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Lady Susan

Jane Austen

Start date: November 1, 2016

Finish date: November 30, 2016

Discussion: Short Story/Novella Collection

Why we're reading this: Short Story Read-November 2016
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Short Story/Novella Collection

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What Members Thought

Oct 31, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it liked it

Shelves: vic-lit

This book was less romantic than I expected -- which is probably a good thing. It is also more clever and bold, which is definitely a good thing. Still I was mostly bored by the story and the writing and though I finished it two weeks ago nothing about it has lingered in my mind. I have mostly forgotten the characters and the story. I would probably give it two stars if it weren't for the fact that it is written by one of the most beloved authors, which fact has me questioning my own taste level ...more

14 likes · Like · see review

Dec 27, 2012 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: british-literature, fiction-19th-century, e-books, mtbr-challenge-2013, gutenberg, novellas, read-2018, book-and-movie, read-2013, georgian

This novella, written by Jane Austen, is in the form of letters exchanged between the main characters. A quite different style of this British author but really enjoyable.

Free download available at Project Gutenberg

The audio version is available at Project Gutenberg

Lady Susan Vernon arrives at her brother-in-law's residence Churchill with a matchmaking plan for her daughter, having left a trail of confusion behind her at her last residence, Manwaring. While young Reginald de Courcey is charmed ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2017 Michele rated it really liked it

Much like a lighter version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (i.e., no one dies). Too bad Austen never finished it, I would love to know what Lady Susan got up to, not to mention the back-story of her and Mrs. Johnson. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2011 Pam rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, classics, 5-star-favorites, uk-book

Lovely little novella written in letters. Said to be written around 1805 but not published until 1871 as part of James Edward Austen-Leigh's memoirs. It is easy to spot the genius in her writing, and how, in a few short pages, Miss Austen thoroughly creates characters that leap from the page. A fascinating gem of a book.

Lady Susan Vernon is not exactly an exemplary model for a mother or a widow in Jane Austen's time period. She is a flirt, she is a woman of low morals, she is vain, self-serving ...more

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Mar 03, 2023 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, epistolary

A really enjoyable epistolary novel that is unlike any other by Austen.

Lady Susan is so horrible with her intrigues and utter selfishness. She may be the Scarlett O'Hara of Austen's canon.

Quotes:
It is undoubtedly better to deceive him entirely; since he will be stubborn, he must be tricked.

... where there is a disposition to dislike, a motive will never be wanting...

What could I do! Facts are such horrid things!!! ...more

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Jun 14, 2013 Emily rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this one as much as some of Austen's better known novels and her villain is certainly one of the most evil of any of her books. A quick read, but a good one. ...more

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