Gill Hornby takes what is known about Jane and Cassandra Austen and weaves a novel around their relationship. Miss Austen is reminiscent of classic English novels, beginning as they frequently do, with a character list that helpfully shows the kinships and families the reader will find in the book. She continues her reminiscence in that classic English writing style for the story that she tells from Cassandra’s viewpoint. The important thread in the book comes from the historical fact that Cassandra in real life burned or destroyed most of Jane’s personal writings to keep them from the public eye.
The book begins in 1840, after Jane has died, when an elderly Cassandra returns to the home of the Fowles in the village of Kintbury in search of Jane’s letters that she is determined to find. The intrigue begins when she finds the letters in the vicarage but must dodge a nosy housemaid as she examines them. The true bond between the sisters and Cassandra’s compulsion to hide anything she believes Jane would not have wanted to be made public motivates her search. The author invents the content of those letters to create a believable and intriguing story.
This is a book for those who love old English novels, especially Jane Austen’s works. Just be prepared that reading it may inspire a longing to go back and read Pride and Prejudice one more time. I wish I could remember who recommended this book to me. If you recognize yourself, you have my thanks.