Quite a buzzy title this year, Longbourn follows the household staff of the families in Pride & Prejudice. When I first heard about this, I thought it was going to be quite focused on another perspective on the Bennets and the Bingleys, but it turned out to be quite different.
Baker uses the setting as the springboard for a completely different story, one that really examines the inner lives and work of the household staff, and what having such a position in those times really meant. As someone who loves a good supporting character, I loved the way the original story of Pride & Prejudice touches the servants only as it relates to their lives.
This is a beautifully researched novel, vividly realistic and a fresh take on a classic story. Definitely one of the best of the Austen-inspired novels out there.