ThroughouthernovelsJaneAusteniswellknownforheruseofhousesandpropertyascentralthemes.Equally,Jane'sownlifewasshapedbytheplacesshelivedinandvisited.
Now,inafreshtakeonJaneAusten,LucyWorsleytracesthehousesJanelivedintoshowjusthowmuchtheyinfluencedherwork.EmbarkingonaroadtripacrossEnglandLucyvisitspropertiesthatstillexist-andusescleverdetectiveworktobringtolifethosethathavedisappeared.
BeginningherexpeditionatStoneleighAbbey,Warwickshire,Lucysetsthescenebyrecreatingacarriagejourneythecash-strappedAustenscompletedtovisitarecentlywidowedrelative.TheAustensunsuccessfullytriedtosecureashareoftheinheritanceduringthistripand,asLucydiscovers,Janespentmuchofherlifeinthisformoflimbo-movingbetweenrichesandgenteelpoverty.Itwasthisexperienceoflivingbetweentwoworldsthatwouldinformmuchofherwriting.
Afterthisrevelation,LucytravelsfromJane'sbirthplaceinSteventon,Hampshire,toherbrother'sgrandproperty,GodmershamPark(apotentialinspirationforMrDarcy'sPemberley).LucytakesintheseasideresortofLymeRegis(asettingforPersuasion)andbothBathandSouthampton,whereJane'spositionandfinancialsecuritybecameevermoreperilous.
ThisisthestoryofthehousesthatmadeJaneAustenandthetalestheselocationsinspired.
