logo

52 pages 1 hour read

Jo Baker

Longbourn

Jo BakerFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Jo Baker

Longbourn

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • Early 19th century

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Longbourn by Jo Baker follows the lives of the servants in the Bennet household from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, primarily focusing on housemaid Sarah, housekeeper Mrs. Hill, and mysterious footman James Smith. Their lives unfold against the backdrop of the events in Austen's novel, exploring themes of romantic love, marriage, personal satisfaction, and the harsh realities of the lower class in Austen's period. The book includes mentions of wartime trauma and inappropriate relationships.

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

69,200 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Longbourn by Jo Baker offers a refreshing perspective on the classic Pride and Prejudice from the servants' viewpoint. Readers praise its rich historical detail and compelling narrative that enhances the original story. However, some find the shift in focus disappointing, feeling it lacks the charm of Austen’s work. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Longbourn?

A reader who enjoys Longbourn by Jo Baker appreciates historical fiction with rich character development and a fresh perspective on classic stories. Fans of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa will find delight in its nuanced view of the servants' lives in the Austen era.

3.9

69,200 ratings

63%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

448

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • Early 19th century

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.