This week, I'm waiting on:
Longbourn by Jo Baker
Release date: October 8, 2013
Description:
A brilliantly imagined, irresistible below-stairs answer to Pride and Prejudice: a story of the romance, intrigue and drama among the servants of the Bennet household, a triumphant tale of defying society's expectations, and an illuminating glimpse of working-class lives in Regency England.
The servants at Longbourn estate--only glancingly mentioned in Jane Austen's classic--take centre stage in Jo Baker's lively, cunning new novel. Here are the Bennets as we have never known them: seen through the eyes of those scrubbing the floors, cooking the meals, emptying the chamber pots. Our heroine is Sarah, an orphaned housemaid beginning to chafe against the boundaries of her class. When the militia marches into town, a new footman arrives under mysterious circumstances, and Sarah finds herself the object of the attentions of an ambitious young former slave working at neighboring Netherfield Hall, the carefully choreographed world downstairs at Longbourn threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, up-ended. From the stern but soft-hearted housekeeper to the starry-eyed kitchen maid, these new characters come vividly to life in this already beloved world. Jo Baker shows us what Jane Austen wouldn't in a captivating, wonderfully evocative, moving work of fiction.
The servants at Longbourn estate--only glancingly mentioned in Jane Austen's classic--take centre stage in Jo Baker's lively, cunning new novel. Here are the Bennets as we have never known them: seen through the eyes of those scrubbing the floors, cooking the meals, emptying the chamber pots. Our heroine is Sarah, an orphaned housemaid beginning to chafe against the boundaries of her class. When the militia marches into town, a new footman arrives under mysterious circumstances, and Sarah finds herself the object of the attentions of an ambitious young former slave working at neighboring Netherfield Hall, the carefully choreographed world downstairs at Longbourn threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, up-ended. From the stern but soft-hearted housekeeper to the starry-eyed kitchen maid, these new characters come vividly to life in this already beloved world. Jo Baker shows us what Jane Austen wouldn't in a captivating, wonderfully evocative, moving work of fiction.
I think this book sounds kind of interesting. I suppose it is inspired by the popularity of Downton Abbey (even though it is set in a much earlier time) and novels about the lives of servants. I love Pride and Prejudice so I am curious about how the story will be portrayed through the servants' eyes.
I do love seeing an old story retold from a different perspective....thanks for sharing.
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I really like the cover for this-my first thought was "pretty." I am very interested to see what Sarah and the other servants think about Elizabeth and the Bennet family in general.
ReplyDeleteohh! I love the sound of this one. I am definitely adding this to my TBR list. Maybe it will hold me over until Downton is back on! :) Great pick, Christina!
ReplyDeletei love p&p too but i've never picked up a p&p sequel/continuation/addition novel. this sounds different from others i've heard of before because it focuses on the help.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by my WoW. :)
It does sound interesting. Although I hope it doesn't change a lot of the original Austen characters.
ReplyDeleteI definitely plan to read this one, even though I haven't picked up an adult book in ages. I just tore through all three seasons of Downton Abbey and I'm definitely drawn to anything that sounds even remotely similar to it!
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