These three unfinished works by Jane Austen contain all the caustic humour, exquisite character development and amusing satire that we have come to expect from Jane Austen.
Lady Susan was her first stab at a novel at the age of 22, and then put aside unfinished. Perhaps the en vogue style of letter writing narratives did not appeal to her in the end, certainly introducing melodrama and some tediousness into the storytelling. Lady Susan herself is unattractive, unfaithful, and highly opinionated, yet a beautiful widow of 35. She is undoubtedly cruel to her poor teenage daughter. Yet Jane Austen is able to have fun poking fun at her haughty ways.
The Watsons was written in Bath shortly before her father died, abandoned after 17,000 words or so. The heroine, Emma Watson, is perhaps placed two low in the society that thrives on balls, dresses and marriages to eligible bachelors both young and old. The eighteen-year-old is wooed by a prince and a pauper.
Sanditon was written in the last year of Jane Austen’s life and was left unfinished. Unsatisfactorily, there is no hint to where the story would end up. However, it displays all the hallmarks of a classic story from the author, with comic caricatures, wicked satire and comic exaggeration.
This collection is probably best suited to aficionados of Jane Austen wanting to experience more of her genius beyond the six classic novels to her name. The stories are of the highest quality and remain most enjoyable to read. Those wanting a well-rounded story will be disappointed though. Lady Susan is probably more extreme and crueler than intended, and lacks balance in many ways. The Watsons is somewhat insubstantial though typical Austen. Sanditon might easily have developed into a full-length novel, as the author explores the new attitudes to work and progress coming into contact with families steeped in the status quo. The unsubtle satire is a delight. As a huge fan of Jane Austen, these fragments are a welcomed discovery.