From
the publisher: 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. 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 Jane Austen's home and legacy.
These people 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.
I am a huge fan of Jane Austen so of course the
premise of this novel appealed to me. Although there is a real Jane Austen
Society this book does not tell its story. Author Jenner uses the formation of
the Society as a device to introduce us to an eclectic group of characters of
her own making. The author uses real places and things connected to Austen, but
the people and the events in her novel are entirely fictional. Each has inner challenges,
and each brings unique gifts to the Society.
The book had a slow and rocky start for me, but once I
got to know the characters I became interested in their stories. Through their
shared love of Jane Austen, they find strength and love (not all romantic) and
a place in their small village. Despite the setting and time period, Jenner
even manages to include a same sex couple in the small circle of friends. This
is a debut novel, and I stumbled over a few odd sentences and passages,
especially near the beginning. On the whole, however, it is a very assured
debut.
I did find it odd that the Society members divide into
two camps – Team Lizzie and Team Emma. What about Elinor and Anne? Humph. But
there’s a lot here to touch any true Janeite. Recommended for lovers of
historical fiction set in post-WWII England as well.
I read an advance reader copy of The Jane Austen Society. It will be published in May 2020 and will
be available at the Galesburg Public Library.
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