Mrs Bates of Highbury

Highbury

by Allie Cresswell

Thirty years before the beginning of 'Emma' Mrs Bates is entirely different from the elderly, silent figure familiar to fans of Jane Austen’s fourth novel. She is comparatively young and beautiful, widowed - but ready to love again. She is the lynch-pin of Highbury society until the appalling Mrs Winwood arrives, very determined to hold sway over that ordered little town.
Miss Bates is as talkative aged twenty nine as she is in her later iteration, with a ghoulish fancy, seeing disaster in every cloud. When young Mr Woodhouse arrives looking for a plot for his new house, the two strike up a relationship characterised by their shared hypochondria, personal chariness and horror of draughts.
Jane, the other Miss Bates, is just seventeen and eager to leave the parochialism of Highbury behind her until handsome Lieutenant Weston comes home on furlough from the militia and sweeps her - quite literally - off her feet.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, British Literature

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

I have been writing stories since I could hold a pencil and by the time I was in Junior School I was writing copiously and sometimes almost legibly.

It was at this time that I had the difference between fiction and lies forcefully impressed upon me, after penning a long and entirely spurious account of my grandfather’s death and funeral.....

The teacher had permitted it as being good therapy for bereavement whereas in fact it was only a good excuse to get out of learning my multiplication tables (something I have never achieved).

Clearly I was forgiven. For for my next birthday I asked for a stack of writing paper and my parents obliged, it being more easily obtained and wrapped than a pony.

A BA in English and Drama at Birmingham University was followed by an MA in English at Queen Mary College but marriage and motherhood put my writing career on hold for some years until 1992 when I began work on Game Show.

In the meantime I worked as a production manager for an educational publishing company, an educational resources copywriter, a bookkeeper for a small printing firm, and was the landlady of a country pub in Yorkshire, a small guest house in Cheshire and the proprietor of a group of boutique holiday cottages in Cumbria.

I am currently teaching literature in the community alongside full time writing.

I have two grown-up children, Tom and Abby, and am married to Tim.

I live in Cheshire.

Reviews

[wosedwew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it. ~ Jacques Prévert

This is not the type of JAFF I usually choose … but what a mistake it would have been if I had not read it!

The story begins with a brief recap of the life of Mr. Frederick Bates – the fourth son and therefore, the one destined to serve the church. He marries and soon has a daughter; a “slight, rather sickly child, given to nervous convulsions and hysterical spasms.” (Meet Miss Bates). When his brother inherits, Frederick is pushed from the promised living. Rev. and Mrs. Bates rejoice when Mr. Knightly of Donwell Abbey offers the church in Highbury. The family settles into their new community and welcomes a second daughter, Jane, when Henrietta (Hetty) is thirteen years old.

Most of the story is set in the year of mourning, following the sudden death of Frederick Bates. The vicarage must house the new clergyman, of course, and Mrs. Bates and her daughters must find other accommodations. Once again, Frederick’s brothers refuse financial help and even strip Mrs. Bates of a small income from her deceased mother-in-law.

We meet George Knightly, age 8, who alerts his Father to the ladies’ circumstances.

We meet Mr. Woodhouse, a young, hypochondriac … uh, unmarried gentleman.

We meet Lieutenant James Weston, a militiaman with a liking for the house at Randalls – “a sadly broken-down place, all shut up”.

And, especially, we meet the Rev. Winwood and his family who arrive and set out to make changes in the vicarage. Rooms are re-arranged, new drapes and wallpaper are chosen, and that ugly old apple tree must be cut down.

In the midst of mourning their husband and father, the Bates ladies also mourn their former home at the vicarage.

No mourning can heal the wound of neverness. ~ Dr. Idel Dreimer

Mrs. Winwood is a social-climbing snob on the order of Caroline Bingley on amphetamines.

I always enjoy a good Caroline comeuppance and I loved the one in this story – even though Caroline was known as Mrs. Winwood. The musical evening that woman planned is not to be missed. Also not to be missed is Bishop Bland who attended the vicarage gathering. Another reviewer labeled him as a male Lady Catherine! Loved that image!

Grieving is a necessary passage and a difficult transition to finally letting go of sorrow — it is not a permanent rest stop. ~ Dodinsky

Romance is afoot in the story: the possible pairings would have radically changed the setting for Emma -- including possibly a different Mother for Emma and Isabella!

The story is complete but the concluding situation is not in accord with Jane Austen’s vision. Two more books are to come which the author promises will end where Austen’s tale begins.

The book is well-told with a minimum of errata.

I recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF even if you read mostly stories with Darcy and Elizabeth.

I’ll be watching for the next in the series.

No one ever really dies as long as they took the time to leave us with fond memories. ~ Chris Sorensen

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Spotlight on A Beloved Highbury Family

TYPE OF NOVEL: Prequel to Emma, Alternate POV

TIME FRAME: Begins 30 years before Jane Austen’s Emma

SYNOPSIS: In Jane Austen’s Emma Mrs. Bates does not play too active a role in either the plot of the story or the village of Highbury. She mostly serves as a readily available companion for Mr. Woodhouse, a grateful beneficiary of the kindness of her neighbors, and the primary recipient of Miss Bates’s ceaseless chatter…I guess it is good that she is a “little deaf!” But we can imagine that as the wife of the vicar of Highbury, her role and participation in society used to be vastly different. What were those years like? What was Highbury like? In a new series that focuses on the Bates family, Allie Cresswell tells the story of Mrs. Bates, her daughters, and their experiences the years after Reverend Bates passes away.

WHAT I LOVED:

- Bucolic Highbury: I adore Highbury – it has the most charming small-village vibe of any Jane Austen novels. I love how the neighbors are so involved in each other’s lives, how everyone is always going out and visiting somewhere or sharing news. I loved how Ms. Cresswell beautifully emulated Jane Austen’s quaint yet bustling country village and embraced all its charming particulars. Even down to including the vital businesses and tradesmen that serve an important purpose there such as Mr. and Mrs. Ford, who own the mercantile shop, and Mrs. Stokes, who manages The Crown.

- The Knightley Family: It didn’t surprise me that I fell again in love with Mr. Knightley in this story. The surprise was that it was Mr. Knightley senior, in addition to eight-year-old George Knightley, who won my heart. I enjoyed seeing where George Knightley got his kind benevolence and upright morals. The Squire is responsible, just, and goes out of his way to assist those in need. I liked seeing his penchant for staying at home and avoiding big to-dos (just like his sons), yet I appreciated how active he is around the community. He is in many ways as admirable as his son.

- Unexpected Romances: It was so fun to see some romantic developments in this prequel – especially since these romances are a bit unexpected! I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say there are multiple romances in this tale and I really appreciated the wonderful cleverness and perceptiveness of Ms. Cresswell in creating them. All were exceptionally well done. I wonder if these pairings ever crossed Jane Austen’s mind…

- Marie and Hetty: While the younger Miss (Jane) Bates features prominently in this novel, the main story arcs centered more upon Mrs. (Marie) Bates and her eldest daughter Miss (Henrietta) Bates. I loved seeing the personalities of these characters, who we meet 30 years later in Emma, fleshed-out. Marie is such a worthy heroine – I loved her selfless nature, her graceful handling of the haughty Mrs. Winwood, and how her heart gently and gradually opened to the possibility of love. In addition, I enjoyed witnessing Hetty engage in some reflection and self-evaluation. Even though her dialogue is mostly exhausting and sometimes inane, I enjoyed the subtle transformation her character undergoes.

- Little Details: I’m so impressed that Ms. Cressell encompassed so much Highbury history in this book. She fills in and creates interesting backstories for the Bates, Knightley, Woodhouse, and Weston families. In addition, she sets the stage ingeniously for the Highbury we know in Emma. I loved seeing Mr. Woodhouse’s first visit to Highbury, learning more about Mr. Weston’s family, and spotting the nods to people and places we know in Emma such as Randalls, Mr. Perry, and Mrs. Goddard.

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

That Highbury isn’t a real place I can visit!!

CONCLUSION:

Beautifully and thoughtfully composed – Mrs. Bates of Highbury is an eloquent, humorous, and reverent prequel to Jane Austen’s Emma. I cannot wait to continue this series and journey back into Highbury with The Other Miss Bates.

Austenesque Reviews

[Christina Morland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Bates of Highbury is an imaginative prequel to Austen’s Emma. While I found the novel difficult to get into, the gradual development of plot and character really grabbed me by about the halfway point of the book. Author Allie Cresswell’s recreation of Highbury society, from top to bottom, was most interesting, and I grew to love Marie Bates, widowed mother of Hetty and Jane. I was less fond of Cresswell’s depiction of Mr. Woodhouse. Her interpretation of this character was certainly rooted in Austen’s original character — yet I felt she exaggerated his worst characteristics, and not always for humorous effect. But that’s personal preference, and his role in this story — particularly in the story of Hetty Bates’s development — is fascinating. Hetty and Jane Bates were themselves fascinating characters — a little pricklier than I had expected, and I liked that. They were living, breathing women. Hetty, of course, remains her a bit tiresome with her long speeches, but then, am I not a rambling fool, too? (I would so be Hetty in another time and place.)

Overall, I’d recommend this story to Austen fans who are open to a new interpretation of their beloved Highbury. This is not an easy story, for we know what happens to these characters after this story ends, and so we also know there are bumps in the road ahead — yet Cresswell’s ability to bring Austen’s secondary (or even tertiary) characters to life is admirable.

[B. Fleetwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for fans of Jane Austen. Lovingly written in the style of the iconic writer, Allie Cresswell has created a wonderful prequel to the story of 'Emma', without taking any liberties with the novel proper. Everything that happens dovetails beautifully with the original tale and could well have been plotted by Ms Austen herself!

Mrs Bates, thirty years younger than her elderly self in 'Emma', has been widowed and left with little means of supporting herself and her two unmarried daughters. A pragmatist and pillar of strength to the ordinary Highbury residents, she settles for a reduced living in this small village. Continuing to give the same support to her neighbourhood as in her former life as the vicar's wife, she must endure the loss of status, the disdain of the new vicar's family and the worry of how her daughters will fare in the future. Gracious and humble, she is surprised to find herself falling in love.

If you love Jane Austen, then immerse yourself in this, the first of three stand-alone stories (bring on the next two) around the cast of Highbury. I promise you will not be disappointed. Five huge stars from me.

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Bates of Highbury by Allie Cresswell is a standalone novel written as a prequel to Jane Austen's Emma. It takes place when Mrs Bates is 30 years younger than she is in Emma. If I am honest, although I have watched the film I barely remember the story, although I do remember the family names. I can happily say that even if you haven't read or watched Emma it doesn't detract at all from the fabulousness that is Mrs Bates of Highbury!

When Mrs Bates becomes a widow not only does she lose her husband but she loses her home and her income. Her husband was the vicar of the parish and when he died a new vicar was taken on hence her having to vacate the vicarage. Having nowhere to go to with her two daughters she was relieved when she was offered some rooms above a shop in the town where she and her girls would be comfortable. Rent was paid and a small income would be provided to her all courtesy of the church.

The story is beautifully written giving an insight into the lives of Mrs Bates and her daughters. The eldest considered way past the marriageable age always focuses on doom and gloom believing that what can go wrong not only will, but will happen in the worst possible way. She is thrilled when she meets a man intent on moving to the area who seems to think exactly as she does. Could this be somebody who might want to marry her? The youngest, Jane, who is of a marriageable age is also considered very bright and be it to marriage or taking on a position as perhaps a governess, her mother knows that it won't be too long before Jane leaves home. Jane's love interest is a handsome military man. As for Mrs Bates herself, although in mourning for her husband she can't help but be attracted to Mr Knightly who has also lost his wife. At times she thinks the feelings are mutual, but as she feels guilty about how she feels she doesn't let him know her dilemma.

Three possible romances for three wonderful women all written in the style of Austen made for a delightful read. I loved reading about life in the village and all about the characters that lived there. From the horrid people who took on the vicarage to the Bates family themselves, there was never a dull moment. There were some fabulously lighthearted moments, and some equally sentimental ones, I definitely found myself running the gamut of emotions and enjoyed every second of it. As I was reading it I couldn't help but realise that the story would transfer onto film very easily and wished it could be done. It would definitely become a must watch over and over film for me. As it is I shall just have to make do with it being a book I will read again. It really is perfect and I can't recommend it highly enough!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have an affectionate spot for Emma so I was curious how this would play out. I’m always hesitant about reading something that has the possibility to spoil the original but I needn’t have been concerned, this author has done a brilliant job of creating a setting where the reader can immerse themselves back into the comfort of familiarity. She carefully writes with a lyrical tone so reminiscent of the day.

The beauty of Mrs Bates of Highbury is you can just as easily enjoy it as a stand alone if this is your first venture into the ‘classics’ and it sits nicely for those who have.

It takes place about thirty years prior to the original Mrs Bates being in Emma. Mrs Bates is struggling to raise her daughters after becoming a widow. Sadly it wasn’t only her husband who expired but so did her house and job because he was the local vicar.

We follow the story as she has to lower her expectations and do anything to ensure her daughters are ok. Given that there are three eligible women in the house there has to be prospect for romance. Of course mother would prefer her daughter’s to be married but it makes for a lovely tale as we find out what happens.

I haven’t read anything by Allie Cresswell before but after this experience I will certainly be checking her out.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel from Random Resources. I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Jane Austen style short novel which really catches the spirit of the times and the people. Some of the names you will know if you’ve read Emma. There are worthy villagers, a snobbish vicar’s wife and various mix-ups which are part of the Austen style. So much is unseemly for a young (or older) lady to say to a gentleman so that people can actually be talking at cross purposes. It’s full of humour and a cast of characters Miss Austen would be proud of – including a monstrous bishop who put me in mind of Lady Catherine the Bourgh! Try it. If you’re an Austen fan, you’ll love it.

[Georgiana 1792 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un prequel di Emma di Jane Austen che vede come protagonista Mrs. Marie Bates (che nel romanzo originale non proferisce praticamente parola a causa della logorroica figlia maggiore, Hetty) qui alle prese con il matrimonio, con una figlia fragile e timorosa praticamente di tutto, e con la vedovanza che la vede senza un tetto sulla testa e senza l'aiuto di nessun parente del marito. L'unico che le dà un appoggio sia spirituale che materiale alle tre Bates è Mr. Knightley senior (George ha infatti una decina d'anni e John è un bambinetto di un paio di anni). La diciottenne Jane è una ragazza equilibrata e fa per un po' da istitutrice a George (che se avesse qualche anno in più la sposerebbe), mentre Mr. Woodhouse ha deciso di costruire in zona la sua casa, Hartfield. Peccato che il padre abbia stretto un accordo perché lui sposi una delle tre figlie nubili di un suo caro amico in Oxfordshire, perché Miss Hetty Bates, sebbene non sia bella come la sorella e abbia ormai ventinove anni, è una ragazza premurosa, che saprebbe come prendersi cura di lui, della sua ipocondria e di tutte le sue fobie. Arriva quasi a farle una proposta di matrimonio, ma la sua indolenza lo porta a non esporsi, finché l'amico del padre non lo costringe a rispettare il patto stretto dal padre e a scegliere una delle sue tre figlie (che sarà poi la madre di Isabella e di Emma).
Allo stesso tempo, Mrs. Bates - pur essendo ancora in lutto per la morte del marito - sembra cominciare a nutrire dei sentimenti verso Mr. Knightley, rivelati dalla gelosia che prova verso Mrs. Stokes, che gestisce la Crown Inn, anche lei vedova e piacente, verso cui lo squire sembra provare un certo interesse.
E lo stesso accade a Jane, che sembra avere un debole per il tenente Weston e, al contrario della sorella Hetty, vorrebbe girare il mondo, uscire dallo spazio per lei troppo ristretto di Highbury, e per cui un militare di carriera sarebbe proprio una scelta perfetta.
Ma sebbene la storia sia molto intrigante, si legge con una certa sensazione di dispiacere, perché si sa che né Hetty, né Marie si sposeranno e che Jane, anche se non sposerà il tenente Weston sposerà un altro ufficiale e viaggerà, ma morirà purtroppo troppo presto.
Hetty all'inizio mi sembrava un po' fuori fuoco rispetto al personaggio che conosciamo in Emma, ma poi c'è un lieve cambiamento in lei, dovuto proprio alla delusione e a una certa introspezione molto intelligente.
E adesso mi tocca continuare la serie perché sono curiosa di capire se le tre Bates riusciranno ad avere almeno un briciolo di felicità effimera nella vita.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Bates is widowed and with her daughters Hettie and Jane they find their circumstances have changed. Instead of the Vicarage, they now live above a shop in Highbury. This story is set 30 years before Jane Austen’s Emma and is written as a prequel.

I am a little bit of a Classic Literature fan and I am a little nervous about approaching a book that involves the well-known Classics, but I always have an open mind. Well I have to say Allie Cresswell had me hooked with this story from the very first pages. The general feel of the those first pages just felt right, the words, the descriptions, society at the time… yes everything felt as it should be.

The Bates family were well thought of through the community of Highbury, mixing in many different social circles and never seemed to pay any heed to wealth or status. This however could not be said for the incoming Winwood family at the Vicarage.

Mrs Winwood and her daughters made their feelings about their class and status felt very early on. They are not there to be part of the community but instead to show off and drag their fellow residents up to their own standards.

With the shenanigans of the Mrs Winwood and the more reserved Mrs Bates I got to see a brilliant comparison between two very different women, and also how other people were to see them as well.

No story of this style would be complete without a local landowner, dinner parties, rogue characters, a love interest and grand estates and this story does include them. I loved the gentle flow as I was taken around the streets, grounds and lanes meeting the locals along the way.

This story is about Mrs Bates but also about many other things that make up the community in which she resides. The stories intertwine and meander giving a great read.

If you like a gentle story set in days gone past then you really do need to read this one. It was an absolute joy and pleasure to read and left me eagerly awaiting the next in the planned series. Mrs Bates of Highbury is a book I would absolutely recommend.

[Lona Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie Cresswell knows her Jane Austen and it shows in this intelligent, respectful homage, the first in a trilogy which will provide a backstory to Emma. The language and rhythm of the prose and the dialogue is exceptional. Cresswell's plot involves three courtships, some of which, just as in Emma, are threatened by misunderstandings. The interaction of the characters, and their own struggles with themselves, provide most of the interest. (Because Cresswell is staying true to canon, it is a challenge for her to build suspense and tension because we already know who ends up with who in the end. Creswell's trilogy will provide a backstory about how it all played out.) There are some new characters, especially a snobbish social-climber who gets a delicious comeuppance, and we meet younger versions of the Highbury residents.
Many people have written admiringly of Austen's portrayal of Miss Hetty Bates. Portraying a bore to end all bores who is nevertheless sympathetic and likeable is not an easy feat for an author, but Cresswell convincingly re-creates Miss Bate's voice. I also appreciated the attention to detail in the portrayal of small-town life in Highbury; the changing of the seasons, the difficulties posed by a heavy snowfall and the seasonal nature of food in an era before refrigeration.
This is an enjoyable visit to Highbury which Jane Austen fans will certainly appreciate.

[Becca Dunlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma is one of my favourite books. I have not previously read any other books based on this well loved tale. However, having read some of Allie Cresswell’s work before I was confident that she would handle the prequel with care and authenticity and I have to say, I was not disappointed!

Mrs Bates of Highbury is set in that very same village 30 years prior to Jane Austen’s own Emma. It explores the point in Mrs Bates’ life with her daughters, where she is working through her grief following the sudden loss of her husband and allowing herself, tentatively, to look towards the future.

From the very beginning you are able to clearly hear both Austen’s classic voice and Cresswell’s new one in the text. You delicately step along a path that is so well known but with new adventures, relationships and mishaps.
It is something to treasure.
I eagerly look forward to the next two as this has been a delight.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely read, inspired by Jane Austen and it’s like being with old friends from Jane Austen’s Emma.
A romantic novel, set thirty years prior to Emma, in which we are introduced to a much younger, but still talkative Mrs Bates. This is the first of three novels by Allie Cresswell which will act as a prequel to Jane Austen’s Emma, and I look forward to reading them all.
I love the characters and how the relationships develop between both the young but widowed Miss Bates and Mr Woodhouse, who share their hypochondria, and the younger Jane, who is keen to escape Highbury and the dashing Lieutenant Weston.
A perfect romantic read, which fans of both Austen and Cresswell will enjoy.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale is a prequel to the Emma of Jane Austen. Thirty years prior to Emma this story begins with the death of the Rev Bates and tells the story of the new and oldinhabitants but mainly the Bates family.
A wonderful and enjoyable well-written story, with the characters being brought alive. You can definitely see the older Miss Bates and Mr Woodhouse in these younger drawn characters.
Highly recommend

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been many years since I read a Jane Austen book, and I vaguely remember Emma, but I had no problem enjoying this book. The author has created a wonderful setting, using the same style of writing of the period, and the story pulls you in right from the beginning.
Characters like the new vicar's snobbish wife add a humorous element to the tale, while the elegant narrative keeps you turning the pages. A wonderful story that I highly recommend to everyone!

[Craftyhj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written "Emma" prequel

The language, plot and style in this story are delightful and very polished. Mrs Bates is an essentially silent and almost invisible character in Austen's work and Allie Cresswell has done an excellent job of bringing her to life. Austen's Miss Hetty Bates is also sensitively handled in this prequel. Situations arise which help us to understand how she might have become the other pathetic creature we know from Austen. We have an explanation for the man George Knightley as we see his father portrayed as a charming and benevolent man.

[Sarah Messenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pleasant surprise. A wonderful story and the writing was outstanding. I have not read this author but she is amazing with words. You fell like you are right there and know the characters like friends. I will read the next book for sure.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a good job of making the reader like the characters.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a lot of Austenations. Some are good, some are bad; most are fun (even some of the bad ones). A very rare few are great — historically and socially accurate; true to Austen’s characters and voice, while still adding something new; and fun to read. This book is one of those rarities: a really great Austenation. I loved this book.

[Tahlia Fernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this book only I’m so far as I had to stop reading it. Once I finished Chapter 8, I was so done.
I had such high hopes for this book and was very excited when I started. When I saw that was writing in a style that was reminiscent of Austen’s time period, I was delighted.
That delight turned to disappointment when the characters were introduced. Hettie and Mr. Woodhouse are almost caricatures of the characters they are in “Emma”. Hettie, I might have been able to tolerate, but I truly wished that they had allowed Mr. Woodhouse to be less... well, *old*. He’s a hypochondriac and anxious, sure; let him be that. But I would have loved a more nuanced portrayal of him where his anxiety worsens with age and hits its pinnacle when his wife dies. I felt that just having Mr. Woodhouse just inexplicably be an “old” young man was lazy and unimaginative writing.
Jane and Frederick were decent characters, if a bit bland, in my opinion. However, if the author had focused more on developing them, I think I could have easily warmed up to them and enjoyed their story. And that may come later in the story. I hope that it does.
The biggest reason I stopped reading was Mrs. Bates. At first I liked her; she seemed level-headed and gave me feelings of a Marmee or a Mrs. Gardiner. Then came the dance at the Knightley’s and that weird romantic — interest? tension? — between the quite recently widowed Mrs. Bates and the elder Mr. Knightley. It just felt forced, sudden, and unnatural. The descriptions of the Mrs. Bates’ behavior/feelings made me think I was reading a book about hormonal teenagers. It just felt off.
Yes, I think that the attraction of Mr. Knightley the elder and Mrs. Bates could have been done well... but the book didn’t do this. His interest was normal and gentlemanly. But Mrs. Bates’ thoughts and reactions were weirdly intense and jealous, with very little build-up to get to that point. If we had been allowed to see their friendship more (since she was friends with his late wife), that would have been much more palatable. And when a character who was previously polite and (at least outwardly) calm shrilly interrupts a gentleman in a topic *she* introduced, it’s jarring. If it had been Hettie — a character already established to be excitable and erratic — who has done this, it would have been fine. But it threw me out of the story to have Mrs. Bates — who had been established as being very unlike Hettie— behave in such a manner.
The author seems to have missed the point of Austen’s books and seems to have mistaken them as purely romances. Austen wrote books that had romance, but the romance was secondary to character development. Austen’s books are full of clever humor and social commentary. This book has none of that.
If you like romances, you might like this book.
However, if you like character development and character consistency in your romance novels, I would not recommend this book.
I’m highly disappointed. I had hoped for so much more.

[Jéssica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read many of Jane Austen's books, but I have joined a book club and we are reading her books, so I have a lot to catch up. Nevertheless, when I read the blurb of this book, I was curious, since it's a spin-off and it's supposedly a prequel of Jane Austen's "Emma". That been said, it's the first book I'm reading written by Allie Cresswell.

I quite enjoyed the author's writing style, it way she wrote the story and the descriptions and language used, as well as the plot gave the book that classic feel to it. Then there is the connection with Jane Austen's book, that although I haven't read the book "Emma", I know about the story and I wonder about the peculiar aspects of the book that inspired this spin-off.

When we meet Mrs Bates in this book, we learn that she's a sensible and intelligent women, struggling with the change of dynamics in her life after her husband died. And with her two daughters, things get a turn in an interesting direction.

This story follows Mrs Bates life and every other character in the community described in this book and whose lives are intertwine in a, at times, hilarious ways that remind me of the fun thing about small town books, in this case it's more about the community that knows everything about everyone, rumors or truth. With that linked stories, I got the met some characters that I liked and really enjoyed reading about.

Since it was a small book, compared to others I have read, there was this quick and exciting pace to the book, as we go through the motions of the book the descriptions gave the book a vivid tone in my mind, I could imagine what was going on and I could see and almost listen to the characters in brilliant colors and sounds. And that was something that made me like the book even more, because I could feel like I was part of the community.

I do recommend this book to all the historical romance's lovers, and especially all the Jane Austen's fans.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Allie for the eCopy of this book and for allowing me to join in the fun and by being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book.]

[Kate A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think sometimes I forget that I’m not reading one of Austen’s books when it comes to a story like this one, it feels a bit like visiting old friends and I definitely get that same feeling that I got from the original.

I did wonder if it would maybe feel slightly limiting, that because this is a prequel and we know the outcome that there may not be a lot to work with but I was totally wrong. Allie Cresswell has managed to weave an interesting narrative that well reflects the original book but that can stand on its own merit and has its own charm.

What I loved about reading this one was how the author makes connections and possible pairings, even though you know how it all ends up eventually, it’s the fun of seeing the characters in a different light and having characters interact when you maybe wouldn’t have put them together.

Mr Woodhouse and Miss Bates are a great example of this when they first meet it is suggested that they could possibly be a match, but they end up essentially winding each other up into a tizzy on more than one occasion.

It’s also nice that it is based around a character who may be slightly overlooked, Hetty is well known in that she lets her mouth run away from her but in the original Mrs Bates is mostly silent, so it is nice to get a story for her and to see her personality and how she came to be in her position.

I absolutely have a soft spot for anything that takes me back into the world that Austen created, and I would wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful book to everyone.

Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs Bates of Highbury
By Allie Cresswell
4 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog

This was a really well written story. I love Jane Austin’s Emma, it was one of the first ‘classic’ books that I read when I was a teenager so when I read the blurb for this book I was really looking forward to reading it and I wasn’t disappointed. The author had a really good writing style, the story was engaging and her descriptive language was beautiful, I could imagine everything that I was reading. This is a standalone novel and even if you haven’t read Emma it won’t take anything away from this story. There are some really great characters in the story and I enjoyed reading about them. I definitely think this story would appeal to fans of classic romance, Jane Austin and also historical romance. The story takes place around 30 years before Emma and is set in the same village. I liked Mrs Bates; I thought that she was a great character, typical of that time period. I really felt for her at times as she tried to overcome the grief of losing her husband.
I haven’t read anything by this author previously but as I really enjoyed her writing style I would love to in the future.
A really lovely story that I absolutely recommend!

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for fans of Jane Austen!!!!

I am a huge fan of Jane Austen. She has always been one of my favorite writers ever since I read Pride and Prejudice by her when I was in high school. So, I’m pretty picky when I read an adaptation or sequel to any of her books, and Allie Cresswell would make Jane Austen VERY PROUD! She did an excellent job.



In a sense, this is an adaptation of Emma, but it’s not. It’s taking a character, Mrs. Bates who was an older woman at the time of the book by Austen, and showing readers who she was as a younger woman. It is also the tale of her daughters, Hettie and Jane, two complete opposites. It was written in the way that Austen wrote her books which I loved. I’m so glad Cresswell didn’t change that.



This promises to be a fantastic series. I can’t wait for the next installment. I can’t sing enough praises for Allie Cresswell! I read her book, Tall Chimneys, and I was under her spell. She is one of those rare writers who literally pull me heart, mind, and soul into whatever she is writing. Real life stops for me until I have read her very last word!!!!

[Phyllis Entis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovers of Jane Austen’s Emma will recognize the names of Mrs. Bates, Miss Bates, Mr. Woodhouse and the Knightley brothers (George and John). But, Austen gives readers little background to the history and early relationships of the characters who populate Emma’s world.

I first read Emma many years ago. After reading Mrs. Bates of Highbury, I decided to return to Emma. To my delight, my enjoyment of Austen’s classic work was greatly enhanced by Cresswell’s prequel, as I had a much better understanding of the motivations of the various characters.

Backstory matters, and Allie Cresswell has furnished a plausible backstory to Emma with skill and panache. In Mrs. Bates of Highbury, Cresswell accomplished what Austen chose not to tackle.

If you enjoy Jane Austen’s books and other works set in the era, do yourself a favor and read Mrs. Bates of Highbury.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

With familiar settings and familiar characters, reading Mrs Bates of Highbury is just like stepping into a Jane Austen novel and meeting with old friends, even though in this case they are in fact younger. Allie Cresswell has the style of writing pitch perfect and the plot was so like a Jane Austen novel. The manners and mannerisms of the characters were spot on. As in many Austen novels, there is a focus on social niceties and the difficulties for women particularly unmarried women with no income. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs Bates of Highbury and feel it is a very believable prequel to Emma. I really must reread Emma soon as it now seems like such a natural follow-on to this book, almost as if flowing from the pen of Jane Austen herself. Although there is going to be another book focusing on the other Miss Bates, Jane, so I'd perhaps better wait for that one first. If you are a fan of Jane Austen and wish she had written more in her short life, I'm sure you would enjoy meeting her characters again in this short but entertaining book.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly penned

I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest review.

Any fan of Jane Austen's will love this remarkable book. The author brings earlier years of Highbury to life. Highbury is the little town in which Emma was cast. One of my favorite characters, Hetty Bates, is shown in her younger years & beautifully done. Mrs. Bates, before her quiet personage in Emma, is a recent widow being troubled with thoughts & feelings unbecoming to a recent widow. Readers will enjoy Mr. Woodhouse's younger character too.

Highly recommended to all readers who enjoy good literature, humor, and Jane Austen.

[Perry B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very believeable and touching story

It started a bit slow as the main characters were introduced. Felt a bit like an info dump. If you had read Emma, much of this could could have been pared back. However, once past this I was very drawn into the the characters lives, especially dear Mrs Bates, her daughter Hetty and Mr Kightly. I think the author also did an excellent job portraying Mr Woodhouse and Mrs Winwood.
I feel that overall the reader, especially fans of Jane Austen, will be delighted. I only took of one star due to the aforementioned "info dump." Overall, a fine read, highly recommend.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel works either as a prequel to Austin's Emna or a stand alone novel. It is written in an Austin style with careful attention to detail. A knowledge of Emma serves as interesting but is by no means essential

Allie Cresswell has a wonderful attention to detail and develops these minor characters that appear in Emma in a thorough way. It is an interesting development of the Bates family and especially of Mrs Bates. I found it engaging and a fascinating read.

A must read whether you are Austin fan or not. Thank you to TBC Reviewer group for my copy of this novel

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this prequel. I think that Ms. Cresswell did a very good job of giving this book an Austenesque tone and flavor.
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Miss Bates, although I imagine that I would feel differently if I had to endure her company on a regular basis. Still, I really enjoyed her in this book, especially her interaction with Mr. Wood house.
The description of the social event at the rectory was vastly amusing!
I'm moving right on to book 2 of the trilogy, I'm anxious to find out how Miss Bates the younger fares!

[Becca McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun to visit beloved characters

Many of my favorite Austen characters get sure diligence in this novel set alongside Jane Austen's Emma. The author does an admirable job combining Austen's style with modern novel expectations to create a heartwarming story that respects the source material.