The Elopement

Gill Hornby plunges us into the lives of the Austen family during the early 19th Century, where an unconventional marriage divides a family and turmoil ensues.The brand new novel from the bestselling author of Miss Austen and Godmersham Park plunges us into the lives of the Austen family during the early 19th Century, where an unconventional marriage divides a family and turmoil ensues.'Gill Hornby's trilogy about Jane's family has all Austen's wit and unnerving powers of observation with an extra twenty-first century zap, and The Elopement is the best yet' FERDINAND MOUNT____'It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.'1820. Mary Dorothea Knatchbull is living under the sole charge of her widowed father, Sir Edward - a man of strict principles and high Christian values.But when her father marries Miss Fanny Knight of Godmersham Park, Mary's life is suddenly changed.Her new stepmother comes from a large, happy and sociable family and Fanny's sisters become Mary's first friends. Her aunt, Miss Cassandra Austen of Chawton, is especially kind. Her brothers are not only amusing, but handsome and charming.And as Mary Dorothea starts to bloom into a beautiful young woman, she forms an especial bond with one Mr Knight in particular.Soon, they are deeply in love and determined to marry. They expect no opposition. After all, each is from a good family and has known the other for some years.It promises to be the most perfect match. Who would want to stand in their way?____Readers are loving The Elopement!'It is so well-written with vivid period detail that I felt immersed in the Austen world and did not want it to end.''I was hooked from the first page.''Sharply observed, well researched and wonderfully told''I loved every minute of this novel''A gem'

Hornby’s Austen books are funny, bittersweet family sagas, impeccably researched and lavishly imagined The Times
Has all the wit and wisdom of a Jane Austen novel Red
Combines meticulous period research with a fine feeling for the characters' inner lives, hopes and fears Daily Mail
Joyous . . . captured with apt perspicacity and keen wit Mail on Sunday
Has all Austen’s wit and unnerving powers of observation with an extra twenty-first century zap Ferdinand Mount
Few writers are as perspicacious or half as delightful as Hornby Karen Joy Fowler
Gripping and moving and also so sharp and funny. I loved it! Sabine Durrant
Tremendous . . . Darker than Miss Austen but rendered with her characteristic lightness of touch and neat wit Nigella Lawson
A captivating return to the world of the Austens Zoe West, Woman's Weekly
I’m so fond of Gill’s books for their vividness at explaining the historical period. She also truly cares about her characters and their welfare Aine Toner, Belfast Telegraph

Gill Hornby is the author of The Hive and All Together Now, as well as The Story of Jane Austen, a biography of Austen for younger readers.Her subsequent novels, Miss Austen and Godmersham Park were Sunday Times bestsellers, and Miss Austen is a four-part BBC adaptation starring Keely Hawes as Cassandra Austen. She is also the President of the Jane Austen Society.She lives in West Berkshire with her husband and four children.

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