Godmersham Park a novel of the Austen 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 c...

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Main Author: Hornby, Gill (Author)
Format: Books Print Book
Language: English
Published: New York : Pegasus Books, 2022.
Edition: First Pegasus Books cloth edition.
Subjects:
Summary: 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.
Physical Description: x, 422 pages ; 24 cm
ISBN: 9781639362585
1639362584
Author Notes: Gill Hornby is the author of the novels Miss Austen, The Hive, and All Together Now , as well as The Story of Jane Austen , a biography of Austen for young readers. She lives in Kintbury, England, with her husband and their four children.