I loved Miss Austen, a book about Cassandra Austen by Gill Hornby and so was really pleased to see that she had written another book in which known facts are weaved into a story of what may have happened. This time, the main character is Anne Sharp, the real-life governess of Fanny Austen, eldest daughter of Edward Austen, who you may know, was the well-off brother in the Austen family, having been adopted by rich relatives. Edward’s family home was Godmersham Park in Kent. I am not sure I had heard of Anne Sharp prior to this so was interested to learn more.

The author paints a picture of a young woman who had fallen on hard times, which is probably not unusual for a governess, as they would have needed the money for a good education, but now be in a position where they are forced to earn their own money. I felt really sorry for the situation poor Anne found herself in which led to her becoming a governess. The reasons are left quite mysterious, and this is something that unfolds as the story progresses.

We see Anne move to Godmersham Park, try to repress her personality, wants and needs, and fit into an odd place within the household – below the family but above the servants, and therefore resented by them. I felt for Anne, as if you hadn’t been brought up expecting to have to serve it would be a huge change in outlook, and a necessary one, as she is shown as a person reliant upon the goodwill of her employers and therefore constantly walking a tightrope, trying to keep them happy.

One theme which crops up a few times is the differences in opportunity and agency that women and men would have found in the world back then. If you were a sufferer under this system of society it must have been hard to swallow, having to be reliant on your husband / father / male relatives in a way that men were not. They could make more of their own opportunities.

There is a quite a bit of possible romance in the book which personally I could have done without, as these were characters based on real people and as the relationships were ill-advised, I felt they shouldn’t have been included unless they actually were documented to have existed and I am not sure whether this is the case.

As somebody connected with Jane Austen I was expecting to see her appear as a character, and she did, although it was quite late on in the story. The relationship between them seemed to crop up very quickly and inspire a huge amount of passionate devotion on Anne’s part almost immediately, which I am not sure I really bought. However, upon reading the end of the book where some of the known facts of Anne’s life were set out, and doing some more additional reading myself I would say that their friendship must have developed quickly, during one of Jane’s visits to Godmersham. They corresponded for the rest of Jane’s life and were such friends that Anne Sharp was the recipient of one of 12 author presentation copies of Emma upon its publication.

There was some brutal medical treatment detailed, which I was sorry to learn afterwards was based in truth, as noted in Fanny Austen’s diaries, which she kept for the majority of her life and is depicted as starting in the story.

I thought that this was an interesting look at what life could have been like for Anne Sharp. I really appreciated the section of the book at the end which clarifies some of the things which are facts, and which were fiction. I was pleased to become acquainted with a person who was known to be a friend of Austen’s and one who was trusted with the secret of Austen being a writer. I’d rate this as a 4 star read.

A lovely cosy read about Jane Austen's siblings and wider family. I enjoy books based on this era and this was very enjoyable

A story set during Jane Austen's time. A young lady finds out the hard way that she is the illegitimate daughter of a well to do gentleman and his mistress. On the death of her mother, the daughter is given a measly sum per year to exist on and so has to seek work as a governess. Job that she has no experience at, but she has been well schooled, loves literature and is an intelligent young lady. The country house where she works is comfortable enough, though she falls through the crack of not being one of the society ladies nor a member of staff. So has little joy until she meets Mr Edward Austen's family who come to stay, when she meets Jane Austen. The two ladies hit it off due to their love of literature and writing. They become great friends, but this causes some problems with the mother of Anne's charge. Plus Jane's brother Henry starts to take an interest in Anne, things them become difficult.

A beautifully written book. I did find it hard to get into the story. It is very much a character study rather than plot heavy

This was my first time reading a book from the author but I am delighted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I look forward to reading more books from the writer in the future

A fictionalised account of one of Jane Austen's closest friends, meticulously researched from letters and diaries. Beautifully written and reflecting the style, wit and characterisations of an Austen work.

When Anne Sharpe becomes a governess she finds herself employed by relatives ot Jane Austen. Despite the difficulty of Anne's position fitting neither above nor below stairs, Jane and Anne develop a strong friendship.

An fascinating and enjoyable read.
4.5⭐

I found this book a slow starter but I did enjoy it and found it hard to put down. A good story about the friendship between Anne and Jane. Not sure about the medicine of that time as it sounded a little scary.

As a big fan of Jane Austen’s novels, I am always keen to read the various spin-offs by modern authors. In my opinion, this is one of the best. My only quibble is that it ends a bit hastily - but perhaps I just didn’t want it to finish! Four and a half stars, rounded up to five.

Unfortunately this was stragnely disappointing to me.
I expected an exciting story and I got a frightfully dull no-plot-packed-in-a-cute-cover-pagefiller.

A story that blends fiction with truth. I am ashamed to say that I have never read any of Jane Austens works but am familiar with them.
This story was on the melancholy side - sad to see what happened to women who did not have the support of a husband nor money. Poor Anne became a governess as it was the only respectable route left open to her after her father deserted her. She became a governess for the daughter of Jane Austen (boys were allowed to go to school!)
The treatment of her illness sounded quite barbaric but of it's time.
An engaging tale of friendship and gives a glimpse into Jane Austen's life.

Having read the previous novel by Gill Hornby, Miss Austen where I was transported into the world of Jane Austen, the Georgian Period and the gentile life that was being led by them all.

This theme continues in this novel and is told through the eyes of Anne Sharp, governess to Fanny, who was niece to Jane Austen. Jane is not a prominent character in this novel, that falls to Anne but her presence is keenly felt and her friendship with Anne is seen as interesting.

Anne is lucky to find this work as a governess, as now almost passed marriageable age and with no mother and a father who pays an allowance no more, she is permanently in a state of flux where she thinks her background and origins will see her being asked to leave Godmersham. The role of governess is stuck between the servants and the family and can be a lonely one.

But there is something about Anne, which spark interests in many of the Austen family and she becomes embraced into their life and their hearts.

If I said that is all there is to the book, a snapshot of this governess life with the Austen’s you would be forgiven of thinking why bother to read. Well you are transported back to Austen, both in time and writing, the book resonates as if you are reading an Austen, I am sure a skill which isn’t the most easiest when we have such a rich modern language that can be used. The vignettes of life in this house and its inhabitants is quite, peaceful with very little excitement to jump off the pages. That is the beauty of the book, all of it is interesting and not with equal measure.

Of course we know very little about Anne Sharp and her life before this time and Hornby has chosen to fictionalise Anne’s past. There is much to be gleaned from correspondence between differing Austen’s, dairies left and even a rare copy of Emma given by the author to this governess who clearly made some sort of impact on her short life. However what we know and that has been clearly researched by the author is formed into this novel giving insight into a small part of the literary world.

For fans of all things Austen without a doubt, but if you want a peak at society, class from another time it works as an interesting piece of historical fiction. I look forward to seeing what might be next from this author.

'women must learn, sooner or later. The world is not thy friend'.

Anne Sharpe is a well-educated, independent thinker. She has long resisted the idea of marriage, enjoying living her life on her terms. 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.' The only viable option is for Anne to become a governess so she accepts a position at Godmersham Park, working for the Austens.

Already miffed at her drastic change of circumstances, Anne is desolate when she realises that being a governess is akin to being invisible, 'She was neither a guest deserving of especial courtesy, nor a servant to be treated as a friend'. Things begin to look up when she becomes with Henry and Jane Austen, 'within the walls of that splendid, unforgettable park - her heart had been captured by both.'

Godmersham Park is an authentic feeling Regency read based on the real-life character Anne Sharpe and how her life intertwined with Jane Austen, the Austen extended family, for a brief yet life-altering period. The story highlights how powerless even smart, independent-thinking, well-bred women were: without a man you were utterly vulnerable. Anne's reduced circumstances were further exacerbated by her ill health - who wants to employ a woman who regularly suffers 'episodes'. Godmersham Park is a well-written story that not only reads with authenticity but also mirrors the very plight of women with Jane Austen herself articulated in many of her own stories. A good read.

This was thoroughly enjoyable! I loved Anne's story and having it intertwined with the Austen's was a wonderful treat.

This is the kind of book that I wish I hadn’t put off for so long. While I knew it had something to do with Jane Austen, I did not realise just how much of it was based on truth and taken from Fanny’s real diaries. While I admit I was rooting for Anne Sharp and Henry Austen to get together finally at the end and was a little disappointed that they did not, I really loved the clear love that existed between Anne and Jane Austen herself. In 2023, they likely would have been married to each other. I particularly enjoyed the Author’s Note at the end that continued the true events as they really happened. I have even more respect now for Jane Austen’s - and also Anne Sharp’s - refusal to be pushed into 19th century societal expectations.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction account of Anne Sharp's two-year stint as a governess at Godmersham Park and her growing friendship with her charge's aunt, the famed Jane Austen.

This book was an interesting insight into what life was like for both the Austen family and for that period in time. The story rolled along easily but somehow was really just not for me.

This book was an absolute delight from start to finish. It tells us of the friendship between Jane Austen and Anne Sharp who was governess to one of her nieces.
The author has drawn quite a bit of the bones of the story from the primary source of diary entries made by the niece, Fanny Austen. However, what led to Anne becoming a governess is purely fiction.
Gill Hornby has created a character that is totally in keeping with what I would have expected from the little I know. A fierce intellect and passion for women’s rights glows through the prose and Anne is shown as one of the few people that Jane respected and truly liked.
I have seen comments that the ending is not to some peoples’ liking, but it felt right to me. Here, I’m assuming that the author stayed much closer to reality as depicted in Fanny’s diaries and elsewhere.
A real gem of a novel.
5.1.23 I originally requested this through Netgalley and didn’t get a response. It has now come through in January 2023. Thank you to them, the publisher and the author for this opportunity and of course I have not altered my original review because of this. (less)

This was a magical glimpse of a time gone by. The fact that it’s based on real diaries, is wonderful. You can tell how women were treated in that time. Equality was unheard of and women had to battle to survive. The unfairness of the way girls could be cast out of their families or basically sold as a bride is laid bare in this book. Those who are brought up wealthy can quickly be spoilt and have their life chances changed and even their fathers can leave them stranded. A great read!

If you love Jane Austen then you'll probably enjoy this book. Godmersham Park takes her style & weaves it with the story of one of her great friends Anne Sharp.

For me this was a story of two halves, the first a little slow & I did find my mind wandering though I enjoyed getting to know the characters & the style. The second half, after the introduction of Jane & the start of their friendship made for a much more entertaining read.

A classic in style this is a pleasant read.

This was a bit of a slow burner for me at the start. But once I felt a bit more of a connection to Anne and the other characters it moved with more pace. Anne's story is not dissimilar from many women at the time. Intelligent women who are relegated in society because of the men in their lives. It's little wonder that Jane and the rest of the Austen family were attracted to Anne. A moving account of her time with the family.