#gill hornby

[stricktlyco]

"Their roots were in the were in the earth, just like their vegetables - always one foot in the clod."

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

[helmstone]

New images as Miss Austen slips to 2025

New images as Miss Austen slips to 2025

The BBC has released a new set of images for upcoming series Miss Austen, and confirmed (I’d guessed already) we will now get series in 2025. There is a logic — 2025 is 250 years since Jane Austen was born. Based on Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel of the same name, the four-part drama wrapped production earlier this year. Adapted by Andrea Gibb, it takes a literary mystery – Cassandra Austen…

[youdontneedhenry]

We have an air date for Miss Austen. May 4 in US. No mention or pictures of Felix, but it’s on his CV so we know he’s in it. lol.

[keeleyhawesnews]

first look at Miss Austen, an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Gill Hornby

[aliteraryprincess]

July 2024 Wrap Up

What a strange month. I (finally) finished a draft of my first dissertation chapter, which is great. I also spent most of the month without a car since my husband needed it to get to work, which really sucked. But now we have a new car!

Books Read: 8

I was participating in Jane Austen July over on YouTube, so almost all of the books I read this month were for that. My favorite new read was The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst, which was just released this month. Absolutely fantastic! And I enjoyed rereading Pride and Prejudice, of course. There was no least favorite of the month. Everything was quite book. Books marked with ® are rereads.

Volume the Second by Jane Austen - 4 stars

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby - 4 stars

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - 5 stars ®

Needful Things by Stephen King - 5 stars

The Wild Irish Girl by Sydney Owenson, Lady Morgan - 3 stars

Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin - 4 stars

Unequal Affections by Lara S. Ormiston - 3.5 stars

The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden - 5 stars

On Tumblr:

There is really not much here...

June 2024 Wrap Up

Book Quotes: The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden

Tagged: Movie Vibes Poll

On YouTube:

But there is here! Including some special Jane Austen July videos.

June Wrap Up | 9 books for the Historical Fiction Readathon & more!

April to June Book Haul

Currently Reading 7/8/24 | #janeaustenjuly edition

My Jane Austen Collection | #janeaustenjuly

Rereading Pride and Prejudice as an Adult | #janeaustenjuly

August TBR/Pile of Possibilities | Continuing to clear the TBR

[blogger360ncislarules]

One of classic literature’s greatest mysteries is about to come to life.

Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard) and Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones) will star in Miss Austen, a new drama coming soon to Masterpiece on PBS. Hawes plays Cassandra, the sister of literary great Jane Austen, who infamously burned Jane’s letters after her death. But Miss Austen reimagines that tale as “a fascinating, witty and heartbreaking story of sisterly love,” per the official description.

Leslie plays Cassandra’s friend Isabella, who is about to lose her home after her father’s death. Cassandra wants to help Isabella, but she also wants to find a stash of her late sister Jane’s private letters that could ruin Jane’s reputation if they came out. The letters take Cassandra on a trip down memory lane, with flashbacks to her and Jane together as kids: “Finding a way to guide Isabella towards true happiness, Cassandra is finally able to understand and celebrate the sacrifices she chose to make for her brilliant sister, Jane.”

Joining Hawes and Leslie in the cast are Jessica Hynes (Years and Years), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey), Kevin McNally (The Crown) and Max Irons (Condor). Andrea Gibb (Call the Midwife, Sanditon) pens the adaptation of Gill Hornby’s bestselling novel, with Aisling Walsh (Elizabeth Is Missing) serving as director.

[pers-books]

Bloody hell! There's a cast and a half in this!!

BBC to air Miss Austen, starring Keeley Hawes and Rose Leslie

The four-part drama takes a literary mystery and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love

The BBC has acquired Miss Austen, a star-studded production of Gill Hornby’s best-selling and much loved novel, produced by Bonnie Productions for MASTERPIECE in the US and distributed by Federation Studios.

The adaptation, from BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth is Missing, Mayflies), will star Keeley Hawes (It’s A Sin, Bodyguard, Line of Duty), Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Vigil), Patsy Ferran (Living, Hot Milk), Jessica Hynes (Life After Life, Years and Years), Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Nest), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Shetland), Kevin McNally (The Crown, Ten Percent), Max Irons (Condor, The Wife), Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder, Foundation), Calam Lynch (Bridgerton, Archie) and Liv Hill (The Serpent Queen, Elizabeth Is Missing).

The four-part drama, directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh (Maudie, Elizabeth is Missing) started filming last month in the UK and is produced by Stella Merz (Gentleman Jack, Renegade Nell).

Miss Austen takes a literary mystery – Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters – and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character as captivating as any Austen heroine.

The drama begins in 1830, a while after Jane has died. Cassandra (Keeley Hawes) races to see her young friend Isabella (Rose Leslie) who is about to lose her home following her father’s death. Cassandra is ostensibly there to help her friend, but her real motive is to find a stash of private letters which, in the wrong hands, could destroy Jane’s reputation. On discovering them, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she is transported back to her youth. In flashback, we meet Young Cassy and Jane (Patsy Ferran) as they navigate the infatuations, family feuds and dashed hopes which shaped their lives and laid the foundations for Jane’s unforgettable stories. Cassandra’s re-evaluation of her past eventually leads her to realise how blind she has been to the real cause of Isabella’s heartache and distress. Finding a way to guide Isabella towards true happiness, Cassandra is finally able to understand and celebrate the sacrifices she chose to make for her brilliant sister, Jane.

Sue Deeks, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, says: “Miss Austen is the perfect blend of intriguing mystery, vivid and engaging characters and beguiling period charm – BBC viewers certainly have a treat in store.”

Christine Langan, executive producer, says: “To have this hugely entertaining female-driven story told by such a stellar cast, led by Keeley Hawes, as Bonnie Productions’ first drama is genuinely a dream come true. Gill Hornby has found an ingenious way into the Austen world, creating female characters modern audiences can empathise with and delight in. I’m so honoured to be bringing this wonderful novel to the screen in collaboration with the deeply talented trio of writer, Andrea Gibb, director, Aisling Walsh and producer, Stella Merz.”

Susanne Simpson, MASTERPIECE executive producer, says: “Miss Austen is a beautifully told story about the loves and losses of the Austen sisters. I’m thrilled that this heartfelt, romantic, and funny adaptation is in the hands of a remarkable ensemble cast led by the incredible Keeley Hawes.”

Miss Austen (4x50) is a co-production of Bonnie Productions and MASTERPIECE, in association with the BBC and Federation Stories.

The executive producers are Christine Langan for Bonnie Productions, Susanne Simpson for MASTERPIECE and Polly Williams for Federation Stories. Keeley Hawes, Andrea Gibb and Aisling Walsh are also executive producers.

[bookishfarmer]

26.04.2023

Currently reading Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby, so I thought I’d do a Pride and Prejudice post!

These are mine and my late Grandma’s copies. Hers was published in 1962

[biromanticwritergal]

2025 Owned TBR Shelves Reading Challenge: January 16th

I have read 4 books so far this year and I'm currently reading 3 books!

I've read Nana volumes 10, 11 and 12 by Ai Yazawa and Seducing The Demon: Writing for My Life by Erica Jong

I'm currently reading Moshi Moshi by Banana Yashimoto, Cowboys are My Weakness by Pam Houston, and Come as You are by Dr. Emily Nagoski.

The following books are still on my TBR shelf for 2025:

Nana volumes 13 and 14 by Ai Yazawa (I plan on buying further volumes)

One Good Dog by Susan Wilson

Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and The Great War by various authors (short story collection)

Astrophyics For People in a Hurry by Neil Degrasse Tyson

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

One Day by David Nichols

Rebecca by Daphne Du Mauier

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving by Mo Rocca

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice

Genocide of The Mind: New Native American Writing by various authors (a collection), edited by MariJo Moore

Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich

Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown

Gluck: 1895-1978: Her Biography by Diana Souhami

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuinston

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Confessions of an English Opium Eater by Thomas De Quincey

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin

Miss Austen by Gill Hornby

Silas Marner by George Eliot

The Warden by Anthony Trollope

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler

Working by Studs Turkle

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and her Daughter Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon

Young Romantics: The Tangled Lives of English Poetry's Greatest Generation by Daisy Hay

The Twelfth Enchantment by David Liss

Byron, Walk with Me by Robert Brall

The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy

Airs Above The Ground by Mary Steward

Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham

Strange Meeting by Susan Hill

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

White Noise by Don Delillo

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

The Bostonians by Henry James

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

The Unlit Lamp by Radclyffe Hall

The Cemetary Boys by Aiden Thomas

The Liar by Stephen Fry

Kids These Days: Human Capital and The Making of Millenials by Malcolm Harris

Hear us Out!: Gay and Lesbian Stories of Struggle, Progress and Hope from 1950 to The Present by Nancy Garden

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Johnathan Safran Foer

Scanty Particulars: The Scandalous Life and Astonishing Secret of James Barry, Queen Victoria's Most Eminent Military Doctor by Rachel Holmes

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville-West

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Sharp: The Women Who Made an Art of Having an Opinion by Michelle Dean

Edie in Between by Laura Sibson

Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise of The Unruly Woman by Anne Helen Petersen

Women in Their Beds by Gina Berriault

Go Tell it on The Mountain by James Baldwin

Under The Net by Iris Murdoch

Bittersweet by Nevada Barr

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

Disappearing Moon Cafe by Sky Lee

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James

Tales of Angria by Charlotte Bronte

I Wrote This For You by pleasefindthis

The May Queen: Women on Love, Work, and Pulling it all Together in Your 30s by Various Authors (a collection)

I have a lot of classics on here. I don't really follow the reading trends either so most of my books are least a few years old. I'll update this list as I read through or DNF these books. My goal for this year was to read at least 50 books this year and I'm going to try to use my TBR to try to reach that goal.

[stricktlyco]

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

[helmstone]

Miss Austen — BBC to show Keeley Hawes / Rose Leslie drama

Miss Austen — BBC to show Keeley Hawes / Rose Leslie drama

The BBC has acquired Miss Austen, a production of Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel, produced by Bonnie Productions for MASTERPIECE in the US. The series started filming in November, and runs to four episodes. The cast includes Keeley Hawes, Rose Leslie, Patsy Ferran, Jessica Hynes, Mirren Mack, Phyllis Logan, Kevin McNally, Max Irons, Alfred Enoch, Calam Lynch and Liv Hill. The picture above…

[quoteoftheweekblog]

…

2/12/24 - GILL HORNBY

' ... Stir-up Sunday accomplished - they were coming to the end … Soon, would come the celebrations of a whole new beginning.' (Hornby, 2022, p.152).

REFERENCE

Hornby. G. (2022) 'Godmersham Park'. Amazon.com [E-book]. Available at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Godmersham-Park-Gill-Hornby-ebook/dp/B09KT1N5D1/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= (Accessed 2 December 2024).

*****

YESTERDAY WAS ADVENT SUNDAY AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW CHURCH YEAR

…

THE SUNDAY BEFORE WAS STIR-UP SUNDAY

…

*****

ALL SAINTS

*****

IN BETWEEN AMERICA HAS HAD THANKSGIVING

…

WHERE CHRISTMAS WAS WELL UNDER WAY

FOR

OUR NEW YORK CORRESPONDENT

…

IN PUERTO RICO

…

FOR THE HOLIDAY

…

HAVING A GREAT TIME

…

WITH A JACUZZI

&

OUR TEXAS CORRESPONDENT

…

IN BOSTON

…

HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH A BURGER

*****

THANKSGIVING

*****

MEANWHILE

TRAVELLIN' NANCE

…

IS TRYING TO MISS IT ALL IN A MUSLIM COUNTRY

BUT NO CHANCE

…

IN ESSAOUIRA CARREFOUR

…

SHE HAS GIVEN IN

…

&

LOIS

IS CELEBRATING IN BASINGSTOKE

…

*****

HAPPY CHRISTMAS 2024

*****

HO HO HO

*****

…

…

TO OUR NEW YORK CORRESPONDENT FOR THE PUERTO RICO SHOTS

AND THANKS AGAIN

XXXX

TO OUR TEXAS CORRESPONDENT FOR THE BOSTON PHOTO

AND THANKS AGAIN

XXXX

&

TO TRAVELLIN’ NANCE FOR THE ESSAOUIRA SHOTS

AND THANKS AGAIN

XXXX

JANE AUSTEN REVISITED

*****

QUOTE OF THE WEEK 2011 - 2024

…

13 EPIC YEARS

*****

FROM THE ARCHIVE

…

5/12/11

*****

[agrippinaes]

books I read in 2023

I read 240 books in 2023, which is lower than my total books read than the past few years. But it'd be ridiculous to be bothered by it because, hey, I still read 240 books!

I set myself a goal of trying to read more out of my comfort zone this year. I wanted to read 30 non-romance books, 25 physical books, and 10 non-fiction books. By the end of the year, I'd read a total of 54 non-romance books, 62 physical books, and 27 non-fiction books. I'm hoping to continue in this vein in 2024.

Other stats - for fun -

My most-read author was Cassie Mint

I gave out 32 5* ratings

My most-read genre was (of course) romance, 120 of which were contemporary

I owned most of the books I read

I read the most books in June, with 34 books read, followed by August, with 25 books read

My most read trope was forced proximity, followed by hate-to-love

So, below is a list of the books I read this year. Rereads are italicised, favourite reads are in bold.

Recollection by Noelle Adams

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Spring Breeze by Lily Alexander

Fornever Yours by Natasha Anders

Don't Pretend I'm Yours by Natasha Anders

In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes by Stephanie Archer

The Long Game by Elena Armas

The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwater

Finding Love in Apartment 2C by Samantha Baca

Asking for Trouble by Tessa Bailey

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey

Kept by Maya Banks

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Chick Magnet by Emma Barry

The (Ex) Spy Who (Maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth

Wet and Reckless by Samanthe Beck

Witches Copse by Math Bird

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black

Every Wish Way by Shannon Bright

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Desire or Defense by Leah Brunner

Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot

Ms Perfectly Fine by Kate Callaghan

Shucked by Kate Canterbary

1 Last Shot by Nikki Castle

Eyes on Me by Sarah Cate

Highest Bidder by Sarah Cate

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie

Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare

Beauty and the Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Pining for My Friend's Dad by Daniella Cole

Unsteady by Peyton Corinne

Her Greatest Mistake by Hannah Cowan

Shadows of You by Catherine Cowles

Night Shift by Annie Crown

Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Bending the Rules by Mariah Dietz

Moist Actually by Ash Dylan

Everything's Better with Lisa by Lucy Eden

The Fall of Bradley Reed by Morgan Elizabeth

The Protector by Morgan Elizabeth

A Matter of Scandal by Suzanne Enoch

Reforming a Rake by Suzanne Enoch

Pretty Little Thing by L.K. Farlow

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

Mafia Madman by Mila Finelli

Mafia Virgin by Mila Finelli

No Limits by Lori Foster

Holding Strong by Lori Foster

Tough Love by Lori Foster

Fighting Dirty by Lori Foster

True Spies by Shana Galen

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

A Cup of Zodiac by Alexis Gorgun

Wildfire by Hannah Grace

Trust Me by Rachel Grant

Control Freak by Brianna Hale

Dom Fitness by Brianna Hale

Gym Bunny by Brianna Hale

Princess Brat by Brianna Hale

The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett

The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

Runaway Love by Melanie Harlow

Witches Get Stuff Done by Molly Harper

Rent to Be by Sonia Hartl

Temptation by Jenna Hartley

An Optimist's Guide to Heartbreak by Jennifer Hartmann

A Pessimist's Guide to Love by Jennifer Hartmann

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

Billion Dollar Enemy by Olivia Hayle

When a Duke Loves a Woman by Lorraine Heath

One Touch by Lena Hendrix

The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

King of Greed by Ana Huang

Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter

Pucked by Helena Hunting

Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

Not That Duke by Eloisa James

Seven Minutes in Heaven by Eloisa James

String Me Along by Lilian T. James

The Intern by Sophia Karlson

Offside by Avery Keelan

Shutout by Avery Keelan

Against the Clock by Brittany Kelley

Against the Odds by Brittany Kelley

Willow and the Wolf by Elizabeth Kelly

Ava and the Bear by Elizabeth Kelly

Hold by Claire Kent

Nameless by Claire Kent

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

Hot Single Dad by Claire Kingsley

Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Jingle Bell Beard by Julie Kriss

Forever Your Rogue by Erin Langston

Grimstone by Sophie Lark

The Billionaire's Bride of Convenience by Miranda Lee

Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

A Rake's Guide to Seduction by Caroline Linden

Good Girl Fail by Roni Loren

Hate You by Tracy Lorraine

Fighting Mr. Knight by Rosa Lucas

Fifth Avenue Fling by Rosa Lucas

Crash by Tamara Lush

Drive by Tamara Lush

Consider Me by Becka Mack

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Wife Project by Chloe Maine

To Hate Adam Connor by Ella Maise

Recipe for Love by Anne Malcom

Method for Matrimony by Anne Malcom

New Hope, Old Grudges by Anne Malcom

A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

Her Best Worst Mistake by Sarah Mayberry

Dahlia Made a List by Jenna McCall

Breathless by Amy McCulloch

This Charming Man by C.K. McDonnell

Love Will Tear Us Apart by C.K. McDonnell

Sticks and Stone by Grace McGinty

Trail of Deception by Amanda McKinney

A Missing Connection by Dani McLean

Four Weddings and a Duke by Michelle McLean

Crash by Ruby McNally

An Extravagant Duplicity by Lynn Messina

Thief by Cassie Mint

Hacker by Cassie Mint

Honey Trap by Cassie Mint

Beauty and the Kingpin by Cassie Mint

Ocean Jewel by Cassie Mint

Big Boss by Cassie Mint

Grump Gone Wild by Cassie Mint

Ride or Die by Cassie Mint

Thin Ice by Cassie Mint

Husband Skills by Cassie Mint

The Stranger by Cassie Mint

She Was Made for Me by Jen Morris

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Playing by the Rules by Monica Murphy

The Brazen by Willa Nash

How to Lose at Love by Sarah Ney

Pleasing Mr. Parker by Elle Nicoll

Convergence of Desire by Felicity Niven

Duke the Halls by Felicity Niven

The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Devil Gets His Due by Elizabeth O'Roark

The Summer I Saved You by Elizabeth O'Roark

All Downhill With You by Julie Olivia

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

A Deal With the Bossy Devil by Kyra Parsi

The Barista's Guide to Perfect Steam by Valerie Pepper

Timid by Devney Perry

Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Lady Len and the Mysterious Mac by Rose Prendeville

The River Knows by Amanda Quick

Dangerous by Amanda Quick

Reckless by Amanda Quick

Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick

She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen

The Fantasy League by Meg Reading

Accidentally Compromising the Duke by Stacy Reid

An Earl to Remember by Stacy Reid

First Down by Grace Reilly

Breakaway by Grace Reilly

Alive at Night by Amelie Rhys

Playing the Part by Macy T. Riosa

Contractual Obligations by Elle Rivers

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

Rough by Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale

Wild by Renee Rose and Vanessa Vale

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Hunting for a Highlander by Lynsay Sands

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score

Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score

The Gangster's Prize by Joanna Shupe

Flawless by Elsie Silver

Heartless by Elsie Silver

Sinners Condemned by Somme Sketcher

Sinners Consumed by Somme Sketcher

Take My Daddy, I'll Take Yours by Jenika Snow

First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe

Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Dracula by Bram Stoker

The Cottage by Lisa Stone

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

Mile High by Liz Tomforde

Man Candy by Vanessa Vale

Man Cave by Vanessa Vale

Man Splain by Vanessa Vale

Man Handle by Vanessa Vale

South by Vanessa Vale

Wall St. Jerk by Megan Wade

The Pawn by Skye Warren

The Knight by Skye Warren

His Curvy Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells

Secret Santa by Kati Wilde

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead

Dear Grumpy Boss by Julia Wolf

Sincerely, Your Inconvenient Wife by Julia Wolf

Shiver by Suzanne Wright

Tempt Me by Tara Wyatt

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

A Little Too Close by Rebecca Yarros

[readingdiary]

*****

WATERSTONES FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH 1/1/23 - JANUARY -  ‘GODMERSHAM PARK’ - GILL HORNBY

I was eyeing this book up in hardback last year so am interested now to see the paperback as the Waterstones Book of the Month.  I am interested in Jane Austen spin-offs and already have unread in my collection …

The Guardian review of ‘Godmersham Park’ describes the early ‘‘Miss Austen’ as ‘excellent’ (I should get reading). This new one is described as a ‘page-turning Austen romp’.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jul/03/godmersham-park-by-gill-hornby-review-a-page-turning-austen-romp

I have bought it on Kindle.

*****

[blogger360ncislarules]

The drama series Miss Austen, which explores why Jane Austen letters were burned after her death by her sister Cassandra, is ready for its debut on the BBC this coming Sunday, and it features some big British names. The cast of the show, launching in the year marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, includes Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard, Line of Duty, It’s a Sin) as Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra or Cassy, Synnove Karlsen (Last Night in Soho, Clique) as young Cassy, Patsy Ferran (Living, Hot Milk) as young Jane, Liv Hill (The Serpent Queen, Elizabeth Is Missing) as young Mary Austen, Madeleine Walker as young Eliza Fowle, Jessica Hynes (Life After Life, Years and Years) as Mary Austen, Rose Leslie as Isabella Fowle (The Good Fight, Downton Abbey, Death on the Nile, Vigil), Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Shetland) as Mrs. Austen, Max Irons (Condor, The Wife) as Henry Hobday and Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder, Foundation) as Doctor Lidderdale.

Other members of the ensemble include Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin, The Nest), Kevin McNally (The Crown, Ten Percent) and Calam Lynch (Bridgerton, Sweetpea).

Miss Austen “takes a literary mystery — Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane’s letters — and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character as captivating as any Austen heroine,” according to a synopsis.

Adapted from Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel of the same name by Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth Is Missing, Mayflies, directed by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh (Maudie, Elizabeth Is Missing) and produced by Stella Merz (Gentleman Jack, Renegade Nell), the show is produced by Bonnie Productions for Masterpiece, in association with the BBC. The executive producers are Christine Langan for Bonnie Productions, Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece and Polly Williams for Federation Stories. Hawes, Gibb and Walsh are also executive producers. Federation Studios is distributing the series internationally.

Ahead of the four-part show’s U.K. premiere Sunday, Feb. 2, on BBC One (it will air in the U.S. on Masterpiece on PBS from Sunday, May 4), the cast and creators recently sat down with reporters in London to discuss the series.

Lauding “this incredible group of women,” Hawes shared that, “I was interested in doing something about love really. And this is a story about love in in all its forms…. It’s about sisterly love, romantic love, unrequited love. And at this time in the world, I think this is something that we can all sit and really give ourselves over to and enjoy.” When the project “came into my inbox, I read it, and I just felt I had totally lucked out,” she concluded.

Karlsen recalled that she “didn’t know much about Jane Austen’s life. I was just aware of her work.” And she had a similar reaction to Haw

es when she got the opportunity to join the show. “It was just such a beautiful insight into, obviously an imagined story, but insight into that relationship and that sisterhood. And playing, finding that relationship with a sister is such a rare and beautiful thing to get to uncover.”

How does the drama approach the sisters’ relationship when growing up? “Cassy sees the brilliance in her sister and respects it,” Karlsen explained. “And there’s a real generosity between the two of them. There’s not this sort of rivalry. Well, there’s a bit of tension at points.”

The series also looks at the relationship between Cassandra and Isabella (Leslie), the niece of her long-dead fiancé, who is about to lose her home following her father’s death. After all, at the start of the show, Cassandra goes to visit Isabella who is full of grief.

“There is a dawning realization for Isabella, particularly as the episodes continue, that Cassandra can be a glorious source of comfort for her,” explained Leslie. “The idea that she can bond with another lady in this way, whereby she is understood and her feelings are accommodated and listened to, is a new revelation for Isabella.”

Early on, Isabella is “very much consumed and in her own head, not only with grief but also with fear whereby she has no idea where she’s going to go, the type of life she’s going to lead,” the actress continued. “But certainly when it comes to Cassandra, the stoicism that she exudes is such an inspiration for Isabella. And certainly there is awe and respect coming from Isabella when she just observes Cassandra and the way that she is very comfortable in her own skin — an independent, single woman who has made her life work for her.”

Concluded Leslie: “She’s incredibly sad when her father dies, but there’s a sense of freedom. And she might be scared, but there’s a feeling that she can now pursue the life and the love, possibly, that she’s always craved…. So yes, there’s another avenue for her to pursue thanks to Cassandra being so clear-headed and forthright in the life that she’s chosen to lead.”

Meanwhile, Mary plays a different role in the series. “Mary serves, in a way, to demonstrate what it’s like to be outside of sisterhood and therefore…demonstrates how brilliant it is to be in it,” Hynes said about her character. “Her relationship with Cassandra is complex…. The things she says and does, and how she does it, is really subtle.”

What does her character help illuminate? “Our kindness in moments of real sorrow really matters when people remember it. They remember when people are kind, but they remember when people are cruel as well,” Hynes explained. “And I think that part of Mary would probably hate that she was like that. But I think that there is also a part of her that felt shut out” of the sisterhood between other characters.

And Hynes took on the challenge of exploring the darker side of Mary with enthusiasm. “I did enjoy getting a chance to play somebody who’s comically mean,” she shared. “She’s kind of mean, but I really loved the chance to really think about what’s really beneath it all.”

Langan explained the appeal of looking at an Austen that people are much less familiar with. “Cassandra is just the perfect Austen protagonist. She’s a minor character given major action and status and examination,” she said. “And I think women relate to that.”

What does it mean to bring the show to screens in this Austen anniversary year? “The 250th anniversary is the icing on the cake,” but the project has been in the works for a while, she shared. “It’s a lovely bit of serendipity.”

The stars also recalled the great sisterhood behind the scenes while shooting Miss Austen. “More and more these days, we’re all on our phones,” Hawes said. “And actually, this was a job where we all sat around running our mouths and having a natter and actually getting to know each other. We were all there in our costumes, with our cover coats over, freezing away, actually talking to each other, which was a real highlight.”

Karlsen echoed that, sharing that the ensemble really “built a connection” on set. “Someone brought us a Jane Austen puzzle. And Phyllis brought in this sort of art folder, so we had the puzzle in the middle on a bed somewhere in one of the rooms we weren’t shooting in. And then Patsy, Kevin, Phyllis and I were doing the puzzle, and then occasionally, Aisling would come in for about five minutes and just start doing it was just sweet…. It felt of the era — you sit inside and do a puzzle.”

The castmembers also recalled one secret to success on set — Hawes’ heated socks. “It was a cold house, and when we were shooting outside, we just wrapped up. We had our thermals,” Leslie said before turning to Hawes. “You had some amazing electric socks that I was very jealous of — heated divine socks. You were like: ‘Guys, you need to get in on this.'”

One scene showing the Austens on a family holiday on the coast was particularly challenging. “We were shooting for summer, but it was in January,” Karlsen recalled. “That was a tough day, but it looks sunny. Surprise! I’ve seen it, and it looks like it was warm and a lovely day. Luckily, Keeley bought me some lovely electric socks, sort of passing the baton from Cassandra to Cassy, and they came in very handy.”