Godmersham Park : A Novel of the Austen Family by Gill Hornby

 

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source:  Received to Review

Book Description: A richly imagined novel inspired by the true story of Anne Sharp,

a governess who became very close with Jane Austen and her family by the #1

International bestselling-author of Miss Austen.


On 21 January 1804, Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess. At 31 years old, she has no previous experience of either teaching or fine country houses. Her mother has died, and she has nowhere else to go. Anne is left with no choice. For her new charge - twelve-year-old Fanny Austen - Anne's arrival is all novelty and excitement.

The governess role is a uniquely awkward one. Anne is neither one of the servants, nor one of the family, and to balance a position between the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' members of the household is a diplomatic chess game. One wrong move may result in instant dismissal. Anne knows that she must never let down her guard.

When Mr Edward Austen's family comes to stay, Anne forms an immediate attachment to Jane. They write plays together, and enjoy long discussions. However, in the process, Anne reveals herself as not merely pretty, charming and competent; she is clever too. Even her sleepy, complacent mistress can hardly fail to notice.

Meanwhile Jane's brother, Henry, begins to take an unusually strong interest in the lovely young governess . . .

And from now on, Anne's days at Godmersham Park are numbered.

My thoughts: Godmersham Park is a work of fiction based on historical facts. It is a tale of Anne Sharpe, a young woman of quality who is forced to accept a position in service as a governess. Her mother has passed and her father has disappeared, leaving her vulnerable to poverty.

Anne Sharpe was not a character that I was familiar with.  It was fascinating to read a novel based on the life of a friend of Jane Austen.  The book gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Austin family at leisure when they are guests in their elder brother's home.

Anne is on the "outside looking in".  She is not part of the family, but she does not fit in with the other servants either.  Her room is in the attic and that is where she spends most of her time when not teaching her young charge, Fanny.  Fanny is the eldest child with several younger siblings.  The home is pious and they are not for the advancement of women, a cause that is close to Anne's heart.  

I noticed the writing style, which reminds me of Jane Austen.  Gill Hornby is meticulous in her attention to detail.  This was not a book that I could breeze through.  I had to pay attention to the words and the feel of the descriptions and dialogue.  I could almost imagine that I was reading one of Jane's works.

Anne Sharp came across as a strong woman, but there was a feeling of sadness in her character.  I can imagine that it would be difficult to go from being a mistress to a servant.  She does find joy in the Austen family, the nursery, and with Fanny.  The story reminds me that women of the 1800s helped bring about the change that we enjoy today.

If you are looking for a book that has a Jane Austen appeal, this may be the book for you.

ADVANCE PRAISE

• "This is a deeply imagined and deeply moving novel. Reading it made me happy and weepy in equally copious amounts…I read it straight through without looking up.”— Karen Joy Fowler, author of The Jane Austen Bookclub 

• Hornby’s skillful mix of fact and fiction captures the complexities of the Austens and their era, and her crisp, nimble prose sparkles throughout. Best of all, Hornby genuinely channels the sentiment of 19th-century English literature. Janeites aren’t the only readers who will relish this smart, tender tale."— Publishers Weekly, starred review 

• “…a well-written and delightfully observant novel…an excellent read.”— The Historical Novel Society

Online PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

About the Author

Gill Hornby is the author of the novels Miss Austen, The Hive, and All Together Now, as well as The Story of Jane Austen, a biography of Austen for young readers. She lives in Kintbury, England, with her husband and their four children.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS