This volume presents three of Jane Austen's smaller works, treating readers to the author's timeless observations on life and love in nineteenth-century England. In Lady Susan, a beautiful and flirtatious widow seeks an advantageous second marriage for herself while attempting to push her daughter into a dismal match. Through a series of crafty maneuvers, Susan pursues her schemes by filling her calendar with invitations for extended visits with unsuspecting relatives and acquaintances. Characters are revealed and suspense builds as the plot unfolds through a series of letters. The beloved author also left behind two tantalizing unfinished novels. The Watsons takes place in a familiar domestic milieu, in which a spirited heroine finds her marriage opportunities narrowed by poverty and pride. Sanditon ventures into new territory amid hypochondriacs and speculators at a seaside resort. More than literary curiosities, these stories are worthy of reading for pleasure as well as for study.
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist born in 1775 in Hampshire, England. She is best known for her novels which explore the lives and manners of the English gentry in the early 19th century. Austen's most notable works include "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Emma." Her writing style is characterized by wit, social commentary, and keen observation of human nature. Austen's works have had a lasting impact on the literary genre of the novel, particularly in the development of the comedy of manners. Her most famous work, "Pride and Prejudice," is considered a classic of English literature and continues to be widely read and studied today. Austen's contributions to literature include her insightful portrayal of characters and relationships, her exploration of the role of women in society, and her enduring appeal to readers of all ages.