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  • The Jane Austen Society

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Natalie Jenner
  • Narrated by: Richard Armitage
  • Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (99 ratings)

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The Jane Austen Society

Written by: Natalie Jenner
Narrated by: Richard Armitage
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Publisher's Summary

"Richard Armitage is an excellent choice of narrator for this celebration of the famed British author's work. His deep, resonant voice meanders through the stories of seven different people in the small English town of Chawton...a great casual listen, especially for those familiar with Austen's work." (AudioFile magazine)

This program includes a bonus conversation between the author and Kathleen A. Flynn, author of The Jane Austen Project.

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, one of England's finest novelists. 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 both Jane Austen's home and her legacy. These people - a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, and a movie star, among others - 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.

A powerful and moving novel that explores the tragedies and triumphs of life, both large and small, and the universal humanity in us all, Natalie Jenner's The Jane Austen Society is destined to resonate with listeners for years to come.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

"Fans of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will adore The Jane Austen Society.... A charming and memorable debut, which reminds us of the universal language of literature and the power of books to unite and heal." (Pam Jenoff, New York Times best-selling author of The Lost Girls of Paris)

"Anyone seeking an antidote to contemporary chaos will find a welcome respite among the members of a group whose outer lives may appear simple, but whose inner lives need the kind of balm Austen knew well." (Washington Post)

"Just like a story written by Austen herself, Jenner's first novel is brimming with charming moments, endearing characters, and nuanced relationships, all largely set within and reflecting the often intrusive atmosphere of a small country community.... The pleasures are many in this clever tribute to the beloved and endlessly influential Austen and the English village tale." (Booklist starred review)

©2020 Natalie Jenner (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about The Jane Austen Society

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Not just for Austenites

This is a little better than the 4 stars I gave it. The characters like those of Austen are all harboring secrets and pain. And like an Austen novel end up being happy. The story though pleasant is a little predictable. My biggest problem was with the narrator. Some character personas, well, he just misses the mark particularly the women. Overall the reading of this novel went by faster than expected.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Lovely

Very much enjoyed this story. Narrator was good... with all due respect to them, I found the female characters a little over exasperated or tired sounding. I just had to remind myself to revise theie character a little from what I was hearing.

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This Book is a Joy

Worth Reading!- the characters unfold as the plot cleverly weaves through the lives of a group of diverse people who come together united in their love of Jane Austen. The story illustrates the power that the human spirit and friendship has to help manage the bumps and jumps of life.

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3 people found this helpful

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Loved this book!

Lovely story. Wonderful characters. very well read. Enjoyed it very much especially in this time of uncertainty.

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2 people found this helpful

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Jane Austen Revisited

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale; enhanced by the use and references to/from many Jane Austen memorable novels.
Highly recommended .

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A wonderful read!

Absolutely loved it! Highly recommend it to everyone, whether or not they are lovers of Jane Austen's work.

I sat in on a 'meet the author' event held by the Belleville Library, and I am so glad that I did. The author was delightful and so enthused about her more recently released book, The Bloomsbury Girls, that I had to look her up in Audible. I love to discover a new author to read (or listen to).

5 stars on both fronts : Story and Performance. The narration was perfect. Great pace to both storyline and the way in which it was read aloud.

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Great story

I am a Jane Austen fan so I was very intrigued by this book. I loved the storytelling of these characters and how I grew to understand and love all of them.....except Jack. All the characters were very Jane Austen-esque and that made me enjoy it even more. Fabulous read.

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Great summer read

The narrator was great. Good for a summer road trip. I will definitely read this one again

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Narrator is AMAZING.

Loved the story. Loved the narrator. Definitely a worthwhile listen. Now I need to go back and reread some Austen!

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    4 out of 5 stars

One of my favourite audiobooks!

I listen to this over and over as I find Richard’s voice helps me to relax at the end of the day.

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