What readers think of Miss Austen, plus links to write your own review.

The Miss Austen of Gill Hornby's beautifully-imagined novel is not Jane, but her sister Cassandra, whose life was intricately bound up in her family, especially her famous sibling. Those familiar with Jane's novels will enjoy the prose style, reminiscent of Austen's own, which transports the reader into the life of the early nineteenth century spinsters. The story has parallels to Austen's novels, perhaps especially Persuasion. The lives of Jane and Cassandra and their niece, unmarried women of limited means, are depicted through their correspondence and through the narrative, which alternates between their present (1840) and their past (1813-1817). Cassandra has the gift of finding joy in her changing circumstances and her choices, narrow though these were. The novel explores the plight of women who could not or chose not to marry in such a society. Family members and acquaintances are portrayed with compassion and a sly wit which brings to mind many of the characters in Jane Austen's own novels. Highly recommended for Austen lovers!

I came to this novel knowing that I would like it - for it is about an era and a famous English author - both of which I I am dearly fond. As Miss Cassandra Austen arrived at and settled into the vicarage in Kintbury in 1840, I, too, very happily settled into a novel about that famous author's older sister. Hornby moves back and forth in time, using letters written by Cassy and Jane to develop his plot, and while I found these charming, it was here that I also found the plot mechanism to be a bit weak. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Hornby's take on family life of this era, his picture of the relationship between the two siblings, and as a bonus, his clever inclusion of a bit of mystery - all to be enjoyed with a good cup of tea!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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"