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Review: AUSTEN AT SEA by Natalie Jenner
- Christina Boyd
- May 4
- 4 min read
ABOUT THE BOOK
In Austen at Sea, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson, the only children of a widowed Massachusetts supreme court judge, are desperate to experience freedom of any kind, at a time when young unmarried women are kept largely at home. Striking up a correspondence with Jane Austen's last surviving sibling, ninety-one-year-old retired admiral Sir Francis Austen, the two sisters invite themselves to visit and end up sneaking on board the S. S. China, a transatlantic mail packet steamship heading to Portsmouth.
They are joined on the China by a motley crew of fellow Americans including a reluctant chaperone, two Philadelphia rare book dealer brothers secretly also sailing at Admiral Austen's request, a young senator's daughter and socialite in hot pursuit of the brothers, and Louisa May Alcott, traveling to Europe for the first time as an invalid's companion. Alcott will end up leading the other women on board ship in a charity performance of vignettes from Charles Dickens's latest novel, A Tale of Two Cities, and hilarity ensues when the men petition to join.
Landing in Portsmouth, the American visitors soon learn Sir Francis's real purpose in receiving them, and the battle begins over a piece of Austen's legacy so controversial, it will result in historic and climactic court cases on both sides of the Atlantic. Jenner's trademark large cast of characters this time includes a theatre impresario, a newspaperman, a street waif, suffragists and Boston bluestockings, a fortune teller, a disgruntled divorce court judge, and the entire bench of the Massachusetts state supreme court. Releasing in the 250th year since Jane Austen's birth, Austen at Sea is a celebration of literature and the lengths we will go to protect who and what we love.
REVIEW by Christina Boyd
International bestselling author Natalie Jenner’s Austen at Sea is a captivating historical fiction that deftly intertwines rich context, Austenesque devotion, and a profound exploration of identity and women's equality. Set in 1865, the story follows two pairs of siblings, the Stevenses and the Nelsons, whose shared admiration for Jane Austen’s works propels them on a life-altering voyage to England. Their correspondence and then invitation to meet with Sir Francis Austen, Jane’s last surviving brother, uncovers both personal and literary secrets that challenge their views on women’s rights, inheritance, and ownership.
Jenner shines, constructing a vivid world where the societal struggles of the time are framed against Austen’s enduring legacy. The Stevenson sisters, Charlotte and Henrietta, are particularly compelling. Their journey is not merely across the Atlantic but a voyage of self-discovery, one that grapples with the harsh limitations imposed on women in the 19th century. The central question of the novel—whether women can truly control their property or their futures—resonates throughout, lending depth and nuance to the characters.
Jenner seamlessly integrates Austen’s novels into the narrative, too. The Massachusetts State Supreme Court judges who discuss Austen’s works provide both intellectual stimulation and entertainment. These discussions cleverly echo the central themes of Austen’s novels—ownership, marriage, and the restrictive roles assigned to women.
"Perhaps we are to regard Fanny Price as more moral construct than character," the chief justice suggested, revealing his hand upfront as he always did. "After all, who in the book has less freedom than Fanny?" —Chapter 11: Mansfield Park
The inclusion of Louisa May Alcott aboard the ship is inspired. Her presence and her vibrant portrayal add both whimsy and wit.
Louisa Alcott, however, remained surprisingly difficult to read, for all her cheerfulness and open manners. Hardest to decipher was the pain behind her eyes—dark, impenetrable eyes which dropped sadly at the corners, no matter the width of her smile. —Chapter 10: The Audition
Another standout is Sir Francis Austen, depicted as a man in the twilight of his life. His inner conflict regarding Jane’s legacy is both poignant and thought-provoking.
"I have come to accept, after so much loss, how only the things we make will last. A topaz cross on a necklace—a family recipe written down—my sister's book. She didn't write those letters to last, but they do, and that's the dilemma." Sir Francis sighed. "If only Jane herself had destroyed it all." —Chapter 8: The Walled Garden
A surprising twist ultimately adds a layer of complexity, making the story’s resolution all the more satisfying. Austen at Sea will captivate fans of both Jane Austen and historical fiction. With colorful characters, an engaging plot, and a thoughtful exploration of women’s rights and literary legacy, this memorable read is a must for anyone who savors a literary journey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natalie Jenner is the internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society, Bloomsbury Girls, Every Time We Say Goodbye, and Austen at Sea, which have been published in over twenty languages worldwide. For readers new to Natalie’s novels, each works as a stand-alone story, but there is a connective thread that runs from Austen at Sea (set in 1865) and continues forward through The Jane Austen Society (1945), Bloomsbury Girls (1950) and, finally, Every Time We Say Goodbye (1955).
Natalie is formerly a lawyer and independent bookshop owner. She was born in England and raised in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family.
I loved the ARC.