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Godmersham Park : a novel of the Austen family / Gill Hornby.

Hornby, Gill, (author.).

Summary:
A richly imagined novel inspired by the true story of Anne Sharp, a governess who became very close with Jane Austen and her family.
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.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9781639362585
  • ISBN: 1639362584
  • Physical Description: x, 422 pages ; 24 cm.
  • Edition: First Pegasus Books cloth edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Pegasus Books, 2022.
Subject: Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 > Fiction.
Governesses > Fiction.
Female friendship > Fiction.
Social classes > Fiction.
Great Britain > Social life and customs > 19th century > Fiction.
Genre: Historical fiction.
Biographical fiction.
Novels.

Available copies

  • 12 of 13 copies available at SPARK Libraries.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 13 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Albright Memorial Library FICTION HORNBY (Text) 50686016243789 Adult Fiction Available -
Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library F HOR (Text) 37268003158623 AHMFL Adult Fiction Available -
Exeter Community Library HOR (Text) 33249025511472 Fiction Available -
Gettysburg Library HIST FIC HORNBY GILL (Text)
Endowment: Vesta Barrouk Named Endowment, 2022
35740635893530 Historical Fiction Available -
Kutztown Community Library HOR (Text) 33249024877668 Fiction Available -
Martin Library Adults HOR Fiction (Text) 33454005914668 Reading Room Balcony Available -
Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity FIC HOR GOD 2022 (Text) 31001101870203 Adult Fiction Checked Out 04/01/2024
Pottsville Free Public Library FIC HORN (Text) 30003009126978 Adult Fiction Available -
Allentown Public Library HORNBY, GILL (Text) 34455006953992 Adult Fiction Available -
Bethlehem Main Library f (Text) 33062009649519 Adult Fiction Available -

Summary: A richly imagined novel inspired by the true story of Anne Sharp, a governess who became very close with Jane Austen and her family.
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.

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