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taylor394's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars out of 5
If you want to read this book, READ IT! I enjoyed it and recommend it! Don't let negative reviews discourage you. I saw many negative reviews for this book saying it wasn't like Jane Austen ... Well of course not! Jo Baker isn't Jane Austen and she never pretended to be. Baker makes it very clear that this book is a separate story to Pride and Prejudiced. Baker artfully gives voices to the characters that were mere footnotes and nameless servants in Austen's classic. Baker portray's a real look at the historical time period, the class distinctions, the troubles of war, illness, poverty, power, and the more gritty historical events at the time of Pride and Prejudiced.
At times, Baker was very detailed in her descriptions of the maid Sarah's work and chores. I could see how this might get tiresome to some readers, but I did not find it lagging at all, in fact, I began to empathize with Sarah and understand her way of life. This is an interesting accomplishment because it is so much easier for a reader, or dreamer, to sympathize with, say Elizabeth Bennet's love life and worries, then the day to day exhaustion her maid might face.
My only criticism for the book is volume three. I disliked how it jumped to the past. I understand that it was important to reveal James, the footman's, backstory, but I found it drew on to long. In addition, volume one and two follow Sarah, and the mystery that James was to her, I wish we could have continued to follow Sarah and learn about Jame's backstory through her. Changing the perspective made me feel alienated to the plot that was already being conceived and it seemed like the novel was just on pause until I could get back to following Sarah's story. I also don't know how I feel about the plot twist with Mr. Bennet....
I enjoyed this novel very much, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Pride and Prejudiced and would like a new perspective. Keep in mind, it's fiction, and it's not claiming to be anything else. I really enjoyed following Sarah's journey, and giving faces, names, and stories, to ALL those at Longbourn.
If you want to read this book, READ IT! I enjoyed it and recommend it! Don't let negative reviews discourage you. I saw many negative reviews for this book saying it wasn't like Jane Austen ... Well of course not! Jo Baker isn't Jane Austen and she never pretended to be. Baker makes it very clear that this book is a separate story to Pride and Prejudiced. Baker artfully gives voices to the characters that were mere footnotes and nameless servants in Austen's classic. Baker portray's a real look at the historical time period, the class distinctions, the troubles of war, illness, poverty, power, and the more gritty historical events at the time of Pride and Prejudiced.
At times, Baker was very detailed in her descriptions of the maid Sarah's work and chores. I could see how this might get tiresome to some readers, but I did not find it lagging at all, in fact, I began to empathize with Sarah and understand her way of life. This is an interesting accomplishment because it is so much easier for a reader, or dreamer, to sympathize with, say Elizabeth Bennet's love life and worries, then the day to day exhaustion her maid might face.
My only criticism for the book is volume three. I disliked how it jumped to the past. I understand that it was important to reveal James, the footman's, backstory, but I found it drew on to long. In addition, volume one and two follow Sarah, and the mystery that James was to her, I wish we could have continued to follow Sarah and learn about Jame's backstory through her. Changing the perspective made me feel alienated to the plot that was already being conceived and it seemed like the novel was just on pause until I could get back to following Sarah's story. I also don't know how I feel about the plot twist with Mr. Bennet....
I enjoyed this novel very much, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Pride and Prejudiced and would like a new perspective. Keep in mind, it's fiction, and it's not claiming to be anything else. I really enjoyed following Sarah's journey, and giving faces, names, and stories, to ALL those at Longbourn.
dmrosenblatt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
skroning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Such a lovely book. I really enjoyed getting a behind the scenes look at the Longbourn staff and LOVED the love story. Well written with characters you both fall in love with and completely loathe. Definitely recommend for Austen fans and those who enjoy historical fiction.
bookook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wonderful and tender. The events of Pride and Prejudice form a backdrop for this book. As much as I love Pride and Prejudice, I can now appreciate how the Bennets likely seemed spoiled and condescending to their household servants.
Sarah, the main character in Longbourn, feels like Elizabeth in an an alternate universe, in a good way. She's spirited and determined to marry only for love, but her lot in life limits what she can do and hope for. The book shows a lot of the stinky, sweaty, unglamorous work behind the scenes in P&P, like cleaning the mud stains from Elizabeth's petticoats (three inches deep in mud), to cleaning diapers and period cloths, to emptying Mr. Collins's chamber pot, and so on. It's an interesting and fresh perspective - Lizzy's fondness for walking outdoors heedless of mud is charming and original in P&P, but naturally it creates more work for the maids who have to clean up after her.
Sarah and James, who joins Longbourn as a footman at the beginning of the book, have a lovely romance. It doesn't feel deep, but it feels good, and I'm rooting for them. James's backstory is presented late in the book, in a series of flashback chapters that feel somewhat out of place, but they were compelling.
A coupe critical things - for me, the frequent shifts in perspective - from Sarah to James to Mrs. Hill to Polly once in a while - felt a little uneven at times. And I would have liked to see more resolution to James's arc, besides being found. It felt like the author had strong ideas up until the events at the end of P&P, but wasn't quite sure how to end Longbourn or wrap up James and Mrs. Hill's arcs. Overall though, this was excellent. Definitely planning on checking out more of the author's books.
Sarah, the main character in Longbourn, feels like Elizabeth in an an alternate universe, in a good way. She's spirited and determined to marry only for love, but her lot in life limits what she can do and hope for. The book shows a lot of the stinky, sweaty, unglamorous work behind the scenes in P&P, like cleaning the mud stains from Elizabeth's petticoats (three inches deep in mud), to cleaning diapers and period cloths, to emptying Mr. Collins's chamber pot, and so on. It's an interesting and fresh perspective - Lizzy's fondness for walking outdoors heedless of mud is charming and original in P&P, but naturally it creates more work for the maids who have to clean up after her.
Sarah and James, who joins Longbourn as a footman at the beginning of the book, have a lovely romance. It doesn't feel deep, but it feels good, and I'm rooting for them. James's backstory is presented late in the book, in a series of flashback chapters that feel somewhat out of place, but they were compelling.
A coupe critical things - for me, the frequent shifts in perspective - from Sarah to James to Mrs. Hill to Polly once in a while - felt a little uneven at times. And I would have liked to see more resolution to James's arc, besides being found. It felt like the author had strong ideas up until the events at the end of P&P, but wasn't quite sure how to end Longbourn or wrap up James and Mrs. Hill's arcs. Overall though, this was excellent. Definitely planning on checking out more of the author's books.
kcauleyarnold's review against another edition
4.5
What a wonderful idea for a book. Only critique is it felt a little too long. Loved it.
kokechii's review against another edition
2.0
You know what? Half of me disliking this book is on me not liking retellings in general. They have to be really really good (and are usually not) for me to like them but... This was was not it.
The other half is on the part that I think this book should have been a complete stand alone and not a retelling. It could have been just about servant lives in some manor and go from there, why involve P&P at all? (And why use some of the plot points at all tbh...).
And, sadly, I did not like the writing. There are some beautiful lines in there but mostly I just found my brain skimming instead of really engaging with the words on the page.
The other half is on the part that I think this book should have been a complete stand alone and not a retelling. It could have been just about servant lives in some manor and go from there, why involve P&P at all? (And why use some of the plot points at all tbh...).
And, sadly, I did not like the writing. There are some beautiful lines in there but mostly I just found my brain skimming instead of really engaging with the words on the page.
alayna017's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve never really thought about Pride & Prejudice from the downstairs POV, and it was such an illuminating read! I keep thinking about Lizzie not caring about getting her dress dirty, but the characters in this story are the ones who have to get the stains out. Why have I never considered this? Loved this book and the new perspective!
jensjabs's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This was so boring I had to use the audiobook to finish it. Should’ve dnf’d when I first considered it 100 pages in. Books ends abruptly and unsatisfyingly.
raisa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5