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There are currently 23 member reviews
for Miss Austen
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Julie Z. (Oak Park, IL)
MIss Austen
One would assume that a book titled Miss Austen would be about Jane Austen, but Cassandra Austen, Jane's sister is the protagonist of this well written historical novel. Jane is deceased, and Cassandra is going through old letters of hers, deciding which are important to tell the story of Jane's life. Using the letters as a device to take us from Jane's early years to 1840, when the aging Cassandra comes across the letters adds an interesting perspective. Ultimately, this novel could have been written about anyone from this era, as the Austen references are secondary. An interesting look at the time period, with well fleshed out characters and atmospheric environment.
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Kate G. (Bronx, NY)
The Misses Austen
Cassandra Austen, Jane's older sister and fierce protector is the main character of this novel. Elderly, she is still continuing to protect Jane's reputation at all costs. I have only read one Jane Austen novel and this book strives to be similar in tone. There are a lot of characters discussed and so much focus on manners and "the right thing to do and ways to behave." Towards the end, I just wanted it over. It is a quick read and true fans of Jane Austen may enjoy this book more than I did.
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Margot P. (Mandeville, LA)
Austen redux
3.5 While Hornby's Miss Austen is an enjoyable read, unless one has a desire to learn more about the real Jane and Cassandra Austen, I would pass. Cassandra is a very interesting and sympathetic character but Jane remains elusive. There is a crowded cast of characters (many clearly based on Austen's) that never really catch and keep the reader's attention. The book is very similar in plot and style to Austen's novels which made me think several times that I wish I was reading the real thing instead of this. Baker's Longbourn was much more interesting.
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Gina T. (Natick, MA)
A wonderful treat for Austen fans
The book , Miss Austen, by Gill Hornby is an imaginative back story to understanding the beloved author Jane Austen. The story brilliantly evokes the prose and setting of Austen while enthralling readers with a beautiful original story of the deep bond between Jane and her sister Cassandra.
For those of us who cannot get our fill of Austen and enjoy being transported back in time, this novel is a treat. For readers who are looking for something well written and have been curious about the fuss and staying power of Austen's novels, this book might introduce them to novels that evoke a gentler time but explore themes of class distinctions and women's rights, frivolity of the wealthy and the importance of a purposeful life.
I very much enjoyed reading this novel.
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Terri O. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Miss Austen
As a devoted fan of Jane Austen, I have always considered Cassandra Austen's burning of her sister Jane's letters to be one of the worst literary crimes in history, so I was interested to see how this book would portray Cassandra's personality and her motivation for this act. Overall, I think the author painted a sympathetic portrait of Cassandra and did an excellent job portraying the life of a poor spinster in a time when marriage was considered the only viable option for women. In fact, the author's depiction of the various fates of the female characters is one of the strengths of the book. However, I was disappointed in the author's rationale for Cassandra destroying the letters. The portrayal of Jane Austen as fragile, emotionally unstable, and depressed seemed contrived and did not ring true to me. So although I enjoyed many aspects of the book, I felt that the portrayal of Jane Austen was too extreme, which prevented me from giving this book the highest rating. Kudos to the author, though, for making me like Cassandra, whom I have never been disposed to forgive!
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Barbara G. (Dallas, GA)
Miss Austin
This is a charming book about the life of Cassandra Austin, the beloved sister of
Jane.
The book tells of Janes' young life until her passing entwining the lives of the
Austin sisters and brothers as they grow into young people, becoming married, and have families.
Another story is told of Cassandras search for letters between Jane and Eliza, a family friend, as well as Cassandra and Eliza. Cassandra was helping pack up the home of the deceased Eliza along with her daughters.
This was a memorable read that was well written with memorable phrases such as "Her love of fiction has spread from the page and into our lives" and "To surrender ones books, well: It is to surrender part of one's soul"
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Marcia H. (Sarasota, FL)
Miss Austin by Gill Hornby
Miss Austin by Gill Hornby is an interesting story of Cassandra Austin set in England in 1840. We learn of her life and her close relationship to her famous sister, Jane Austin, through letters between the two sisters. The story switches from the present to the past with the letters. The plight of women in "spinsterhood spent in long, suffering service to parent and siblings" comes through this story. I was transported into the feeling of the times by the language the author chooses. I found this story delightful and really enjoyed it.
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