Ellen
asked
Natalie Jenner:
Hi Natalie. I loved the Jane Austen Society and when I finished the book I couldn't stop thinking about Dr. Gray and Adeline's story. I wanted to know so much more! Have you thought about expanding on those characters and writing a book about their love story?
Natalie Jenner
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Hi Ellen, thanks so much for reaching out -- I totally shipped Dr. Gray and Adeline as I wrote (I don't plot in advance, so I had no idea how and when certain plot events were going to happen). I didn't even originally plan for them to have a romance -- they just showed up one day, on a bench in the Great House courtyard, being watched over by Frances Knight (who I also didn't know existed until I started writing the next chapter), and as Dr. Gray and Adeline discussed EMMA I picked up on this wonderfully spiky vibe between them and IMMEDIATELY condensed an original age difference of many decades down to just two, lol. I remember thinking, with the age difference and social inappropriateness, that their relationship was just like Emma and Mr. Knightley! They were the hardest couple to say goodbye to, because they were the two that I most needed to be, and stay, happy. So in my mind they are puttering about their kitchen together with three or four little sons, and laughing a lot. For now, that's where they are staying. But I have carried forward several other characters from TJAS to both of my next two books, BLOOMSBURY GIRLS and the 2024 release EVERY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE, so I have learned to never say never! Many thanks for your readership and check out the audiobook clips on my website nataiejenner.com -- the narrator, British actor Richard Armitage, was the inspiration for Dr. Gray as I wrote and he really brings him, and all my characters, so beautifully to life :) (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Maria
asked
Natalie Jenner:
Not a question, but a comment...I received this ARC yesterday. To say I hit the wall in this week of pandemic is an understatement. I put my work, laptop, notepad of things to do aside late yesterday and picked up the book. I was lost in the story in the best way possible and emerged half-way through the book feeling less anxious. The characters are wonderful! Thank you for this gem!? (needs a question mark)
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Sep 29, 2022 06:01AM · flag