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A review by reading_historical_romance
Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Barron
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Definitely ranking in the Top 3 of the Jane Austen Mystery series, Jane and the Year Without A Summer delivers an emotional punch that I haven’t felt since Jane and His Lordship’s Legacy (Book 8).
Rain clouds have covered the skies of England for months. Jane’s brothers are facing catastrophic circumstances: Henry’s banks have failed, Edward is being sued by disgruntled neighbors, and Charles’ Navy ship foundered in a hurricane. In addition to worries about her family’s finances and reputation, Jane’s state of health has taken a mysterious turn. She is losing weight, and she is suffering from fatigue, nausea, and severe back pain. All of this has made it difficult for her to concentrate on her new novel, the story of one Anne Elliot, a woman whose first bloom of youth has gone, but who treasures private hopes for a second chance at love.
The themes of Persuasion echo throughout Jane and the Year Without a Summer, which is set in Cheltenham between 25 May and 10 June 1816. Jane and Cassandra have traveled there to make a trial of the waters, hoping for a restoration of spirits depressed by the oppressive weather and misfortune. All the while Jane is hiding the seriousness of her illness from her family, not wanting to worry them and add to their cares.
The imagery of unrelenting rain with brief periods of sunshine that cause everyone to run out of doors for fresh air and warmth mirror the flow of the narrative in the novel. There are absolutely delightful moments of humor, a mystery that needs solving, and sparks of romance that peek through the overwhelming sense of heartache we feel for Jane and the weight of mortality she chooses to bear alone.
In this, Stephanie Barron’s unmatched ability to channel Jane Austen’s voice is truly at its finest. She can say so much with the barest of words. This was the moment that broke me.
Rain clouds have covered the skies of England for months. Jane’s brothers are facing catastrophic circumstances: Henry’s banks have failed, Edward is being sued by disgruntled neighbors, and Charles’ Navy ship foundered in a hurricane. In addition to worries about her family’s finances and reputation, Jane’s state of health has taken a mysterious turn. She is losing weight, and she is suffering from fatigue, nausea, and severe back pain. All of this has made it difficult for her to concentrate on her new novel, the story of one Anne Elliot, a woman whose first bloom of youth has gone, but who treasures private hopes for a second chance at love.
The themes of Persuasion echo throughout Jane and the Year Without a Summer, which is set in Cheltenham between 25 May and 10 June 1816. Jane and Cassandra have traveled there to make a trial of the waters, hoping for a restoration of spirits depressed by the oppressive weather and misfortune. All the while Jane is hiding the seriousness of her illness from her family, not wanting to worry them and add to their cares.
The imagery of unrelenting rain with brief periods of sunshine that cause everyone to run out of doors for fresh air and warmth mirror the flow of the narrative in the novel. There are absolutely delightful moments of humor, a mystery that needs solving, and sparks of romance that peek through the overwhelming sense of heartache we feel for Jane and the weight of mortality she chooses to bear alone.
In this, Stephanie Barron’s unmatched ability to channel Jane Austen’s voice is truly at its finest. She can say so much with the barest of words. This was the moment that broke me.
“How long?” I said.
“Six months—a year, perhaps.”
For an instant, I could not draw breath. For an instant, it was as tho’ my heart had stopped. I closed my eyes, and a voice within me cried, So little?
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury