by Lindsay Ashford
Following on a Jane Austen theme.... I noticed this book in the bookstore so thought I would check it out.
This book is written in the person of a woman who knew, and loved, Jane Austen. She was the governess for one of Jane Austen's brothers. This woman's story is very much like some of Jane Austen's stories, she is an educated woman from a fairly well-off family but is thrown onto her own after her parents die and her father had squandered all the family money through poor management. She is dismissed from her job as a governess when she implies that Jane's other brother is having an affair with her employer's wife. She manages to find a job as a lady's companion and has a pretty good life. She manages to keep up her friendship with Jane, even after her dismissal as a governess.
In the book she writes about her memories of Jane, and also her suspicion that Jane, and perhaps other family members have been poisoned. She starts off by describing the tough life that Jane, her sister, and mother have once their father/husband dies. They have to leave their family home and are then bounced around from one location to another because of lack of money. Ideally the brothers would be expected to look after them but women are entirely dependent on the generosity of their male relatives.
She then relates her various interactions with Jane and her family, threats she receives from the filandering brother. She does a great job of portraying life at the time.
It was an interesting story, especially as the author relates in an afterword that tests done on Jane's hair do indicate evidence of significant arsenic, much more than normal levels.
A good historical and mystery novel.
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