Miss Abigail's Part: Or Version and Diversion

L.J. Rouse was a freelance writer in Toronto.

Jane Austen’s Mansfield Parkwas a vision of life comfortably lived “above stairs” — sure of one’s next meal, waited on hand and foot, warmly secure inone’s social position.

In this version of the same time and place, but viewed from a far livelier perspective, the new lady’s maid, Jane Haetwell, newly arrived at Mansfield Park, describes the underside of that pleasant, protected life.

Jane has the misfortune to displease Mrs. Norris (largely by being far too physically attractive) and to attract the unwelcome attentions of the son of the house, Tom Bertram, who is unaccustomed to having his advances rejected by female servants.

Beset on all sides, Jane is finally obliged to flee the household, into a dangerous and dirty other world. Luckier than most young women in her situation, she makes a place for herself on the London Stage, becoming renowned as “Miss Abigail” the nickname commonly given a domestic servant, in recognition of her past.

Cleverly written in a style Jane Austen herself might have admired (although she would no doubt have been quite appalled at some of the content), this novel is the product of a splendid combination of talent and meticulous research.