OVERVIEW
Oh, my, my! This book was the perfect balance of historical fiction and good old storytelling. Natalie has done it again, for the fourth time, with another fantastic read centered around Jane Austen!
This novel combines the real-life characters in Jane Austen's life with fictional characters after her death. This beautiful book is told in the spirit of Jane Austen and in her voice to create a lovely novel.
NOTE: I must confess that I have not read ANY of Jane Austen's novels, but I love the movies and Natalie Jenner's books, especially. Also, per Family Search, Jane and I are 5th cousins, seven times removed!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Natalie writes so perfectly in the language of the Reconstruction period of Boston and Philadelphia. Her writing is descriptive, poetic, and powerful.
This is a dense read, but it is so well-researched and fascinating!
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are two sisters from Boston, Henrietta (older sister) and Charlotte (younger sister), and two brothers from Philadelphia, Nicholas (older brother) and Haslett (younger brother). Two pairs of siblings are the heart and soul of this lovely novel.
The secondary characters are Sir Francis (Jane Austen's only living sibling), Denham (a British newspaper writer), Sara-Beth (a friend of the siblings), and Louisa (a famous writer-to-be).
The tertiary characters are Constance (Bostonite), William (the sisters' father), Nash (the sisters' chaperone), and the Massachusetts Supreme Court reading group
There are many other characters, including ones on both sides of the pond. However, Jane Austen's presence is strongly felt throughout this novel and never far from the characters.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
Four books make up this novel: Boston, The Sea, Hampshire, and The Court. However, each of the books is definitely necessary for the telling of this creative story.
The two pairs of siblings write Sir Francis about his sister, Jane Austen. Before you know it, both sets of siblings are on a steamship from Boston to Portsmouth with incredible adventures and new incredible friends made along the way.
The main locations were Boston, Massachusetts; the Atlantic Ocean; and Hampshire, England.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I never knew about the commonality of burning all correspondence after death, specifically with authors in this novel. It is difficult to think that so much was lost, especially for future scholars and historical purposes.
Also, the fight for women's/Black vote in the U.S. and Great Britain and the right for women to divorce, inherit, and keep personal property. How far we have come, yet we have lost so much.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Excellent!
HIGHLY recommend
NetGalley eARC/eBOOK
Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner
320 pages
St. Martin's Press
FUTURE release date: 5/6/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual situations, death of a parent, death
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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