I have recently been swallowed up by a book, Longbourn by Jo Baker. This is going to be a short post because I am nearing the end of this totally absorbing story and I want to get back to it.
If you haven't heard of Longbourn yet, it is the story of what happened below stairs in the Pride and Prejudice story. Not only a brilliant concept, but brilliantly executed. We tend to forget who actually made those big country houses tick, and the story of the maids, cooks and footmen make for just as riveting a novel as the original. At times I forgot it was the P&P story, until, for instance, Elizabeth reappears and tells the main character (maid Sarah) that she is coming to stay at Hunsford parsonage with her when she visits Charlotte Lucas. To which I said to myself, "Oh, goody! Let's get Sarah's spin on the whole Darcy issue!"
Random House Australia provided this adorable character map if you would like to see who the downstairs folk are. Or you could just be surprised. Suffice it to say, this one is a great read and will make a wonderful film. I would be surprised if the film rights aren't already spoken for. I look forward to this future film much more than the one already being made Death Comes to Pemberley, a miniseries adaptation of P.D.James's murder mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice, even though that one stars a fave of mine, Anna Maxwell Martin.
So that is all I am going to tell you about this wonderful book. You are just going to have to check it out for yourself. And picture the film as you read it!
Cheers!
P.S. Now that I have finished the book, I can give it an unqualified recommendation. There is a happy ending (unlike so many modern novels). As well, it will make you feel pretty awesome about yourself and all you do. We are the cooks, maids, gardeners, housekeepers, nannies and income earners these days. Not to mention that we manage to be as captivating and handsome as the Bennet sisters all the while. Well, some of the time anyway!!
This will go on my list! I really didn't like Death Comes to Pemberley. I had to slog through only because my husband bought it as a gift.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane. My husband bought me Death Comes to Pemberley as a gift too! And my reaction was the same. I hope Anna Maxwell Martin breathes some life into it. She is amazing so fingers crossed!
DeleteI have to read this after I finish Death Comes to Pemberley.
ReplyDeleteHi Charming. I will be interested to know how you liked both Longbourn and DCTPemberley. I enjoyed the former much more than the latter.
DeleteI just got a copy (for my birthday), and am really looking forward to reading it. I like that it doesn't focus on the P&P characters--they are the backdrop.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane. Let me know how you like Longbourn. I just finished it and loved every minute. Might have to read it again sometime!
DeleteI'd love to read this. To tell you honestly I wasn't thrilled with "Death Comes to Pemberley". After reading hundreds of novels in the Austenesque genre and others I think people rated it by author only and not actual novel contents. There are so many better ones out there. The concept of making these into movies is interesting. I enjoyed Austenland but I'm not sure I can picture most of these novels as movies.
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DeleteHi Suzan. My reaction was the same to Death Comes to Pemberley. I am hoping the miniseries is an improvement.
DeleteDo you have any suggestions of your fave Austenesque novels? I have only read a few but I would love to know which you would recommend of the many you have read.
I think that I would like the reading of this book too. It must be very interesting to have another story in this place! I hope I can get myself the book as soon as possible!
ReplyDeleteHi Muriel. Your English is so great that I am sure you would like this book. And the film whenever that will finally come out. I should read a French book once in a while to try to improve my reading skills in French. I am afraid I am so rusty, I would have to start with children's books!
DeleteHi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteYes there is a movie in the works: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2709720/
But there's no info about it yet. Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely be reading this one!
Ps. Loved Austenland. My only complaint was that, Jennifer Coolrigdge, who I normally love, was a bit too over the top. Otherwise it was great fun.
Hi Olga. Glad to hear that the film is already in the works. The scriptwriter is also the woman who is writing the script for Bronte about the Bronte sisters. I have high hopes for both, so I hope she knows what she is doing!
DeleteYou will love Longbourn and I agree that Jennifer Coolidge was a bit OTT but I am glad you liked Austenland too!
I'm not usually a fan of Austen spinoffs, but I've been wanting to read Death Comes to Pemberley. Did you like it?
ReplyDeleteAnd Longbourn looks intriguing, I might have to pick it up!
Hi Christy! If you have to choose one book, go with Longbourn. No contest. I got Death Comes to Pemberley as a gift. It was a bit of a slog to get through, so I am hoping the TV series will improve on the book. With Longbourn, I am hoping the film will live up to the book!
DeleteThanks to your review I recommended this book to my book club. We all loved it. There is a movie in the works, due to be completed next year. Can't wait. I enjoyed the love story as much as the detailed history and felt compelled to hug my washer and dryer when I was finished.
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