Longbourn by Jo Baker

I have recently been swallowed up by a book, Longbourn by Jo Baker. This is going to be a short post because I am nearing the end of this totally absorbing story and I want to get back to it.

If you haven't heard of Longbourn yet, it is the story of what happened below stairs in the Pride and Prejudice story. Not only a brilliant concept, but brilliantly executed. We tend to forget who actually made those big country houses tick, and the story of the maids, cooks and footmen make for just as riveting a novel as the original. At times I forgot it was the P&P story, until, for instance, Elizabeth reappears and tells the main character (maid Sarah) that she is coming to stay at Hunsford parsonage with her when she visits Charlotte Lucas. To which I said to myself, "Oh, goody! Let's get Sarah's spin on the whole Darcy issue!"

Random House Australia provided this adorable character map if you would like to see who the downstairs folk are. Or you could just be surprised. Suffice it to say, this one is a great read and will make a wonderful film. I would be surprised if the film rights aren't already spoken for. I look forward to this future film much more than the one already being made Death Comes to Pemberley, a miniseries adaptation of P.D.James's murder mystery sequel to Pride and Prejudice, even though that one stars a fave of mine, Anna Maxwell Martin.

So that is all I am going to tell you about this wonderful book. You are just going to have to check it out for yourself. And picture the film as you read it!

Cheers!

P.S. Now that I have finished the book, I can give it an unqualified recommendation. There is a happy ending (unlike so many modern novels). As well, it will make you feel pretty awesome about yourself and all you do. We are the cooks, maids, gardeners, housekeepers, nannies and income earners these days. Not to mention that we manage to be as captivating and handsome as the Bennet sisters all the while. Well, some of the time anyway!!

P&P Tours- Will take you to filming locations of your fave adaptations!

Longbourn, home of the Bennets, P&P 1995

Imagine, if you will, a tour which takes you to various filming locations of all of your favorite adaptations of Jane Austen novels such as P&P 1995 and S&S 1995.  Imagine attending a Winter Ball at Longborn (pictured to the left) in full Regency dress if you wish.  Then imagine, if you will, a tour group which goes the next step, and takes you to locations of other productions, such as North & South and Cranford.
This brilliant tour company, called very appropriately, P&P Tours, may be your next vacation if this sounds like your cup of tea.
If you want a taste of what they do, here is a link to a video of theirs which struts their stuff.  They do things like visit the lake where Mr. Darcy dived in and gave us the memorable "wet shirt" scene.  They will take you to Netherfield, Meryton and even Rosings and Hunsford Parsonage and combine it with talks from people actually involved in the filming of our favorite adaptations for some interesting personal anecdotes and inside scoops.
Some upcoming events feature not only the Winter Ball and supper at Longborn, but also carriage rides and a visit to the Bath Christmas Fayre.
Have I got your attention yet?  Their "Box of Delights" tour in April features not only a visit to Longborn (P&P 95), but a visit to the Railway Station of the best kiss ever from North & South,

The Kiss from North & South

Helstone, Uppercross from Persuasion, Hollingford and Hamley Hall from Wives & Daughters, Hartfield from Emma 2009 (a favorite of mine, the gorgeous Squerryes Court) and Meryton/Cranford-same place!  They even have a Miss Potter tour of the Lakes District and London in September 2011.
Helen Porter and Maddy Hall run this amazing tour company, but word is they may only operate until 2012, so check it out now if this looks like your cup of tea.
I'll leave you with one more image to tantalize you...

Hartfield, Emma 2009 (Squerryes Court)