I wish I had read this review before buying and starting this book. I'm half way through it and I'm not sure I will finish it. The writing is a little uneven and heavy-handed, and I think the author attempted to get into the heads of too many characters. I liked The Jane Austen Society and The Bloomsbury Girls, but this one didn't come together for me.
Thanks for this review. Like the other commenter, Melody, I loved The Other Bennet Sister and I'm eager to find more Austen-related fiction, but I'm also glad to know what didn't work so well and why.
There are so many writers who attempt Janeite fiction right now, and while I love the good books in that genre (The Other Bennet Sister!), I've had so many disappointments that I appreciate being warned away from the not-so-good books. Too many losses make me want to swear off the whole genre, which I don't want to do! Not to mention, ships aren't my favorite setting, and I find legal discussion so dry in fiction most of the time. I recently enjoyed Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (both book and adaptation) quite a lot, but wasn't gobsmacked by it.
I'm currently reading Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby and I'm enjoying that as well! Not on the level of The Other Bennet Sister but a good book in its own right.
Thank you for such an incisive and balanced review! I was so excited for Jane Austen Society (and read it soon after it was released) only to be disappointed by what felt like 2020 values and attitudes dressed up in historical costumes. I have yet to read any of Jenner’s other books. Sounds like this one will be a pass for me as well.
Yes, I felt let down by TJAS too! I felt a little insane about that, tbh-- it was so well reviewed by so many respected people that I thought maybe something was just wrong with my perception of it. That's why I was eager to give this one a chance! But I think Jenner's novels are just not for me.
I wish I had read this review before buying and starting this book. I'm half way through it and I'm not sure I will finish it. The writing is a little uneven and heavy-handed, and I think the author attempted to get into the heads of too many characters. I liked The Jane Austen Society and The Bloomsbury Girls, but this one didn't come together for me.
Thanks for this review. Like the other commenter, Melody, I loved The Other Bennet Sister and I'm eager to find more Austen-related fiction, but I'm also glad to know what didn't work so well and why.
There are so many writers who attempt Janeite fiction right now, and while I love the good books in that genre (The Other Bennet Sister!), I've had so many disappointments that I appreciate being warned away from the not-so-good books. Too many losses make me want to swear off the whole genre, which I don't want to do! Not to mention, ships aren't my favorite setting, and I find legal discussion so dry in fiction most of the time. I recently enjoyed Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (both book and adaptation) quite a lot, but wasn't gobsmacked by it.
I'm currently reading Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby and I'm enjoying that as well! Not on the level of The Other Bennet Sister but a good book in its own right.
Good to know! I have that one checked out from the library but haven't started it yet. Thank you!
Thank you for such an incisive and balanced review! I was so excited for Jane Austen Society (and read it soon after it was released) only to be disappointed by what felt like 2020 values and attitudes dressed up in historical costumes. I have yet to read any of Jenner’s other books. Sounds like this one will be a pass for me as well.
Yes, I felt let down by TJAS too! I felt a little insane about that, tbh-- it was so well reviewed by so many respected people that I thought maybe something was just wrong with my perception of it. That's why I was eager to give this one a chance! But I think Jenner's novels are just not for me.