Bookseller Reviews
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A transporting delight
Godmersham Park carries a distinct ‘austenesque’ feel to the style of writing and being based on real people ticks all the boxes for me.
I very quickly... READ MORE
A delightful blend of historical fact and fiction
Set in the early 19th century, this love letter to the life of Jane Austen blends high society politics with female empowerment to create a beautiful narra... READ MORE
I can't wait to reread this again!
This is as beautiful inside as it is out. I was literally counting the seconds to get back to it every time I had time away from it. I absolutely loved the... READ MORE
Synopsis
Waterstones Fiction Book of the Month for January 2023
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.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Cornerstone
- ISBN: 9781529158922
- Number of pages: 432
- Dimensions: 198 x 131 x 31 mm
- Weight: 308g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allDelightful and transporting
Gill Hornby has quickly become a pen author who’s next book I can’t wait to read.
Having throughly enjoyed Miss Austen, I was eager to start Godmersham Par... READ MORE
Unexpected
This was one of the grimmest books I have ever read. It grinds down the heroine and the reader at about the same ponderous pace and at great length.
A fictional look at the experience of Anne Sharp at an Austen Family home
This novel is an immersive, stylish read in the world of Jane Austen whose brother owned the Park of the title, and employed Anne Sharp from 1804. The narr... READ MORE
Fantasy The whole story is a fairytale….
Had purchased this book before reading back pages of Miss Austen and that all the letters were the work of pure Fantasy by the writer? The two books are ju... READ MORE
An essential read for Austen lovers
“The county of Kent was a mystery to her. Why would one live here, so far from the world?”
I’ve visited Godmersham Park and walked around the estate a few ... READ MORE
A book that records a wonderful friendship - for Austen fans
An enjoyable read about a part of the Austen family that you might not be so familiar with. In the early 1800s, Anne Sharpe becomes Governess to Fanny, ni... READ MORE
Good setting
Due to reduced and unexpected circumstances Anne Sharpe becomes governess to Fanny, the eldest daughter of Edward Austen , Jane Austen’s brother. The chan... READ MORE
Not as good as I expected!
I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't, the characters were frustrating and unbelievable.
A very enjoyable read!
Having read “Miss Austen” by Gill Hornby last year, I was really looking forward to reading “Godmersham Park” and it didn’t disappoint. In this book, inste... READ MORE
Delightful, entertaining and a must for Jane Austen devotees
On 21 January 1804, Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess to Fanny, the daughter of Jane Austen’s brother, Ed... READ MORE
Godmersham Park
What a wonderful book. I loved it from beginning to end. It was so evocative of that time when if women were not left enough money to live on fairly comfor... READ MORE
Magic of Anne Sharp
Gill Hornby touched me with her profound attention to details and took me to the day to day life of Austen Family in Godmersham.
Friend of Jane Austin, with her own story
Based on a true friendship between Jane Austen and Anne Sharp. This is the story of a society woman, with a complete education suddenly abandoned by her fa... READ MORE
Perfect for fans of Jane Austen!
As a fan of Jane Austen this was a perfect read for me.
Gill Hornby has clearly researched Jane Austen so well that this book is an absolute joy to read.
L... READ MORE
Not really worth the time
It’s a well-written book and I love the nostalgia it brings as a Jane Austen fan. However, ultimately nothing happens. I understand it’s to a degree biogra... READ MORE
Austen alchemy
From the first page, I could have believed I was reading Austen herself, thanks not only to the subject and setting but the style of writing too. In Godmer... READ MORE
Ideal for Jane Austen lovers
This novel is based on Jane Austen's family who lived at Godmersham Park during her lifetime. The story centers around their Governess Anne, who is employe... READ MORE
Great read
On 21 January 1804, Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess to Fanny, the daughter of Jane Austen’s brother, Ed... READ MORE
Where you fall for every Austen member of the family
For a person who eats, breaths, reads, dreams and lives in the world that Miss Jane Austen has etched so well a couple of centuries ago, this book represen... READ MORE
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