I often have the pleasure of being part of book tours and instagram reveals. I love sharing the word about other authors and their books. It’s truly a joy to help people discover others’ books, in part because I know how much love and labor goes into each page and word.
Maybe that’s why Natalie Jenner’s book Austen at Sea resonated with me. It’s an ode to Jane Austen. A love song of sorts set in 1865 with book lovers who set out on a grand adventure to meet the last surviving sibling of Jane’s. The author’s note is short on what factual versus fictional, something of a short-coming because she includes Louisa May Alcott and the Massachusetts Supreme Court as important characters in the book. When that happens, I always want to know which parts are based in fact and which are pure imagination. That isn’t clear. With that stated… Let’s get to the plot.
Austen at Sea tells the story of two pairs of siblings: the first is the daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court justice who are trapped in their times. Bright but unable to escape the strictures of their lives. They start a coorespondence with the surviving sibling and gain an invitation to visit. The other siblings are brothers who survived the Civil War and share a bookshop. They also garner an adventure. When both sets of siblings sail on the same ship, they also encounter Louisa May Alcott, who has a strong role in the story during the voyage, then steps off the page.
Austen at Sea twists and turns with thoughts on love, the way women were held back during the 1860s, and family dynamics. There is a bit of mystery, and overall it is a sweet story. Because there are so many point of view characters, it was hard to fully embrace any one or two of them, but all were compelling in some way. Austen at Sea is an enjoyable read for those who love Jane Austen and an ensemble cast with complex motivations. Add in a dash of mystery and romance, and you’ll find a taste of something for everyone.
I have an extra copy of the book, which I’d like to give to someone. All you have to do to enter is use this form. Good luck!