Lady Susan, the Watsons, Sanditon

Lady Susan, The Watsons, Sandtion is a compilation of some smaller and unfinished works by Jane Austen from early in her life and from right at the very end.Lady Susan“There is exquisite pleasure in subduing an insolent spirit, in making a person pre-determined to dislike, acknowledge one's superiority."I really enjoyed Lady Susan and reading the story through the use of letters. There's a bit of intrigue and gossip, and you get to see what the characters actually think of the others rather than the face they show in their presence. Although I don't like Lady Susan herself, you have to admire her ability to scheme!The Watsons“I shall retreat in as much secrecy as possible to the most remote corner of the house, where I shall order a barrel of oysters, and be famously snug."The Watsons provided an interesting insight into the society of the time, and I very much liked there was a note tacked on the end regarding what the plan was for Emma's future story. Being so short I didn't overly attach to any character other than Emma Watson, but I think I like where it was to head and who she was to end up with.Sanditon“Every neighbourhood should have a great Lady.”And finally, Sanditon is an unfinished work revolving around a newly built spa town. We first meet our central characters when they're out on the road, shortly followed by them returning to Sanditon with a new companion whose eyes we watch the rest of the story from. Its an interesting story, and I would have loved to know where it leads and what it would look like a bit more fleshed out.

A useful introduction by Margaret Drabble puts raw Austen into perspective. Lady Susan was not an easy read, though has lately been made accessible, in its comic glory, by the film "Love and Friendship" directed by Whit Stillman. The other two works are fragments, but pleasant diversions.

If you thought you had read all Jane Austen's novels - here are three more, all unfortunately unfinished but wonderful reading nevertheless.The Austen texts are prefaced by an introduction by Margaret Drabble. Here she offers some ideas as to why she thinks Jane abandoned the novels before finishing - a different reason each time - and also some interesting insights on the characters and Jane's method of presentation. She also guesses how the novels may have ended. Or not...The book contains explanatory notes at the end.I read the intro first, then the novels, then read the introduction again.It is a very inexpensive book - so the return on investment is huge. Buy it now and enjoy it for your summer holiday.

Very good book. Thanks for suggesting it.

Anything written by Jane Austin (however unfinished) is - to my mind - worth reading. But I confess, I enjoyed her longer novels more.