Jane Austen wrote some of the most enduringly popular novels in the English Language. In the 21st century, nearly 200 years after her death, some of her books are consistently among the “best sellers” and are published in very many languages, so that they are available to readers all over the world.
We know something about Jane’s life from her letters, the marvellous biographies and perhaps in general terms from the novels themselves. How though are we to find out more? However good the biographies are, these can only use the few facts known to us. The endless commentaries and film adaptations bring her work to a wider audience, but how much do they tell us about Jane herself?
For Jane Austen, there was no closer relationship than that with her elder sister, Cassandra. Once I started to research Cassandra’s life, it quickly became clear that most of what we know comes solely through her connection with her famous younger sister. Almost nothing is known about Cassandra herself. Initially, I dismissed the idea of writing a fictional account through Cassandra’s eyes, as that would mean devising words to put into the mouths of both Cassandra and Jane. But, as I started to imagine possible conversations between the sisters and to consider, for example, the type of discussion which might have taken place after Jane first accepted and then refused an offer of marriage, I began to feel that I could offer an interesting and perhaps illuminating, account of what might have been said. Only Cassandra could tell us some of the answers.
“Cassandra and Jane” is a fictional account of what might have been, and is intended to be a homage to Jane and the sister whom she loved more than any other person. Some of the conversations I have suggested could have taken place, may indeed have happened; others may not have done. I hope those who read this ‘fictional memoire’ will accept that the book is offered with respect and admiration to the memory of these two remarkable women.

Jill Pitkeathley was born in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and gained a degree at Bristol University. She began her career in Manchester in social work, and then combined part-time employment with bringing up her two children, and producing publications for the Kings Fund and the Volunteer Centre.

In 1986 she became Chief Executive of the Carers National Association (now Carers UK). There, she transformed the public perception of the six million people who care for others in our society.

Jill Pitkeathley became a Life Peer in 1997. She has twice recovered from cancer, most recently in 2001 when she spent 6 months in hospital. A long-standing enthusiast for the works of Jane Austen, she resolved at that time, if and when she recovered from her illness, to write a book about the novelist. “Cassandra & Jane” is the result.

Baroness Pitkeathley now enjoys good health, and combines her role as a working peer with being the Chair of the New Opportunities Fund, which distributes the largest Lottery fund, and of the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS).

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