Don’t let the floral, whimsical cover fool you. The Jane Austen Society handles grief and loss in the same stride that it revels in the work of Austen and marvels in the friendships that are forged around great literature. From an American film star to a taciturn farmer, the Society is comprised of people from different walks of life brought together by a deep love of Jane Austen and a desire to preserve items from her life.
World War II has just ended and Chawton, Jane Austen’s hometown, is slowly losing its hold on the great author as more of her possessions are sold through auction and the remaining distant relatives struggle to hang onto the estate. The Society, formed of unlikely characters, bans together to maintain Austen’s legacy and mark on their small village.
While giving me Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society-vibes for a while, the Jane Austen Society established a story of its own, drawing out the personalities of its characters, their inner-conflict, and the life of the town. One of my favorite parts of the book was the deep dive into Austen’s work, the unpacking of her characters and the clues she left within her writing. Reading this book made me want to read all of Austen’s work in just as much detail as the members of the Society had. I fell in love with the characters, was fascinated by the intricacies of unpacking Austen’s writing, and the complex relationships revealed amongst the townspeople. The Jane Austen Society was not gushy and romantic in the way I expected, but rather an exploration of Austen’s work and a reflection on how literature can be used to cope with loss.
Personal rating: 6.5/10
Recommend? Yes
Re-read? No, but is has inspired me to read more Austen
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