The book is described as “a novel of the Austen family” and the first half of the book focuses primarily on Fanny and her parents, and Anne Sharp (with lots of Henry Austen, too). 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. Tal fue la conexión que existió entre Anne y Jane que, tras la muerte de la autora en Winchester, Cassandra Austen escribió aquellas líneas famosas “Se ha ido la parte más importante de mi misma” como queriendo dejar claro que Jane era su compañera en la vida y no Anne… se dice que ambas mujeres, limaron aspereza tiempo después, pero si que me ha sorprendido ese aspecto de una persona que, en mi cabeza, era tremendamente generosa como Cassandra.

It made it more unexpected and gave deeper insight into her life and times by looking at it from those around her and getting their view of the world in which she lived. Based on the events of Anne Sharps life, the story develops each personality and relationship well, with even lesser characters experiencing personal growth. stars - rounded up because of the author’s note at the end which I found far more interesting than the rest of the book.

A través de ella, veremos las condiciones reales en las que se movía una mujer con profesión en una época en la que una dama, si trabajaba, se convertía en una especie de animal mitológico, pues no era parte de los criados ni de los señores.

She served as a governess for Fanny Austen Knight for only two years, and was befriended by our dear Jane Austen and bequeathed items upon her death. I especially enjoyed her interactions and complex relationships with Elizabeth Austen and Jane’s favorite brother, Henry Austen.

We first meet Anne in 1804 on the day of her arrival at Godmersham Park, the estate in Kent that is home to Edward Austen Knight, his wife Elizabeth and their many children. Jane and Anne might have come from similar backgrounds, but a governess was not on the same social level. We also use them to help detect unauthorized access or activity that violate our terms of service, as well as to analyze site traffic and performance for our own site improvement efforts. Anne's arrival at Godmersham Park and her uncertainty there are described beautifully: "First impressions are wont to linger and, as yet, she knew nothing of these people and what might offend them.

Austen, as countrywoman, instead stressed distinctions between the wealthy landed gentry and the less wealthy or spendthrift landowners, while also drawing fine sketches from the early nineteenth-century British Navy and even funnier ones from the clergy. It is clear that Henry and Anne have feelings for each other, but at the same time, Anne doesn't want to admit it because of how she has been raised and the male figures that have surrounded her, or maybe because she is a lesbian?Regarding the possible homosexual or bisexual attraction, this part is somewhat problematic for me, because Anne admits to love both of them, but at that time, she does not even reflect on whether her feelings for Jane are "natural" or not, something that should have been developed, but everything is very fast and ends soon, with a Jane who does not even perceive this in her friend, and who can only reciprocate her with friendship, and for me it is somewhat confusing. 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. Anne Sharp was the real life governess to Fanny Austen (Jane Austen’s niece) and Godmersham Park was the inherited residence of Fanny’s father, Edward Austen Knight. It is not until the arrival of Jane Austen in chapter 27 that reading the book transforms from something akin to a chore to something to be savored, for with Miss Austen comes witty dialogue, humorous encounters, and heartfelt exchanges. Her hand is forced, however, when her mother passes away and her estranged father kicks her out of her home with a nominal allowance, 'During her long history of resistance to the idea of being dependent upon a husband, Anne had never once queried her dependence upon her father.

Anne’s story is fraught with loneliness and angst as she’s suddenly thrust into the role of governess with her mother’s death and father’s abandonment. The book starts with Anne's arrival at Godmersham Park; it's evident she's come down considerably in the world, and eventually we learn why.Hornby has taken correspondence written by the family at the time, and used it to create this account of Anne’s time as governess. She also meets Jane Austen when she comes to stay and their lifelong friendship begins as they put on theatrical performances together and go for long walks. But her new role in this large household where she is neither a servant nor a member of the family is an awkward one, and Anne is keenly aware that one wrong move may result in her instant dismissal. She also does not shy away from voicing her opinion, including as it relates to topics deemed unseemly by her contemporaries.