The Elopement by Gill Hornby (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

What is your favorite fall flavor?  I love pumpkin everything, especially baked goods.

Miss Fanny Knight of Godmersham Park was Jane Austen’s beloved niece.  As the eldest in a large clan of eleven children, she found herself running the household after her mother’s death when she was fifteen.  Now at age twenty-seven, she has received an offer from a widowed neighbor, Sir Edward Knatchbull.  She wants time to think upon it, but soon finds herself quickly wed to a domineering man.  She wants to love her stepdaughter, Mary Dorothea, but can’t warm to the girl.  Mary Dorothea grows up into a lovely young woman. Will she follow her family wishes when it comes to love, or will she take destiny into her own hands?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This novel was a slow burn read that I slowly immersed myself into.  I enjoyed reading it and felt I couldn’t put I down as I got closer to the end.

·       The book was told in four sections.  Section 1 was Fanny’s proposal and marriage, Section 2 was Mary Dorothea growing up, Section 3 was Mary Dorothea’s proposal and elopement, and Section 4 was her marriage and life.

·       I felt for Fanny at first, but I was disturbed that if Sir Edward or Fanny did like a match for any reason, they could break up a happy couple.  It did not seem fair. 

·       I loved that Cassandra Austen was in the novel at times, especially in the last section.

·       I felt immersed in the world of Austen’s family as it continued on after her death.  Fanny was her beloved niece, but seemed to veer off the path that she was on during Jane Austen’s life.

·       Childbirth was so dangerous for women back then.  These were real women and so many lost their lives.

·       I liked that Mary Dorothea went for her happiness.

·       There is a great author’s note at the end of the novel that gives information on the real history.

·       I also enjoyed Miss Austen and Godmersham Park by this author.  I can’t see what she writes next!

Overall, The Elopement by Gill Hornby is an excellent novel with riveting characters that makes one feel that they have stepped into the world of Jane Austen’s family.  I highly recommend it for all Jane Austen or historical fiction lovers out there.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @gill.hornby @pegasus_books @austenprose for a review copy of this novel as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour.