Cassandra & Jane by Jill Pitkeathley was suprisingly for me a good read. It’s a fictional story weaved in with facts on the life of Jane Austen. Normally I shy away from biographies of any kind but this was really quite different and I enjoyed it a great deal. Truthfully I was expecting a sequel type book to Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice so at first I felt disappointed but once I started reading and was drawn in by the author’s story I was hooked.
The story is told from the point of view of Jane’s older sister Cassandra which I liked because it made the story seem so much more personal. By all accounts they were extremely close. They were the only two girls in a family of eight children and they were only a few years apart in age so that would have drawn them together especially back in those times. They shared everything from their thoughts and feelings to Jane’s writing. Cassandra lost her true love early on and chose to remain alone after that and Jane, it seemed, did not have much luck in the love department either and remained single.
What I found most interesting was reading how things were back in the 1800’s for women. They had no rights or opinions for that matter. Their duty as women in the family was to get married (preferably a good marriage) and then take care of their husband and hopefully a big family. They didn’t have careers but if they weren’t able to marry they could become a governess or a teacher, both professions which for some reason were very unappealing back then. The other thing that would have been so scary for women back then was having children as so many passed on during childbirth. So, ultimately if women didn’t marry they lived at home taking care of their parents and later when their parents were gone they were taken care of by other family relatives.
I also enjoyed the tidbits of Jane Austen’s novels woven throughout the story. We get an idea of how the novels may have come about, the discussions that may have happened about them, even how their titles were finally decided on. It was interesting to me, not being a huge Austen fan, to read the original titles of some of the books – like Pride & Prejudice first being called First Impressions. I can’t imagine as Pride & Prejudice seems to fit the story so well but then we’ve had that title around for a good long time.
I found that the author told this story so well. She brought to life what might have been with the lines between truth and fiction seemingly invisible. She drew me into the Austen’s world at that time and so fully into both Cassandra and Jane Austen’s hopes, dreams and friendship. What has happened for me is that my interest has been sparked. I want to learn more about Jane Austen now. I’ve reserved a biography of her (yes me who doesn’t even like them), but I really want to know more about this amazing woman now who went against what was proper back then to write great novels that have stood the test of time.
Unfortunately Cassandra destroyed most of the letters ever written by Jane Austen which is sad but I imagine she had her reasons at the time, mainly being to protect her sister. Imagine how much more we might have known had those letters been passed on to historians. I’d like to end with a quote from the front of the book which embodies the relationship of Cassandra and Jane, the intense closeness that they shared. This quote grabbed me from the start, it’s at the very beginning of the book. I think it sets the tone for the novel in showing us how special they were to each other…
- ‘I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed. She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow; I had not a thought concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part of myself.’ (Letter written by Cassandra Austen to her neice Fanny Knight on 18 July 1817 after the death of her sister Jane Austen)
I did enjoy this novel and as I said it has sparked my interest in Jane Austen even more. I think anyone can enjoy this book. You don’t have to be a diehard Jane Austen fan to want to read it or enjoy it. The way Jill Pitkeathley has written this historical fiction novel invites all readers to enjoy it.
I also participated in a noontime chat on this novel this past week with J.Kaye from J.Kaye’s Book Blog and you can see her thoughts here, here and here and my thoughts here, here, and here. I think this novel would really make a good book club pick because even aside from the curiousty surrounding Jane Austen’s life there is also the topics of life for women in the 1800’s and all that entailed.
I’m glad to read that you enjoyed this. The draw for me would be the semi-biographical nature of the book being that I’m not an Austen fan. I think chats/discussions/etc. are a great way to get the most out of a book, whether you truly enjoy it or not.
This sounds like an interesting novel. Thanks for the review!
I love everything Austen, so I just may have to find myself a copy of this one. Thanks.
I’ve been following your posts and chats and have enjoyed it a lot! I love Austen and I’ve got this book marked for a future read!!
Hi Dar.. I liked it a lot. I reviewed it last year and I was hoping that you would like it. I had fun with the Noon time chats as well. Thanks for the excellent coverage on this book.
Cassandra fascinates me. I’ve always been so heart broken over those letters….gone forever and they could have been so incredibly enlightening. It’s amazing that in a time where women were deemed so superfluous that Jane would become one of the most influential women in history!
This sounds so good Dar, great review.
I have to read this one, i’m a big fan of Jane Austen.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
What an interesting story! Thank you for the review, Dar. I am a fan of Jane Austen’s and Cassandra sounds like an interesting character. I’ll have to add this one to my wish list.
This sounds like a really good read! Thanks for the review.
Hi Dar,
Austen is my favorite author, so a book like this would definitely interest me. I’ve never read a biography of Austen, so even though it’s fictional this would be a good start. Thanks for the review!
And thanks for following too 🙂
I’ve never finished a book by Jane Austen and yet I somehow am intrigued about this book!
I have to admit I have never been a big Jane Austen fan, but your review has definitely got me interested. I do like reading about the 1800’s, so I will add it to my list.
It’s always nice to be pleasently surprised by a book. Glad you enjoyed it, Dar.
I was following JKaye and your chats and am definitely intrigued by this book. I’ll be adding it to my tbr list. Great review!
How did I not know this book existed?! I’m a huge Austen fan and love read fictional accounts based on her work and life. Great review — I’m going to look for this one!
Joy, yes you'd be drawn to the biographical part of the book. I was never an Austen fan but in the last few years I've been becoming increasingly interested.
Swapna, Mari, Naida, Wendy, Irish, Wanda—thanks.
Staci & Sam, I'm glad you liked the chats. I'll be having a giveaway of this one soon.
Toni, thanks. I should go back and link your review to mine.
Michele, I know, every time I think of those letters destroyed I think about all the little things about Jane Austen that we could have known. It amazes me how popular she became and stayed that way.
Jenny Girl, thanks for popping in. I hope you get to read it. I'd be interested in your thoughts.
Tink, I loved Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility and I'm not a huge one for classics. Hers I like.
Scrap Girl, stay tuned for a giveaway. Maybe you can win yourself a copy.
writemeg, if you're an Austen fan then you'd likely enjoy reading this especially if you like fiction mixed in with your history.
I totally agree. You don’t have to be…I’m not even a fan and thought this book was so very good!
Great review!
I’m definitely not a die hard Austen fan (although she’s growing on me), but this sounds like a good book! I’m sorry I wasn’t able to follow the daily chats–I feel like I’m still catching up from the holidays.
Wonderful review Dar! This sounds like a facinating story. I added it to my TBR.
I added the link to the ARC Challenge post.
Thanks J.Kaye!
Trish, I’m not a die hard fan either but lately it seems I just want to know more about her and read her books. That’s going to be my classic challenge for this year if I’m allowed to read them from one author. Please, please. lol.
Teddy, I’m always happy to add one to someone else’s pile instead of mine. lol.
Totally!! Whatever you chose for the classics challenge is fine–even if they’re all Jane Austen. I think there were some who did that last time also. And, some of the ladies are trying to coerce me into doing a 7 month challenge to give a little more cushion time. I’m thinking about it…
Trish, the extra month might be a good idea. That sure would have helped me last year. How many books are we thinking this year or will there be choices. I’m kind of excited for it already, believe it or not. lol.
Just wait until you see the buttons! 🙂 My friend Laura (Reading Reflections) is holding off on challenges this year, but when I showed her the buttons the other day she said she’s not sure how she can resist.
I think I might do different levels. Last year there were 5 books over 6 months (unless you did the bonus, then it was 6 in 6). This year I’ll probably still do the bonus option, but also do a couple other choices? If you have any suggestions, I’d LOVE to hear!! I want to make this something that people look forward to, not something they dread. 😛
More choices would be great. I’ve been trying to think up some names of a few categories, you know something like Classics Light for people like me-lol although I do plan on reading 4 this year. Anyhow, once I come up with some fancier names I’ll let you know.
Great review! Definitely sounds like a book I’d enjoy. Makes me so glad that I live in this time period and not Austen’s.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I have been looking for a book that would give me more information on Jane Austin after reading most of her novels. This sound like it would fit the bill, as I wasn’t looking for a straight autobiography. Thanks for letting me know about this!
Anna, I’m glad I didn’t live in Austen’s time either. Like I said I’m way too yappy. lol.
Zibilee, thanks for stopping in. I hope you’ll come again. I think this would be a great choice for you if you’re looking for a fictional account. I’ll be hosting a giveaway sometime in February.