"Sanditon and Other Stories" by Jane Austen
Sanditon and Other Stories may be downloaded for free from our ebook catalog. In addition to the unfinished novel Sanditon, this ebook also includes The Watsons and some of Austen´s juvenilia such as Lady Susan, Frederic and Elfrida, Love and Freindship, Lesley Castle, The History of England, A Collection of Letters, and Scraps. The following post is by Nicola Scott who blogs regularly at Vintage Reads.
Jane Austen's juvenilia, unfinished work and extended pieces are just as enjoyable to read as the six great novels. My absolute favourite is Lady Susan but I'm fond of Sanditon, too, and its perceptive but quiet heroine, Charlotte Heywood.
Sanditon is full of references to Austen's own reading and contemporaries, Fanny Burney's Camilla, Walter Scott's Marmion and the poetry of William Cowper. It would be an interesting undertaking to read what Austen read. Sadly Sanditon was never finished but Austen's wit and humour is evident throughout:
"and the Miss Beaufort's were soon satisfied with the 'circle in which they moved in Sanditon' to use a proper phrase, for everybody must now 'move in a circle', to the prevalence of which rotatory motion, is perhaps to be attributed the giddiness and false steps of many."
Discussion
Reply to Nicola
Support Free Ebooks
Thanks for such wonderful book!
I just read Lady Susan. I loved the title character! I think a good actress could do wonders with this role in an adaptation. Since I've read all Austen's novels, it was nice to read something new. While short, this novella is satisfying--I think it could have been expanded into a full length novel if Austen had had the time and desire to do so. I'm curious about this new novel out, Lady Vernon and Her Daughter--I may have to check that out.
Only slightly unsatisfying was the end, which seemed wrapped up all too nicely in the final chapter. SPOILER: It wasn't quite believable to me--after reading the whole story that is basically centered on Lady Susan making endless trouble for everyone--that she would give in and marry Sir James herself. Reginald I found to be very sweet but pretty spineless considering he was completely taken in by Lady Susan for the majority of the book.
Laura, I knew you would like Lady Susan! I think this novella portrays Austen's talent for writing a mature heroine. I couldn't believe the way she treated her poor daughter, Frederica. It is strange that with all the media attention on Austen, I've never seen an adaption of Lady Susan.
Well, for the first time.....I didn't really like Jane Austen's main character. Lady Susan is pretty ghastly! Gorgeous, selfish, and most importantly, a horrid mother. BUT, that being said, I couldn't stop reading it.......Even an early work written in letter format when Jane was very, very young, far exceeds any of the Austen would be writers of today. This was a novel that I didn't particularly like... and yet, Lady Susan was indeed a three dimensional character. Jane's ability to bring flesh and blood to a pen and ink figure is unsurpassable. Lady S made me gasp at her callousness, and her lack of caring for her daughter was detestable! However, despite behavior that was abominable, there was something quite wonderful about her too. I can only imagine that brought to the screen she would be quite the temptress....a sort of Scarlet Ohara if you will....bent on her survival at all costs no matter who she hurts! In fact, I wonder if Margaret Mitchell read this novella and was inspired to create Scarlett. Hmmm another mystery. The two women are like symbiotic sisters. How very sad that Vivian Leigh is long dead as SHE would have been the perfect Lady Susan.