The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner – *Top Pick*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

What does an actress, village doctor, servant girl, lawyer, farmhand, teacher, spinster and auctioneer have in common? A love of Jane Austen and a strong desire to preserve her legacy. When these people from all walks of life come together to attempt to keep Jane Austen’s memory alive in Chawton, Hampshire, (the place where she spent the final decade of her life), by forming The Jane Austen Society, they are met with various forms of opposition. It won’t be easy competing against the greed-filled motives of others who are more interested in profit than in keeping Jane Austen alive through the valuable remnants she’s left behind. Add to it the Society members’ own inner struggles, conflicts and tragedies, and you have an astounding tale that will keep you eagerly turning pages into the night. And this is before the unexpected twist that took me by surprise and elevated my initial impression to an even higher level of delight!!

I LOVED this book!! Initially, I have to admit, I was hesitant to read it. It had been compared to another book which story I was not particularly drawn into, so foolishly I declined an ARC of The  Jane Austen Society.  That was a mistake I now regret. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Thankfully, I’d received a complimentary audiobook copy for review and decided one day to give it a listen. Not only was the story completely engrossing, but the narrator, Richard Armitage, is MAGNIFICENT!! His was the perfect voice to tell this incredible story. He managed to transport me back to a bygone era and awakened my inner Jane Austen. I found it very comforting during these difficult, uncertain times.

I highly recommend this book. The setting, characters and, if you decide to listen to it, the narration, will be worth every minute you spend on it.  I had the greatest feeling inside when it was done, and I’m sure you will, too.

Thank you, Laurel Ann Natress, for arranging a complimentary audiobook of The Jane Austen Society for my review. My opinion of it is entirely my own.