Emily Flynn
Oct 27, 20223 min
Title: Godmersham Park: A Novel of the Austen Family
Author: Gill Hornby
Genre: Historical Fiction, Biographical Historical Fiction, Austenesque
Publisher: Pegasus Books (November 1, 2022)
Length: (416) pages
Format: Hardcover, eBook, & audiobook
ISBN: 978-1639362585
Tour Dates: October 24 – November 13, 2022
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 January 21, 1804, Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess. At thirty-one 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.
Welcome to Godmersham Park, the estate of Jane Austen's brother, Edward and his wife Elizabeth. Their daughter, Franny is in need of a Governess. Enter Anne Sharp.
Anne is the heroine in this story. Anne is trying to figure out what led her father to leave her in the situation she now finds herself, trying to support herself.
This is a nuanced story of Anne and her relationship with the Austens including Jane and her brother, Henry. It is of her relationship with Franny and her relationship with everyone at Godmersham Park.
The writing is well-researched, and the book is well written. It was a comprehensive look offering interesting insights into Anne, her life, and the estate of Godmersham Park.
The writing, while fictionalized, was based in journals and letters. To be able to take things from history and not bring them to life such as was done in this book is masterful.
This story is not a romance, like I usually read, but to get to know Anne as well as Jane and the Austen family is truly a treat. I felt that I was there. I felt that I had an inside connection into the world of a favorite author.
I was delighted to read this story and found myself unable to put it down.
I received an early copy and this is my honest review.
· "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