Godmersham Park
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A richly imagined novel inspired by the true story of Anne Sharp, a governess who became very close with Jane Austen and her family by the #1 International bestselling-author of Miss Austen. 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.
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I always include major spoilers (hidden), to help with my memory issues. Read them at your peril!
Based around what is known of the time spent at Godmersham Park, by Anne Sharp, friend of Jane Austen. The author explains in her note that her life before arriving at the house is fiction as nothing is known of it. But the facts of the GP period are correct, based on the diaries of Fanny and the letters of Jane and Cassandra Austen. Very well written, quite sad. Sobering to have the position of women illustrated as clearly as this. It's worth reading the author's note at the end, as it lets you know what happened in her later life.
Young Anne lives with her mother and father in comfortable circumstances, an indulged and beloved only child. The odd thing is that her father is away for most of then time . Her mother is desperate for Anne to marry for her own security, and produces a string of unpreposessing suitors. Anne turns them all down, believing herself secure as a wealthy man's daughter. But after her mother's death, she is cast adrift by her father with only a small annual allowance of £35. As a result Anne is forced to seek work as a governess. Eventually her faithful ex-maid Agnes finds out that Anne's father was never married to her mother and that he has another family, living comfortably and happily in London. . Anne remains at Godmersham for 2 years, during which time, she meets the Austen family, and comes to love both Henry and Jane. Jane Austen wishes for Anne to come and live with her mother, sister, friend and herself. But Anne cannot bear to share her as only a friend so says no . At the end Anne is dismissed from Godmersham for persisting in her Ill health and Henry asks her to be his mistress. She turns him down with some difficulty, and faces up to her future as single, working woman
