When we need a break from the daily news, Jane Austen and her times provide a welcome respite. Her novels are well known by many, but Jane tried to keep her own life private. Miss Austen, a recent novel by Gill Hornby, provides insights into Jane’s life through that of her younger sister, Cassandra, and their family.
Cassandra (henceforth referred to as Cassy) is the main focus of this novel. Because she and Jane stayed close throughout their lives, their stories intertwine throughout this novel.
Readers familiar with the Austen family will dive effortlessly into this novel, while those of us less conversant must allow time to learn or refresh our memories about the family members and their personalities.
Long before I finished reading Miss Austen, the story attracted and held my interest. Because I didn’t know much about the Austen family, I found the plot twists suspenseful. The author reveals much about Jane’s and Cassy’s lives and emotions through Jane’s letters (imagined by the author). The constraints the female characters faced saddened me, but I enjoyed watching these women develop, interact, and change over time.
Major Characters:
- Cassy – Jane’s younger sister; devoted (excessively?) to her family throughout her life; the author fills in details about Cassy’s life and feelings through Jane’s letters
- Jane – the only sister and closest friend of Cassy; she was a novelist whose writing never received its proper recognition or reward during her short lifetime; the author skillfully portrays the sisters’ differences and how they complemented each other
- Mrs. Cassandra Austen – mother of Jane and Cassy, an opinionated and domineering woman, perhaps an example of an antiquated perspective on life
- Isabella – sister of Tom Fowle, Cassy’s fiancé; she was initially cool to Cassy; the development of their relationship was a highlight of the story
- Mary Lloyd – the second wife of James Austen, a brother of Jane and Cassy; her dogmatic, non-empathetic personality made her Cassy’s nemesis
Strengths:
In addition to an engaging plot, Miss Austen offers an in-depth look into the Austen family, the distinctive personality traits of each member, and their family dynamics.
Weakness:
I’d appreciate more clarity about how many of the characters were historical and how accurately they were portrayed. Mrs. Cassandra Austen and Mary seemed almost caricatures, with few redeeming features shining through.
Content review: clean, with no violence; perhaps most interesting to readers of young adult age or older.
My take:
I recommend Miss Austen to readers interested in learning more about Jane Austen through the eyes of her sister and interactions with her family members. If you also enjoy a story that slowly develops characters and their relationships, this is the novel for you.
Reader, what’s the most surprising thing you know about the Austen family?