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La bella Cassandra
"La bella Cassandra" (1787), che per ironia condivide il nome con la maggiore delle sorelle Austen, è una giovane donna che si lancia nel mondo per fare fortuna e la cui storia, convenzionale fino al parossismo, si trasforma in una parodia dei romanzi sentimentali e gotici molto apprezzati all'epoca.
87 pages, Pocket Book
First published January 1, 1793
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7550 people want to read
About the author
Jane Austen
3,905 books75.7k 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 751 reviews
June 5, 2018
My dear young Miss Austen,
Comparing your teenage bravado to your later masterpieces is hardly a meaningful task. But as a teacher, working with teenage text production each day, I would like to express my gratitude to you, young aspiring author, for giving me an afternoon of complete delight!
If you knew what we get to read, you would immediately make a witty satire of it. And let me say we are not as ambitious as your characters who are looking for spouses to match them:
"Your daughter, Sir, is neither sufficiently beautifull, sufficiently amiable, sufficiently witty nor sufficiently rich for me -. I expect nothing more in my wife than my wife will find in me - Perfection."
We who teach the tech generation are far more modest than that. We expect barely a complete sentence, are happy with the most boring adjectives, accept characterisations that leave the reader to guess whether the described person is young or old, female or male, short or tall, clever or stupid, drunk or sober, beautiful or ugly. We certainly do not expect any essays to show wit or sense of humour. We are quite happy if our students do not copy whole parts of their work from the internet.
That is the way it is nowadays, my dear Miss Austen! And of course we know that not all of our students will grow up to become writers or your calibre. But one thing I would like to tell you: rarely, very VERY rarely, we come across funny, witty, elaborate stories full of energy and life - similar to your youthful mischievous writing.
And you know what we feel? We feel grateful for the gifts that show already at an early age. We feel hope. For those of us who know what a regular teenage story looks like, you shine like the bright star you are to become later in life. It is all there, the butterfly about to spread its wings for the first time, not yet stable enough to fly from flower to flower, but definitely beautiful to watch already!
So thank you, young Miss Austen, for spreading your wit for us to see.
A+++
Comparing your teenage bravado to your later masterpieces is hardly a meaningful task. But as a teacher, working with teenage text production each day, I would like to express my gratitude to you, young aspiring author, for giving me an afternoon of complete delight!
If you knew what we get to read, you would immediately make a witty satire of it. And let me say we are not as ambitious as your characters who are looking for spouses to match them:
"Your daughter, Sir, is neither sufficiently beautifull, sufficiently amiable, sufficiently witty nor sufficiently rich for me -. I expect nothing more in my wife than my wife will find in me - Perfection."
We who teach the tech generation are far more modest than that. We expect barely a complete sentence, are happy with the most boring adjectives, accept characterisations that leave the reader to guess whether the described person is young or old, female or male, short or tall, clever or stupid, drunk or sober, beautiful or ugly. We certainly do not expect any essays to show wit or sense of humour. We are quite happy if our students do not copy whole parts of their work from the internet.
That is the way it is nowadays, my dear Miss Austen! And of course we know that not all of our students will grow up to become writers or your calibre. But one thing I would like to tell you: rarely, very VERY rarely, we come across funny, witty, elaborate stories full of energy and life - similar to your youthful mischievous writing.
And you know what we feel? We feel grateful for the gifts that show already at an early age. We feel hope. For those of us who know what a regular teenage story looks like, you shine like the bright star you are to become later in life. It is all there, the butterfly about to spread its wings for the first time, not yet stable enough to fly from flower to flower, but definitely beautiful to watch already!
So thank you, young Miss Austen, for spreading your wit for us to see.
A+++
July 3, 2021
Such a delightful read - I love Jane Austen's juvenilia; it is absolutely hilarious.
March 9, 2016
Be warned this is not the Austen we know and love. These little extracts were written when she was very young and were never intended to be published. They were only a means for entertainment for her family and, no doubt, herself. Therefore, I don’t think it is fair to criticise these harshly; they were clearly just written for fun and not a mass readership, so don’t even bother trying to compare these to her later works.
I liked these extracts but they do lack the finesse of the experienced Austen. This is not necessarily a bad thing because they were not meant to be a comment on society or a satirical address to another genre. They were simply just an escape for her. I only recommend reading this to hard-core Austen fans: the kind of person who would read it just because she wrote it. But, that kind of person would have likely already read the full volume- like I intend to do once I’ve read the rest of her novels.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 33
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
I liked these extracts but they do lack the finesse of the experienced Austen. This is not necessarily a bad thing because they were not meant to be a comment on society or a satirical address to another genre. They were simply just an escape for her. I only recommend reading this to hard-core Austen fans: the kind of person who would read it just because she wrote it. But, that kind of person would have likely already read the full volume- like I intend to do once I’ve read the rest of her novels.
Penguin Little Black Classic- 33
The Little Black Classic Collection by penguin looks like it contains lots of hidden gems. I couldn’t help it; they looked so good that I went and bought them all. I shall post a short review after reading each one. No doubt it will take me several months to get through all of them! Hopefully I will find some classic authors, from across the ages, that I may not have come across had I not bought this collection.
June 10, 2022
Teenage Jane was a delight and hella reckless — drunk women who get into brawls at parties, so much gambling & drinking & MURDER, men roasting women for not being "sufficiently rich, beautiful, and witty", women forgetting they popped out a baby two weeks ago, only to adopt & then abandon & re-adopt said baby...
Let me tell you, these little tales that Jane wrote for the amusement of her family are WILD. Super fun but unsurprisingly not very substantial; they read more like drafts and concepts for stories, they're not well fleshed out. But if you take them for what they are and not judge them on literary merit, you will have the time of your life. I laughed out loud several times!
Jack and Alice - 2 stars
This short piece from Jane Austen's Juvenilia is fun to read because it's much less decorous and restrained than Jane Austen's later published novels -- though since she wrote it in her early teens, it's not surprising if it's a little rough and unsophisticated. As in others of her Juvenilia, she parodies some of the literature and literary conventions of her day.
The story is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter begins with Mr. Johnson deciding to throw a masquerade party for his 55th birthday; — "The Johnsons were a family of Love, & though a little addicted to the Bottle & the Dice, had many good Qualities." The most admired guest at the party is Charles Adams who is "so dazzling a Beauty that none but Eagles could look him in the Face."
Favorite quote: 'Sir, I may perhaps be expected to appear pleased at and gratefull for the offer you have made me: but let me tell you that I consider it as an affront.'
Henry and Eliza - 4 stars
The story begins by introducing Sir George and Lady Harcourt. One day Sir George and Lady Harcourt are supervising their workers in the field when they find a beautiful little girl no more than three months old hidden beneath a thick stack of hay, and decide to adapt her as their own and name her Eliza.
Eliza grows up pure and virtuous, however, when she happens to steal Ł50 (a vast sum) she is heartlessly turned out (by her "inhuman benefactors"). She then finds a position with an amiable duchess, and elopes with Henry, lover of the duchess's daughter. The duchess raises an army to pursue them, but Eliza and Henry manage to flee to France where they live vastly beyond their means, until Eliza is widowed, and returns to England in a private warship. She is imprisoned by the duchess, but daringly escapes from the dungeon. (I am telling you, young Jane's imagination was WILD!)
Her children indicate by biting off her fingers that they are hungry, she falls to begging, and happens to meet the kindly couple who adopted her. By the most natural of reconciliations they discover she is their biological daughter (bc of course, it's the most normal thing to forget that you popped out a baby and abandoned her... only to find that same baby three months later to adopt her lmao).
The beautifull Cassandra - 3 stars
Austen dedicates the story to her older sister and closest friend Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (1773–1845) who serves as inspiration for the story's title character. Austen compliments Cassandra profusely in the dedication in which she calls Cassandra elegant, noble, and majestic. The story is broken into 12 chapters which are only one to three sentences long.
Cassandra turns 16 years old and her mother makes "an elegant Bonnet" that Cassandra dons. She leaves her mother's shop "to make her Fortune." Along the way Cassandra comes across the Viscount of –. The Viscount of – is a nobleman known for his accomplishments and beauty. Cassandra curtseys at the gentleman before she proceeds to a pastry shop where she "devour[s]" six desserts, refuses to pay, and then knocks down the Pastry Cook. (Let me tell you, I was actually laughing out loud whilst reading this!)
Next she takes a "Hackney Coach" or horse-drawn carriage to Hampstead. Immediately upon arrival Cassandra orders the coachman to turn around and drive her back. The coachman drives her back and demands his payment. Cassandra searches her pockets while the coachman becomes increasingly impatient. Her search proves fruitless so she simply places her bonnet on the driver's head and runs away.
What I was wondering is what this moment between Cassandra and Maria – "Cassandra started and Maria seemed surprised; they trembled, blushed, turned pale and passed each other in a mutual silence." – is suppose to signify? It gives me major lesbian vibes, but I dunno if this is what Austen intended.
From A young Lady in distress'd Circumstances to her freind - 3 stars
In this letter, a young woman, Maria Williams, complains to her friend of the insufferable condescension of Lady Greville, who often chaperones Maria to balls along with her own daughters. One evening, Lady Greville expresses surprise at the fineness of Maria's gown, noting "It is not my way to find fault with people because they are poor, for I always think that they are more to be despised and pitied than blamed for it", and proceeds on indirectly insulting Maria and her family for their low social class. The next day, Lady Greville invites Maria to dine with them, telling here "If it rains you may take an umbrella", implying that Maria needs her permission to use such a convenience, leaving Maria "in a great passionwith her as she always does."
From a Young Lady very much in love to her Freind - 2 stars
This letter depicts the passionate relationship between Henrietta Halton and Tom Musgrove (a name that Austen later re-used for her unfinished novel The Watsons). She forwards Tom's love letters to her friend Matilda, telling her: "There is a pattern for a Love-letter Matilda! Did you ever read such a master-piece of Writing? Such sense, such sentiment, such purity of Thought, such flow of Language and such unfeigned Love in one sheet? No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is not to be met with by every Girl. Oh! how I long to be with him!" And then Henrietta proceeds to tell her friend Matilda how lucky she is to become Tom's wife.
Personally, this letter didn't do anything for me. Henrietta's professions of love were corny as hell, and sure, they were exaggerated to be funny, but the humor didn't land as well as in some of the other letters. Probably my least favorite of the bunch!
A Letter from a Young Lady, whose feelings being too Strong for her Judgement ... - ??? stars
A woman named Anna Parker writes a letter to her beloved friend Ellinor. Anna says that she has faced misfortunes in her life but that "I am convinced that I have strictly deserved them" due to the fact that she murdered her father at a young age, later murdered her mother, and is now about to murder her sister. She goes so far as to say that there is not a crime that she has not committed but now she plans to turn over a new leaf because she will marry Colonel Martin of the Horse guards in a few days' time.
This letter left me ABSOLUTELY BAFFLED, so there is no rating, but damn "I am now going to murder my Sister." will go down as one of Austen's most ICONIC lines.
Let me tell you, these little tales that Jane wrote for the amusement of her family are WILD. Super fun but unsurprisingly not very substantial; they read more like drafts and concepts for stories, they're not well fleshed out. But if you take them for what they are and not judge them on literary merit, you will have the time of your life. I laughed out loud several times!
Jack and Alice - 2 stars
This short piece from Jane Austen's Juvenilia is fun to read because it's much less decorous and restrained than Jane Austen's later published novels -- though since she wrote it in her early teens, it's not surprising if it's a little rough and unsophisticated. As in others of her Juvenilia, she parodies some of the literature and literary conventions of her day.
The story is divided into nine chapters. The first chapter begins with Mr. Johnson deciding to throw a masquerade party for his 55th birthday; — "The Johnsons were a family of Love, & though a little addicted to the Bottle & the Dice, had many good Qualities." The most admired guest at the party is Charles Adams who is "so dazzling a Beauty that none but Eagles could look him in the Face."
Favorite quote: 'Sir, I may perhaps be expected to appear pleased at and gratefull for the offer you have made me: but let me tell you that I consider it as an affront.'
Henry and Eliza - 4 stars
The story begins by introducing Sir George and Lady Harcourt. One day Sir George and Lady Harcourt are supervising their workers in the field when they find a beautiful little girl no more than three months old hidden beneath a thick stack of hay, and decide to adapt her as their own and name her Eliza.
Eliza grows up pure and virtuous, however, when she happens to steal Ł50 (a vast sum) she is heartlessly turned out (by her "inhuman benefactors"). She then finds a position with an amiable duchess, and elopes with Henry, lover of the duchess's daughter. The duchess raises an army to pursue them, but Eliza and Henry manage to flee to France where they live vastly beyond their means, until Eliza is widowed, and returns to England in a private warship. She is imprisoned by the duchess, but daringly escapes from the dungeon. (I am telling you, young Jane's imagination was WILD!)
Her children indicate by biting off her fingers that they are hungry, she falls to begging, and happens to meet the kindly couple who adopted her. By the most natural of reconciliations they discover she is their biological daughter (bc of course, it's the most normal thing to forget that you popped out a baby and abandoned her... only to find that same baby three months later to adopt her lmao).
The beautifull Cassandra - 3 stars
Austen dedicates the story to her older sister and closest friend Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (1773–1845) who serves as inspiration for the story's title character. Austen compliments Cassandra profusely in the dedication in which she calls Cassandra elegant, noble, and majestic. The story is broken into 12 chapters which are only one to three sentences long.
Cassandra turns 16 years old and her mother makes "an elegant Bonnet" that Cassandra dons. She leaves her mother's shop "to make her Fortune." Along the way Cassandra comes across the Viscount of –. The Viscount of – is a nobleman known for his accomplishments and beauty. Cassandra curtseys at the gentleman before she proceeds to a pastry shop where she "devour[s]" six desserts, refuses to pay, and then knocks down the Pastry Cook. (Let me tell you, I was actually laughing out loud whilst reading this!)
Next she takes a "Hackney Coach" or horse-drawn carriage to Hampstead. Immediately upon arrival Cassandra orders the coachman to turn around and drive her back. The coachman drives her back and demands his payment. Cassandra searches her pockets while the coachman becomes increasingly impatient. Her search proves fruitless so she simply places her bonnet on the driver's head and runs away.
What I was wondering is what this moment between Cassandra and Maria – "Cassandra started and Maria seemed surprised; they trembled, blushed, turned pale and passed each other in a mutual silence." – is suppose to signify? It gives me major lesbian vibes, but I dunno if this is what Austen intended.
From A young Lady in distress'd Circumstances to her freind - 3 stars
In this letter, a young woman, Maria Williams, complains to her friend of the insufferable condescension of Lady Greville, who often chaperones Maria to balls along with her own daughters. One evening, Lady Greville expresses surprise at the fineness of Maria's gown, noting "It is not my way to find fault with people because they are poor, for I always think that they are more to be despised and pitied than blamed for it", and proceeds on indirectly insulting Maria and her family for their low social class. The next day, Lady Greville invites Maria to dine with them, telling here "If it rains you may take an umbrella", implying that Maria needs her permission to use such a convenience, leaving Maria "in a great passionwith her as she always does."
From a Young Lady very much in love to her Freind - 2 stars
This letter depicts the passionate relationship between Henrietta Halton and Tom Musgrove (a name that Austen later re-used for her unfinished novel The Watsons). She forwards Tom's love letters to her friend Matilda, telling her: "There is a pattern for a Love-letter Matilda! Did you ever read such a master-piece of Writing? Such sense, such sentiment, such purity of Thought, such flow of Language and such unfeigned Love in one sheet? No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is not to be met with by every Girl. Oh! how I long to be with him!" And then Henrietta proceeds to tell her friend Matilda how lucky she is to become Tom's wife.
Personally, this letter didn't do anything for me. Henrietta's professions of love were corny as hell, and sure, they were exaggerated to be funny, but the humor didn't land as well as in some of the other letters. Probably my least favorite of the bunch!
A Letter from a Young Lady, whose feelings being too Strong for her Judgement ... - ??? stars
A woman named Anna Parker writes a letter to her beloved friend Ellinor. Anna says that she has faced misfortunes in her life but that "I am convinced that I have strictly deserved them" due to the fact that she murdered her father at a young age, later murdered her mother, and is now about to murder her sister. She goes so far as to say that there is not a crime that she has not committed but now she plans to turn over a new leaf because she will marry Colonel Martin of the Horse guards in a few days' time.
This letter left me ABSOLUTELY BAFFLED, so there is no rating, but damn "I am now going to murder my Sister." will go down as one of Austen's most ICONIC lines.
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March 12, 2017
Jane Austen was a pre-consumerist writer who cared not for world-building or owning things, but instead of people's countenances, beauty and humour. She lived from the 18th to the 19th Century in England and gained little fame in her lifetime for her works, having published them originally anonymously.
I much prefer her earlier works. The Beautifull Cassandra is taken from Love and Freindship and Other Writings, both of which are examples of her juvenalia: things she wrote as a teenager and younger woman to entertain her family.
Despite the glaring spelling mistakes (I utterly adore Penguin for leaving them in) Austen was obviously a wonderful storyteller from an early age. I prefer her juvenalia because she was not so wholly concerned with love at that time. Austen has wonderful books, but they, for the most part, follow the same plot and storyline and the difference in tone in these earlier pieces is wonderful.
She wrote of drunkenness, debauchery and murder. She wrote of theft, audacity and the marvel of not necessarily doing as one should in accordance to how others view you should. There is a naivety to these writings that are not found in her later works, but there is also a wider outlook on life that I think perhaps died a little within her as she grew older.
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I much prefer her earlier works. The Beautifull Cassandra is taken from Love and Freindship and Other Writings, both of which are examples of her juvenalia: things she wrote as a teenager and younger woman to entertain her family.
Despite the glaring spelling mistakes (I utterly adore Penguin for leaving them in) Austen was obviously a wonderful storyteller from an early age. I prefer her juvenalia because she was not so wholly concerned with love at that time. Austen has wonderful books, but they, for the most part, follow the same plot and storyline and the difference in tone in these earlier pieces is wonderful.
She wrote of drunkenness, debauchery and murder. She wrote of theft, audacity and the marvel of not necessarily doing as one should in accordance to how others view you should. There is a naivety to these writings that are not found in her later works, but there is also a wider outlook on life that I think perhaps died a little within her as she grew older.
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June 6, 2024
This book deals with many topics, such as murder, theft, deceit, imprisonment, romance, and intrigue.
Austen was a trailblazer, famed for her satire, astute social commentary, and strong-willed, passionate heroines. Her ability to wield humor with realism has found her favor with critics and readers for generations.
Austen was a trailblazer, famed for her satire, astute social commentary, and strong-willed, passionate heroines. Her ability to wield humor with realism has found her favor with critics and readers for generations.
September 29, 2023
It is totally unlike any other Austen work. Not just by the writing style (she was just a teen after all!) but by content too! Never expected Austen to be so naughty in her teens. There's a hint of mischief throughout the 50 odd pages. Austen-lovers, you might want to check it out. Not recommended to anyone else.
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Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.
March 23, 2015
Give me anything of Austen's and i'll be happy!! This was so much fun reading, but since i worship the woman, i'm probably not the one to judge :P
July 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fast, fun read for any Austen fan! Obviously this can’t compare to her masterpieces but it was perfect for my train journey today!
A fast, fun read for any Austen fan! Obviously this can’t compare to her masterpieces but it was perfect for my train journey today!
April 30, 2018
Jack and Alice - 2/5 stars
Henry and Eliza - 3/5 stars
The Beautifull Cassandra - 1/5 stars
From a young Lady in distress'd Circumstances to her friend - 4/5 stars
From a Young Lady very much in love to her Friend - 3/5 stars
A Letter from a Young Lady, whose feelings being too Strong for her Judgement led her into the commission of Errors which her Heart disapproved - 3/5 stars
Henry and Eliza - 3/5 stars
The Beautifull Cassandra - 1/5 stars
From a young Lady in distress'd Circumstances to her friend - 4/5 stars
From a Young Lady very much in love to her Friend - 3/5 stars
A Letter from a Young Lady, whose feelings being too Strong for her Judgement led her into the commission of Errors which her Heart disapproved - 3/5 stars
March 2, 2022
the love letters at the end? i havent witnessed a thing similar to them before
July 31, 2017
I thought it was very interesting to read something Jane Austen wrote as a teenager. It wasn't anything special, but it was a nice and quick read. I loved how Penguin decided against removing the spelling mistakes that she must've made when she wrote these stories. It also helped me understand why it says "beautifull" in the title instead of "beautiful". All in all, it's a good book with some nice short stories and letters and due to the fact that these books cost $2 each, this book is definitely worth buying, even though I only gave it three stars.
July 13, 2016
Skimmed through most of this because I found it quite boring to be honest!
December 30, 2020
I love to see that Jane Austen's signature wit was a part of her writing from the very beginning! This was an absolute joy to read!
August 27, 2018
"She has many rare and charming qualities, but Sobriety is not one of them."
- Jane Austin, "Jack and Alice"
Vol N° 33 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains exerpts from Penguin's collection of Austin's early short stories/letters called 'Love and Friendship'. The following are the six writings included in Vol 33:
1. Jack and Alice- ★★★★
2. Henry and Eliza- ★★★
3. The beautifull Cassandra - ★★
4. From A young Lady in distress'd Circumstances to her Friend - ★★★
5. From a Young Lady very much in love to her Friend - ★★
6. A Letter from a Young Lady, whose feelings being too Strong for her Judgement led her into the commission of Errors which her Heart disapproved - ★★★
These are mostly all short writings from Jane Austin's juvenile writing career. It is like seeing the early sketches of Picasso or boy Shakespeare's limmericks. There are hints and the later greatness, but also just a lot of youthful indulgence. Some of the absurdities and grotesqueries are enjoyable, however. Together, these short pieces remind me of games I would play with my GI Joes as a kid. I would have huge, elaborate battles. Traditional good guy vs. bad guy scenes. The good guy would win, and after all his friends had been killed and he had decimated the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. I would end it tragically. The hero, alone, suffering from PTSD and grief, would throw himself off a cliff, jump out of a plane and pierce himself on a skyscraper's long, sharp spire, or commit ritual diembowlment with Snake Eyes's katana. The traditional boy battle would end with absurdity. Perhaps, Jane Austin and I were chewing on the same lead pencils as kids. Kids!!!
- Jane Austin, "Jack and Alice"
Vol N° 33 of my Penguin Little Black Classics Box Set. This volume contains exerpts from Penguin's collection of Austin's early short stories/letters called 'Love and Friendship'. The following are the six writings included in Vol 33:
1. Jack and Alice- ★★★★
2. Henry and Eliza- ★★★
3. The beautifull Cassandra - ★★
4. From A young Lady in distress'd Circumstances to her Friend - ★★★
5. From a Young Lady very much in love to her Friend - ★★
6. A Letter from a Young Lady, whose feelings being too Strong for her Judgement led her into the commission of Errors which her Heart disapproved - ★★★
These are mostly all short writings from Jane Austin's juvenile writing career. It is like seeing the early sketches of Picasso or boy Shakespeare's limmericks. There are hints and the later greatness, but also just a lot of youthful indulgence. Some of the absurdities and grotesqueries are enjoyable, however. Together, these short pieces remind me of games I would play with my GI Joes as a kid. I would have huge, elaborate battles. Traditional good guy vs. bad guy scenes. The good guy would win, and after all his friends had been killed and he had decimated the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. I would end it tragically. The hero, alone, suffering from PTSD and grief, would throw himself off a cliff, jump out of a plane and pierce himself on a skyscraper's long, sharp spire, or commit ritual diembowlment with Snake Eyes's katana. The traditional boy battle would end with absurdity. Perhaps, Jane Austin and I were chewing on the same lead pencils as kids. Kids!!!
February 14, 2016
This book was read for the #readwomen month.
This should only be read by hardcore fans of Austen who are okay with being utterly disappointed. I hated everything about it, it is one of the worst things I have ever read, I am extremely glad I will never again read any of her Juvenilia. Thank the heavens this gave me a sample of how bad she was in her younger years at writing. This is a disastrous collection of the works of her younger years, and please, read any of her other works, before attempting to read this.
This should only be read by hardcore fans of Austen who are okay with being utterly disappointed. I hated everything about it, it is one of the worst things I have ever read, I am extremely glad I will never again read any of her Juvenilia. Thank the heavens this gave me a sample of how bad she was in her younger years at writing. This is a disastrous collection of the works of her younger years, and please, read any of her other works, before attempting to read this.
July 13, 2018
These are the stories are inexperienced and youthful, silly and lyrically awkward. They were written when Jane Austen was a mere teenager, full of ideas but lacking the experience she would have as an adult writer.
It is impossible to raise criticism. These stories were written for the joy of her family only, and allow us a secretive glance and Austen as a young girl. The words feel private and because of that, fun. I wasn't expecting something comparable to the quality of her novels, but I was still surprised by how much wit and charm this collection held. Turns out she established her polite way of telling stories with that special pinch of sassy humor very early on!
Still, the stories themselves aren't very good. Objectively speaking at least - while she writes about narratively (potentially) exciting things such as drunks, poisoners and prison-breaks, they fail to make any kind of impact. I am aware that they never were meant for the public, and Penguin somewhat knows so too, deciding to not remove spelling mistakes such as beautifull and freinds. For fans of Austen they'll be delightful, because they are her stories. If you are just looking at this for any other reason, you're in the wrong place.
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
It is impossible to raise criticism. These stories were written for the joy of her family only, and allow us a secretive glance and Austen as a young girl. The words feel private and because of that, fun. I wasn't expecting something comparable to the quality of her novels, but I was still surprised by how much wit and charm this collection held. Turns out she established her polite way of telling stories with that special pinch of sassy humor very early on!
Still, the stories themselves aren't very good. Objectively speaking at least - while she writes about narratively (potentially) exciting things such as drunks, poisoners and prison-breaks, they fail to make any kind of impact. I am aware that they never were meant for the public, and Penguin somewhat knows so too, deciding to not remove spelling mistakes such as beautifull and freinds. For fans of Austen they'll be delightful, because they are her stories. If you are just looking at this for any other reason, you're in the wrong place.
In 2015 Penguin introduced the Little Black Classics series to celebrate Penguin's 80th birthday. Including little stories from "around the world and across many centuries" as the publisher describes, I have been intrigued to read those for a long time, before finally having started. I hope to sooner or later read and review all of them!
August 6, 2025
Es una novela corta de la juventud de la autora. Es una parodia de las novelas melodramáticas, sentimentales y picarescas de la época y narra la historia de una joven que se lanza al mundo para hacer fortuna.
Austen crea los personajes y el pastiche sin adornos propios de la autora, en una obra breve que condensa doce capítulos cortos; este pequeño personaje tiene una personalidad propia, tanto dentro del texto como por sí mismo, una personalidad que refleja gran parte de la vida que tendrían los personajes posteriores de Austen: su travesura, e incluso su delincuencia, son especialmente típicas de la obra adolescente de la autora, con un comportamiento extremo y la autocomplacencia como tono predominante. Así, por ejemplo, en una pastelería, Cassandra «devoró seis helados, se negó a pagarlos, derribó al pastelero y se marchó», concluyendo para sí misma, al final de todas sus aventuras igualmente delictivas, que «¡Qué día más bien aprovechado!».
En general es un relato que me gustó mucho, lo encontré muy ingenioso y divertido, sin ser totalmente superficial; muy recomendable y ameno.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNBsy-RP_2b/
Austen crea los personajes y el pastiche sin adornos propios de la autora, en una obra breve que condensa doce capítulos cortos; este pequeño personaje tiene una personalidad propia, tanto dentro del texto como por sí mismo, una personalidad que refleja gran parte de la vida que tendrían los personajes posteriores de Austen: su travesura, e incluso su delincuencia, son especialmente típicas de la obra adolescente de la autora, con un comportamiento extremo y la autocomplacencia como tono predominante. Así, por ejemplo, en una pastelería, Cassandra «devoró seis helados, se negó a pagarlos, derribó al pastelero y se marchó», concluyendo para sí misma, al final de todas sus aventuras igualmente delictivas, que «¡Qué día más bien aprovechado!».
En general es un relato que me gustó mucho, lo encontré muy ingenioso y divertido, sin ser totalmente superficial; muy recomendable y ameno.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNBsy-RP_2b/
April 19, 2022
تو این فکرم که جین آستن توی اتاقش وقتی داشته تو ذهنش داستانپردازی میکرده چه کیفی میکرده... چطور میخندیده به دنیا... اینکه انقدر سال پیش زندگی کرده و الان من انگار دارم کتابای بهترین دوستمو میخونم... مو به تنم سیخ میکنه.
August 22, 2016
Originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction
How do I write a review for a book that’s just a bit bigger than my hand? Well, I’ll try my best.
Because as short as it was, I loved this book!
I looked at the Goodreads reviews after to see what other people thought, and I’m honestly shocked to see quite a lot of the reviews are bad. Granted, I can understand why . This is a small collection of short stories, all of them written by Jane Austen when she was a teenager for her family’s entertainment. There was no intention of them being published – and so they’re hardly going to be up to the standard many fans know her for. She was younger, and they were just a bit of fun. I can see how they might disappoint those who expect so much from her.
But personally, I’ve only read Pride and Prejudice so far. I adored it, and will be reading ALL of Jane Austen’s books over the next few months as part of the Austentatious book club. So I do admit that I’m not yet used to Jane Austen’s way of writing.
But I went into this little book knowing she wrote them as a teenager. Knowing she wrote them either when she was my age or younger. Knowing they were just a bit of fun for her family. So really, I didn’t expect anything from this apart from a lighter classic for me to read, to encourage me to read more.
And that’s what I got! Though “lighter” probably isn’t the right word, considering the amount of scandalous events going on in this short amount of pages.
It’s very obvious that these aren’t serious stories. That they’re made purely for entertainment. And it’s clearly not the sort of book where you grow attached to characters and places – I mean, by the time you’ve gotten used to the names, you’ll have moved on. But I feel like it fits its purpose perfectly for me, because I found myself laughing and smiling all the way through.
The events of these stories are just outrageous, in the way that if they actually happened during Austen’s time, they’d be the scandal of the year. Well, even if they happened now they’d be shocking (and rightly so – death was quite a popular topic it seems). What amused me the most though was the way it was written. The way some passages were worded made me laugh to myself out loud. They wouldn’t even be particularly funny – but it would amuse me all the same.
“She assured her that except her Father, Brother, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and other relations, Lady Williams, Charles Adams and a few dozen more of particular friends, she loved her better than almost any other person in the world.”
Just a few people ahead of her on that list, then?
I can just tell this will be the sort of thing I’ll re-read again and again. I’ve already read certain scenes back, right when I finished it. I flipped back through and tabbed my favourite parts. I just can’t help but imagine young Jane Austen sitting and writing these stories, experimenting with different characters and events…all of it being practice for the classics so many people know and love now. Something about that thought amazes me.
Sure, this might not be as spectacularly written as her typical classics. But they were fun, highly amusing, and a wonderful sneak peak into the whimsies of her younger life.
Rated 4/5 stars!
Amazon
December 2, 2023
در کل جالب بود و منم خیلی وقت بود کلاسیک نخونده بودم.
من داستان اول رو بیشتر دوست داشتم
اکثرا یه جوری بودن که در نهایت شوکه بشی یا حداقل سعی شده بود که غافلگیر بشی اما قابل پیش بینی بودن.
من داستان اول رو بیشتر دوست داشتم
اکثرا یه جوری بودن که در نهایت شوکه بشی یا حداقل سعی شده بود که غافلگیر بشی اما قابل پیش بینی بودن.
June 26, 2024
3,5 stars.
OMG this felt as though Lady Whistledown (iykyk) wrote it!
OMG this felt as though Lady Whistledown (iykyk) wrote it!
July 20, 2019
This tiny collection of Austen's juvenelia was definitely what I needed: a good laugh. It is incredible to see how Austen had her wit even though these short bits of writing are very much unpolished and in many ways laughably horrible. That is what makes them so good and endearing; they are a starting point and still a lot of fun even though plot and characterisation wise undeveloped and ridiculous. So yes, I definitely enjoyed this one (especially because they were all unread bits of juvenelia to me) and would recommend Austen's juvenelia to every Austen lover.
Read
December 30, 2021I abstain from rating this novel as it was not meant to be published anyway. It belongs to the author’s juvenile collection, which was only written to amuse and entertain her family, never supposed be out in the world for the judgmental eyes of her readers. I can see the foundation of her novels in her younger days, her wit and courage reflects itself in these one-sentenced chapters, where Casssandra ventures out into the world without fear, stripped of all moral norms and conventions of the society. She dons an expensive bonnet prepared for some royalty and leaves home without a single care in mind, she steals, she attacks, she takes advantage of people; doing whatever she wants all day and returns to the safety of her home without feeling any guilt. This is quite unfamiliar and shockingly bold for Austen as her protagonists are the embodiment of refinement, elegance and good etiquette who do not step out of the conformations of the society. I enjoyed reading this because come on, it’s Austen you guys, I cling to whatever she left us like there’s no tomorrow.
March 6, 2023
A very short collection of short snippets written by Jane Austen during her younger years. It was quite interesting to read her earlier work even though they were very short. Which also means that you should take my ratings with a grain of salt (since I still need to figure out how I want to rate such short works)...
Jack and Alice - 3
Henry and Eliza - 2
The Beautifull Cassandra - 2
Letter the Third - 2
From a Young Lady[...] - 3
A Letter from a Young Lady[...] - 3
Jack and Alice - 3
Henry and Eliza - 2
The Beautifull Cassandra - 2
Letter the Third - 2
From a Young Lady[...] - 3
A Letter from a Young Lady[...] - 3
January 12, 2020
Delightful ❤️
February 3, 2021
These are so very funny, like goddamn, Austen was flexing even as a teen. They are absolutely outrageous, but the sudden flip from the sort-of Austen story we're used to, to utterly ridiculous and contrived plot points delivered straight-faced with only a hint of flippancy is just... hilarious.
"The Colonel in gratitude waited on me the next day with an offer of his hand-. I am now going to murder my Sister. Yours Ever, Anna Parker"
I'm sorry, but to anyone who rated this low: Do you hate fun????
Although they are obviously written entirely to amuse family, and don't have a lot of literary value, you can definitely glimpse the sort of writer Austen would become. She knows how to write people and her comedic timing is impeccable. It's also suddenly extremely apparent why Northanger Abbey was her first novel. She was clearly intrigued from very early on by the extravagance and exaggerated nature of the gothic novel, something she eventually grew away from.
I wish so ardently that she might have lived to become at least 80. I want to see the stories she'd write at 65 when she no longer gave a fuck. To have a mature Jane Austen have a go at an alcoholic protagonist? A murderess? Perhaps to see her go full-blown satire? God, what I wouldn't give to see it.
"The Colonel in gratitude waited on me the next day with an offer of his hand-. I am now going to murder my Sister. Yours Ever, Anna Parker"
I'm sorry, but to anyone who rated this low: Do you hate fun????
Although they are obviously written entirely to amuse family, and don't have a lot of literary value, you can definitely glimpse the sort of writer Austen would become. She knows how to write people and her comedic timing is impeccable. It's also suddenly extremely apparent why Northanger Abbey was her first novel. She was clearly intrigued from very early on by the extravagance and exaggerated nature of the gothic novel, something she eventually grew away from.
I wish so ardently that she might have lived to become at least 80. I want to see the stories she'd write at 65 when she no longer gave a fuck. To have a mature Jane Austen have a go at an alcoholic protagonist? A murderess? Perhaps to see her go full-blown satire? God, what I wouldn't give to see it.
July 23, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars
I had almost forgotten what I like most about Jane Austen's writing: her wit. This collection of short stories is a light hearted and amusing read that fans of her work are sure to enjoy.
Happy reading!
I had almost forgotten what I like most about Jane Austen's writing: her wit. This collection of short stories is a light hearted and amusing read that fans of her work are sure to enjoy.
Happy reading!
December 27, 2020
Classic, fun, Jane Austen 🤣 I especially loved the very last story. Wish there was more!
August 15, 2022
3 1/2, easier to read than expected
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