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Longbourn

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Longbourn

By: Jo Baker
Narrated by: Emma Fielding
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If Elizabeth Bennet had the washing of her own petticoats, Sarah thought, she would be more careful not to trudge through muddy fields.

It is wash-day for the housemaids at Longbourn House, and Sarah's hands are chapped and bleeding. Domestic life below stairs, ruled tenderly and forcefully by Mrs Hill the housekeeper, is about to be disturbed by the arrival of a new footman smelling of the sea, and bearing secrets.

For in Georgian England, there is a world the young ladies in the drawing room will never know, a world of poverty, love, and brutal war.

 Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

A reimagining of Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of the servants . . . A joy
A genuinely fresh perspective on the tale of the Bennet household . . . Baker confronts the darker elements of eighteenth century life . . . The result is engrossing - and a lot of fun
A really special book, and not only because its author writes like an angel
Delightfully audacious . . . a work that's both original and charming, even gripping
Intoxicating . . . A joy in its own right, a novel that contrives both to provoke the intellect and, ultimately, to stop the heart
To twist something so familiar into something quite fresh is impressive . . . Baker takes ownership of this world without mimicking Austen's style, asserting instead her own distinctive voice . . . An engrossing tale we neither know nor expect
An Austen lover has the satisfaction of matching the novel chapter for chapter
Just enough Darcy to delight, as well as being a fascinating insight into the harsh working conditions of life in a grand house two hundred years ago
Jo Baker takes the reader on a journey back to a version of Regency England that is as much about poverty and war as social comedy and romance
This clever glimpse of Austen's universe clouded by washday steam is so compelling it leaves you wanting to read the next chapter in the lives below stairs
All stars
Most relevant

What made the experience of listening to Longbourn the most enjoyable?

If like me, you know the story of P&P off by heart, you should read this new take on an old friend. Be warned though, it doesn't carry the comic element of the original but is written with a gritty realism that can make the reader uncomfortable at times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think it was her description of Mr Wickham that was most enlightening. In the original so much is uncertain in his character, how he could fool Elizabeth and appear both honourable and despicable at the same time, but this story leaves one with no illusions as to what he was really like.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The original book makes one feel for the poor Bennett sisters who are portrayed as being socially disadvantaged, but this book makes one realise how far further down the disadvantaged scale there is to slide.

New take on an old friend

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A beautifully written and enchantingly narrated view of the life of Regency servants, the majority of Britain's population at the time of Austen's " Pride and Prejudice". Reading the original novel we tend to imagine ourselves as one of the Bennets , forgetting we may have belonged to Sarah and Polly's class.

Pride and prejudice downstairs

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Where does Longbourn rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not a mind blowing novel but highly enjoyable. Good narrator.

What other book might you compare Longbourn to, and why?

I suppose all the below stairs novels amount to much the same thing, but this one didn't get too fanciful.

What does Emma Fielding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

A fresh observation of the Characters in Pride and Predjudice. Fun.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No!

Any additional comments?

I liked the way it rounded up at the end without too much sentimentality.

Clever below stairs take on Pride and Predjudice

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I loved this book from beginning to end. Thank you Jo Baker - just keep writing!

Wow!

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This book is brilliant I can't recommend it enough :)
The characters are great and story keeps you :)
I love it!!

Amazing!!

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