Book Review: Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

Rating: 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We are back again with a brand new review and this week we take a journey back in time as we visit the quintessentially beautiful Regency period of Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby.

Hornby is back with yet another novel inspired by the life of Jane Austen; this time unravelling the story of Austen's little-known confidante Anne Sharpe. There is just so much to love about this novel... Firstly, the story-telling is absolutely exquisite with a beautiful prose that will transport you straight into the nineteenth-century. Following on from this, Godmersham is exactly the type of story that you can so easily get lost in, a page-turner that will continue to surprise you. And of course, I cannot forget to mention Hornby's protagonist Anne Sharpe. She is intelligent, powerful and, most importantly, determined. Her choices are built upon intention, rather than the heart. She is a character who is aware of the inequalities that surround her, yet she is able to create an independent life for herself, full of happiness, friendship and love. I think what made me fall in love with this story even more was finding out that, despite being a fiction novel, this is based on a true story and the events recorded are taken from Fanny Austen's personal journal. This really is the perfect book for any avid Jane Austen fan!

About The Book:

Godmersham Park follows Anne Sharpe, the real life friend of Jane Austen, who following the death of her mother is forced to seek employment as a governess to young Fanny Austen. But, she quickly discovers that her new role is a slightly awkward one and is instantly aware that one wrong move could alter the rest of her life. When the dashing Henry Austen and his younger sister Jane come to stay, they immediately take an interest in the governess and, as a result, Anne becomes further drawn into the lives of the Austen family. But has her survival at Godmersham become a whole lot more precarious? Will Anne's growing friendships mean that her days as a governess are numbered?