This book has been on my shelf for over a year and happily, lives up to all its hype!

This is a quiet book, the language and tone are exquisite and reminiscent of the one and only Jane Austen whom I adore! In it Hornby imagines the events that might have occurred when Cassandra Austen returns to the village of Kintbury (where Hornby herself now lives), and the Vicarage where her friend Eliza Fowle’s daughter, Isabella is preparing to move after the death of her father. Cassandra has arrived uninvited and at an inconvenient time. Isabella and her extremely loyal maid, Dinah are quick to make her feel unwanted and in the way, but Cassandra has only one aim, to find the correspondence between herself, her sister Jane and Isabella’s mother Eliza, hidden in the house and destroy any such confidential letters that contain private family secrets and might cast aspersions on Jane’s character. She adores her sister and considers herself custodian of her good repute. Read the book to find out if she is able to accomplish her goal!

Like I said before, the book is exquisitely written. The characters come alive and draw the reader effortlessly into their milieu. There are two time lines, one, the present, the year 1840 when Cassandra visits Kintbury on her mission and the past when she’s reminiscing about events from her family’s past that shaped their lives, triggered by the correspondence she finds. It is fascinating to enter the Regency period and watch the characters go about their daily lives and little intrigues. Hornby delves into the social issues of the time especially with regard to women, who were wholly dependent on men - fathers, brothers, husbands and sons - for their living and comfort. It made my blood boil to think that a genius like Jane Austen was at the mercy of her brothers goodwill for the basic comforts of life! And while Cassy managed an outwardly calm, cool and collected demeanour, Jane was quite the opposite, sensitive, prone to ‘moods’ and wittily sarcastic. Happily, her books made enough money to allow them a decent living with occasional help from their brothers.

It was also an eye opener in that it’s clearly visible that she wrote what she lived and observed. I recognised Henry & Fanny Dashwood in James & Mary Austen; the Reverend Fulwar Craven is reflected in Mr. Elton from Emma; Jane herself I felt was an intriguing amalgam of Lizzie Bennet and Marianne Dashwood; Mrs. Austen, Jane’s mother reminded me of a milder version of Mrs. Bennet; Tom Fowle felt like the model on which all the ‘good’ men in her books were based and Miss Austen, Cassandra seemed Eleanor Dashwood reincarnated - wise, accepting, adaptable and aware of her own strengths and limitations. There are sure to be more but these are the ones that stood out to me. Hornby drops occasional lines from Austen’s books into the narrative which are an extra treat! I also loved the portrait of the Austens as a loving supportive family, with strong bonds between parents and siblings. I love how they all sat together in the evenings as Jane read her latest writing for their honest reviews. I wished myself with them! 

But the book is first and foremost about the bond between Cassandra and Jane. The bond of sisterhood between these two women is strong, touching and unbreakable even in death. They have no secrets from each other and their love transcends all. Hornby’s interpretation of their relationship and conduct  is authentic and full of grace. Just like Austen she made me feel all the feels - joy, anger, pity, sadness, frustration and hope. I realised I was more an ‘emotional’ Jane than a ‘saintly’ Cassandra. I felt like I was reading prose as close to Austen’s work as it could get and that is the highest compliment I can offer! 

Highly recommended to everyone who enjoys exquisitely written historical fiction in general and Jane Austen in particular!