One of the most beloved authors of all time is most definitely Jane Austen. She is known for writing books such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. Her ability to weave beautiful, romantic tales and create dynamic characters has placed her in the highest regard by many literary professionals as well as everyday readers. Many have written books about her characters and her life, and some are excellent. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is a fantastic novel honoring Jane Austen and her ability to touch readers and inspire them to make positive changes in their own lives.
Jane Austen's home village of Chawton is a small, picturesque community in the 1940s. Life is slow and the community is so small, everyone knows everyone. The village is well known by fans of Jane Austen and many make the pilgrimage to see the place that inspired some of the greatest books of the nineteenth century. The townspeople are split in how they feel about the tourists, some appreciating their love for Austen and others despising the unwanted attention. When one man wants to honor the author with a museum, his idea brings together a strange group of individuals whose only obvious sharing trait is their love for Jane Austen. After only a short time together, they soon begin to realize they all share hidden trauma and loss, some from the war, some from the death of loved ones and some from lost opportunities. The individuals unite together to preserve the legacy of the beloved author and inspire one another to find the strength to overcome their personal struggles.
This book was a delightful read. The story is positive and encouraging, demonstrating the importance of books in how they relate to people. My favorite aspect of this book is by far the characters. The author did a fantastic job writing very human characters who feel relatable to the reader. The failures and victories are interesting and understandable. I would highly recommend this book to any book lover, though historical fiction lovers may enjoy this novel the most.
~Abigail C.
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