Only a handful of Jane Austen’s letters survive from when she lived in Bath, which means our information on her experiences there is sparse. But, by digging deeper into the worlds of her contemporaries, it is possible to build a clearer view of what the Austen family was doing at the time and how Jane was involved.
This novel picks up where The Austens of Steventon left off, taking us from early 1801 until July 1809. It follows Jane, her relatives, and her friends through the next phases of their lives, and you will meet new suitors, new brides, and new children. This younger generation of nephews and nieces even plays a role in the story’s telling.
If you have not read The Austens of Steventon yet, you can still enjoy this novel on its own. The characters are explained, and summaries of their history are provided where needed.