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Austen at Sea
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Expected 6 May 25Win a free print copy of this book!
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10 copies available
U.S. only
Two pairs of siblings, devotees of Jane Austen, find their lives transformed by a visit to England and Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother and keeper of a long-suppressed, secret legacy.
In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.
In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.
The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.
It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.
In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.
In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.
The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.
It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 6, 2025
38 people are currently reading
12.7k people want to read
About the author
Natalie Jenner
5books3,621followersNatalie Jenner is the USA Today and #1 nationally bestselling author of THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY and BLOOMSBURY GIRLS, which were both Amazon Best Books of the Month, Indie Next Picks and People Magazine Books of the Week. THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY was the runner-up for best historical fiction in the 2020 ŷ Choice Awards and has been published in more than twenty languages. Natalie's third novel, EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, releases on May 14, 2024, and her fourth novel AUSTEN AT SEA is scheduled to release in May 2025. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie has been a corporate lawyer and career coach and once owned an independent bookstore in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.
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October 28, 2024I wrote my first book THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY from hope, my second BLOOMSBURY GIRLS from excitement, my new May 14, 2024 release EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE from gratitude, and this one � well, this one I wrote for Jane and me. The title AUSTEN AT SEA is what they call a working title � we’ll see if it sticks!
Many of you know from my social media accounts that I am notoriously impatient to share my stories with the world. For now, I share below some background on AUSTEN AT SEA, as well as a list of the many characters who kept me company during its writing.
First, it is important to note that two real-life stories inspired this fictional work: an 1848 correspondence between Admiral Sir Francis Austen and two Boston sisters, whose Harvard President father had been introduced to the works of Jane Austen by members of the United States Supreme Court; and the life and work of Abraham and Philip Rosenbach, Philadelphia book collectors and founders of the present-day Rosenbach Museum & Library. Two books that aided me greatly in my research of these historical figures, and which I would press into your hands if I could, are JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND: THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF MARTHA LLOYD by Zoe Wheddon, and READING AUSTEN IN AMERICA by Professor Juliet Wells.
Otherwise, this book is entirely a work of fiction. The rest of the characters are sometimes inspired by real people (hello, Sir Cresswell Cresswell!); mostly they are not. And there are a LOT, as you will see below :)
________________________________
CHARACTERS
The Bostonians
WILLIAM STEVENSON, widower & Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice
THOMAS NASH, bachelor & Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice
CHARLOTTE STEVENSON, disaffected youngest daughter of Justice Stevenson
HENRIETTA STEVENSON, disaffected eldest daughter of Justice Stevenson
ANNA DICKINSON, known on stage as the Girl Orator
CONSTANCE DAVENISH, Boston bluestocking
FRANCIS CHILD, Ph.D., Harvard professor of rhetoric & oratory
SAMUEL CARTER, coachman to the Stevenson household
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, writer & travel companion
PHILIP MACKENZIE, EZEKIEL PEABODY, ADAM FULBRIGHT, RODERICK NORTON & CONOR LANGSTAFF, justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
GRAYDON SAUNDERS, Southerner & Boston barrister
LITTLE BOBBIE ACHESON, street waif & newspaper boy
The Philadelphians
NICHOLAS NELSON, rare book dealer & Civil War soldier
HASLETT NELSON, rare book dealer & Civil War soldier
SARA-BETH GLEASON, state senator’s daughter & occasional gambler
The British
DENHAM SCOTT, correspondent for The Reynolds Weekly Newspaper
SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, Admiral of the Fleet & brother to Jane Austen
GEORGE FLINT, manservant at Portsdown Lodge
FANNY-SOPHIA AUSTEN, daughter & caretaker of Admiral Austen
RICHARD FAWCETT ROBINSON, London theater impresario
MRS. BERWICK, housekeeper at Chawton House
PETER WRIGHT, tenant at Chawton Cottage
SIR CRESSWELL CRESSWELL, judge & Privy Councillor
DR. RICHARD PANKHURST, barrister at Lincoln’s Inn
I hope that if you do get the chance to read AUSTEN AT SEA one day, you will find yourself wanting to tread the boards of an 1860s transatlantic steamship and act out A TALE OF TWO CITIES alongside my characters, play vingt-et-un with the four heroines (including Louisa May Alcott) in the ship's Ladies' Saloon, spend a day in Chawton, Hampshire, walking in Jane Austen's footsteps, listen to the entire bench of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court debate each of her works at their literary circle, and many other adventures.
Thank you, everyone, for your continuing interest and generous readership. My stories only exist because of you xo
Many of you know from my social media accounts that I am notoriously impatient to share my stories with the world. For now, I share below some background on AUSTEN AT SEA, as well as a list of the many characters who kept me company during its writing.
First, it is important to note that two real-life stories inspired this fictional work: an 1848 correspondence between Admiral Sir Francis Austen and two Boston sisters, whose Harvard President father had been introduced to the works of Jane Austen by members of the United States Supreme Court; and the life and work of Abraham and Philip Rosenbach, Philadelphia book collectors and founders of the present-day Rosenbach Museum & Library. Two books that aided me greatly in my research of these historical figures, and which I would press into your hands if I could, are JANE AUSTEN'S BEST FRIEND: THE LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF MARTHA LLOYD by Zoe Wheddon, and READING AUSTEN IN AMERICA by Professor Juliet Wells.
Otherwise, this book is entirely a work of fiction. The rest of the characters are sometimes inspired by real people (hello, Sir Cresswell Cresswell!); mostly they are not. And there are a LOT, as you will see below :)
________________________________
CHARACTERS
The Bostonians
WILLIAM STEVENSON, widower & Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice
THOMAS NASH, bachelor & Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice
CHARLOTTE STEVENSON, disaffected youngest daughter of Justice Stevenson
HENRIETTA STEVENSON, disaffected eldest daughter of Justice Stevenson
ANNA DICKINSON, known on stage as the Girl Orator
CONSTANCE DAVENISH, Boston bluestocking
FRANCIS CHILD, Ph.D., Harvard professor of rhetoric & oratory
SAMUEL CARTER, coachman to the Stevenson household
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, writer & travel companion
PHILIP MACKENZIE, EZEKIEL PEABODY, ADAM FULBRIGHT, RODERICK NORTON & CONOR LANGSTAFF, justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
GRAYDON SAUNDERS, Southerner & Boston barrister
LITTLE BOBBIE ACHESON, street waif & newspaper boy
The Philadelphians
NICHOLAS NELSON, rare book dealer & Civil War soldier
HASLETT NELSON, rare book dealer & Civil War soldier
SARA-BETH GLEASON, state senator’s daughter & occasional gambler
The British
DENHAM SCOTT, correspondent for The Reynolds Weekly Newspaper
SIR FRANCIS AUSTEN, Admiral of the Fleet & brother to Jane Austen
GEORGE FLINT, manservant at Portsdown Lodge
FANNY-SOPHIA AUSTEN, daughter & caretaker of Admiral Austen
RICHARD FAWCETT ROBINSON, London theater impresario
MRS. BERWICK, housekeeper at Chawton House
PETER WRIGHT, tenant at Chawton Cottage
SIR CRESSWELL CRESSWELL, judge & Privy Councillor
DR. RICHARD PANKHURST, barrister at Lincoln’s Inn
I hope that if you do get the chance to read AUSTEN AT SEA one day, you will find yourself wanting to tread the boards of an 1860s transatlantic steamship and act out A TALE OF TWO CITIES alongside my characters, play vingt-et-un with the four heroines (including Louisa May Alcott) in the ship's Ladies' Saloon, spend a day in Chawton, Hampshire, walking in Jane Austen's footsteps, listen to the entire bench of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court debate each of her works at their literary circle, and many other adventures.
Thank you, everyone, for your continuing interest and generous readership. My stories only exist because of you xo
March 29, 2025
Set in the 1865 Boston and Hampshire, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson, daughters of Massachusetts supreme court judge, are all avid readers of Jane Austen. The daughters, who crave freedom, begin a correspondence with the last surviving sibling of Jane Austen, Francis, and persist with meeting him.
At the same time, brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, who are Philadelphia rare book dealers, write to Francis as well.
This whole situation gives Francis an idea for matchmaking.
However, a lot happens on the S.S. China which takes all characters across the ocean. What happens on the ship creates some dilemma and some legal complications.
The premise of the story is interesting as it recreates stories of Jane Austen with dilemmas, matchmaking, and happy marriages. However, the pace of the story is slow.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
At the same time, brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, who are Philadelphia rare book dealers, write to Francis as well.
This whole situation gives Francis an idea for matchmaking.
However, a lot happens on the S.S. China which takes all characters across the ocean. What happens on the ship creates some dilemma and some legal complications.
The premise of the story is interesting as it recreates stories of Jane Austen with dilemmas, matchmaking, and happy marriages. However, the pace of the story is slow.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2024
Janeites, rejoice! Natalie Jenner has written another spectacular book related to Jane Austen, with four young Austen fans in America visiting Jane's oldest surviving sibling in England in 1865. Oh how I would have loved to join them, and in fact, felt I was alongside them during this trip of a lifetime. Expect gorgeous prose, a narrative that befits Austen herself, and the most compelling characters. I savored this tale, and highly recommend it to every Janeite!
October 2, 2024
I loved this book so much. I imagined myself onto the ship and tagged along in every scene. I could not put it down. What a delight!
Read
December 11, 2024DNF. This was SO incredibly boring and not very well-written. I was expecting something about Jane Austen, not random people reading about Jane Austen. There was also a subplot about women's suffrage, normally something I find fascinating. But this book was trying to tackle too many topics at once. The characters were flat and I didn't care about any of them. Also, the author needed to choose a point of view. If you're going to use third person limited, stick to that. Don't randomly switch to third person omniscient in some scenes!
I struggled through the first 20% before abandoning. Just not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC.
I struggled through the first 20% before abandoning. Just not my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC.
April 15, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Natalie Jenner for a copy of this Arc. I will be giving my honest review.
While I enjoyed its focus on the capabilities of women during a time whilst inhabiting a world set to control and limit them…I do think the choice of a male narrator was a poor one.
I felt disinterested and disconnected from the story as a whole. In part from the overwhelming amount of characters, strangely placed storylines (the dickens play) and amount of legal speak. I also didn’t think it’d be a problem for me but actually hated real historic characters being characters in the book.
While I enjoyed its focus on the capabilities of women during a time whilst inhabiting a world set to control and limit them…I do think the choice of a male narrator was a poor one.
I felt disinterested and disconnected from the story as a whole. In part from the overwhelming amount of characters, strangely placed storylines (the dickens play) and amount of legal speak. I also didn’t think it’d be a problem for me but actually hated real historic characters being characters in the book.
April 18, 2025
The years for Austen! This was probably more of a 3.5 or 3.25 for me (Can we get half stars please ŷ?!).
I loved learning more background information of Jane Austen and her brother and works. Of course the author's notes at the end are really interesting about the acutal historical figures that play into this book. Quite a creative take on how Jane wrote all her works. Made me want to read all her works as I haven't read all of them.
I enjoyed the ending- was guessing at how it was going to wrap up. The beginning was a bit slow for me and the the middle seemed disjointed. Liked how we get a little glimpse into what Louisa May Alcott's life may have been like.
The feminist vibe was a little bit too strong for my liking but super interesting to learn about suffrage and the laws that have been changed to help women. Lovers of the court and judicial system will love all the lawyer lingo as well.
The ending was great- couldn't have asked for a better heart tugging way to end. <3
💬𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
💬*𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.*�
I loved learning more background information of Jane Austen and her brother and works. Of course the author's notes at the end are really interesting about the acutal historical figures that play into this book. Quite a creative take on how Jane wrote all her works. Made me want to read all her works as I haven't read all of them.
I enjoyed the ending- was guessing at how it was going to wrap up. The beginning was a bit slow for me and the the middle seemed disjointed. Liked how we get a little glimpse into what Louisa May Alcott's life may have been like.
The feminist vibe was a little bit too strong for my liking but super interesting to learn about suffrage and the laws that have been changed to help women. Lovers of the court and judicial system will love all the lawyer lingo as well.
The ending was great- couldn't have asked for a better heart tugging way to end. <3
💬𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
💬*𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.*�
February 5, 2025
And this is when ŷ really needs the ability to rate between 4 and 5 stars. I loved this book! I would definitely encourage Austen fans to read. It's a beautiful story. I loved Francis 'Fly' Austen, the relationship between the sisters, and how Chawton came to life.
I had two small things that kept it from being a perfect 5 star read for me. And both of these are very subjective. Maybe it's because Northanger Abbey is often a love it or hate it Austen, (personally I love it) it's barely mentioned. When it is, some characters are disparaging.
2nd, The Epilogue I don't have that level of forgiveness in me. I'll say no more because I don't want to Spoil. To quote Darcy "My good opinion once lost is lost forever."
Wonderful treat for Austen fans. 4.75 stars for me.
I had two small things that kept it from being a perfect 5 star read for me. And both of these are very subjective. Maybe it's because Northanger Abbey is often a love it or hate it Austen, (personally I love it) it's barely mentioned. When it is, some characters are disparaging.
2nd, The Epilogue I don't have that level of forgiveness in me. I'll say no more because I don't want to Spoil. To quote Darcy "My good opinion once lost is lost forever."
Wonderful treat for Austen fans. 4.75 stars for me.
October 4, 2024
I am so grateful to have received an early copy of Austen at Sea. This book is akin to a masterful symphony. Sparkling on the surface, with its propulsive plot. As well as twinkling in its depths with a plethora of literary nuggets (not confined to Austen) and social insights (some still relevant today), alongside heartfelt longing, misunderstandings, comic relief, and satisfying outcomes. As in her other books, Natalie Jenner weaves the thoughts and narratives of her various characters into a strong fabric, vividly set in their time and place, highlighting more than their individual pursuits. The counterpoint of characters, plot, themes, setting, and literary references is a joy to experience. As with a beloved symphony, I expect to savor and discover more and more on each re-read of Austen at Sea. I dare say, Jane Austen would be proud.
November 25, 2024
When I finish reading one of Natalie Jenner’s books, I am always in awe and overcome with many thoughts and emotions. This time I had tears. This tribute to Jane Austen is moving, probing and enlightening. The outcomes for the large cast of characters are all finely executed and for some of them, the closing chapter is quite emotional.
Austen at Sea is a complex novel divided into four books (sections); each set at a different location: Boston, The Sea, Hampshire, The Court—with separate chapters and headings.
It is a vivid exploration of the heart, society and legacies. I would expect nothing less from intelligent, deep thinker Natalie. I enjoyed all aspects of the novel: the multi-faceted large cast of characters, the way she wove Jane Austen’s world into her own novel fabric. And I marvelled at how she utilised her legal background as a past lawyer to express accurately those scenes which required such knowledge. The court sessions between Scott and Scott and the conversations at The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court between the Justices were brilliantly presented and accented with a touch of literary finesse. It was intriguing to read the justices� opinions and judgements on various Jane Austen novels, proving their relevance and meaning, and how her works apply in real life situations.
This novel takes Jane Austen’s writing out into the highways and byways and puts her well-loved books to the test. So many topics are covered such as the challenges women faced: the lack of equality, ownership in marriage, desire for freedom and self-fulfilment. Along with the importance of family and friends, relationship challenges, and romantic encounters.
Many of my favourite scenes involve the plights and pleasures of two Boston sisters Henrietta and Charlotte, daughters of widowed Justice Stevenson. These ladies hungered for a taste of freedom that was unavailable to single women at that time. But with a burst of energy and bravery, they decide to bolt out the door to satisfy that longing. Next thing we know they are on the S.S. China, a transatlantic mail packet steamship, heading for Portsmouth. They are big fans of Jane Austen and after striking up a friendship and correspondence with ninety-one year old retired Admiral Sir Francis Austen, Jane Austen’s brother, they decide to visit him.
The Admiral is an intriguing character and I enjoyed reading his viewpoint chapters. He sets a conflict in motion when he decides to leave a special legacy gift of his sister’s, to Henrietta. A bizarre battle begins from both sides of the Atlantic that will expose and divide relationships. This item will raise many questions and concerns as to what is the honourable thing to do. I loved the solution at the end (cannot give anything away!) that I am sure both brother Francis and sister Jane would approve.
Watching the sisters each take their own emotional and romantic journeys into the unknown, the trials they faced and how they overcame them was quite exhilarating and at times heartbreaking. My favourite scene in the whole book is when Henrietta stands in court and makes a brilliant speech in her defence. Her oration was impressive, her understanding and use of the law genius and her persuasive command of words tugged on my heart strings and had me cheering! Who could not be won over by her stunning delivery and its profound content!
The Austen at Sea travellers on China with the sisters were interesting characters. There’s lots of humour, wit and tantalising predicaments. There are two rare book dealers (brothers) and a senator’s daughter pursuing them. Plus American author Louisa May Alcott travelling as a wealthy invalid’s companion (Anna Weld). This was a golden opportunity for Louisa to fulfil her dream to see Europe. On the ship, she is always hard at work, writing, but she also gets involved in leading a charity performance of Tale of Two Cities based on the latest novel by Charles Dickins. There are some amusing scenes here. And as for Louisa, she is well presented with her wise words about family, caring for others and her belief that ‘our differences buff each other to diamond-like shine.� It was fun to see her in a real life situation.
Austen at Sea is filled with numerous literary gems, too many to mention. And I have only hinted at the power, presence and purpose of this magnificent tribute to Jane Austen. I think Jane Austen would be immensely proud of Natalie’s insightful and exceptional interpretation of her fiction world. And possibly happy that her brother was included! Definitely a must-read for devout Austen fans. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Publisher St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a review copy.
Austen at Sea is a complex novel divided into four books (sections); each set at a different location: Boston, The Sea, Hampshire, The Court—with separate chapters and headings.
It is a vivid exploration of the heart, society and legacies. I would expect nothing less from intelligent, deep thinker Natalie. I enjoyed all aspects of the novel: the multi-faceted large cast of characters, the way she wove Jane Austen’s world into her own novel fabric. And I marvelled at how she utilised her legal background as a past lawyer to express accurately those scenes which required such knowledge. The court sessions between Scott and Scott and the conversations at The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court between the Justices were brilliantly presented and accented with a touch of literary finesse. It was intriguing to read the justices� opinions and judgements on various Jane Austen novels, proving their relevance and meaning, and how her works apply in real life situations.
This novel takes Jane Austen’s writing out into the highways and byways and puts her well-loved books to the test. So many topics are covered such as the challenges women faced: the lack of equality, ownership in marriage, desire for freedom and self-fulfilment. Along with the importance of family and friends, relationship challenges, and romantic encounters.
Many of my favourite scenes involve the plights and pleasures of two Boston sisters Henrietta and Charlotte, daughters of widowed Justice Stevenson. These ladies hungered for a taste of freedom that was unavailable to single women at that time. But with a burst of energy and bravery, they decide to bolt out the door to satisfy that longing. Next thing we know they are on the S.S. China, a transatlantic mail packet steamship, heading for Portsmouth. They are big fans of Jane Austen and after striking up a friendship and correspondence with ninety-one year old retired Admiral Sir Francis Austen, Jane Austen’s brother, they decide to visit him.
The Admiral is an intriguing character and I enjoyed reading his viewpoint chapters. He sets a conflict in motion when he decides to leave a special legacy gift of his sister’s, to Henrietta. A bizarre battle begins from both sides of the Atlantic that will expose and divide relationships. This item will raise many questions and concerns as to what is the honourable thing to do. I loved the solution at the end (cannot give anything away!) that I am sure both brother Francis and sister Jane would approve.
Watching the sisters each take their own emotional and romantic journeys into the unknown, the trials they faced and how they overcame them was quite exhilarating and at times heartbreaking. My favourite scene in the whole book is when Henrietta stands in court and makes a brilliant speech in her defence. Her oration was impressive, her understanding and use of the law genius and her persuasive command of words tugged on my heart strings and had me cheering! Who could not be won over by her stunning delivery and its profound content!
The Austen at Sea travellers on China with the sisters were interesting characters. There’s lots of humour, wit and tantalising predicaments. There are two rare book dealers (brothers) and a senator’s daughter pursuing them. Plus American author Louisa May Alcott travelling as a wealthy invalid’s companion (Anna Weld). This was a golden opportunity for Louisa to fulfil her dream to see Europe. On the ship, she is always hard at work, writing, but she also gets involved in leading a charity performance of Tale of Two Cities based on the latest novel by Charles Dickins. There are some amusing scenes here. And as for Louisa, she is well presented with her wise words about family, caring for others and her belief that ‘our differences buff each other to diamond-like shine.� It was fun to see her in a real life situation.
Austen at Sea is filled with numerous literary gems, too many to mention. And I have only hinted at the power, presence and purpose of this magnificent tribute to Jane Austen. I think Jane Austen would be immensely proud of Natalie’s insightful and exceptional interpretation of her fiction world. And possibly happy that her brother was included! Definitely a must-read for devout Austen fans. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Publisher St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a review copy.
January 7, 2025
Austen at Sea is a delight to read. And, one doesn't need to know the works of Jane Austen to enjoy the story. I was given an Advance Readers Copy and I am giving my honest review of the novel.
As stated above, one does not need to have read any of Jane Austin's novels to thoroughly enjoy this novel; however, for those readers familiar with Austen's work they may get more pleasure from Austen at Sea.
This novel occurs immediately after the United States Civil War and President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, wherein American slaves were given their rightful freedom. The war and the liberation of the slaves are an excellent springboard for the meat of Austen at Sea.
Throughout the entire novel the issue of women's rights is front and center. Jenner was able to bring out the disparity between what a woman of the time could not engage in and how once a woman was married she became the property of her husband. Additionally, anything a woman owned prior to her marriage was also transferred to the ownership of her husband. This matter is an important part of this novel.
There were some things in the novel that caused me to rate the novel lower. The likelihood of Louisa May Alcott traveling upon the same ship as the main characters, and becoming a cherished friend was not realistic. A second issue was not learning the contents of an unfinished, hidden letter from Jane Austen to her sister, Cassandra. I felt the reunion of Henrietta and Denham was rushed and not fully detailed as it should have been given the ending the novel.
As stated above, one does not need to have read any of Jane Austin's novels to thoroughly enjoy this novel; however, for those readers familiar with Austen's work they may get more pleasure from Austen at Sea.
This novel occurs immediately after the United States Civil War and President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, wherein American slaves were given their rightful freedom. The war and the liberation of the slaves are an excellent springboard for the meat of Austen at Sea.
Throughout the entire novel the issue of women's rights is front and center. Jenner was able to bring out the disparity between what a woman of the time could not engage in and how once a woman was married she became the property of her husband. Additionally, anything a woman owned prior to her marriage was also transferred to the ownership of her husband. This matter is an important part of this novel.
There were some things in the novel that caused me to rate the novel lower. The likelihood of Louisa May Alcott traveling upon the same ship as the main characters, and becoming a cherished friend was not realistic. A second issue was not learning the contents of an unfinished, hidden letter from Jane Austen to her sister, Cassandra. I felt the reunion of Henrietta and Denham was rushed and not fully detailed as it should have been given the ending the novel.
April 7, 2025
Clean historical fiction with some romance, set in 1865 Boston and Hampshire, England. Some interesting data about the reserved Austen family, but readers should be familiar with Jane’s work in order to appreciate the many references to her books.
When listening to an audiobook, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of a large number of characters. Their relationships and interactions get a bit overwhelming, and I felt this while listening to “Austen at Sea.� Some of the characters were appealing, while others were just annoying.
Rupert Graves did well in his narration of the audiobook, although I didn’t care for some of his women’s voices. His pacing was excellent, as I would expect from such a good actor.
This audiobook will be published on Mary 6, 2025 by Macmillan Audio. Many thanks to the publisher, the author, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the book in exchange for an honest review.
When listening to an audiobook, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of a large number of characters. Their relationships and interactions get a bit overwhelming, and I felt this while listening to “Austen at Sea.� Some of the characters were appealing, while others were just annoying.
Rupert Graves did well in his narration of the audiobook, although I didn’t care for some of his women’s voices. His pacing was excellent, as I would expect from such a good actor.
This audiobook will be published on Mary 6, 2025 by Macmillan Audio. Many thanks to the publisher, the author, and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the book in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to give an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. I haven’t read the Jane Austen Society yet but I definitely will be reading it soon based on how much I enjoyed this one. I feel like there will be some people not super happy with the way things ended but I understood and appreciate that the author stayed true to the characters rather than give the readers everything they probably wanted in the end.
My only critique was that early on I felt like having an English male narrator didn’t quite work. It was hard to listen to him voice the female American characters. It made me think of how Trevor Noah voiced himself as a child in the audiobook of his memoir. After awhile I got used to it and there actually ended up being a lot more male characters so I understood why he was chosen. Other than that I thought it was great!
My only critique was that early on I felt like having an English male narrator didn’t quite work. It was hard to listen to him voice the female American characters. It made me think of how Trevor Noah voiced himself as a child in the audiobook of his memoir. After awhile I got used to it and there actually ended up being a lot more male characters so I understood why he was chosen. Other than that I thought it was great!
March 26, 2025
This is my 3rd Natalie Jenner book, and this might be my favorite! I love how she weaves her love for literature (namely Jane Austen, but also Dickens and Alcott) with the laws of the time. I think many of us have a general awareness of the rights that women didn't have in the 1800s, but I know this caused me to more deeply consider the implications of those laws.
I love Jane Austen, but I don't have quite as rich of an understanding of her works as some Jane-ites. I still found this incredibly accessible. A pitfall for me was being able to keep the characters straight (even with a character list, this is a common struggle for me). I couldn't get through this quickly, but I still think it was worth the read.
Lastly, I loved learning the real life inspiration she drew from to create the characters! I think that was an interesting facet of history that I would have never know, and I love that she gave those real life people a wider audience!
I love Jane Austen, but I don't have quite as rich of an understanding of her works as some Jane-ites. I still found this incredibly accessible. A pitfall for me was being able to keep the characters straight (even with a character list, this is a common struggle for me). I couldn't get through this quickly, but I still think it was worth the read.
Lastly, I loved learning the real life inspiration she drew from to create the characters! I think that was an interesting facet of history that I would have never know, and I love that she gave those real life people a wider audience!
January 1, 2025
Author Natalie Jenner puts her talents on display in Austen at Sea. She gives us a delightful cast of characters who love books, especially those of Jane Austen, but Charles Dickens is prominent as well. The intricate story weaves in commentary on specific novels of Austen, as well as Austen’s family history. Much historical context regarding women’s rights during this period of history, the end of the Civil War, sets the stage for many of the characters� motives. We are also allowed to delve into the law with characters who are sitting judges and lawyers in both England and Massachusetts. Jenner incorporates an interesting character, Louisa May Alcott. But above all, there are love interests that develop as expected between several characters and ... unexpectedly between others.
Thank you, Net Galley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy.
Thank you, Net Galley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy.
Want to read
January 21, 2025I am so excited to read this one! I have loved her other books so much and this one sounds like an absolute delight! I am going to start this one as soon as I am done with my other book I am reading! Anyone else looking forward to this one as much as me?
April 10, 2025
In 1865, in post-Civil War Boston, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, sisters and daughters of a Supreme Court Justice, write a letter to Jane Austen’s last surviving brother, Sir Francis Austen. When he replies with an invitation to visit him in England, they set sail on a voyage that will change their lives forever.
Natalie Jenner once again reveals her deep love for classic literature, paying homage to Austen, Louisa May Alcott (a character in the novel), and Charles Dickens. Readers who love books about books will not be disappointed.
Jenner also continues to excel in writing ensemble novels, with excellent characterization and shifting points of view done with skill and precision. Austen at Sea is a love letter to Austen and an engaging story full of unexpected turns, brilliant characters, sweet love stories, and a Frank Capra-esque feel. So, so good.
Overall Rating: 5
Romance Rating: 5
(Disclosure: I was given an ARC from the publisher and author via Austenprose PR. All opinions in the book review are my own.)
I’ll be back in May with my full review published at The Silver Petticoat Review!
Natalie Jenner once again reveals her deep love for classic literature, paying homage to Austen, Louisa May Alcott (a character in the novel), and Charles Dickens. Readers who love books about books will not be disappointed.
Jenner also continues to excel in writing ensemble novels, with excellent characterization and shifting points of view done with skill and precision. Austen at Sea is a love letter to Austen and an engaging story full of unexpected turns, brilliant characters, sweet love stories, and a Frank Capra-esque feel. So, so good.
Overall Rating: 5
Romance Rating: 5
(Disclosure: I was given an ARC from the publisher and author via Austenprose PR. All opinions in the book review are my own.)
I’ll be back in May with my full review published at The Silver Petticoat Review!
February 21, 2025
I enjoyed Natalie Jenner’s first few books. Her last one didn’t do much for me, but it still felt like it had an underlying story that brought everything together. Austen at Sea, however, felt disjointed and had no characters that were easy for me to connect with. Sisters Harriet and Charlotte are at the center of the story, daughters of the Chief Justice of Massachusetts as the Civil War is ending. The first part of the book is them fan girling over Jane Austen and doing the nineteenth century version of celebrity stalking of her one remaining sibling while bemoaning their lack of rights as women. Thankfully Austen’s brother is more flattered than anything else and invites them to hop on a ship and come see him in England. In a matchmaking effort, he also invites two bookseller brothers that have written to him as well. The second part of the book is on the ship, where the majority of the story is about them along with Louisa May Alcott and several other acquaintances, casting and putting on a play of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. Yes, Dickens, not Austen. During this journey Harriet does a rash thing that will come back to bite her, and have every reader questioning how intelligent and concerned she really is with the rights of women. The third part is about many members of this group realizing they’re there to meet Frances Austen and then actually meeting him. During this time he bequeathes one of his sister’s letters to Harriet. Which goes into part four, which is all focused on a lawsuit brought against Harriet that bounces back and forth between England and America. Meanwhile the sisters� father and his fellow judges (minus Nash who jumped on the ship to follow the women) read and debate Austen’s novels. Romantic entanglements come and go with unpredictable and annoying frequency. I found Harriet completely bewildering. It’s hard to describe how her choices could even make sense. It’s unfortunate because this book could have been a really good story about women’s lack of rights, especially once married. And as much as I thought it was wrong for Denham to do what he does to Harriet, she’s a smart woman that’s stupid enough to put herself in the situation. Not many likable characters and way too many tangents make the weak main storyline even harder to follow. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 16, 2025
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to @authornataliejenner @stmartinspress and @austenprose for the generous #gifted book, and to @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2925 for the accompanying audiobook.
This remarkable novel had me utterly captivated from start to finish.
Set against the backdrop of 1865, it follows Charlotte and Henrietta, the daughters of a Chief Justice from Massachusetts, and the Pennsylvania-based book dealer brothers, Nicholas and Nelson, as they embark on a journey to England. Their eclectic group seeks to meet Sir Francis Austen and delve deeper into the life of his illustrious sister, Jane Austen. Along the way, the sisters experience the complexities of love, heartache, and enduring friendships they make aboard the steamship.
The writing is nothing short of exquisite. The intricate details woven throughout, regarding Jane Austen, Sir Francis Austen, and the legal systems of both America and England, are simply phenomenal. The storyline ensnares you, holding your attention as we accompany the sisters on their journey. I found the discussions in the book club formed by the justices, centered around Jane Austen's work, to be thought-provoking and insightful. The exploration of women's rights in both England and the evolving America is particularly enlightening, with a blend of historical context and a legal case enriching the sisters' story.
The narrator's performance is outstanding, truly bringing the characters to life. His portrayal of the women is particularly admirable, and his accent adds an additional layer of authenticity that enhances the overall experience.
If you’re on the lookout for a compelling historical adventure infused with the nuances of Jane Austen’s life, this book is an absolute must-read. Mark your calendars for its release on May 6, 2025, you won’t want to miss it!
This remarkable novel had me utterly captivated from start to finish.
Set against the backdrop of 1865, it follows Charlotte and Henrietta, the daughters of a Chief Justice from Massachusetts, and the Pennsylvania-based book dealer brothers, Nicholas and Nelson, as they embark on a journey to England. Their eclectic group seeks to meet Sir Francis Austen and delve deeper into the life of his illustrious sister, Jane Austen. Along the way, the sisters experience the complexities of love, heartache, and enduring friendships they make aboard the steamship.
The writing is nothing short of exquisite. The intricate details woven throughout, regarding Jane Austen, Sir Francis Austen, and the legal systems of both America and England, are simply phenomenal. The storyline ensnares you, holding your attention as we accompany the sisters on their journey. I found the discussions in the book club formed by the justices, centered around Jane Austen's work, to be thought-provoking and insightful. The exploration of women's rights in both England and the evolving America is particularly enlightening, with a blend of historical context and a legal case enriching the sisters' story.
The narrator's performance is outstanding, truly bringing the characters to life. His portrayal of the women is particularly admirable, and his accent adds an additional layer of authenticity that enhances the overall experience.
If you’re on the lookout for a compelling historical adventure infused with the nuances of Jane Austen’s life, this book is an absolute must-read. Mark your calendars for its release on May 6, 2025, you won’t want to miss it!
April 13, 2025
For context, I was assigned this audiobook to review for a journal. While I like historical fiction, I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own (the genre of "cover art featuring women in dresses looking away into the distance" is not my preference).
That said, this is a serviceable historical fiction centering on Jane Austen's legacy and featuring Louisa May Alcott as a minor character. Two Boston sisters sail to England to meet with Austen's surviving brother, who wants to share material with them so his sister's genius will be appreciated by future generations. A side plot involves the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices having a Jane Austen book club in their downtime, where they give some light literary criticism of the novels and the broader topic of women's rights. Events happen but I struggled to be very invested in the ups and downs because clearly, the wrongs would be righted and the injustices sorted out (although I think we're possibly also meant to reflect on the progression of women's rights and how some of them are under threat today).
Rupert Graves narrates, probably because he was Mr Weston in 2020's Emma, and while his reading is unobjectionable, I found him to be an odd choice. The main characters are women (while their father also has a storyline, he is not the focal point of either the beginning or the ending), but Graves's reading comes off so hard as Old Man that I didn't hear a lot of the younger female characters in his voice. He did make the effort to Americanize his accent for the American characters, which was a helpful distinction, but not quite enough to give Young Unmarried Woman.
All in all - it was fine. Not for me, but I'm sure there's an audience for it, and it's not actually bad.
That said, this is a serviceable historical fiction centering on Jane Austen's legacy and featuring Louisa May Alcott as a minor character. Two Boston sisters sail to England to meet with Austen's surviving brother, who wants to share material with them so his sister's genius will be appreciated by future generations. A side plot involves the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices having a Jane Austen book club in their downtime, where they give some light literary criticism of the novels and the broader topic of women's rights. Events happen but I struggled to be very invested in the ups and downs because clearly, the wrongs would be righted and the injustices sorted out (although I think we're possibly also meant to reflect on the progression of women's rights and how some of them are under threat today).
Rupert Graves narrates, probably because he was Mr Weston in 2020's Emma, and while his reading is unobjectionable, I found him to be an odd choice. The main characters are women (while their father also has a storyline, he is not the focal point of either the beginning or the ending), but Graves's reading comes off so hard as Old Man that I didn't hear a lot of the younger female characters in his voice. He did make the effort to Americanize his accent for the American characters, which was a helpful distinction, but not quite enough to give Young Unmarried Woman.
All in all - it was fine. Not for me, but I'm sure there's an audience for it, and it's not actually bad.
April 13, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and MacMillan Audio for the digital copy of this book and audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
According to the author, this book was inspired by two real-life stories. “� An 1848 correspondence between Admiral Sir Francis Austen and two Boston sisters, whose Harvard President father had been introduced to the works of Jane Austen by members of the United States Supreme Court; and the life and work of Abraham and Philip Rosenbach, Philadelphia book collectors and founders of the present-day Rosenbach Museum & Library. � The book features Louisa May Alcott as a minor character, too. The overall theme is the Jane Austen legacy.
There are many characters and storylines to pay attention to, and some subplots work better than others. What I really liked about this historical fiction homage to Jan Austen was that everyone was a positive character; there were no antagonists or culprits to worry about. Such a breath of fresh air.
The audiobook was performed by Rupert Graves, who was Mr. Weston in 2020’s Emma. It was a bit confounding and confusing as to why a man was chosen to narrate largely young adult women. Graves performed all right but reminds me of how Danielle Steel’s books are almost exclusively narrated by men, even when women are the majority of the characters. Just� weird. He does a really good American accent but also comes across as a rather old man trying to represent young unmarried women.
Jane Austen fans will appreciate the unique take on her legacy with this book. Recommended!
According to the author, this book was inspired by two real-life stories. “� An 1848 correspondence between Admiral Sir Francis Austen and two Boston sisters, whose Harvard President father had been introduced to the works of Jane Austen by members of the United States Supreme Court; and the life and work of Abraham and Philip Rosenbach, Philadelphia book collectors and founders of the present-day Rosenbach Museum & Library. � The book features Louisa May Alcott as a minor character, too. The overall theme is the Jane Austen legacy.
There are many characters and storylines to pay attention to, and some subplots work better than others. What I really liked about this historical fiction homage to Jan Austen was that everyone was a positive character; there were no antagonists or culprits to worry about. Such a breath of fresh air.
The audiobook was performed by Rupert Graves, who was Mr. Weston in 2020’s Emma. It was a bit confounding and confusing as to why a man was chosen to narrate largely young adult women. Graves performed all right but reminds me of how Danielle Steel’s books are almost exclusively narrated by men, even when women are the majority of the characters. Just� weird. He does a really good American accent but also comes across as a rather old man trying to represent young unmarried women.
Jane Austen fans will appreciate the unique take on her legacy with this book. Recommended!
April 18, 2025
When two sisters, who are die-hard fans of Jane Austen, begin a correspondence with Jane's last living sibling, Sir Francis Austen, they begin a journey from Boston to Great Britain. Sir Francis has in his possession many unseen objects & letters of Jane's that he is trying to put in the perfect hands before his death. There are two brothers from Philadelphia, who he has also been in correspondence with, who he has invited to his home with the ulterior motive of match-making. Upon their arrival, there are long conversations about Jane and even a visit to her final resting place. One of the underlying themes in this story are women's rights, especially the right to vote & have property of their own and not property that becomes their husbands upon a marriage. Natalie Jenner is truly a big fan of Jane Austen, and this is the third book where Jane is at the heart of her story. It is very well researched & very entertaining.
Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Many thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
February 15, 2025
This is a fantastic book! It's perfect for Jane Austen fans! It's full of adventure!There's a mysterious treasure, several love stories, and dreams that come true.
Charlotte and Henrietta are wonderful characters! Their sisterly bond is amazing. They're brave, smart, and compassionate. Their father, William, loves them and makes sure that their intellect is stimulated. I like Nash because he's stalwart. He's quiet, but he's always thinking. Admiral Frank is a romantic! He's known and lost love twice, but he still believes in its power.
The thing that I liked best about the book was that I felt like a participant in the story! The characters felt like old friends. I was so sad when it ended, but I'm glad that the epilogue tied everything up nicely! It also renewed my interest in reading Jane Austen's books again!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Charlotte and Henrietta are wonderful characters! Their sisterly bond is amazing. They're brave, smart, and compassionate. Their father, William, loves them and makes sure that their intellect is stimulated. I like Nash because he's stalwart. He's quiet, but he's always thinking. Admiral Frank is a romantic! He's known and lost love twice, but he still believes in its power.
The thing that I liked best about the book was that I felt like a participant in the story! The characters felt like old friends. I was so sad when it ended, but I'm glad that the epilogue tied everything up nicely! It also renewed my interest in reading Jane Austen's books again!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 26, 2025
The year is 1865, in Boston, a pair of sister named, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson and have the love of Jane Austen's books. As does their father, a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice. They decide to travel over the seas to the country of England where Jan Austen is born. Prior to that they had started communicating with Jane's brother, Sir Francis Austen. Sir Francis Austen has invited them to come visit him. While on the ship they meet two Civil War Veterans from Philadelphia and seem to have the same plan in mind. They meet two famous people as they journey over the sea.
I love historical fictions and the title intrigued me as I love Jane Austen's books. There is so much that happens in this book and it is so hard to put this book down, you just want to keep reading and reading. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a preview of Natalie Jenner's creative writing and plan to read more of her books.
I love historical fictions and the title intrigued me as I love Jane Austen's books. There is so much that happens in this book and it is so hard to put this book down, you just want to keep reading and reading. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a preview of Natalie Jenner's creative writing and plan to read more of her books.
April 10, 2025
I believe my four star review is largely influenced by the fact that I am a fan of Jane Austen, having recently visited her home in Alton and spending an afternoon in Chawton House.
I found this fictionalized story interwoven with enough truth that I was constantly stopping to search out the difference between the two! The story takes place in the mid to late 1800s, so the language and phrases used are quite old and proper. The descriptions of the England that Jane Austen knew were extremely accurate and even the smallest details (like the mahogany table in Chawton House where Jane used to eat meals) proved the authors expertise on her subject.
Due to the proper and old English used to tell the story, I often had to pay attention with some level of concentration, or I would find myself getting a little lost. That being said, the story is a delight for any fan of Jane Austen, English literature, and the development of womens� rights in the USA soon after the Civil War.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio and SMP for the advanced copy of this book to read and review.
I found this fictionalized story interwoven with enough truth that I was constantly stopping to search out the difference between the two! The story takes place in the mid to late 1800s, so the language and phrases used are quite old and proper. The descriptions of the England that Jane Austen knew were extremely accurate and even the smallest details (like the mahogany table in Chawton House where Jane used to eat meals) proved the authors expertise on her subject.
Due to the proper and old English used to tell the story, I often had to pay attention with some level of concentration, or I would find myself getting a little lost. That being said, the story is a delight for any fan of Jane Austen, English literature, and the development of womens� rights in the USA soon after the Civil War.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio and SMP for the advanced copy of this book to read and review.
November 17, 2024
I loved Natalie Jenner’s previous books so I was excited to get an ARC of her latest novel, “Austen at Sea.� Although her earlier books dealt with Jane Austen as a theme, the reader didn’t have to be a Jane Austen fan to enjoy them. Those books focused on friendships formed based on a shared love of Jane Austen, and while Jane Austen was a common theme, the relationships among the characters took center stage. However, unlike her previous novels, this newest one seemed to require a knowledge and enthusiasm for Jane Austen not present in the author’s previous works.
“Austen at Sea,� which begins in 1865, shortly after the end of the American Civil
War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, focuses primarily on two sets of siblings: sisters Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Judge in Boston and brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, booksellers from Philadelphia. Both sets of siblings are devout fans of Jane Austen and separately write to Sir Francis Austen, Jane Austen’s brother asking for information about his late sister. The Stevensons and Nelsons sail to Portsmouth to meet Sir Francis, who takes them to Chawton, the estate where Jane Austen wrote her books. Just before they leave Portsmouth, Sir Francis falls ill and has his servant give Henrietta a bequest relating to his late sister, which subsequently embroils Henrietta in extensive legal battles on both sides of the Atlantic.
Interspersed with accounts of the two sets of siblings and their assorted romantic interests are book club discussions among the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices, who convene during their summer break to discuss Jane Austen novels at length and in great depth, forming a very detailed literary criticism of her books. Unless the reader is a devout fan of Jane Austen, these interludes became somewhat tedious. In addition, there are detailed accounts of the court deliberations and rulings involving Henrietta, which also bog down the narrative.
Based on all of the above, I found it somewhat difficult to rate this book. On the plus side, the author has a beautiful prose style which brings her characters and the time period to vivid life. She has clearly done extensive research, throwing a light on the difficulties women faced particularly with regards to the struggle for the right to vote and a married woman’s right to own property.
On the negative side, the novel felt very long, especially with the extensive literary criticism of Jane Austen’s novels and the description of legal proceedings. Fans of Jane Austen will probably enjoy the literary criticism, and as a result have a more favorable impression of the book as a whole. In the end, I concluded that Natalie Jenner’s writing style, strong characters and historical detail outweighed any negatives I felt towards the book. I will certainly continue to follow this author’s future book releases.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.
“Austen at Sea,� which begins in 1865, shortly after the end of the American Civil
War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, focuses primarily on two sets of siblings: sisters Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Judge in Boston and brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, booksellers from Philadelphia. Both sets of siblings are devout fans of Jane Austen and separately write to Sir Francis Austen, Jane Austen’s brother asking for information about his late sister. The Stevensons and Nelsons sail to Portsmouth to meet Sir Francis, who takes them to Chawton, the estate where Jane Austen wrote her books. Just before they leave Portsmouth, Sir Francis falls ill and has his servant give Henrietta a bequest relating to his late sister, which subsequently embroils Henrietta in extensive legal battles on both sides of the Atlantic.
Interspersed with accounts of the two sets of siblings and their assorted romantic interests are book club discussions among the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices, who convene during their summer break to discuss Jane Austen novels at length and in great depth, forming a very detailed literary criticism of her books. Unless the reader is a devout fan of Jane Austen, these interludes became somewhat tedious. In addition, there are detailed accounts of the court deliberations and rulings involving Henrietta, which also bog down the narrative.
Based on all of the above, I found it somewhat difficult to rate this book. On the plus side, the author has a beautiful prose style which brings her characters and the time period to vivid life. She has clearly done extensive research, throwing a light on the difficulties women faced particularly with regards to the struggle for the right to vote and a married woman’s right to own property.
On the negative side, the novel felt very long, especially with the extensive literary criticism of Jane Austen’s novels and the description of legal proceedings. Fans of Jane Austen will probably enjoy the literary criticism, and as a result have a more favorable impression of the book as a whole. In the end, I concluded that Natalie Jenner’s writing style, strong characters and historical detail outweighed any negatives I felt towards the book. I will certainly continue to follow this author’s future book releases.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2025
I was thrilled to win an Advance Readers� Edition of Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner in a ŷ Giveaway. The novel included a lengthy cast of characters and I appreciated the author’s delineated list and brief description of each at the beginning of the book. I especially liked Sir Francis Austen, the only living sibling of Jane Austen, who invites sisters Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson of Boston (daughters of widower William Stevenson, a Massachusetts Supreme Court justice) and brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, Philadelphia rare book dealers, for a simultaneous visit hoping for a match. Jenner’s depiction of their outing to Chawton brought back wonderful memories of my own visit in 2014. Most of what transpires in the storyline occurs between April and October 1865. I enjoyed reading Austen at Sea very much and delighted in the steamship voyage across the Atlantic as well as the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices� discussions of Jane Austen’s books. One niggle for me was one main character’s seemingly anachronistic behavior given the mores of the time which I believe detracted from an otherwise very good read.
January 4, 2025
Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner is clever and entertaining. In this hypothetical story, which takes place in 1865, two sisters in Massachusetts get in touch with Jane Austen's surviving sibling in England to ask for details about his deceased sister. Additionally, two brothers are looking for information on Sir Frances Austen. All of them, including Louisa May Alcott, end up aboard a boat bound for England.
The narrative is deep and detailed, and the prose is beautiful. The conversation sounds like it belongs in an Austen novel. The motivations and feelings of each character are presented ingeniously. Natalie Jenner's legal background is evident.
For anybody who enjoys historical fiction, but especially for Jane Austen fans, this is a must-read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an advance readers copy of this book for my honest review.
The narrative is deep and detailed, and the prose is beautiful. The conversation sounds like it belongs in an Austen novel. The motivations and feelings of each character are presented ingeniously. Natalie Jenner's legal background is evident.
For anybody who enjoys historical fiction, but especially for Jane Austen fans, this is a must-read.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an advance readers copy of this book for my honest review.
March 29, 2025
This delightful original and beautiful written live story was set in 1865. It was full of a page turning, exciting, and entertaining romance full of drama, action, and interesting and wonderful characters. I enjoyed this engaging sea voyage. I highly recommend reading!
December 26, 2024
This book reads like a Jane Austen book to me. It’s leisurely paced and great for a calming, yet enthralling read.
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