Godmersham Park
A Novel of the Austen Family
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Narrated by:
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Bessie Carter
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By:
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Gill Hornby
About this listen
A richly imagined novel inspired by the true story of Anne Sharp, a governess who became very close with Jane Austen and her family by the #1 International bestselling-author of Miss Austen.
On January 21, 1804, Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess. At thirty-one years old, she has no previous experience of either teaching or fine country houses. Her mother has died, and she has nowhere else to go. Anne is left with no choice. For her new charge—twelve-year-old Fanny Austen—Anne’s arrival is all novelty and excitement.
The governess role is a uniquely awkward one. Anne is neither one of the servants, nor one of the family, and to balance a position between the “upstairs” and “downstairs” members of the household is a diplomatic chess game. One wrong move may result in instant dismissal. Anne knows that she must never let down her guard.
When Mr. Edward Austen’s family comes to stay, Anne forms an immediate attachment to Jane. They write plays together, and enjoy long discussions. However, in the process, Anne reveals herself as not merely pretty, charming, and competent; she is clever too. Even her sleepy, complacent, mistress can hardly fail to notice.
Meanwhile Jane’s brother, Henry, begins to take an unusually strong interest in the lovely young governess. And from now on, Anne’s days at Godmersham Park are numbered.
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Dombey and Son is vintage Dickens and explores the classic themes of betrayal, cruelty and deceit. Dombey's dysfunctional relationships are painted against a backdrop of social unrest in industrialized London, which is populated by a host of fascinating and memorable secondary characters. The complete and unabridged novel is brought spectacularly to life by veteran reader David Timson.
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Utterly incredible!
- By Amazon Customer on 03-12-12
By: Charles Dickens
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A Peculiar Connection
- By: Jan Hahn
- Narrated by: Amanda S. Brown
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Will a mysterious note from the past doom the love of Jane Austen’s most beloved couple? A Peculiar Connection begins near the close of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Bent on preventing the engagement of her nephew to Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Catherine de Bourgh declares that any union between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth would be “a sin against Heaven itself!” Her shocking revelation, along with a cryptic message written over twenty years earlier, thrusts the couple into a whirlwind of heartbreak and disbelief.
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Unique plot, but Elizabeth was out of character
- By Wilkey Way on 03-30-21
By: Jan Hahn
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Wives and Daughters
- By: Elizabeth Gaskell
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 25 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Wives and Daughters centers on the story of youthful Molly Gibson, brought up from childhood by her father. When he remarries, a new stepsister enters Molly's quiet life, the loveable, but worldly and troubling, Cynthia. The narrative traces the development of the two girls into womanhood within the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.
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It's not about the ending!
- By Sandra on 07-25-05
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Lady Susan
- By: Jane Austen
- Narrated by: Linda Barrans, Denis Daly, Catherine Bilson
- Length: 2 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Lady Susan Vernon, middle-aged and recently widowed, has retained her looks and appealing vivacity. She makes use of her bereavement and her loss of wealth by imposing herself on the hospitality of relatives, and by amusing herself in flirtation with the various men who fall under her spell. Lady Susan has a daughter, Frederica, who is bashful and innocent—in stark contrast to her unfeeling and manipulative mother. Her mother is anxious to marry Frederica off to a spouse of appropriate wealth and social standing, and also, perhaps, to capture a new mate for herself.
By: Jane Austen
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More Than a Pretty Face
- A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Unabridged)
- By: Frances Reynolds
- Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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Love is not the simple thing that novels and poetry speak of. It is by turns subtle and overwhelming. It may slip silently into your heart, or strike like a bolt of lightning.
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Lovely book.
- By Fabulous Mrs B on 04-26-23
By: Frances Reynolds
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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
- By: Anne Brontë
- Narrated by: Mary Sarah Agliotta
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Probably the most shocking of the Brontës' novels, this novel had an instant and phenomenal success and is widely considered to be one of the first sustained feminist novels. A mysterious widow, Mrs. Helen Graham, arrives at Wildfell Hall, a nearby old mansion. A source of curiosity for the small community, the reticent Helen and her young son Arthur are slowly drawn into the social circles of the village.
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A good story ruined by the narrator
- By i. Ski on 04-17-14
By: Anne Brontë
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Nicholas Nickleby
- By: Charles Dickens
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 31 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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The most gorgeously theatrical of all Dickens's novels, Nicholas Nickleby follows the delightful adventures of a hearty young hero in 19th-century England. Nicholas, a gentleman's son fallen upon hard times, must set out to make his way in the world. His journey is accompanied by some of the most swaggering scoundrels and unforgettable eccentrics in Dickens's pantheon.
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Amazing
- By Terie on 07-12-07
By: Charles Dickens
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Earning Darcy's Trust
- A Pride & Prejudice Variation
- By: Jennifer Joy
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Fitzwilliam Darcy’s troubles only began the day he witnessed his father’s murder. Betrayed by a trusted friend, he soon finds himself caught in a web of deceit and blackmail…and his little sister is in the center of it all. Will Darcy’s search for answers save what’s left of his family…or destroy it?
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Good story
- By Fabulous Mrs B on 06-26-23
By: Jennifer Joy
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Refining the Debutante
- By: Anneka R. Walker
- Narrated by: Noah Wall
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Miss Miranda Bartley is in love with the Honorable Ethan Roderick, their engagement all but official. But as she basks in the success of her London Season, her joy is cut short when Ethan ends their courtship, claiming she is too insensitive. In the wake of her heartbreak, Miranda is dealt yet another blow, one that changes everything. In a harsh twist of fate, she quickly falls from Society darling to servant in her uncle’s home.
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A near miss
- By Kindle Customer on 09-09-23
By: Anneka R. Walker
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The Darcy Monologues
- By: Lory Lilian, Caitlin Williams, Joana Starnes, and others
- Narrated by: Harry Frost
- Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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In this romance anthology, 15 Austenesque authors assemble to sketch Darcy's character through a series of reimaginings, set in the Regency through contemporary times - from faithful narratives to the fanciful. In The Darcy Monologues, the man himself reveals his intimate thoughts, his passionate dreams, and his journey to love - all told with a previously concealed wit and enduring charm.
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Absolutely Fantastic!
- By HeatherY on 01-04-18
By: Lory Lilian, and others
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All Hearts Come Home for Christmas
- A Regency Romance Collection
- By: Sarah M. Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch, and others
- Narrated by: Luone Ingram
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Christmas at Falstone Castle - Sarah M. Eden - The Dowager Duchess of Kielder eagerly anticipates spending Christmas with her son and his family. Though their relationship has been strained, the duchess is determined to heal the chasm. Even with the help of the widowed local vicar, her plan will take a Christmas miracle. But during this magical season, anything is possible...even two second chances for love.
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Delightful!!
- By Delores DeMaria on 03-02-21
By: Sarah M. Eden, and others
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Villette
- By: Charlotte Brontë
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 22 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Hailed as Charlotte Brontë’s “finest novel” by Virginia Woolf, Villette is the timeless semi-autobiographical tale of Lucy Snowe. Left with no family and no money, Lucy goes against her own timid nature and travels to the small city of Villette, France, where she becomes a school teacher in Madame Beck’s school for girls. During her stay, she falls in love—twice—and discovers an independent, inner strength rarely seen in women of her time.
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The Divine Ms. Porter delivers as always
- By peachnmario on 03-17-15
By: Charlotte Brontë
What listeners say about Godmersham Park
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Renee Walker
- 02-20-23
Godmersham Park review
Loved the story, couldn’t put it down! If you love Jane Austen you will love reading about this friendship!
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- Anonymous User
- 01-16-23
Loved it!
Heard about it on Fi and Jane off air. Charming story that makes you understand the challenges of life in the late 1700 for a smart, poor woman.
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- J. E.
- 03-30-23
OK...
Narration is excellent, but the story just fell flat for me. There were great characters, everything there for a great listen, but it never built up to get me really invested in all the characters.
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- RueRue
- 03-24-24
Story needs more Jane Austen
The story doesn’t really become interesting until the appearance of Jane Austen. The author does an excellent job of depicting the limited opportunities for women during that time. Excellent narrator.
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- ExArtProf
- 11-19-22
Well worth the listen
Gil Hornsby has an excellent sense of the manners and mores of the period. Her writing style imitates Jane Austin’s extremely well. The narrator was excellent, capturing the personalities and class differences of the characters. For me, there was a bit too much emphasis on the plays performed by family as part of the story. But, all in all the book is a well worth the listen.
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- melbo
- 11-29-23
Didn’t want it to end
This is a beautifully written and engaging novel. It’s an absolute treat for Austen lovers. We need more!
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- Vijaya
- 01-30-23
Great book for Austin fans
I liked this book about Jane’s friend Anne
True to the mannerisms and lifestyle depicted by Jane
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1 person found this helpful
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- Melissas Bookshelf
- 11-04-22
Loved the audiobook version!
Godmersham Park is a delightful historical fiction based on the actual diary entries of Fanny Austen (Jane Austen’s niece), as well as correspondence from friends and family. It follows the story of Anne Sharp, Fanny’s governess, who came to work at Godmersham Park at the age of 31. With meticulous research and prose in the vein of Jane Austen, the author weaves a captivating tale of Jane’s beloved friend.
Anne’s story is fraught with loneliness and angst as she’s suddenly thrust into the role of governess with her mother’s death and father’s abandonment. Used to living a comfortable life, Anne finds it difficult to navigate her new role. While she finds twelve year old Fanny engaging and enjoyable, she figuratively walks a tightrope, not quite fitting in with the servants, but not equal to the family. She’s constantly on guard, measuring her words and actions to protect her position. This becomes even more precarious when Henry Austen takes a marked interest in her.
Anne’s also plagued with headaches and other health issues, and the Austen family goes to surprisingly great lengths to help their favorite governess. When Jane, her sister Cassandra, and mother come to stay at Godmersham Park, it’s a turning point in Anne’s life. She and Jane become the dearest of friends and for once Anne’s free of loneliness. Their friendship lasts throughout Jane’s life. I loved learning in the author’s note that a rare copy of Emma was given to Anne by Jane with a handwritten inscription to her dear friend.
Anne’s inner monologues were interesting, thoughtful, and at times melancholy. She’s clearly an intelligent woman sadly beholden to the whims of men and her employers. Anne’s and Jane’s friendship is delightful, but doesn’t come about until around two-thirds into the book. It’s more of a fascinating look at the lesser known figures of Jane’s siblings including Henry, Edward, Edward’s wife Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s sister Harriett as they interact with Anne.
I enjoyed learning more about these important figures in Jane Austen’s life. I also liked the interesting glimpses of day to day happenings at Godmersham Park. There’re plays as in Mansfield Park, sea bathing, excursions, lessons with Fanny, and a bit of a mystery as Anne’s past is slowly revealed. There’s also Anne’s ill-fated friendship with Henry.
I purchased an audiobook copy and loved listening to the narration. I liked the way the narrator distinguished each character and made them really come alive. She also injected just the right amount of emotion, which made listening enjoyable.
Definitely recommend to Janeites, i.e. lovers of all things Jane Austen and historical fiction fans. This book renewed my desire to keep a journal as Fanny’s little diaries have proven invaluable. I received advanced copies from AustenProse PR and the publisher. I also purchased an audiobook copy as well. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.
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- Mary Elizabeth Herr
- 05-07-24
Terrible disappointment
It did not compare at all to Miss Austen. The reader debased it even more with annoying and shrill voices. Huge disappointment.
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1 person found this helpful