I am delighted to welcome back Allie Cresswell with the 2nd novel in her series of prequels to Jane Austen's Emma. I reviewed the first novel in the series here.
Jane Bates has left Highbury to become the companion of the
invalid widow Mrs Sealy in Brighton. Life in the new, fashionable seaside
resort is exciting indeed. A wide circle of interesting acquaintance and a rich
tapestry of new experiences - balls at the Assembly rooms, carriage rides and
promenades on the Steyne - make her new life all Jane had hoped for.
While Jane’s sister Hetty can be a tiresome
conversationalist she proves to be a surprisingly good correspondent and Jane
is kept minutely up-to-date with developments in Highbury, particularly the
tragic news from Donwell Abbey.
When handsome Lieutenant Weston returns to Brighton Jane
expects their attachment to pick up where it left off in Highbury the previous
Christmas, but the determined Miss Louisa Churchill, newly arrived with her
brother and sister-in-law from Enscombe in Yorkshire, seems to have a different
plan in mind.
Mrs Bates of Highbury is the second of three novels by the
Amazon #1 best-selling Allie Cresswell, which trace the pre-history of Emma and
then run in parallel to it.
My Thoughts
This Regency romance focuses on Jane Bates, a little mentioned character in Emma, who was the mother of Jane Fairfax. Set thirty years before Emma, it imagines Jane Bates during a period she spent away from Highbury as a lady's companion in Brighton. Jane emerges as an independent and eminently sensible young woman who is compassionate and has a real sense of duty. Around her we get to see marshalled Brighton's society as all the social conventions are upheld.
There are some interesting points made about marriage and the position of single women. It seems that their reputations and social standing can be affected through the reprehensible actions of men. There is a tangible sense of entitlement for the male sex. With so much historical background to pick up on throughout, both through the everyday life of the inhabitants of Brighton and the militia, there is plenty to enjoy here. I especially relished the letters from Jane's sister, Hetty, which were full of unconscious humour and asides about her life.
In short: A lovely continuation of this Regency series.
About the Author
Allie Cresswell was born in Stockport, UK and began writing
fiction as soon as she could hold a pencil.
She did a BA in English Literature at Birmingham University
and an MA at Queen Mary College, London.
She has been a print-buyer, a pub landlady, a book-keeper,
run a B & B and a group of boutique holiday cottages. Nowadays Allie writes
full time having retired from teaching literature to lifelong learners.
She has two grown-up children, two granddaughters, two
grandsons and two cockapoos but just one husband - Tim. They live in Cumbria,
NW England.
The Other Miss Bates is her eighth novel and the second in
the Highbury series.
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