Godmersham Park

Gill Hornby's novel Godmersham Park is a powerful and moving story featuring Jane Austen's closest friend and confidante, Anne Sharpe. Set in January 1804, Anne arrives at Godmersham Park to take up the position of governess, but her new role is an awkward one. She quickly becomes drawn into the Austen family's above-stairs life, but her survival becomes more precarious when she falls in love. The book is a tribute to the genius of Jane Austen and has received critical acclaim for its stylish glimpse into the life of a young governess.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: Cornerstone

From the acclaimed author of the beloved classic, Miss Austen, comes a powerful and poignant novel that delves into the intimate world of Jane Austen's closest friend and confidante. This captivating tale will transport you back to the captivating era of Georgian England, where love, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships are explored with finesse and depth.

Waterstones Fiction Book of the Month

So envious of anyone yet to read this. A triumph!

Nigella Lawson

A masterly piece of storytelling.

Helena Kelly

The great writer is brought to life in this clever, well-researched piece of fiction.

The Times

Thoroughly entertaining, Godmersham Park has some of the same understated wit and sharp observation as Austen's novels.

Sunday Times

Displays a keen sense of wit and rich characterisation ... a thoroughly enjoyable book.

Observer

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January 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. But her mother has died, and she desperately needs an independent income if she is to survive.

For her new charge, twelve-year-old Fanny Austen, Anne's arrival is all novelty and excitement. But Anne is keenly aware that her new role is an awkward one: she 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 her instant dismissal. She has just begun to settle into her position when dashing Henry Austen and his younger sister Jane come to stay. Both take an immediate interest in the pretty, clever governess who quickly becomes drawn into the above stairs life of the Austen family.

Despite her best endeavours, Anne finds that she is beginning to fall in love. But has her survival at Godmersham Park just become a good deal more precarious?

Weight: 542g
Dimension: 145 x 222 x 42 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529125894