Miss Austen

Cassandra Austen (Cassy) was the elder sister of the eighteenth century author, Jane Austen and therefore officially had the title Miss Austen. The two sisters never married and shared a close relationship living in a variety of locations in England after the death of their father. After Jane died in 1817 it is known that Cassy located and destroyed much of the correspondence written by and to Jane, especially any letters that may be misinterpreted and possibly damage Jane's reputation.

In Miss Austen by Gill Hornby the author provides a fictional account of how and why Cassy may have done this. The focus of the story is very much on Cassy though it does show the relationship between the two sisters and other family members and friends. The novel also provides a social history of village life in the first half of the eighteenth century as it focusses on the challenges of unmarried women, especially older women. Themes from some of Jane Austen's novels can also be noted as the story unfolds. Miss Austen would be enjoyed by readers who enjoy reading the novels of Jane Austen and works about the life of the novelist.

In the front of the book is a useful list of members of the Austen family and their extended family, most of whom appear in this novel.