Longbourn by Jo Baker

What a glorious book! I loved it. 

I am a Jane Austen junkie. Anything with Jane Austenish take on it, and I'll read at least 150 pages before I give up and decide it's a waste of time. However, I've learned to revise my rule to the first 100 pages because my time is too precious to waste on a bad book, even if it is a take on Jane Austen's books.

I'm a mom with two kids, and I finished this book in 16 hours! Call me crazy, sleep deprived woman for a day, but it was worth it. This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It gave me so much to think about...such as how a household like the Bennet's ran in Jane Austen's time. 

I never gave much thought about who cooked the meals and did household chores when Mrs. Bennet and the girls were busy socializing and attending parties, dinners, and dances. I didn't care to know how labor intensive laundry day could be for those who actually had to do it. I didn't know how unfair their world could be without rank or wealth. I didn't realize how beautiful Jane, Lizzie, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia's clothes were to others who were less fortunate. All in all, this book was a revelation, in so many ways.

SPOILER ALERT~

The characters are finely drawn. I feel as if they are living, breathing members of Bennet's home. Sarah's characterization is a work of art, with her deep thoughts and feelings driving her actions. James, though known to Sarah and seen through her eyes, he is a mysterious stranger with a heart. Each is driven by need for love, acceptance, and following their heart. I love the portrayals of Mr. & Mrs. Hill, Polly, and Ptolemy Bingley, because they are so human and anchored in reality.

On the other hand, I don't like Ms. Baker's portrayal of Mr. Bennet and his involvement or lack thereof with James' life, but I can see how it can true to what might be deemed as "acceptable behavior" of a gentleman of that time. I was never a fan of Mr. Bennet, but in Ms. Baker's book, he could be considered the biggest villain in James' life. Some might argue that that title belongs to Wikham, but I disagree. Had Mr. Bennet taken some responsibility, James might not have fallen as much as he had. Some might argue that he had done what he could, but I'd say not enough. And poor Mrs. Hill.... It must have been hell to have to bear it all because she can do nothing to improve her son's situation. She had done what she could, but not him.

The book is divided into three volumes, and in volume three, I wish there was more of James' life there, instead of Sarah's. There was James' back story in volume three, but I wanted to know more about what he did after he left Longbourn. How did he overcome his disappointment in having to leave an employment that became more like a home, but more importantly, a woman he came to love dearly. I wanted to know the kind of mental strength he had, needed, and used to survive. I was disappointed that Sarah was the one who gave up her nice, comfortable life at Pemberley and go in search of James, with absolutely no assurance of finding him. Truly a case of blind faith and courage.

Sure, I was glad that she found him, and they decided to head back to Longbourn together, but I wish James had more active role in their reunion. However, these are minor complaints. I loved this book. I absolutely loved this book, and I went back to reading it immediately after I finished it, just in case I've missed something important.

I would recommend this book to any Jane Austenphile, but to anyone who likes a good read. Stories of Sarah and James, Mrs. Hill and Mr. Bennet have stayed with me long after I finished the book.