Natalie Jenner, the author of The Jane Austen Society, recently answered some fan questions for The Silver Petticoat Book Club.
If you’re following our new book club, you’ll know our first pick is The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. This historical fiction book is about fans of Jane Austen coming together in the 1940s to preserve her legacy and home in Chawton. It’s a heartwarming story that honors Austen’s novels with its own unique narrative. If you haven’t read it, consider adding it to your list.
For the book club, Natalie Jenner kindly agreed to a Q&A session with readers. We collected some questions from the book club group and added a few of our own. Here are her responses!
Why did you become a writer? Have you always wanted to be one?
Natalie Jenner: I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to write. My mother tells me that even before I could read, around age 2 or 3, I would walk around with a pencil pretending to write. I was that kid. My mum made my first book when I was eight, stringing together the pages with seals for punched holes. My dad would bring me books from business trips, including the entire Anne of Green Gables series and an Austen anthology, which I still treasure. My parents always supported me.
Teachers have also been significant in my writing journey. I thanked them all in the acknowledgments of my book and reached out to them after publishing it. Their encouragement has been invaluable, especially during the years of rejection.
How did you deal with disappointment and discouragement while trying to get published?
The silence from agents and publishers regarding my first five books was tough, but I kept writing because it’s what I truly enjoy. Writing is demanding and requires dedication, but it’s also immensely fun to create imaginary worlds.
Did you base your characters on specific Austen characters?
My characters seemed to appear fully formed on the page, but I discovered opportunities to draw intentional parallels with Austen’s works as I wrote. For example, the age-gap and social dynamics between Dr. Gray and Adeline reminded me of Mr. Knightley and Emma, while their mutual pride and tension echoed Darcy and Elizabeth. Frances Knight combines traits from Fanny Price in Mansfield Park and Anne Elliot in Persuasion. Liberty Pascal was inspired by the Steele sisters in Sense and Sensibility. Mimi Harrison and Jack Leonard’s relationship reflects elements of characters from multiple Austen novels, especially in terms of attractiveness and seduction themes. Adam Berwick’s last name is a nod to Captain Benwick from Persuasion.
What real facts about Jane Austen or the real Jane Austen Society inspired you the most?
I was deeply inspired by Jane Austen’s dedication to her writing during a time when female authors had to publish anonymously. She worked tirelessly on her manuscripts and communicated directly with hesitant publishers, persisting despite health issues, financial instability, and personal pain.
The real Jane Austen Society’s origin in 1940 was also inspirational. Dorothy Darnell, a local woman, saw the need to preserve Austen’s legacy when she found an old fire grate discarded. She gathered a few like-minded individuals, and they met in her parlor to form the first Jane Austen Society. However, WWII impeded their efforts to raise funds to turn Austen’s home into a museum. In 1948, T.E. Carpenter, grieving the loss of his son in the war, purchased the cottage and donated it to the nation. The society then worked with a trust to open the museum in 1949.
Is there a possibility of a film adaptation for The Jane Austen Society?
There’s interest from various production companies, but the process is in its early stages. Hollywood operates on its own timeline, so things can change quickly or slowly at the same time.
Do you have a dream cast for the adaptation?
I envision Richard Armitage as Dr. Gray, Ruth Wilson or Philippa Coulthard as Adeline, Hayley Atwell as Mimi, Olivia Colman (with lighter hair) as Frances, and Matthew Goode or Richard Armitage as Andrew. Saoirse Ronan would be perfect for Evie, James Norton for Adam, Tom Hughes for Yardley, and Armie Hammer for Jack Leonard.
Did you have any say in how Richard Armitage voiced the characters in the audiobook?
I didn’t have input, but Richard Armitage brought incredible creativity and wisdom to his choices. His portrayal often felt like hearing my own words for the first time, especially in moments of emotional depth. He elevated the entire story with his performance.
What’s your favorite Jane Austen novel?
My favorite is Pride and Prejudice, with Emma as a close second. Both have a range of comic characters and personal growth arcs, but at their core, they are romantic love stories that always captivate me.
Why do you think Austen’s books resonate with readers?
Austen creates a self-contained world that is both an escape and a mirror to our own lives. Her characters’ quirks and flaws are timeless, allowing us to see ourselves and those around us. Despite the lack of historical context or physical detail in her work, her narrative voice is enduring, appealing to our better selves and lifting our spirits.
What message do you hope readers will take from The Jane Austen Society?
The book’s message is simple: even when it feels like everything is lost, hope can be enough. Keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps, because new experiences and opportunities can come from unexpected places.
Do you have plans for another book?
Yes, I’m working on another historical fiction novel set in a 1950s London bookshop. I hope fans of The Jane Austen Society will enjoy it too.
Official Book Blurb for The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner:
Just after WWII, in the small English village of Chawton, a diverse group of people come together to do something remarkable. Chawton was Jane Austen’s final home, now housing a few distant relatives and a diminishing estate. With Austen’s legacy at risk, a laborer, a young widow, the local doctor, a movie star, and others unite to preserve her home and legacy. As they deal with their personal struggles, they rally to form The Jane Austen Society.
Have you read The Jane Austen Society? Who would you cast in a film adaptation? Have you joined The Silver Petticoat Book Club? Let’s discuss!
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Feel free to join The Silver Petticoat Book Club on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads! We’re excited to have you participate.
