Report from under the stairs of the Longborn Manor

MOSCOW. Sinbad Publishing House published a book based on the famous novel by Jane Austen.

In a series of festive feasts, going to the cinema, to the skating rink and to shopping centers hung with garlands, a "window" for reading certainly appears. "Longbourn" (Longbourn) from the British writer Joe Baker (Jo Baker) - a good choice for the New Year holidays. Fans of the works of Jane Austen are unlikely to ignore the translation of the novel about the inhabitants of the Longborn estate, an “offshoot” of the original story. Joe Baker does not consider his book, translation rights purchased in many countries, the prequel of "Pride and Prejudice." Indeed, in the center of the story is not Mr. Darcy, Charles Bingley, Miss Elizabeth Bennett.

The main character of Longbourne is the cameraman Sarah, who, after the death of her parents, was saved by a housekeeper, Mrs. Hill, from living in a shelter. The active participants in the events are the stableman James, the servant of Mr. Bingley Ptolemy, the butler Mr. Hill. The development of romantic relations between servants, their hard work in the field of caring for the Bennet family is no less exciting to follow than the life and love affairs of their masters. Through the efforts of the servants, the floor is torn off, Sunday roast is prepared, linen is washed, night pots are taken out of the master’s bedrooms. A large red brick house becomes a full-fledged character in a fascinating story, comes to life before the eyes of the reader, filled with sounds, smells, warmth from a fireplace kindled by skillful hands. Baker’s book, capable of adjusting the perception of some of the main characters, is a peculiar reconstruction of events known from Austin’s book, but in the interpretation of “soldiers of the invisible front”. This is a true encyclopedia of the life and life of the inhabitants of ancient English estates in great detail, which is so appreciated not only by fans of “Pride and Prejudice”, but also by “Gosford Park” and “Downton Abbey”.

Elena Tanakova © Gallerix.ru