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The Elopement

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The Elopement

By: Gill Hornby
Narrated by: Joanna David
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The new novel from the bestselling author of Miss Austen and Godmersham Park.

1820. Mary Dorothea Knatchbull is living under the sole charge of her widowed father, Sir Edward – a man of strict principles and high Christian values.

But when her father marries Miss Fanny Knight of Godmersham Park, Mary’s life is suddenly changed.

Her new stepmother comes from a large, happy and sociable family and Fanny’s sisters become Mary’s first friends. Her aunt, Miss Cassandra Austen of Chawton, is especially kind. Her brothers are not only amusing, but handsome and charming.

And as Mary Dorothea starts to bloom into a beautiful young woman, she forms an especial bond with one Mr Knight in particular.

Soon, they are deeply in love and determined to marry. They expect no opposition. After all, each is from a good family and has known the other for some years.

It promises to be the most perfect match. Who would want to stand in their way?

'Has all Austen’s wit and unnerving powers of observation with an extra twenty-first century zap' Ferdinand Mount

'Few writers are as perspicacious or half as delightful as Hornby' Karen Joy Fowler

'Gripping and moving and also so sharp and funny. I loved it!’ Sabine Durrant

©2024 Gill Hornby (P)2024 Penguin Audio

 Historical Historical Fiction Regency Funny

Critic reviews

Hornby’s Austen books are funny, bittersweet family sagas, impeccably researched and lavishly imagined
Combines meticulous research with a fabulously heartfelt feeling for her characters . . . Filled with Austen-esque ironies and humour.
Joyous . . . captured with apt perspicacity and keen wit
Has all the wit and wisdom of a Jane Austen novel
Combines meticulous period research with a fine feeling for the characters' inner lives, hopes and fears
I’m so fond of Gill’s books for their vividness at explaining the historical period. She also truly cares about her characters and their welfare
Has all Austen’s wit and unnerving powers of observation with an extra twenty-first century zap
Few writers are as perspicacious or half as delightful as Hornby
Gripping and moving and also so sharp and funny. I loved it!
Tremendous . . . Darker than Miss Austen but rendered with her characteristic lightness of touch and neat wit
All stars
Most relevant
What more can I say than that this is a brilliant book, bringing to life the lively Austen family & the times in which they lived? It reveals the power of fathers to decide their offsprings' marriage partners, the deference expected of their wives and the misery that power can bring to their children when wielded without due appreciation of their feelings. But despite the dangers of multiple childbirth, it also highlights the joys of large loving middle class families such as the Austen Knights. I shall now purchase penguin copies for family birthday gifts to cheer me up for having finished it!

Another Gill Hornby Classic

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Slow to get going but the last third of the book made sticking with it worthwhile. Enjoyed the characters and it was especially good to have the inclusion of Cassandra.

Slow burner

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I love Gill Hornby’s books, they have brought so much of Jane Austen’s family snd story to life, adding enough to feel we know these characters, these places, and all with passion as well as research. A delightful listen, and beautifully delivered by Aunt Gardiner…I mean Joanna David!!

Wow, history and families, rich characters and powerful storyline

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I disliked the narrator who seems to be in a continual state of hysteria. Why would every female in the story shriek whoever they open their mouths?

She does a good job on the male characters. The story is slow and the character of Fanny seems to be very self absorbed and cold- hard to like.

The Mary character is endearing and her tale is well told.

Interesting study of character but leaves the reader to interpret

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I didn’t realise until the author’s notes at the end of the book that the major source for this novel were the diaries of Fanny Knatchbull. To bring this lively and insightful novel from the pages of a diary written by someone who was hardly lively or insightful at all is a great feat! I enjoyed yet another glimpse into the lives of the Austin family, and the descriptions of Chawton and the great house are delightful. As others have said, it is rather sad that Hornby dashes through the 12 years of Mary’s life at Chawton where she was so happy and fulfilled, whilst concentrating so much of the novel on her sad early life and the neglect she and her brothers suffered from her self obsessed father. However I very much enjoyed the book,and thought the narration was perfect.

Another triumph for Gill Hornby

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