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Lady Susan
Lady Susan is the only full novel written by Jane Austen that was not published in her lifetime. Composed in the epistolary form that was popular at the time, the novel is a series of letters primarily between Lady Susan, Mrs Vernon, Mrs Vernon's mother (Lady de Courcy), Lady Susan and Mrs Johnson. The central character is remarkable in Austenian terms as she has nearly no redeeming features. A gorgeous, clever and witty woman, Lady Susan uses her talents for thoroughly selfish ends as she scrupulously scours society searching for "appropriate" husbands for herself and for her daughter.
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First published January 1, 1871
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About the author
Jane Austen
3,897 books74.4k followersJane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are an implicit critique of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her deft use of social commentary, realism and biting irony have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.
The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.
The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,151 reviews
April 20, 2018
Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere.
O Lady Susan Vernon, what a juicy jewel of a villainous character you are, a black diamond, repelling and fascinating at the same time, your wicked charm inspiring possibly an uncanny form of envy more than simple revulsion. Deceiving everyone with your angelic face and pleasingly mild manners of hypocrite virtue, your honeyed smile covers up a cold-hearted, calculating, selfish nature – and how cunningly sophisticated and feisty you are in comparison with those limp noodles of ‘contemptibly weak’ men who are so unlucky and naïve to get entangled in your scheming, just playthings and pawns in your frivolous and cruel games. Speaking your mind, confiding your real thoughts, motives and stratagems in the letters to your equally evil friend Mrs. Johnson, you drop the mask of amiable countenance, showing the hideous face of the ruthless, manipulative and coquettish seductress more ordinary women furtively fear or believe to be hidden behind an all too pretty face, an overkill of charm and overly refined manners – a treacherous face they’d be happy to expose, as your sister-in-law relentlessly expounds in her letters to her mother.
However it might appear slightly preposterous in our present day context, and aside from your exasperating and vicious character, Janus-faced, unadulterated malignancy, lies, indulgence in power and dominance, abhorrent mistreatment of your poor daughter Frederica, your rather disgracefully merry recent widowhood (grief-stricken? not you) - isn’t your behaviour simply rational and comprehensible in the world of Jane Austen, an attempt to basically have a normal household again, regain status, avoid and overcome penury and ill reputation – after all, for women in your position, a sensible way of dealing with the ordeals of widowhood if not amongst the lucky ones to whom it brought wealth or even power? A la guerre comme à la guerre! What was to be expected for you as such a widow in the male-dominated society in that time and class? What was to be done? Did you truly have other alternatives than go on the hunt for a rich second spouse and foisting yourself upon the household of your late husband’s brother as an operating base to improve your circumstances, left behind with no home, no money, and nothing useful to do?
I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices of others; of resigning my own judgment in deference to those to whom I owe no duty, and for whom I feel no respect.
In such a patriarchal world there is no convenient place for an unattached woman, regardless of her eventual valiant intelligence and shrewd machinations, and specifically not if ‘dangerously endowed with experience and independence’ and potentially unchaste like a widow, a figure to be feared and guarded against, knowing the game all too well. But she doesn’t set the rules of the game. And young Jane Austen – estimated to have written this delicious epistolary novella between 1793-94, not yet twenty years old - didn’t seem keen on endangering or shocking society by letting her amoral widow bask in her redeemed liberty and independence for long.
Where there is a disposition to dislike, a motive will never be wanting.
O Lady Susan Vernon, what a juicy jewel of a villainous character you are, a black diamond, repelling and fascinating at the same time, your wicked charm inspiring possibly an uncanny form of envy more than simple revulsion. Deceiving everyone with your angelic face and pleasingly mild manners of hypocrite virtue, your honeyed smile covers up a cold-hearted, calculating, selfish nature – and how cunningly sophisticated and feisty you are in comparison with those limp noodles of ‘contemptibly weak’ men who are so unlucky and naïve to get entangled in your scheming, just playthings and pawns in your frivolous and cruel games. Speaking your mind, confiding your real thoughts, motives and stratagems in the letters to your equally evil friend Mrs. Johnson, you drop the mask of amiable countenance, showing the hideous face of the ruthless, manipulative and coquettish seductress more ordinary women furtively fear or believe to be hidden behind an all too pretty face, an overkill of charm and overly refined manners – a treacherous face they’d be happy to expose, as your sister-in-law relentlessly expounds in her letters to her mother.
However it might appear slightly preposterous in our present day context, and aside from your exasperating and vicious character, Janus-faced, unadulterated malignancy, lies, indulgence in power and dominance, abhorrent mistreatment of your poor daughter Frederica, your rather disgracefully merry recent widowhood (grief-stricken? not you) - isn’t your behaviour simply rational and comprehensible in the world of Jane Austen, an attempt to basically have a normal household again, regain status, avoid and overcome penury and ill reputation – after all, for women in your position, a sensible way of dealing with the ordeals of widowhood if not amongst the lucky ones to whom it brought wealth or even power? A la guerre comme à la guerre! What was to be expected for you as such a widow in the male-dominated society in that time and class? What was to be done? Did you truly have other alternatives than go on the hunt for a rich second spouse and foisting yourself upon the household of your late husband’s brother as an operating base to improve your circumstances, left behind with no home, no money, and nothing useful to do?
I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices of others; of resigning my own judgment in deference to those to whom I owe no duty, and for whom I feel no respect.
In such a patriarchal world there is no convenient place for an unattached woman, regardless of her eventual valiant intelligence and shrewd machinations, and specifically not if ‘dangerously endowed with experience and independence’ and potentially unchaste like a widow, a figure to be feared and guarded against, knowing the game all too well. But she doesn’t set the rules of the game. And young Jane Austen – estimated to have written this delicious epistolary novella between 1793-94, not yet twenty years old - didn’t seem keen on endangering or shocking society by letting her amoral widow bask in her redeemed liberty and independence for long.
Where there is a disposition to dislike, a motive will never be wanting.
January 14, 2016
This is a very clever book indeed. Quite different from the rest of Austen's oeuvre, it is not the sort of book that you can imagine a teenager might be able to write. To conceive the character of a woman of 35ish and her use of sexual attraction and seduction for a 19 year old, as Jane was when she finished this, shows remarkable powers of observation and deduction. How much harder in the more sheltered world of the 18thC than the tell-all media-driven world of now?
Unlike all Austen's other books, this is in no way a comedy of manners, this is a single-minded depiction of the manipulative and rapacious Lady Susan.
Lady Susan is a beautiful and very charming widow whose greatest delight in life is to trump it over all other women, to lure their men, their husbands and suitors, no matter what age into her sphere. As a widow she needn't stop at flirtation and promises of future, married delight and she doesn't. The book talks of a married man staying the night with her. She is a scandal wherever she invites herself, but the men cannot resist her.
She has two main aims, one is to get her milk-and-water daughter whom she has no feelings for married to as wealthy a man as possible in as short a time as can be managed. Her other aim is to marry money herself.
This plot is quite secondary to the absolutely brilliant drawing-out of her character via letters. Jane's marvellous technique of an epistolary novel each letter detailing the writer's perception and judgement of Lady Susan is among the best writing of any of her novels. The moral issues she brings out are tailored to the character of the letter writer - some admire and encourage her, some do so falsely because she brings interest to their boring country lives and some thoroughly disapprove of her and try to protect the daughter who cannot stand up to her cold and dismissively cruel mother.
But where it is let down and probably why it wasn't submitted for publication until more than 50 years after Jane Austen's death is that the ending is abrupt and quite badly-written. It is as though Jane knew that she had to punish Lady Susan for her adultery but could not quite find the right device in which to bring it to that conclusion, so the end is a summary of what happens and is very, very disappointing.
This was, like most of Austen's books, a solid 5 star read, but for the ending. So 4 stars.
Unlike all Austen's other books, this is in no way a comedy of manners, this is a single-minded depiction of the manipulative and rapacious Lady Susan.
Lady Susan is a beautiful and very charming widow whose greatest delight in life is to trump it over all other women, to lure their men, their husbands and suitors, no matter what age into her sphere. As a widow she needn't stop at flirtation and promises of future, married delight and she doesn't. The book talks of a married man staying the night with her. She is a scandal wherever she invites herself, but the men cannot resist her.
She has two main aims, one is to get her milk-and-water daughter whom she has no feelings for married to as wealthy a man as possible in as short a time as can be managed. Her other aim is to marry money herself.
This plot is quite secondary to the absolutely brilliant drawing-out of her character via letters. Jane's marvellous technique of an epistolary novel each letter detailing the writer's perception and judgement of Lady Susan is among the best writing of any of her novels. The moral issues she brings out are tailored to the character of the letter writer - some admire and encourage her, some do so falsely because she brings interest to their boring country lives and some thoroughly disapprove of her and try to protect the daughter who cannot stand up to her cold and dismissively cruel mother.
But where it is let down and probably why it wasn't submitted for publication until more than 50 years after Jane Austen's death is that the ending is abrupt and quite badly-written. It is as though Jane knew that she had to punish Lady Susan for her adultery but could not quite find the right device in which to bring it to that conclusion, so the end is a summary of what happens and is very, very disappointing.
This was, like most of Austen's books, a solid 5 star read, but for the ending. So 4 stars.
March 6, 2022
"This eclaircissement is rather provoking."
Well...I guess only Austen could write something like this and getaway with a good rating. But it's not bad by any means. It seems, the author has had enough of principled characters, and decided to create kind of a super-villain with this one. And had done it really well.
"Where pride and stupidity unite there can be no dissimulation worthy notice."
This book defers from every other Austen book. It's short, and has an odd style of writing which uses letters sent by different characters, making each of them a POV, and the unforgiving protagonist doesn't redeem herself, even at the end. With all her machinations, manipulations and flirtations, cleverly hidden by her beauty and superficial manners, Susan Vernon is a leading contender for the most hypocritical character out of all her books.
"Grace and manner, after all, are of the greatest importance."
Austen's writing always make up for any other short-comings one might notice, a quality that doesn't faulter, even in this odd one out. Reading one of her books is always a treat. However, I think this is the first time I'm not really happy with one her endings. It came a little too quickly in my opinion, like she was in a hurry to get it over with. Other than that, I enjoyed reading Lady Susan.
"Young men are often hasty in their resolutions, and not more sudden in forming than unsteady in keeping them."
You should not expect this book to bear comparison with the rest of her work. This is a very quick, and easy read, without a complex plot line. But like I said before, she has a way with portraying characters that feels quite realistic, and entertaining at the same time, which makes reading any of her books a wonderful experience. I was going back and forth, as to whether or not I should read this one for a while now... I'm glad I did so. Rounding off what felt like 3.5-stars to 4.
Well...I guess only Austen could write something like this and getaway with a good rating. But it's not bad by any means. It seems, the author has had enough of principled characters, and decided to create kind of a super-villain with this one. And had done it really well.
"Where pride and stupidity unite there can be no dissimulation worthy notice."
This book defers from every other Austen book. It's short, and has an odd style of writing which uses letters sent by different characters, making each of them a POV, and the unforgiving protagonist doesn't redeem herself, even at the end. With all her machinations, manipulations and flirtations, cleverly hidden by her beauty and superficial manners, Susan Vernon is a leading contender for the most hypocritical character out of all her books.
"Grace and manner, after all, are of the greatest importance."
Austen's writing always make up for any other short-comings one might notice, a quality that doesn't faulter, even in this odd one out. Reading one of her books is always a treat. However, I think this is the first time I'm not really happy with one her endings. It came a little too quickly in my opinion, like she was in a hurry to get it over with. Other than that, I enjoyed reading Lady Susan.
"Young men are often hasty in their resolutions, and not more sudden in forming than unsteady in keeping them."
You should not expect this book to bear comparison with the rest of her work. This is a very quick, and easy read, without a complex plot line. But like I said before, she has a way with portraying characters that feels quite realistic, and entertaining at the same time, which makes reading any of her books a wonderful experience. I was going back and forth, as to whether or not I should read this one for a while now... I'm glad I did so. Rounding off what felt like 3.5-stars to 4.
"Where there is a disposition to dislike, a motive will never be wanting."
October 17, 2025
Lady Susan Vernon 35, but looks much younger is exceedingly pretty , gentle with great manners , well spoken, intelligent the perfect woman until you know her... newly widowed from a kind man Mr. Vernon, ( no first name is given) he had foolishly let her spend all his money... a daughter 16, Frederica almost as beautiful as she, who the Lady ignores , hates and torments, a bothersome thing. The notorious flirt, has chased men both married and single throughout England, (her late husband looked the other way, to avoid scandal) and continues a few months after his death, angering jealous wives, Lady Manwaring the latest, the gullible victim Mr. Manwaring , set around the turn of the 19th century ...With little money Lady Susan accepts Charles Vernon's, her late husband's brother, invitation to stay a while in his home with the family, wife Catherine and children the Vernon's are noted for their generosity. Lady Susan turns on the charm which no man can resist, but it's different with women they can see through the outrageous lies, Catherine Vernon grows to dislike her intensely and feels sorry for her distressed niece, Frederica, the daughter has been deposited in a cheap boarding school. Susan is always plotting in this epistolary novella, everyone's writing letters to their confidants, friend or relative, revealing their true feelings in a polite society it is the only way. Catherine to her mother Lady De Courcy, still signing them Cath. Vernon, propriety must be kept. Her brother Reginald, needs to see the coquette it would be fun he thinks but at 23, he is out of his league, the visit is disastrous, falling in love with the older attractive woman, that his family doesn't approve and the sister is powerless to stop, Catherine knows no brother would listen to a sister's warning, in regards to romance . The unexpected arrival of Sir James Martin, uninvited to the Vernon's house is quite a bit awkward, the silly , immature, unintelligent young man wants to marry either Susan or the shy daughter Frederica but he has plenty of money. Lady Susan has written close friend Mrs. Alicia Johnson, the desire to marry off the daughter to this tiresome gentleman, her machinations must succeed or at last resort, the rather unthinkable marry him herself, she desperately needs the cash. Colossal Trouble with a capital T, follows Susan, she goes to London to get Frederica the nervous daughter... so distraught, she flees her school but was caught, not desiring to be forced to marry Sir James the undesirable, later both left Charles Vernon's mansion, soon afterwards to live in a small apartment in London, Susan is waiting to elope with Reginald who at this time is visiting his concerned parents, and the terrified Frederica, James... Then the lovesick Mr. Manwaring appears and the utterly heartbroken, anxious Lady Manwaring , also...the always unperturbed, beautiful, resilient Lady Susan will need all her enormous talents to persevere...The much too short novella, has one of the best female villains in the history of literature ... A final thought, this is my last Jane Austen novel she only wrote seven, if you count Lady Susan and I read , each captivating one a very talented lady and I can't think of another more appropriate word for her, thank you for the entertainment but even further, the enchantment.
August 2, 2018
I read the book then watch the movie for BookTubeAThon 2018 and I have to say... they have some differences and the movie might be a bit better. It's so silly and funny and can't recommend it enough!
September 12, 2025
I had to look up what an epistolary novel was.
Embarrassing, I know.
Swear to god, my first thought was, isn't that what they did to me when kid #1 was born? Then, no. wait. that was an episiotomy. Bless.
Alright, since I know I can't possibly be the only person in the world who didn't know the definition, I'm going to save the rest of you the 10 seconds it takes to Google it.
All it means is that this story is told through letters that were written back and forth between the characters.
I thought that might suck.
And yet, it did not suck.
What is the point of this story, you ask?
For me it was this:
Lady Susan is proof that men have always loved a bitch.
They are, in general, also quite easily duped by a beautiful woman.
And obviously vice versa, but we're not talking about stupid women today, are we? Go sit down.
I have to admit that while I thought she was a deplorable mother, and being a serial husband-snatcher isn't the way to go about making new friends, her devil-may-care attitude toward society was (for me) quite hilarious. She was awful. But I think you almost had to be awful if you were going to have any fun back in the day.
And boy, did she manage to have some fun.
Lady Susan Vernon isn't necessarily the character you're rooting for, but she is the main character. And that is important, ladies.
Because I think most women need to learn to how to turn on their inner Lady Susan every now and then to get what they want.
Recommended.
Embarrassing, I know.
Swear to god, my first thought was, isn't that what they did to me when kid #1 was born? Then, no. wait. that was an episiotomy. Bless.
Alright, since I know I can't possibly be the only person in the world who didn't know the definition, I'm going to save the rest of you the 10 seconds it takes to Google it.
All it means is that this story is told through letters that were written back and forth between the characters.
I thought that might suck.
And yet, it did not suck.
What is the point of this story, you ask?
For me it was this:
Lady Susan is proof that men have always loved a bitch.
They are, in general, also quite easily duped by a beautiful woman.
And obviously vice versa, but we're not talking about stupid women today, are we? Go sit down.
I have to admit that while I thought she was a deplorable mother, and being a serial husband-snatcher isn't the way to go about making new friends, her devil-may-care attitude toward society was (for me) quite hilarious. She was awful. But I think you almost had to be awful if you were going to have any fun back in the day.
And boy, did she manage to have some fun.
Lady Susan Vernon isn't necessarily the character you're rooting for, but she is the main character. And that is important, ladies.
Because I think most women need to learn to how to turn on their inner Lady Susan every now and then to get what they want.
Recommended.
January 25, 2023
“What could I do! Facts are such horrid things!!!”
One of Lady Susan Vernon’s many eye opening and indecent phrases in this scandalous little book. A woman who would make many women flinch and men recoil, for the audacious and brazen way that Lady Susan declares her intentions and goes about seducing the man she intends to marry now that she is a widow. This story is set in a very rigid and conservative society, where women had their ‘place’ which makes this ‘conquest’ all the more exciting because the hunted becomes the hunter and makes no apologies for it.
Her antics were shameless, her methods devious, her attitude selfish, and plans bodacious which made her such a 'deliciously corrupt character' and brilliant in this story.
The Plot
Lady Susan is a beautiful and charming woman who has been left a widow at the age of 35 with a 16-year-old daughter, Frederica. A woman who possesses many other talents too which she puts to ‘good’ use in securing herself a gentleman husband. And her sights have been set on her sister-in-law’s brother Reginald, who is quickly bewitched by her charms, flirtatious ways and coquettish behaviours.
As well as beautiful, witty, and high spirited, Lady Susan is also conniving, self centred and a moral delinquent whose seductive machinations have drawn the interest of men who are disarmed by her, but also the attention of the women who ridicule her.
Written in letter form, the true intentions of the manipulative widow are unapologetically and unashamedly laid bare. So much so that the reader has no work to do but sit back and savour the mischievous exploits and cunning handiwork of a seductress at work.
Review and Comments
It is true that these types of stories amuse me to no end. Here we have the beautiful stylish and charming woman who exudes class, wealth, and sophistication, but the person on the inside is devious, immoral, and audacious which should be detestable. However, in a society that places so much emphasis on outward appearances, respectability and formality, these characters are all the more fascinating for me, because they are huge contradictions of themselves.
Wickedly scheming and manipulative – and so I was hooked.
Shockingly ambitious and improper – I just love it.
Disgracefully ignoble and disreputable - oh give me more.
I loved that Jane Austen created this book character and was incredibly mature to write such a story at a young age. However, to appeal to the moralists, it was said the young Jane Austen could not afford to let her heroine succeed with such an audacious plan for fear of upsetting its illiberal and myopic readers of the times. Forgivable for succumbing to culture pressures because the 19-year-old Jane Austen goes on to write Pride and Prejudice, and others, which really does challenge the delicate and conciliatory role of women.
Nevertheless, this was a very worthy and elegantly written story about a fascinating and intriguing book character. One I’d rather not know but one I am happy to indulge because Lady Susan is wickedly immoral, energetic, enterprising, and cunning, and so added much spice and drama to this story.
One of Lady Susan Vernon’s many eye opening and indecent phrases in this scandalous little book. A woman who would make many women flinch and men recoil, for the audacious and brazen way that Lady Susan declares her intentions and goes about seducing the man she intends to marry now that she is a widow. This story is set in a very rigid and conservative society, where women had their ‘place’ which makes this ‘conquest’ all the more exciting because the hunted becomes the hunter and makes no apologies for it.
Her antics were shameless, her methods devious, her attitude selfish, and plans bodacious which made her such a 'deliciously corrupt character' and brilliant in this story.
The Plot
Lady Susan is a beautiful and charming woman who has been left a widow at the age of 35 with a 16-year-old daughter, Frederica. A woman who possesses many other talents too which she puts to ‘good’ use in securing herself a gentleman husband. And her sights have been set on her sister-in-law’s brother Reginald, who is quickly bewitched by her charms, flirtatious ways and coquettish behaviours.
As well as beautiful, witty, and high spirited, Lady Susan is also conniving, self centred and a moral delinquent whose seductive machinations have drawn the interest of men who are disarmed by her, but also the attention of the women who ridicule her.
Written in letter form, the true intentions of the manipulative widow are unapologetically and unashamedly laid bare. So much so that the reader has no work to do but sit back and savour the mischievous exploits and cunning handiwork of a seductress at work.
Review and Comments
It is true that these types of stories amuse me to no end. Here we have the beautiful stylish and charming woman who exudes class, wealth, and sophistication, but the person on the inside is devious, immoral, and audacious which should be detestable. However, in a society that places so much emphasis on outward appearances, respectability and formality, these characters are all the more fascinating for me, because they are huge contradictions of themselves.
Wickedly scheming and manipulative – and so I was hooked.
Shockingly ambitious and improper – I just love it.
Disgracefully ignoble and disreputable - oh give me more.
I loved that Jane Austen created this book character and was incredibly mature to write such a story at a young age. However, to appeal to the moralists, it was said the young Jane Austen could not afford to let her heroine succeed with such an audacious plan for fear of upsetting its illiberal and myopic readers of the times. Forgivable for succumbing to culture pressures because the 19-year-old Jane Austen goes on to write Pride and Prejudice, and others, which really does challenge the delicate and conciliatory role of women.
Nevertheless, this was a very worthy and elegantly written story about a fascinating and intriguing book character. One I’d rather not know but one I am happy to indulge because Lady Susan is wickedly immoral, energetic, enterprising, and cunning, and so added much spice and drama to this story.
October 8, 2020
*3.5 stars *
Lady Susan is recently widowed - she’s an attractive woman, who uses that gift to its full advantage, especially when it comes to luring unsuspecting men!
A novel told entirely in the form of letters, Lady Susan is an outrageous character - a mean, two faced schemer and gold digger, with a complete lack of moral compass, but of course, she makes for such an interesting character. A rather abrupt ending, but it’s an entertaining read, peppered with some amusing dialogue.
Lady Susan is recently widowed - she’s an attractive woman, who uses that gift to its full advantage, especially when it comes to luring unsuspecting men!
A novel told entirely in the form of letters, Lady Susan is an outrageous character - a mean, two faced schemer and gold digger, with a complete lack of moral compass, but of course, she makes for such an interesting character. A rather abrupt ending, but it’s an entertaining read, peppered with some amusing dialogue.
October 4, 2022
Why has no one ever told me that this is Jane Austen's BEST BOOK? This was utterly delightful... and petty, and scathing. And overall jaw-dropping. Who knew 19-year-old Jane was this saucy and hilarious? Turns out Jane really was that bitch. I am in shock, honey.
Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel by Jane Austen, possibly written in 1794 but not published until 1871, since Austen never submitted it for publication.
Catherine's brother Reginald arrives a week later, and despite Catherine's strong warnings about Lady Susan's character, soon falls under her spell. Lady Susan toys with the younger man's affections for her own amusement and later because she perceives it makes her sister-in-law uneasy. Her confidante, Mrs. Johnson, to whom she writes frequently, recommends she marry the very eligible Reginald, but Lady Susan considers him to be greatly inferior to Manwaring.
Frederica, Lady Susan's 16-year-old daughter, tries to run away from school when she learns of her mother's plan to marry her off to a wealthy but insipid young man she loathes. She also becomes a guest at Churchill. Catherine comes to like her—her character is totally unlike her mother's—and as time goes by, detects Frederica's growing attachment to the oblivious Reginald.
Later, Sir James Martin, Frederica's unwanted suitor, shows up uninvited, much to her distress and her mother's vexation. When Frederica begs Reginald for support out of desperation (having been forbidden by Lady Susan to turn to Charles and Catherine), this causes a temporary breach between Reginald and Lady Susan, but the latter soon repairs the rupture.
Lady Susan decides to return to London and marry her daughter off to Sir James. Reginald follows, still bewitched by her charms and intent on marrying her, but he encounters Mrs. Manwaring at the home of Mr. Johnson and finally learns Lady Susan's true character. Lady Susan ends up marrying Sir James herself, and allows Frederica to reside with Charles and Catherine at Churchill, where Reginald De Courcy "could be talked, flattered, and finessed into an affection for her."
Lady Susan is one of her own, a unique character with few parallels in 19th-century literature. She is a selfish, unscrupulous and scheming woman, highly attractive to men. She is perfectly unashamed of her relationship with a married man. All in all, she really is that bitch. And none of us can stop her. She subverts all the standards of the romantic novel: she has an active role, she is not only beautiful but intelligent and witty, and her suitors are significantly younger than she is. Although the ending includes a traditional reward for morality, Lady Susan herself is treated more leniently than the adulteress, Maria Bertram, in Mansfield Park, who is severely punished.
Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel by Jane Austen, possibly written in 1794 but not published until 1871, since Austen never submitted it for publication.
...where there is a disposition to dislike a motive will never be wanting;Lady Susan Vernon, a beautiful and charming recent widow, visits her brother-in-law (her late husband's brother) and sister-in-law, Charles and Catherine Vernon, with little advance notice at Churchill, their country residence. Catherine is far from pleased, as Lady Susan had tried to prevent her marriage to Charles and her unwanted guest has been described to her as "the most accomplished coquette in England". Among Lady Susan's conquests is the married Mr. Manwaring.
Catherine's brother Reginald arrives a week later, and despite Catherine's strong warnings about Lady Susan's character, soon falls under her spell. Lady Susan toys with the younger man's affections for her own amusement and later because she perceives it makes her sister-in-law uneasy. Her confidante, Mrs. Johnson, to whom she writes frequently, recommends she marry the very eligible Reginald, but Lady Susan considers him to be greatly inferior to Manwaring.
Frederica, Lady Susan's 16-year-old daughter, tries to run away from school when she learns of her mother's plan to marry her off to a wealthy but insipid young man she loathes. She also becomes a guest at Churchill. Catherine comes to like her—her character is totally unlike her mother's—and as time goes by, detects Frederica's growing attachment to the oblivious Reginald.
Later, Sir James Martin, Frederica's unwanted suitor, shows up uninvited, much to her distress and her mother's vexation. When Frederica begs Reginald for support out of desperation (having been forbidden by Lady Susan to turn to Charles and Catherine), this causes a temporary breach between Reginald and Lady Susan, but the latter soon repairs the rupture.
Lady Susan decides to return to London and marry her daughter off to Sir James. Reginald follows, still bewitched by her charms and intent on marrying her, but he encounters Mrs. Manwaring at the home of Mr. Johnson and finally learns Lady Susan's true character. Lady Susan ends up marrying Sir James herself, and allows Frederica to reside with Charles and Catherine at Churchill, where Reginald De Courcy "could be talked, flattered, and finessed into an affection for her."
Lady Susan is one of her own, a unique character with few parallels in 19th-century literature. She is a selfish, unscrupulous and scheming woman, highly attractive to men. She is perfectly unashamed of her relationship with a married man. All in all, she really is that bitch. And none of us can stop her. She subverts all the standards of the romantic novel: she has an active role, she is not only beautiful but intelligent and witty, and her suitors are significantly younger than she is. Although the ending includes a traditional reward for morality, Lady Susan herself is treated more leniently than the adulteress, Maria Bertram, in Mansfield Park, who is severely punished.
My dear Alicia, of what mistake were you guilty of marrying a man of his age! – just old enough to be formal, ungovernable and to have the gout – too old to be agreeable, and too young to die.This entire book was a riot. The writing style is scathing. Young Jane had such balls for writing this because she kept it 100% real. Albeit satirical and exaggerated, the characters in Lady Susan, especially the women, feel much more REAL than in any other Austen novel. The way Lady Susan and Alicia talk about men is exactly how I imagine early 19th-century women to gossip and chatter. They are truly something else!
August 7, 2019
Jane Austen's novel about a femme fatale, the lovely and devious Lady Susan.
This early epistolary Austen novel follows the young(ish), attractive and recently widowed Lady Susan Vernon as she schemes her way around England, leaving emotional wreckage in her wake. Lady Susan is a unique main character for Austen, two-faced, mean-spirited and amoral ... yet witty and intelligent.
Lady Susan is trying to marry off her young daughter Frederica, whom she despises as stupid and insipid - well, she is pretty insipid, actually - to Sir James, a rich young man, while maneuvering to marry someone even richer herself. When she's banished from a home she was visiting (for seducing the husband, Lord Mainwaring), lacking better options, Lady Susan invites herself and her daughter Frederica for an extended stay with her dead husband's brother and his wife. The wife, Catherine Vernon, is one of the few people that sees through Susan's façade.
Catherine's handsome young brother and the family heir, Reginald De Courcy, soon arrives for a stay as well. He's initially laughingly suspicious of Lady Susan, whose reputation has preceded her.
But Lady Susan, all sweetness and distressed loveliness, is gradually able to convince Reginald that she's been unfairly maligned. Meanwhile she's writing letters to her friend, Alicia, confiding all her devious plans.
The plot thickens when Susan's shy daughter Frederica, desperately trying to avoid being married off to the oblivious Sir James, starts to fall for Reginald and begs him to help her evade her mother's plans for her. Susan's got all she can do to juggle all her lies and schemes, keeping Reginald on the hook while also continuing her relationship with Lord Mainwaring, who's still hanging around her. Just keeping her options open!
Lady Susan isn't a particularly deep or layered story; it was early days yet for Jane Austen. Other than Lady Susan herself and her foe Catherine Vernon, the characters are pretty much one-dimensional. But it's a fun read with many witty lines and an intriguing and unusual main character, and it's interesting to see Austen developing her style and craft. Half the fun in this book is reading Susan's explanations to Alicia of how completely she's tricking everyone around her. Even when I was getting anxious for her latest victim, Reginald, to wake up and smell the coffee, I was getting a kick out of how gleefully deceitful and amoral Susan is.
This early epistolary Austen novel follows the young(ish), attractive and recently widowed Lady Susan Vernon as she schemes her way around England, leaving emotional wreckage in her wake. Lady Susan is a unique main character for Austen, two-faced, mean-spirited and amoral ... yet witty and intelligent.
Lady Susan is trying to marry off her young daughter Frederica, whom she despises as stupid and insipid - well, she is pretty insipid, actually - to Sir James, a rich young man, while maneuvering to marry someone even richer herself. When she's banished from a home she was visiting (for seducing the husband, Lord Mainwaring), lacking better options, Lady Susan invites herself and her daughter Frederica for an extended stay with her dead husband's brother and his wife. The wife, Catherine Vernon, is one of the few people that sees through Susan's façade.
Catherine's handsome young brother and the family heir, Reginald De Courcy, soon arrives for a stay as well. He's initially laughingly suspicious of Lady Susan, whose reputation has preceded her.
But Lady Susan, all sweetness and distressed loveliness, is gradually able to convince Reginald that she's been unfairly maligned. Meanwhile she's writing letters to her friend, Alicia, confiding all her devious plans.
The plot thickens when Susan's shy daughter Frederica, desperately trying to avoid being married off to the oblivious Sir James, starts to fall for Reginald and begs him to help her evade her mother's plans for her. Susan's got all she can do to juggle all her lies and schemes, keeping Reginald on the hook while also continuing her relationship with Lord Mainwaring, who's still hanging around her. Just keeping her options open!
Lady Susan isn't a particularly deep or layered story; it was early days yet for Jane Austen. Other than Lady Susan herself and her foe Catherine Vernon, the characters are pretty much one-dimensional. But it's a fun read with many witty lines and an intriguing and unusual main character, and it's interesting to see Austen developing her style and craft. Half the fun in this book is reading Susan's explanations to Alicia of how completely she's tricking everyone around her. Even when I was getting anxious for her latest victim, Reginald, to wake up and smell the coffee, I was getting a kick out of how gleefully deceitful and amoral Susan is.
July 25, 2022
Always a delight.
November 21, 2025
4.25 stars
This novella features a leading character who is often perceived as unlikable. Is she truly unlikable, or do certain social expectations push some people to view her in that way? I do not think there can be a clear-cut answer to that question.
Lady Susan is quick-minded, resourceful, and unscrupulous. She is agnostic about all things romantic, considering marriage as one of the effective ways to elevate her social status. After all, these are the rules of the game that have been in place long before she was born. People have used marriage to improve their social and financial conditions. Economically motivated marriage has always been perfectly fine.
Recently widowed, Lady Susan believes the end justifies the means and acts accordingly. She is going to do her own thing, and this thing may easily change depending on what she considers most beneficial to her. Susan will sacrifice even her daughter's feelings if she thinks it will help her maximize the potential profit from her daughter's matrimonial prospects. Actually, the main character’s treatment of her daughter was the only aspect I really disliked about Susan.
Lady Susan is a talented manipulator, especially when it comes to men. But why do these “victims” allow themselves to be manipulated?
Our heroine is far from a cartoon character. She has shades and some commendable qualities, such as adaptability and wit. She is not one who easily loses her nerve. I would never look down on her, but would not want to be her friend.
The whole novella is written as a series of letters. This writing style can sometimes be confusing, but Jane Austen executed it well in this one. It was quick to get through and easy to follow, with clear indications of who was writing to whom and the relationships between the characters.
The social commentary on marriage and women's agency was deftly woven into the story. I liked its subtle yet evident satirical tone.
This novella features a leading character who is often perceived as unlikable. Is she truly unlikable, or do certain social expectations push some people to view her in that way? I do not think there can be a clear-cut answer to that question.
Lady Susan is quick-minded, resourceful, and unscrupulous. She is agnostic about all things romantic, considering marriage as one of the effective ways to elevate her social status. After all, these are the rules of the game that have been in place long before she was born. People have used marriage to improve their social and financial conditions. Economically motivated marriage has always been perfectly fine.
Recently widowed, Lady Susan believes the end justifies the means and acts accordingly. She is going to do her own thing, and this thing may easily change depending on what she considers most beneficial to her. Susan will sacrifice even her daughter's feelings if she thinks it will help her maximize the potential profit from her daughter's matrimonial prospects. Actually, the main character’s treatment of her daughter was the only aspect I really disliked about Susan.
Lady Susan is a talented manipulator, especially when it comes to men. But why do these “victims” allow themselves to be manipulated?
Our heroine is far from a cartoon character. She has shades and some commendable qualities, such as adaptability and wit. She is not one who easily loses her nerve. I would never look down on her, but would not want to be her friend.
The whole novella is written as a series of letters. This writing style can sometimes be confusing, but Jane Austen executed it well in this one. It was quick to get through and easy to follow, with clear indications of who was writing to whom and the relationships between the characters.
The social commentary on marriage and women's agency was deftly woven into the story. I liked its subtle yet evident satirical tone.
January 10, 2023
I grabbed this satisfying little treat just in time to finish out the old year and ring in the new. I love Jane Austen, and Lady Susan is the only piece (besides her unfinished novel, Sanditon) which I hadn’t read yet. I should say, I’ve read all of her major works and now want to read whatever else remains out there. This was entertaining. Stylistically, I prefer a straightforward novel when it comes to Austen. This one was written in the epistolary format. In its favor, the letters offer quick glimpses of not just the heroine’s voice but also the thoughts of those who fell along her conniving path. That made for a few laughs!
“I congratulate you and Mr. Vernon on being about to receive into your family, the most accomplished coquette in England.”
Lady Susan has been recently widowed and is about to spend some time with her brother-in-law and his wife. Her reputation precedes her. She also has a daughter who plays a role in her scheming, though quite unwillingly. But really, what was a woman in her position to do during those times? She’s clever, beautiful and ambitious and will do what must be done in order to secure her future and that of her daughter. Who can blame her? Well, to be fair, plenty of folks would love to see her fail. She’s much more interesting as a manipulator than a meek little mouse would be in this situation. In fact, there’d be no point in Austen writing the story otherwise! I’m glad I read this, though I’d probably not recommend it as a starting point to Austen. It’s short on plot and the characters are not fully developed, but it has the Austen wit and charm I so adore.
“I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices of others – of resigning my own judgment in deference to those, to whom I owe no duty, and for whom I feel no respect. I have given up too much – have been too easily worked on…”
“I congratulate you and Mr. Vernon on being about to receive into your family, the most accomplished coquette in England.”
Lady Susan has been recently widowed and is about to spend some time with her brother-in-law and his wife. Her reputation precedes her. She also has a daughter who plays a role in her scheming, though quite unwillingly. But really, what was a woman in her position to do during those times? She’s clever, beautiful and ambitious and will do what must be done in order to secure her future and that of her daughter. Who can blame her? Well, to be fair, plenty of folks would love to see her fail. She’s much more interesting as a manipulator than a meek little mouse would be in this situation. In fact, there’d be no point in Austen writing the story otherwise! I’m glad I read this, though I’d probably not recommend it as a starting point to Austen. It’s short on plot and the characters are not fully developed, but it has the Austen wit and charm I so adore.
“I am tired of submitting my will to the caprices of others – of resigning my own judgment in deference to those, to whom I owe no duty, and for whom I feel no respect. I have given up too much – have been too easily worked on…”
April 16, 2022
In this epistolary novella by Jane Austen, we are presented with "the most accomplished coquette in England"- Lady Susan. Driven by the necessity to survive in her status of widowhood, she draws on many schemes to advance her position, the first and foremost being contracting a second marriage for her. At the same time, she works on several plans to get rid herself of her encumbrance - her daughter. Some of her schemes backfire, but she never relents and artfully manages to secure her a life of wealth and comfort.
Lady Susan is selfish, manipulative, and shameless. To secure her an opulent lifestyle, she would stoop so low and do whatever within her power, even if it involves directing her flirtatious attention to a married man. Her conduct is totally outrageous for a titled woman in the Regency period. However, we may have been able to tolerate her with all her scandalous behaviour had her conduct towards her own daughter been kind and considerate. The shocking wickedness with which she treats her daughter deprives Lady Susan of any redeeming quality. She robs her daughter's education and makes her appear as a simpleton. Throughout the read, one feels nothing but anger and utmost contempt towards this scheming lady. Incredibly, however much she's disliked, she generates interest in the reader as well, for Lady Susan is a charming villain. Only Jane Austen could create such an outrageous character which the reader despises while being interested in at the same time.
Austen is well known for her realistic portrayal of society and her powerful observation of people who invariably became characters in her work. She presents her characters impartially, without judgment, allowing the reader to find on their own the blacks and whites of them. In Lady Susan too, this characteristic style is evident. I love this impartiality of Austen. That gives us enough space and freedom to be our own judges.
Lady Susan is written in the epistolary style, which is a stark contrast to her natural descriptive writing style. The writing is clever and bold and is full of sarcasm, wit, and humor. I truly had fun reading it, often laughing aloud, and cheering every time her wicked plans are thwarted. Although Lady Susan was one infuriating character, she vastly entertained me.
This short novella by Austen is less well known. Nevertheless, it shouldn't be overlooked, for its short content, it is filled with so much richness.
Lady Susan is selfish, manipulative, and shameless. To secure her an opulent lifestyle, she would stoop so low and do whatever within her power, even if it involves directing her flirtatious attention to a married man. Her conduct is totally outrageous for a titled woman in the Regency period. However, we may have been able to tolerate her with all her scandalous behaviour had her conduct towards her own daughter been kind and considerate. The shocking wickedness with which she treats her daughter deprives Lady Susan of any redeeming quality. She robs her daughter's education and makes her appear as a simpleton. Throughout the read, one feels nothing but anger and utmost contempt towards this scheming lady. Incredibly, however much she's disliked, she generates interest in the reader as well, for Lady Susan is a charming villain. Only Jane Austen could create such an outrageous character which the reader despises while being interested in at the same time.
Austen is well known for her realistic portrayal of society and her powerful observation of people who invariably became characters in her work. She presents her characters impartially, without judgment, allowing the reader to find on their own the blacks and whites of them. In Lady Susan too, this characteristic style is evident. I love this impartiality of Austen. That gives us enough space and freedom to be our own judges.
Lady Susan is written in the epistolary style, which is a stark contrast to her natural descriptive writing style. The writing is clever and bold and is full of sarcasm, wit, and humor. I truly had fun reading it, often laughing aloud, and cheering every time her wicked plans are thwarted. Although Lady Susan was one infuriating character, she vastly entertained me.
This short novella by Austen is less well known. Nevertheless, it shouldn't be overlooked, for its short content, it is filled with so much richness.
Read
February 6, 2024I've noticed over the years that a lot of Austen fans (the ones who tend to want to confine Jane Austen to a tiny box of preciousness, or who only value her as a romance writer, or who have only seen the films) seem oblivious to this tight, short, ninety-percent-finished epistolary novel. Or they pretend it doesn't exist, because it is not very romantic.
This short novel, probably when she was in her late teens or early twenties, I reread every few years, half-hearing how much fun it must have been for the home theater-loving Austen family to read out loud. It has two drawbacks: the male characters are all pastiches from eighteenth century novels, and it wasn't finished.
But it has two pluses: it is really a battle of the Titans, between the female characters, whose personalities come alive delightfully, especially Lady Susan, who is (as she is introduced right at the outset) a complete coquette. And two: it wasn't finished, which permitted Austen to end it with an early version of the deliciously witty narrative voice that stands out so brilliantly in her subsequent work.
In it we also see certain themes: presumably Lady Susan has the highest rank of any of the characters, for to be called "Lady Firstname" meant you were daughter of an earl or higher. And the higher ranks do not do well in any of Austen's novels--a distinction from, for example, Georgette Heyer, who invented an alternate England in which birth will always tell.
We also see that what women thought matters. What women did mattered. Austen's work is all female gaze.
It was never published in her lifetime. I can imagine that she thought it a fun experiment--worth reading aloud in the family circle to laugh over--but it didn't have enough heft to turn into a novel as she did with the other two she wrote in the 1790s, the epistolary novels that became P&P and S&S.
Her "proper" heroine, Frederica, is as boring as she is trite, and ditto Reginald de Courcy, the hero. The subsidiary characters take over the story, especially Lady Susan and her cheerfully awful friend Mrs. Johnson, with some great comic cameo roles, like Sir James.
This short novel, probably when she was in her late teens or early twenties, I reread every few years, half-hearing how much fun it must have been for the home theater-loving Austen family to read out loud. It has two drawbacks: the male characters are all pastiches from eighteenth century novels, and it wasn't finished.
But it has two pluses: it is really a battle of the Titans, between the female characters, whose personalities come alive delightfully, especially Lady Susan, who is (as she is introduced right at the outset) a complete coquette. And two: it wasn't finished, which permitted Austen to end it with an early version of the deliciously witty narrative voice that stands out so brilliantly in her subsequent work.
In it we also see certain themes: presumably Lady Susan has the highest rank of any of the characters, for to be called "Lady Firstname" meant you were daughter of an earl or higher. And the higher ranks do not do well in any of Austen's novels--a distinction from, for example, Georgette Heyer, who invented an alternate England in which birth will always tell.
We also see that what women thought matters. What women did mattered. Austen's work is all female gaze.
It was never published in her lifetime. I can imagine that she thought it a fun experiment--worth reading aloud in the family circle to laugh over--but it didn't have enough heft to turn into a novel as she did with the other two she wrote in the 1790s, the epistolary novels that became P&P and S&S.
Her "proper" heroine, Frederica, is as boring as she is trite, and ditto Reginald de Courcy, the hero. The subsidiary characters take over the story, especially Lady Susan and her cheerfully awful friend Mrs. Johnson, with some great comic cameo roles, like Sir James.
April 15, 2025
Lady Susan, 35, is beautiful and intelligent but also (or above all) bitchy, treacherous, manipulative, hypocritical, a liar, and so on. That's still a lot for one woman!! The exchange of letters, which all revolve around this woman, confirms to us a little more, with each interaction, how detestable she is. It is a little epistolary book that reads quickly, and we again appreciate Austen's intelligent pen, full of finesse and irony. I still regret the few pages since we cannot fully immerse ourselves in Austen's universe.
July 22, 2022
Lady Susan is the perfect villain you love to hate. Not the best Jane Austen but one I'd missed until now. Sort of ends too quickly though.
August 9, 2022
Lady Susan is a very artful book, where its artfulness lies in the author's understanding of the mechanism of Regency society. I have the feeling that the me from 5 years ago would not have appreciated the book as much as me now. The novel is almost a novella. It is rueful to realise that books with more ambition than this one have all been half forgotten by all but the most immersed of proponents.
Lady Susan, her daughter Frederica, and Reginald form a love triangle that makes us want an ending that, when it finally arrives, is excellently delivered. The bit part players in the book have more voice in it because of the nature of its epistolary structure. People who see through Lady Susan's wiles are given a stage to punctuate Lady Susan's web of lies with a running commentary that lends weight to the book.
I gave this book 4 stars because I was not half pleased with the ending. Endings like this do not hurt as much as they would in the hands of a lesser writer. But this is a book written by a young Jane Austen. She is young, but still her talent is evident. The ending is made of the stuff of Victorian commonality. I loved the book because of it. The first two thirds of the book make the third act a desirable outcome. This is because so much worse could have occurred.
I have yet to read All of Jane Austen's bibliography. I worried before reading Lady Susan. My wavering hopes tussled with my acquired pessimism and the thirst for more of Austen finally won out. I understand those who, like me, have taken a star from their ratings. Comparisons with Pride and Prejudice, are inevitable, though unfair. I have, however, no illusions as to one of Austen's books. Turns out even the most unique voice from Victorian literature is not infallible. We will have to take proof of the pudding, won't we?
I am slightly indignant by the low rating for this classic. Some may have felt cheated by all these letters and maybe they felt being robbed of witnessing the craftiness of the titular character. The skill of Austen patches up these deficiencies and even in this less ambitious form shows more than glimpses of the author's genius. I was thoroughly entertained by Lady Susan. This is the type of book that deserves to be called a classic. It is a book that has a prepossessing sketch of human nature, with the reader being delighted by the duplicitousness of one and the reactiveness of others. Lady Susan won me over, and that is reflected in my rating, and review.
Lady Susan, her daughter Frederica, and Reginald form a love triangle that makes us want an ending that, when it finally arrives, is excellently delivered. The bit part players in the book have more voice in it because of the nature of its epistolary structure. People who see through Lady Susan's wiles are given a stage to punctuate Lady Susan's web of lies with a running commentary that lends weight to the book.
I gave this book 4 stars because I was not half pleased with the ending. Endings like this do not hurt as much as they would in the hands of a lesser writer. But this is a book written by a young Jane Austen. She is young, but still her talent is evident. The ending is made of the stuff of Victorian commonality. I loved the book because of it. The first two thirds of the book make the third act a desirable outcome. This is because so much worse could have occurred.
I have yet to read All of Jane Austen's bibliography. I worried before reading Lady Susan. My wavering hopes tussled with my acquired pessimism and the thirst for more of Austen finally won out. I understand those who, like me, have taken a star from their ratings. Comparisons with Pride and Prejudice, are inevitable, though unfair. I have, however, no illusions as to one of Austen's books. Turns out even the most unique voice from Victorian literature is not infallible. We will have to take proof of the pudding, won't we?
I am slightly indignant by the low rating for this classic. Some may have felt cheated by all these letters and maybe they felt being robbed of witnessing the craftiness of the titular character. The skill of Austen patches up these deficiencies and even in this less ambitious form shows more than glimpses of the author's genius. I was thoroughly entertained by Lady Susan. This is the type of book that deserves to be called a classic. It is a book that has a prepossessing sketch of human nature, with the reader being delighted by the duplicitousness of one and the reactiveness of others. Lady Susan won me over, and that is reflected in my rating, and review.
February 9, 2017
I haven't read an Austen novel that I disliked.
I mean, she's good enough to turn what should be an epistolary slog through social mores into a delightful and spiteful and nearly-tragic romp. Who else can do that?
The voices of each character in each letter evokes such verve and personality and a great sense of persistent presence that I'm frankly quite shocked. The plot was rather simple. It's about making good matches and getting involved in other's love-lives. *shock* *no* *say it isn't so*
But even so, it's done with such reserve and sometimes with such plain nasty cattiness that I can't help but swing this way and that throughout the novel, just trying to get a handle on what the *truth* is.
What is Lady Susan really hiding? What did her daughter do? What the hell with Mrs. Vernon? Jeeze.
For such a short novel, made entirely of letters, it really managed to get under my skin and keep me on my toes. Amazing!
I mean, she's good enough to turn what should be an epistolary slog through social mores into a delightful and spiteful and nearly-tragic romp. Who else can do that?
The voices of each character in each letter evokes such verve and personality and a great sense of persistent presence that I'm frankly quite shocked. The plot was rather simple. It's about making good matches and getting involved in other's love-lives. *shock* *no* *say it isn't so*
But even so, it's done with such reserve and sometimes with such plain nasty cattiness that I can't help but swing this way and that throughout the novel, just trying to get a handle on what the *truth* is.
What is Lady Susan really hiding? What did her daughter do? What the hell with Mrs. Vernon? Jeeze.
For such a short novel, made entirely of letters, it really managed to get under my skin and keep me on my toes. Amazing!
August 20, 2016
This is a clever and delightful novella from Jane Austen that wasn't published until decades after her death. I was excited to read it after Whit Stillman adapted it into the movie "Love & Friendship."
The story is told in a series of letters, with the main character being the beautiful, selfish and manipulative Lady Susan Vernon. Lady Susan is skilled at making men fall in love with her, and is used to getting her way. In the story, she is trying to catch a husband for her daughter, but she's also distracted after getting involved with a married man, and she's busy trying to find relatives who will support her. A widow who doesn't like spending her own money, she would prefer to take advantage of the hospitality of friends and family.
Lady Susan is a very different heroine than we're used to seeing from Jane Austen. She is witty and clever, to be sure, but she does not seem ashamed of her immorality or schemes, whereas less scrupulous characters in other Austen novels always get punished for their bad behavior. Instead, Lady Susan finds a way to triumph, despite the many lessons of literature that say she should end up a ruined woman.
I didn't know what to expect from this novella, and I came away impressed. Written when Austen was about 20, this is an early work that really shines. Highly recommended for Austen fans.
Favorite Quotes
"I was so much indulged in my infant years that I was never obliged to attend to anything, and consequently am without those accomplishments which are necessary to finish a pretty woman. Not that I am an advocate for the prevailing fashion of acquiring a perfect knowledge in all the languages arts and sciences; it is throwing time away; to be mistress of French, Italian, German, music, singing, drawing etc., will gain a woman some applause, but will not add one lover to her list. Grace and manner after all are of the greatest importance."
"There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in making a person pre-determined to dislike, acknowledge one's superiority."
The story is told in a series of letters, with the main character being the beautiful, selfish and manipulative Lady Susan Vernon. Lady Susan is skilled at making men fall in love with her, and is used to getting her way. In the story, she is trying to catch a husband for her daughter, but she's also distracted after getting involved with a married man, and she's busy trying to find relatives who will support her. A widow who doesn't like spending her own money, she would prefer to take advantage of the hospitality of friends and family.
Lady Susan is a very different heroine than we're used to seeing from Jane Austen. She is witty and clever, to be sure, but she does not seem ashamed of her immorality or schemes, whereas less scrupulous characters in other Austen novels always get punished for their bad behavior. Instead, Lady Susan finds a way to triumph, despite the many lessons of literature that say she should end up a ruined woman.
I didn't know what to expect from this novella, and I came away impressed. Written when Austen was about 20, this is an early work that really shines. Highly recommended for Austen fans.
Favorite Quotes
"I was so much indulged in my infant years that I was never obliged to attend to anything, and consequently am without those accomplishments which are necessary to finish a pretty woman. Not that I am an advocate for the prevailing fashion of acquiring a perfect knowledge in all the languages arts and sciences; it is throwing time away; to be mistress of French, Italian, German, music, singing, drawing etc., will gain a woman some applause, but will not add one lover to her list. Grace and manner after all are of the greatest importance."
"There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in making a person pre-determined to dislike, acknowledge one's superiority."
February 20, 2022
Possible alternative titles...
Lady Fortune Hunter?
Mistress of Deceit?
Mommie Dearest?
This early work (written around 1794, but not published until 1871* well after JA's death) was Jane as I had never seen her!
This is the first time an epistolary novel has truly worked for me and it works because all the characters are completely unguarded in their letters.
I was really surprised by how ruthless Lady Susan was and I do have a sneaking admiration for her, although I pity her daughter and anyone else who gets in her way!
Like that ever stopped Lady S!
Readable and great fun! Even if you don't normally enjoy JA's books you might like this one!
* I'm really surprised this was originally published in the Victorian era when this novel is so amoral!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
Lady Fortune Hunter?
Mistress of Deceit?
Mommie Dearest?
This early work (written around 1794, but not published until 1871* well after JA's death) was Jane as I had never seen her!
This is the first time an epistolary novel has truly worked for me and it works because all the characters are completely unguarded in their letters.
My dear Alicia, of what a mistake were you guilty in marrying a man of his age! Just old enough to be formal, ungovernable, and to have the gout; too old to be agreeable, too young to die.
I was really surprised by how ruthless Lady Susan was and I do have a sneaking admiration for her, although I pity her daughter and anyone else who gets in her way!
Facts are such horrid things!
Like that ever stopped Lady S!
Readable and great fun! Even if you don't normally enjoy JA's books you might like this one!
* I'm really surprised this was originally published in the Victorian era when this novel is so amoral!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
December 23, 2020
Aunque parezca increíble, es mi primer libro de Jane Austen. Leí en un foro que Lady Susan era una buena elección para introducirse en su obra y, al terminarlo, a mí también me lo parece.
A pesar que el libro está completamente escrito de forma epistolar, es muy fácil seguir los acontecimientos y conocer las motivaciones de los personajes a través de las cartas que se envían entre ellos, aunque quizá hubiera sido de ayuda alguna introducción, porque al principio cuesta entender la relación entre los personajes. La historia engancha mucho e iba para las cuatro estrellas hasta que… llegó el desenlace: increíblemente apresurado y me quedó al debe un escarmiento más significativo para la odiosa Susan Vernon. Quizá se deba a que esta historia fue publicada de manera póstuma, pero aun así, por ese final, le bajo una estrella.
No sé si será una constante en las obras de Austen, pero al menos en ésta hay un notorio desdén hacia el género masculino. Unos más y otros menos, pero todos son caracterizados como personajes ñoños y cortos de entendederas, que son hábilmente manejados por la astucia femenina. Interesante.
Debo reconocer que me gustó mucho más de lo que me esperaba y probablemente lea otros libros de esta autora.
Reto #3 PopSugar 2017: Un libro de cartas
A pesar que el libro está completamente escrito de forma epistolar, es muy fácil seguir los acontecimientos y conocer las motivaciones de los personajes a través de las cartas que se envían entre ellos, aunque quizá hubiera sido de ayuda alguna introducción, porque al principio cuesta entender la relación entre los personajes. La historia engancha mucho e iba para las cuatro estrellas hasta que… llegó el desenlace: increíblemente apresurado y me quedó al debe un escarmiento más significativo para la odiosa Susan Vernon. Quizá se deba a que esta historia fue publicada de manera póstuma, pero aun así, por ese final, le bajo una estrella.
No sé si será una constante en las obras de Austen, pero al menos en ésta hay un notorio desdén hacia el género masculino. Unos más y otros menos, pero todos son caracterizados como personajes ñoños y cortos de entendederas, que son hábilmente manejados por la astucia femenina. Interesante.
Debo reconocer que me gustó mucho más de lo que me esperaba y probablemente lea otros libros de esta autora.
Reto #3 PopSugar 2017: Un libro de cartas
July 19, 2024
《لیدی سوزان/نشر سفیر》
⭐️3.5/ هربار با هرکتاب فقط به ذکاوت و ریزبینی و جلو بودن این زن از زمانهی خودش پی میبرم! اگر قرار بود به هرکدوم از نویسندهها یه نقش تو دنیای امروز بدیم، جین آستن یه مشاور زنان/فمنیسمِ عاقل و عادل/ تراپیست میشد.
لیدی سوزان کتابیه که جین آستن پاکنویس کرد اما هیچوقت بازنویسی و چاپش نکرد. و چه حیف! چون بنظرم خیلی رمان ظریف و پرظرفیتی میشد که اگر از اینم بیشتر به هرکدوم از شخصیتها و اتفاقات میپرداخت، شاهکار میشد. کل کتاب در قالب نامههاییه که کرکتر ها بهم مینویسن که ظاهرا سبک اولیهی جین آستن بوده اما هیچکدومشونو چاپ نکرده اما اون موقع این مدل خیلی مد بوده(خودم قبل از این یدونه دراکولا رو با این سبک خوندم). اما از اونجایی که شخصیتهای کتابای جین همیشه در حال غیبت کردن هستن این سبک خیلی مناسبشه و قشنگ اخلاقیات هرکدومو با هرکسی تو نامههاشون متوجه میشیم که یکی از جذابیتهای این کتابه.
و عجب موخرهای داشت! موخرهای که انتهای کتاب چاپ کرده بودن تازه شمارو متوجه اهمیت این کتاب میکنه که خیلی کامل به هر کرکتر و اتفاق میپردازه.
بعد از اینکه چند تا از کتابهای جین رو خوندین حتما اینم بخونین، جالب بود⭐️
بخشهایی از موخره:
(به زودی مینویسم حتما بخونین)
⭐️3.5/ هربار با هرکتاب فقط به ذکاوت و ریزبینی و جلو بودن این زن از زمانهی خودش پی میبرم! اگر قرار بود به هرکدوم از نویسندهها یه نقش تو دنیای امروز بدیم، جین آستن یه مشاور زنان/فمنیسمِ عاقل و عادل/ تراپیست میشد.
لیدی سوزان کتابیه که جین آستن پاکنویس کرد اما هیچوقت بازنویسی و چاپش نکرد. و چه حیف! چون بنظرم خیلی رمان ظریف و پرظرفیتی میشد که اگر از اینم بیشتر به هرکدوم از شخصیتها و اتفاقات میپرداخت، شاهکار میشد. کل کتاب در قالب نامههاییه که کرکتر ها بهم مینویسن که ظاهرا سبک اولیهی جین آستن بوده اما هیچکدومشونو چاپ نکرده اما اون موقع این مدل خیلی مد بوده(خودم قبل از این یدونه دراکولا رو با این سبک خوندم). اما از اونجایی که شخصیتهای کتابای جین همیشه در حال غیبت کردن هستن این سبک خیلی مناسبشه و قشنگ اخلاقیات هرکدومو با هرکسی تو نامههاشون متوجه میشیم که یکی از جذابیتهای این کتابه.
و عجب موخرهای داشت! موخرهای که انتهای کتاب چاپ کرده بودن تازه شمارو متوجه اهمیت این کتاب میکنه که خیلی کامل به هر کرکتر و اتفاق میپردازه.
بعد از اینکه چند تا از کتابهای جین رو خوندین حتما اینم بخونین، جالب بود⭐️
بخشهایی از موخره:
(به زودی مینویسم حتما بخونین)
August 5, 2021
As heroínas de Miss Austen não só sabem o que querem, como desenvolvem planos para conseguirem lá chegar.
Mas Lady Susan (35 anos) é distinta das outras: é uma vilã; viúva há quatro meses, não a melhor das mães de uma filha de 16 anos, eloquente, intriguista, ambiciosa, confiante dos seus talentos e beleza recorre a estratégias censuráveis para voltar a casar com um casado ou com um solteiro. Nessa época, os homens casados podiam separar-se e voltar a casar o que não era válido para as mulheres. O que interessa? Lady Susan é viúva, pode casar – tal como hoje, 9 meses após a viuvez.
Romance epistolar, 41 cartas trocadas entre diversas personagens que analisam todos os receios sobre os estragos que Lady Susan possa provocar. As cartas entre a protagonista e a sua melhor amiga são genuinamente cómicas pois nem uma nem outra nada escondem.
O livro – muito bem arquitectado -, encerra com uma conclusão genial; Aqui transcrevo um pequeno excerto:
«Esta correspondência, por uma reunião entre algumas das partes, e separação entre as outras, não poderia, para grande prejuízo dos rendimentos dos Correios, continuar por muito mais tempo.»
O final é feliz e surpreendente, mesmo sabendo do tudo que a heroína é capaz. Miss Austen era uma satirista e criou uma personagem, que apesar dos seus defeitos e carácter intriguista e manipulador, consegue agradar e divertir.
O livro está adaptado ao cinema com o título «Amor e Amizade», estranhamente; Miss Austen escreveu outro livro com esse título.
«Se há alguma coisa de que me envaideço, é da minha eloquência. A prudência e a estima resultam seguramente do domínio da linguagem, como a admiração está ao serviço da beleza, e aqui tenho oportunidade que chegue para o exercício do meu talento, já que a maior parte do tempo se passa em conversa.»
Mas Lady Susan (35 anos) é distinta das outras: é uma vilã; viúva há quatro meses, não a melhor das mães de uma filha de 16 anos, eloquente, intriguista, ambiciosa, confiante dos seus talentos e beleza recorre a estratégias censuráveis para voltar a casar com um casado ou com um solteiro. Nessa época, os homens casados podiam separar-se e voltar a casar o que não era válido para as mulheres. O que interessa? Lady Susan é viúva, pode casar – tal como hoje, 9 meses após a viuvez.
Romance epistolar, 41 cartas trocadas entre diversas personagens que analisam todos os receios sobre os estragos que Lady Susan possa provocar. As cartas entre a protagonista e a sua melhor amiga são genuinamente cómicas pois nem uma nem outra nada escondem.
O livro – muito bem arquitectado -, encerra com uma conclusão genial; Aqui transcrevo um pequeno excerto:
«Esta correspondência, por uma reunião entre algumas das partes, e separação entre as outras, não poderia, para grande prejuízo dos rendimentos dos Correios, continuar por muito mais tempo.»
O final é feliz e surpreendente, mesmo sabendo do tudo que a heroína é capaz. Miss Austen era uma satirista e criou uma personagem, que apesar dos seus defeitos e carácter intriguista e manipulador, consegue agradar e divertir.
O livro está adaptado ao cinema com o título «Amor e Amizade», estranhamente; Miss Austen escreveu outro livro com esse título.
«Se há alguma coisa de que me envaideço, é da minha eloquência. A prudência e a estima resultam seguramente do domínio da linguagem, como a admiração está ao serviço da beleza, e aqui tenho oportunidade que chegue para o exercício do meu talento, já que a maior parte do tempo se passa em conversa.»
November 5, 2016
Most people don't even know that Jane Austen ever wrote this book. Yes, it is a book indeed. Only 80 pages long, which is next to nothing when compared to the other 6 novels, but, in only 80 pages Jane Austen manages to build a great stage for yet another funny, witty, sarcastic and engaging tale through a series of letters back and forth between several people.
The situation is that the titular Lady Susan, a widow, is a terrible flirt and apparently a master match-maker. We discover her flirtiness, her not really good relationship with her daughter, as well as how she manages to alternately wrap certain people (even when they were prejudiced against her) around her fingers.
Lady Susan would be an unlikely heroine in any story but the existance of this character is even more surprising when remembering how old this story is. Oh, how much I would have loved to see Regency England react to her! :D
I usually don't like people of such a character as Lady Susan's (she's unkind towards her daughter, she is manipulative, she is cold and dismissive and happily sleeping around finding it quite alright so long as she is discreet), but in this case it was simply funny as hell and most of the people involved in this novel definitely deserved being played. After all, it's the usual Regency setting where looks are most important and where pretentiousness and superficiality rule.
Though short and obscure due to when it was penned, this is again a masterful work of a fantastic female author.
A short time ago I watched the BBC production of this story and was quite disappointed (which I had not expected) so I started this with a bit of reservation, but the book - although quite short and different from the bigger novels - was wonderful.
The situation is that the titular Lady Susan, a widow, is a terrible flirt and apparently a master match-maker. We discover her flirtiness, her not really good relationship with her daughter, as well as how she manages to alternately wrap certain people (even when they were prejudiced against her) around her fingers.
Lady Susan would be an unlikely heroine in any story but the existance of this character is even more surprising when remembering how old this story is. Oh, how much I would have loved to see Regency England react to her! :D
I usually don't like people of such a character as Lady Susan's (she's unkind towards her daughter, she is manipulative, she is cold and dismissive and happily sleeping around finding it quite alright so long as she is discreet), but in this case it was simply funny as hell and most of the people involved in this novel definitely deserved being played. After all, it's the usual Regency setting where looks are most important and where pretentiousness and superficiality rule.
Though short and obscure due to when it was penned, this is again a masterful work of a fantastic female author.
A short time ago I watched the BBC production of this story and was quite disappointed (which I had not expected) so I started this with a bit of reservation, but the book - although quite short and different from the bigger novels - was wonderful.
November 8, 2016
Lady Susan. What an interesting character- stirring up trouble, flirting, scheming, lying, plotting, seducing and trouble making...quite a contrast to Elizabeth Bennett!
March 4, 2017
MULTIFACETED PRISM
Reading this wonderful novel I felt as if I were holding a multifaceted prism, and with each new epistle, I was twisting it to another of its sides, and looked in wonder into wonder it.
With every slight shift in viewpoint, the light unveiled a different aspect: of the engaging story; of the captivating characters; of the elusive nature of fiction; of the actual art of narration.
Not only was each letter advancing a plot but it also made me wonder if there was an unmediated way of looking, since each side, each letter, had a bearing on the others. And even if one of its sides appeared to have its position as the original source, the constant shifting was gradually producing a greater and greater impression of unreliability.
In particular one of the facets, one of the letters, reminded me of how indiscernible is human intent.
What a smart young writer, this Jane Austen at nineteen was!
November 6, 2023
This is a case where The Literary Life 2023 reading challenge pushed me into reading Jane Austen juvenilia and I have been completely enchanted. I loved the Naxos audio with Harriet Walter.
September 12, 2025
Living in the time of strict and rigid social rules and severe limitations for women, Lady Susan Vernon uses the tools at her disposal--beauty, a clever mind, and a gift for conversation--to control what she can of her life through manipulating the men around her. She wields her skill unapologetically, attempting to seize what she wants out of life regardless of whomever else is affected. Austen gives me a "villain" to love here.
While not as polished and nuanced as her later works, Austen's writing bites as her satire, irony, and humor shine brightly. The themes that run through all of her work--the constraints on women and the unfairness, the nonsensicalness of social and class rules, and marriage as transaction-- are here.
As imaginative and delightful as the tale told in letters is, the conclusion is not. It is a brief 4 page wrap up that lacks the spark of the letters. And all the seeds of her brilliant later works are here.
This novella is believed to be Austen's first written, dated as approximately 1794, though not published until 1871, well after her death.
While not as polished and nuanced as her later works, Austen's writing bites as her satire, irony, and humor shine brightly. The themes that run through all of her work--the constraints on women and the unfairness, the nonsensicalness of social and class rules, and marriage as transaction-- are here.
As imaginative and delightful as the tale told in letters is, the conclusion is not. It is a brief 4 page wrap up that lacks the spark of the letters. And all the seeds of her brilliant later works are here.
This novella is believed to be Austen's first written, dated as approximately 1794, though not published until 1871, well after her death.
August 21, 2017
(review in English below)
Gostei mesmo desta minha primeira experiência com a escrita de Jane Austen - que foi também a sua primeira obra.
Retrospectivamente, acho que podia haver alguma caracterização física dos personagens e dos ambientes. Mas, na verdade, durante a leitura não lhes senti a falta.
A história é-nos transmitida apenas através de cartas, trocadas entre alguns dos personagens, com excepção do final (que me desapontou um pouco por causa disso mesmo) mas a autora conseguiu manter uma excelente dinâmica, conjugada com uma escrita irrepreensível.
Fiquei, obviamente, com vontade de ler mais obras de Austen, e gostava de o fazer por ordem cronológica.
Recomendo especialmente a quem goste de romances de época, de uma boa escrita e do formato epistolar.
I really enjoyed this first experience with Jane Austen's writing - which was also her first work.
In retrospective, I think it would've been nice to have some physical characterization of the characters and of the settings. But, truth be told, I didn't miss it while reading the book.
The story is conveyed only through letters that are exchanged between some of the characters, with the exception of the ending (on which I was disappointed for that same reason) but the author managed to maintain a great dynamic, combined with impeccable writing.
I obviously want to read more from Austen and I'd like to do it in chronological order.
I recommend it, of course, specially to those who like "epoch romance", good writing and epistolary novels.
Gostei mesmo desta minha primeira experiência com a escrita de Jane Austen - que foi também a sua primeira obra.
Retrospectivamente, acho que podia haver alguma caracterização física dos personagens e dos ambientes. Mas, na verdade, durante a leitura não lhes senti a falta.
A história é-nos transmitida apenas através de cartas, trocadas entre alguns dos personagens, com excepção do final (que me desapontou um pouco por causa disso mesmo) mas a autora conseguiu manter uma excelente dinâmica, conjugada com uma escrita irrepreensível.
Fiquei, obviamente, com vontade de ler mais obras de Austen, e gostava de o fazer por ordem cronológica.
Recomendo especialmente a quem goste de romances de época, de uma boa escrita e do formato epistolar.
I really enjoyed this first experience with Jane Austen's writing - which was also her first work.
In retrospective, I think it would've been nice to have some physical characterization of the characters and of the settings. But, truth be told, I didn't miss it while reading the book.
The story is conveyed only through letters that are exchanged between some of the characters, with the exception of the ending (on which I was disappointed for that same reason) but the author managed to maintain a great dynamic, combined with impeccable writing.
I obviously want to read more from Austen and I'd like to do it in chronological order.
I recommend it, of course, specially to those who like "epoch romance", good writing and epistolary novels.
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