Everybody believes that Charlotte Lucas has no prospects. She is unmarried, plain,poor and reaching a dangerous age. When she stuns the neighbourhood byaccepting the proposal of buffoonish clergyman Mr Collins, her best friend LizzyBennet is appalled by her decision. Yet this is the only way Charlotte knows how toprovide for her future. Her married life will propel her into a new world: not only ofduty and longed-for children, but secrets, grief, unexpected love and friendship, anda kind of freedom.

Jane Austen cared deeply about the constraints on women in Regency England. Thispowerful reimagining takes up where Austen left off in Pride and Prejudice, showingus a woman determined to carve a place for herself in the world. Charlotte offers afresh, feminist addition to the post-Austen canon, beautifully imagined, andbrimming with passion and intelligence.