Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner Published by St. Martin's Press on May 6, 2025
Genres: Historical Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.
In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.
The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.
It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.
When two Bostonian sisters decide to write the brother of their favorite authoress, they set in motion a path of adventure for an unlikely group of people who start out strangers and become bonded by the legacy of Jane Austen‘s writing. Natalie Jenner has penned some poignant and thoughtful pieces including a few with Jane Austen‘s life and books at the center so I was well-pleased to spot Austen at Sea based on a few real life experiences and fulminating into an engaging story.
Austen at Sea begins in 1865 when the two adult daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court judge, bored and frustrated with their confined lives as women, decide to write Admiral, Sir Francis Austen, and beg an autograph memento of their favorite authoress, Jane Austen. Frank, in his 90’s now and knowing his life is drawing to a close makes a decision. He’s received two letters, one from a pair of sisters and one from a pair of bookselling, war veteran brothers. He invites them all to journey across the sea and come to him so he can reveal an incredible secret find related to his sister, Jane.
Like with previous books, Jenner presents a large cast of characters and multiple story threads and narrators. The group of supreme court justices who gather for their book club reading and discussing Austen. The two sisters, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson from Boston, the two brothers, Nick and Haz Nelson from Philadelphia, Thomas Nash, SaraBeth Gleason, Louisa May Alcott, Constance, Justice Stevenson, and Francis Austen to name the most prominent. The early pages introduce the cast and their situations and then Sir Francis’ invitation gets them aboard the same ship for a sea voyage from Boston to England. Sea friendships and some romances, welcome or not, happen, but the focus of them all is still getting to Sir Francis to see what he has to show them.
There is a poignant bittersweet feel when they are with Sir Francis knowing his time is short and he also knows that his sister, Cassandra, left him charge of his youngest sister’s literary legacy. But, this is only one element of the story.
The large cast of characters kept things lively especially in the ship board scenes when Lu Alcott was a Cecil de Mille style play director whipping them all into shape and expecting lavish acting performances.
The relationships of the sisters and brothers were good moments, but the exciting times were when the sparks flew particularly between Charlotte and Nash and Haz and SaraBeth.
Equality, personal freedom, family ties and duty all make up the swirling mesh of the others’ stories. I enjoyed the tangling of real life figures and some real life events with the fictional and I appreciated the author’s note denoting which was which. The author’s style of leading up to something big, then switching scenes past this, and then coming back to it, were a little convoluted for me, on top of all the plot threads and narrators. I had to re-read a few spots to make sure I was getting what was happening a couple times.
Wrapping it up, I was delighted with Austen at Sea. It was strong, well-drawn in setting, character, and plot- historical fiction with romance elements. While Jane Austen was the author they were all on a quest to explore, this will appeal to book lovers who dream of exploring literary landmarks, gaining an autograph, and finding rare book gems.
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 like the sound of this one! It’s been awhile since I read a good historical fiction book. I’ve been stuck in mystery & romance mode lately. ;D
I get it, Lark! I tend to be a mood reader, too.
There was a lot going on, but it all came together beautifully. I like that real events and persons were sprinkled in. Happy to see you loved this one, too, Sophia!
We’re review twinsies! I just realized we both reviewed it today. Oh yes, the real life blended with fiction was neat stuff.
This sounds great. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
It was just the thing, Mary. 🙂
This sounds so fun! And what an interesting group of characters. I’m adding this to my TBR.
Yes, it was a scream to have Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen’s brother, and a fun cast of original characters, too.
More fun in the Austen world!
You betcha!
gasp. I’m so far behind in commenting!!!
This sounds like a gem 😀
You were on a wonderful trip so it makes sense. Loved seeing all your pictures from the UK.