Longbourn by Jo Baker

Written by an English author, set in the 1800's, the "extended" story of what went on downstairs in the Bennet home rather than Jane Austen's perspective of the "chief players", who lived upstairs. Touted as Downton Abbey meets Pride and Prejudice, this was a good read. I loved the author's clever way of presenting a portion of the story, then on the next page - in an obscure way, she relates "the rest of the story". She made me smile with some of these "bomb droppers"--and I would have to go back and re-read her first presentation to make sure I was clear on what she had really said. A very clever way with her words. I also loved when she went took a section of the book to return to the past so we could fully understand the characters' stories. Sarah's perspectives of the unimportance of what her mistresses deemed important, was challenging to me. She walked in London, holding packages and watching the money being spent -- and mused about what peculiar creatures the upscale families were, to spend their time and money in picking out new curtains, pillows, decor, dresses --what did it really matter anyway? To be so burdened by continual work, then to be able to briefly enjoy minutes in the fresh air, or time in the kitchen with friends --and not be caught up in "wanting more"; but in knowing that to be loved made the biggest difference of all.