Jane and Cassandra Austen were the closest of sisters from early childhood. Cassandra was the most important person in Jane’s life; Jane looked up to and adored her older sister, who was devoted to her in return. As well as sharing the same education, interests, friends and Christian faith, the inseparable sisters supported each other through various emotional crises and family troubles. Most importantly, Cassandra, who was privy to Jane’s imaginary world, supported and encouraged her in her writing.

The Austen Girls explores the lives of the Austen sisters and traces their relationship throughout Jane’s life and literary career, until Jane’s premature death at the age of forty-one. It also looks at Cassandra’s life after the loss of her sister.

‘I Jane Austen of the Parish of Chawton do … give and bequeath to my dearest Sister Cassandra Elizabeth every thing of which I may die possessed, or which may be hereafter due to me… I appoint my said dear Sister the Executrix of this my last Will & Testament.’ Jane Austen, 27 April 1817.

The bequest included the manuscripts of Jane’s unpublished and unfinished novels.

• First book to comprehensively investigate the life of Jane Austen’s

  sister, Cassandra, their relationship and Cassandra’s influence on Jane’s novels.

• Author’s last book was the beautifully produced ‘Jane Austen’s England’,

  also published by Amberley.

• The

  perfect book for the Jane Austen Centre (Bath), Jane Austen's House, Chawton (Hampshire) gift shops in the village of

  Steventon (nr Basingstoke), Lyme Hall, National Trust (used to represent

  Pemberley House in the most watched BBC TV adaptation of Pride & Prejudice) and Winchester Cathedral, where Jane Austen

  is buried.

• Annual 10-day-long Jane

  Austen Festival in Bath every September, 5000 fans attend 80 plus events.