Books
by Jo Baker
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Longbourn |
A 'downstairs' version of Pride and Prejudice - focusing on the lives of the servants to the Bennett family. Clever twists and sub-plots link to 'upstairs' - the brutal side of war as experienced by the regular soldiers in comparison with the officers that visit the grand house, and descriptions of the tough life of the ordinary folk maintaining a smooth running household - make this book a light but beautifully crafted read.
(Mary Standing - bwl 72 Spring 2014) |
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Longbourn |
Jo Baker - no relation - takes us to downstairs Longbourn, home to the Bennet family. Forget the muslin and manners, concentrate instead on housemaid Sarah's reddened hands scrubbing those monthly rags. No D'Arcy here, but a black manservant and a new footman with a mysterious past and what is the secret between the housekeeper and Mr Bennet? An intriguing, enjoyable read for all lover's of Pride and Prejudice, I wonder what Jane Austen would have thought.
(Jenny Baker - bwl 98 Autumn 2020) |
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