Although she does enter the story toward the latter half, it mostly keeps one step away from her, instead opting to provide a fresh look at some of the other family members in their own contexts. At the same time it is a beautifully written and evocative story peopled by well observed, rounded characters. By the end of this generous-spirited and thoroughly enjoyable book, so will the reader and they will relish them. She is courteous to her servants, Anne included, but ultimately, she is their superior in rank, a fact which underlies her every interaction with them.

I admit that this is a fictionalization of a true fact, and therefore, it is open to doubts and interpretations, but I appreciate the book for showing this "hidden figure" that shows the reality of working women of a certain class at that time. It impugned her family honour, played down her clear teaching abilities and reduced her to a bedraggled scrap. I'm just so glad I don't have to deal with 19th century medicine most of it sounds disgusting and/or downright dangerous.

stars but I did find it slightly tedious in the earlier chapters at times, just whilst getting into the story, but especially when Jane arrived it truly picked up.

Jane Austen’s wealthy brother Edward (who owned and inherited two estates but not from the Austens) and his prodigious family employ Anne after she is inexplicably turned out of her father’s home following her mother’s death. The arrival of several of the Austens’ extended family members, however, injects some levity and happiness into her life. That novel also opens with the marriage of the former Miss Taylor, Emma's ex-governess, to the wealthy Mr.She has been my girl for more years than I’m able to count, and I can’t think of a day where she will not be, in fact, my girl. Godmersham Park is inspired by the real-life friendship between Anne Sharp and one of Britain’s most celebrated authors: Jane Austen. Anne’s life at Godmersham is rich and full with the Austen ladies visiting- amateur theatricals, fishing by the river, volunteering at the village school, visits at the vicarage, odd petty thefts of her few personal items and barely edible food from a frosty cook and surly serving staff, abominable sick headaches that make her fear she’ll lose her place, and rambles in the park talking writing with dear Jane.

This fascinating imagining of one of Jane Austen's friend's early history works on a number of levels.

It is also not understood, apart from her fraternal jealousy, that Cassandra had problems with Anne, because no conflict is fictionalized, I suppose because the author does not have enough data. Muy confusa con el triángulo entre Henry, Anne y Jane (a su pesar, pues Jane no ve a Anne más que como una buena amiga todo el rato, como otra hermana). Indeed, where Miss Austen felt well thought out and plausible, Godmersham Park feels far more like fiction than fact. The more peripheral characters, namely the other Austen family members and servants, are also worthy of praise.