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Cora Harrison
Macmillan Children’s
Books (Macmillan UK)
February 2011 / ISBN 9780330509534
Teenage Historical Romance / 1791 Hampshire, England
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Reviewed
by Rachel A Hyde
Jenny Cooper is cousin
to the vivacious and independent Jane Austen and keeps a diary about
their adventures together. Starting at the school they both attend
and continuing at the Austen’s home where Jenny goes to stay,
this is an account of troubles and joys shared, families, growing
up and of course romance.
Anybody from teenage years onwards who enjoys Regency romances,
and those by Jane Austen in particular, ought to enjoy this book.
It brings to life the early years of the writer through her cousin’s
eyes and shows how the events and characters in her books were based
on those in her own life. Much of it is fiction, of course, but
many of the people and places are real as the useful author’s
note says. Regency readers will have little to complain about here,
as the author has obviously steeped herself in the period to the
extent that it is very like reading a real diary written by somebody
in the late 18th century. There are lively line illustrations on
almost every page to make it look even more like a diary, and Jane’s
narrative brings it all to life in a delightful manner. I have no
hesitation in recommending this to anybody interested in the period.
I hope the sequel comes out soon…
Reviewer's
Note:
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