end though yes, it could lag a tad in the middle spots. The backstories build into the present to reveal people with private struggles and also a few romances that follow the pattern of some of those in Austen’s books.
It was a beautiful, poignant piece that left me vested in the characters and the author who inspired them. I had the urge to find the nearest Jane Austen Society chapter and hope it would feel the same as this lovely group. Those who enjoy 20th Century Historical Fiction with a gentle character-driven plot should definitely give this a go.
Narration:
Already a tremendous fan of Richard Armitage acting and narration works, I thought his mellow and easy-paced voice matched the tone and writing style, splendidly. He wielded the voices and emotions of the large cast of main characters so well that I never got lost when the characters took turns being in the spotlight. He made an already strong story even better.
Listen to a clip:
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As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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I’m always intrigued by books like that so why not
Yes, me too. Take the plunge. 🙂
O.o I think this would also be something I would enjoy. From the title I would have assumed the same thing you did. Sometimes the slow builds really pay off.
Oh good! I hope you get the chance, Robin. Agreed- slowly but surely. 🙂
I’m glad this was so great for you. And who wouldn’t want to listen to Richard Armitage?
I know, seriously. I couldn’t believe my luck when I was picked to review this one. 🙂
Such an intriguing premise of this one and I love the connection to Jane Austen here. So fascinating. Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Great review
Yes, I was definitely the target audience when I saw it was a society for Jane Austen. 🙂
glad it more than met your expectations. that’s a great thing. 🙂
Thank you, Sherry! I just relaxed right into this one and adored its quiet charm.
I had a similar reaction to the title but that blurb and your review are much more appealing. While I’m not a big Jane Austen fan, I’m now intrigued. I may add this to my library wishlist.
Yes, it turned out to be more the story of the people involved and saving a literary treasure than Austen herself so I think you’d enjoy it, Bea. 🙂
Just what I tried to convey in my own review, but you did it much better, Sophia. Loved this story!
Your review was fab, lady. I appreciate your articulate take. But, thanks!
This was such a lovely book. 🙂
I was offered this on audio and I hadn’t made up my mind yet to take it or not. So glad I read your review, before the offer expired. I think I’d really enjoy this one. Love Richard Armitage, too! 🙂
Haha, glad I timed it well. 🙂 It has a feel of Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (not the same story just the feel from the writing and the way the characters develop) if that helps. Yep, RA was a great reader!
Did someone say Jane Austen! Gimme gimme! LOL
LOL, this might be for you, Laura. 🙂
Oh wow, this sounds fabulous! I don’t think that I have listed to anything narrated by Richard Armitage but I know his voice and can imagine how great he would be. I do love the sound of this book. Great review!
Oh yes, same here! Love his voice. It was a lovely book.
This sounds so lovely! And I really like the time period. Your review is great!
Glad to introduce you to it, Laura. 🙂
Lovely review, Sophia. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Richard Armitage is a dream narrator of this story.
Thank you, Laurel Ann! I loved it and RA has a divine voice. 🙂
As a big Jane Austen fan, I’ve been eyeing this book for a while now, so I’m thrilled to see how much you enjoyed it.
Glad to vet it for you, Suzanne. It really hit the feels in a soft and gentle way. 🙂
I am so glad you enjoyed this one! It’s one I would like to read. I love Austen and think I would love this book.
Oh yes, its a definite must for a Jane Austen fan. 🙂
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