The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James

The book weaves two stories set in late 18th century and present time.

The present time story is of a young woman, who comes across a letter suggesting a possibility of a missing manuscript of Jane Austen. This story in the first chapter has a slow start. However, it picks up in the following chapter, when she meets a young man whose father’s house could be a place where the lost manuscript was written. The search for it begins.

The second story is of the lost manuscript written by Jane Austen; her seventh undiscovered book. It is about a father and his daughter, who find themselves in a situation where they have to leave the house they got to know as home and move to live with the relatives.

This reads like a story written by Jane Austen. It transports the reader to the world of Jane Austen; the language, the well-mannered people, the world of the balls and engagements…

The character of Jane Austen's story is presented as a smart caring woman, who lives during a time, when women depend on men or have an option of being a governess. Not necessarily a desirable position. During a time, when only men study at schools. But she receives some education through her father's schooling. She goes through high and lows of love, but at the end she is capable of picking an admirable character.

This is a quick read beautifully written.

@FB/BestHistoricalFiction