TY - BOOK AU - Hornby,Gill TI - Godmersham Park SN - 9781529158922 U1 - 823 23 PY - 2023/// CY - Dublin PB - Penguin Books KW - Austen, Jane, KW - Governesses KW - Fiction KW - Female friendship KW - Social classes KW - Gouvernantes KW - Romans, nouvelles, etc KW - Amitié féminine KW - Classes sociales KW - Manners and customs KW - Great Britain KW - Social life and customs KW - 19th century KW - Grande-Bretagne KW - Mœurs et coutumes KW - 19e siècle KW - fast KW - Historical fiction KW - Biographical fiction KW - gsafd KW - lcgft N2 - A richly imagined novel inspired by the true story of Anne Sharp, a governess who became very close with Jane Austen and her family; 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 ER -