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Lesley Castle
This inspired novella, with its outrageous cast of superficial characters, brilliantly showcases Jane Austen's comic genius. Presented here with A History of England and Catharine. As Miss Margaret Lesley and Miss Charlotte Lutterell divulge their innermost secrets through a series of letters, each reveals where her true priorities lie—if a bridegroom is fatally wounded the night before his wedding, the first concern must inexorably be for the luxurious food that will be laid to waste. As one plot gives way to the next, and as the heroines exchange wisdom on adultery, elopement, divorce, and remarriage, they increasingly fall prey to the merciless and lambasting sword of Jane Austen’s wit. Author of the masterpieces Pride and Prejudice and Emma, Jane Austen is one of the world’s best-loved novelists.
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1793
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About the author
Jane Austen
3,539 books74.8k 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 77 reviews
March 6, 2015
HA. I LOLed. LedOL. Whatever.
Melodrama, made even more hilarious by understatement. And zingy one-liners!
"We are handsome my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our Perfections is, we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."
"During our visit, the Weather being remarkably bad, and our party particularly stupid, she was so good as to conceive a violent partiality for me"
"The elegant address of Mr Cleveland, his polished Manners and Delightful Bow, at once confirmed my attachment. He did not speak; but I can imagine everything he would have said, had he opened his Mouth."
"Mr Fitzgerald who is a very amiable young Man in the main, tho' perhaps a little singular in his Taste--He is in love with Matilda--"
Melodrama, made even more hilarious by understatement. And zingy one-liners!
"We are handsome my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our Perfections is, we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."
"During our visit, the Weather being remarkably bad, and our party particularly stupid, she was so good as to conceive a violent partiality for me"
"The elegant address of Mr Cleveland, his polished Manners and Delightful Bow, at once confirmed my attachment. He did not speak; but I can imagine everything he would have said, had he opened his Mouth."
"Mr Fitzgerald who is a very amiable young Man in the main, tho' perhaps a little singular in his Taste--He is in love with Matilda--"
January 28, 2022
It is another unfinished work of one of my favorite authors, Jane Austen.. I put 2 stars because it was hard to pick up the purpose of it.. Although it was funny in some ways.. And obviously I admire how she writes! But maybe, because it was not finished or maybe, because she wrote it at age 16 (damn!!!).. I like how she writes about human contradictional behavior.. She definitely has a beautiful humor! But it felt for me a bit pointless..
The story is written in letters..
Miss Margaret Lesley - who has a food obsession.. and Miss Charlotte. A very entertaining character, who is dishonest with herself. They discuss weddings, divorces, remarriage and other topics.. It all feels like a big gossip, full of jealousy and envy..
The story is written in letters..
Miss Margaret Lesley - who has a food obsession.. and Miss Charlotte. A very entertaining character, who is dishonest with herself. They discuss weddings, divorces, remarriage and other topics.. It all feels like a big gossip, full of jealousy and envy..
April 2, 2015
damnit. I'll never produce anything of merit if jane did this at sixteen.
March 10, 2020
I like the review that says “So you think you are a writer. Read this slim volume and weep.” Austen did this at sixteen, and it’s unpardonably good for any writer, much less someone that young. The one fault of the slim volume is that it is indeed slim.
If I were compiling it, though, I’d give the top billing to her History of England. The sketches, the parody, the rending of garments for Mary Queen of Scots; it’s near perfection.
If I were compiling it, though, I’d give the top billing to her History of England. The sketches, the parody, the rending of garments for Mary Queen of Scots; it’s near perfection.
February 10, 2023
Perhaps surprisingly, Austen’s epistolary works have emerged as some of my favorites - Lady Susan and Lesley Castle. Her writing is filled with such wit and humor even at such a young age, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading these three short excerpts.
December 9, 2014
AS usual with unfinished works... I just wish there was more...
August 1, 2024
Quite charming and hilarious — though I especially enjoyed The History of England by a Partial, Prejudiced, and Ignorant Historian! Pro-Stuart Ms. Austen does not disappoint. Also Kitty talking books with Camilla in The Bower 🤌
January 5, 2018
Collection of letters between few ladies.... Surprised by the over-frankness of opinions in the letters.. !!
September 26, 2025
A 3 star Jane Austen from me?!? It’s because I am mad at her for not finishing this book. I still love you though, Jane
June 5, 2020
This book was more confusing than it was interesting and I had a hard time picking up on it's purpose. Of course that might, in part, be caused by the fact that it was an unfinished work. All the same, it was alright, but I didn't get much out of it....except enjoyment in Ms. Austen's beautiful humor in drawing out the contradictions in people's behavior, and this quote which I had to stop and laugh over: "He [the man that the girl is smitten with] did not speak; but I can imagine everything he would have said, had he opened his mouth."
January 1, 2018
It was a collection of communications between Miss Lesley, Miss Lutterell - Charlotte, Eloisa, Lady Lesley, Mrs Marlowe. Overall it was like listening to gossips laced with subtle humor and myriad emotions of love, possessiveness, jealousy and mild envy.
Three stars, Not a bad start to the year. :)
Three stars, Not a bad start to the year. :)
December 8, 2008
So you think you are a writer. Read this slim volume and weep. This is Jane Austen's teenage oeuvre. I read this on occasion, when I think I need to come to my senses (or sensibilities). It is delightful to boot.
Read
August 4, 2018very funny
July 30, 2021
This was a really silly, unfinished novel in letters about a bunch of very uninteresting people. I think it was supposed to be comical, but I didn't get much out of it.
April 15, 2025
Book 18 2025
Audiobook
Felt like reading a gossipblog fr
Audiobook
Felt like reading a gossipblog fr
Read
December 23, 2025A lovely collection of letters written with such wit and elegance!!
March 1, 2022
мне нужно продолжение, где миссис Марло и мисс Латтрелл имеет продолжение своей романтичнской линии
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2011
This one wasn't too memorable, but I was in love with the wording.
Three stars for style, and it wasn't terrible ever either.
Three stars for style, and it wasn't terrible ever either.
May 18, 2012
A somewhat amusing set of short tales from the fabulous Jane Austen. The last story, Catherine, though seemed to end somewhat abruptly with no appearance of resolution.
May 1, 2018
Imprumutata de la Biblioteca Racari
March 5, 2019
Very quick and very fun!
March 28, 2022
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Lesley Castle
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Another delightful treat from Austen, in the spirit of Love and Friendship!
................................................................................................
"Lesley is at present but five and twenty, and has already given himself up to melancholy and Despair; what a difference between him and his Father! Sir George is 57 and still remains the Beau, the flighty stripling, the gay Lad, and sprightly Youngster, that his Son was really about five years back, and that HE has affected to appear ever since my remembrance. While our father is fluttering about the streets of London, gay, dissipated, and Thoughtless at the age of 57, Matilda and I continue secluded from Mankind in our old and Mouldering Castle, which is situated two miles from Perth on a bold projecting Rock, and commands an extensive veiw of the Town and its delightful Environs. But tho’ retired from almost all the World, (for we visit no one but the M’Leods, The M’Kenzies, the M’Phersons, the M’Cartneys, the M’Donalds, The M’kinnons, the M’lellans, the M’kays, the Macbeths and the Macduffs) we are neither dull nor unhappy; on the contrary there never were two more lively, more agreable or more witty girls, than we are; not an hour in the Day hangs heavy on our Hands. We read, we work, we walk, and when fatigued with these Employments releive our spirits, either by a lively song, a graceful Dance, or by some smart bon-mot, and witty repartee. We are handsome my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our Perfections is, that we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."
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"I have a thousand excuses to beg for having so long delayed thanking you my dear Peggy for your agreable Letter, which beleive me I should not have deferred doing, had not every moment of my time during the last five weeks been so fully employed in the necessary arrangements for my sisters wedding, as to allow me no time to devote either to you or myself. And now what provokes me more than anything else is that the Match is broke off, and all my Labour thrown away. Imagine how great the Dissapointment must be to me, when you consider that after having laboured both by Night and by Day, in order to get the Wedding dinner ready by the time appointed, after having roasted Beef, Broiled Mutton, and Stewed Soup enough to last the new-married Couple through the Honey-moon, I had the mortification of finding that I had been Roasting, Broiling and Stewing both the Meat and Myself to no purpose. Indeed my dear Freind, I never remember suffering any vexation equal to what I experienced on last Monday when my sister came running to me in the store-room with her face as White as a Whipt syllabub, and told me that Hervey had been thrown from his Horse, had fractured his Scull and was pronounced by his surgeon to be in the most emminent Danger. “Good God! (said I) you dont say so? Why what in the name of Heaven will become of all the Victuals! We shall never be able to eat it while it is good. However, we’ll call in the Surgeon to help us. I shall be able to manage the Sir-loin myself, my Mother will eat the soup, and You and the Doctor must finish the rest.” Here I was interrupted, by seeing my poor Sister fall down to appearance Lifeless upon one of the Chests, where we keep our Table linen. ... leaving her with my Mother I took down the remains of The Ham and Chicken, and sent William to ask how Henry did. He was not expected to live many Hours; he died the same day. We took all possible care to break the melancholy Event to Eloisa in the tenderest manner; yet in spite of every precaution, her sufferings on hearing it were too violent for her reason, and she continued for many hours in a high Delirium. ... And now my dear Margaret let me talk a little of your affairs; and in the first place I must inform you that it is confidently reported, your Father is going to be married; I am very unwilling to beleive so unpleasing a report, and at the same time cannot wholly discredit it. I have written to my freind Susan Fitzgerald, for information concerning it, which as she is at present in Town, she will be very able to give me. ... "
"P. S. I have this instant received an answer from my freind Susan, which I enclose to you, and on which you will make your own reflections.
"The enclosed LETTER
"My dear CHARLOTTE You could not have applied for information concerning the report of Sir George Lesleys Marriage, to any one better able to give it you than I am. Sir George is certainly married; I was myself present at the Ceremony, which you will not be surprised at when I subscribe myself your Affectionate
"Susan Lesley"
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" ... A brother of Mrs Marlowe, Mr Cleveland is with them at present; he is a good-looking young Man, and seems to have a good deal to say for himself. I tell Eloisa that she should set her cap at him, but she does not at all seem to relish the proposal. I should like to see the girl married and Cleveland has a very good estate. Perhaps you may wonder that I do not consider myself as well as my Sister in my matrimonial Projects; but to tell you the truth I never wish to act a more principal part at a Wedding than the superintending and directing the Dinner, and therefore while I can get any of my acquaintance to marry for me, I shall never think of doing it myself, as I very much suspect that I should not have so much time for dressing my own Wedding- dinner, as for dressing that of my freinds."
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" ... Her Ladyship perfectly answers the description you sent me of her, except that I do not think her so pretty as you seem to consider her. She has not a bad face, but there is something so extremely unmajestic in her little diminutive figure, as to render her in comparison with the elegant height of Matilda and Myself, an insignificant Dwarf. Her curiosity to see us (which must have been great to bring her more than four hundred miles) being now perfectly gratified, she already begins to mention their return to town, and has desired us to accompany her. We cannot refuse her request since it is seconded by the commands of our Father, and thirded by the entreaties of Mr. Fitzgerald who is certainly one of the most pleasing young Men, I ever beheld. It is not yet determined when we are to go, but when ever we do we shall certainly take our little Louisa with us. ... "
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"Ah! my dear Freind I every day more regret the serene and tranquil Pleasures of the Castle we have left, in exchange for the uncertain and unequal Amusements of this vaunted City. Not that I will pretend to assert that these uncertain and unequal Amusements are in the least Degree unpleasing to me; on the contrary I enjoy them extremely and should enjoy them even more, were I not certain that every appearance I make in Public but rivetts the Chains of those unhappy Beings whose Passion it is impossible not to pity, tho’ it is out of my power to return. In short my Dear Charlotte it is my sensibility for the sufferings of so many amiable young Men, my Dislike of the extreme admiration I meet with, and my aversion to being so celebrated both in Public, in Private, in Papers, and in Printshops, that are the reasons why I cannot more fully enjoy, the Amusements so various and pleasing of London. How often have I wished that I possessed as little Personal Beauty as you do; that my figure were as inelegant; my face as unlovely; and my appearance as unpleasing as yours! But ah! what little chance is there of so desirable an Event; I have had the small-pox, and must therefore submit to my unhappy fate."
"... We see more of Lady L. who always makes her appearance (highly rouged) at Dinner-time. Alas! what Delightful Jewels will she be decked in this evening at Lady Flambeau’s! Yet I wonder how she can herself delight in wearing them; surely she must be sensible of the ridiculous impropriety of loading her little diminutive figure with such superfluous ornaments; is it possible that she can not know how greatly superior an elegant simplicity is to the most studied apparel? Would she but Present them to Matilda and me, how greatly should we be obliged to her, How becoming would Diamonds be on our fine majestic figures! And how surprising it is that such an Idea should never have occurred to HER. I am sure if I have reflected in this manner once, I have fifty times. Whenever I see Lady Lesley dressed in them such reflections immediately come across me. My own Mother’s Jewels too! But I will say no more on so melancholy a subject—let me entertain you with something more pleasing—Matilda had a letter this morning from Lesley, by which we have the pleasure of finding that he is at Naples has turned Roman-Catholic, obtained one of the Pope’s Bulls for annulling his 1st Marriage and has since actually married a Neapolitan Lady of great Rank and Fortune. He tells us moreover that much the same sort of affair has befallen his first wife the worthless Louisa who is likewise at Naples had turned Roman-catholic, and is soon to be married to a Neapolitan Nobleman of great and Distinguished merit. He says, that they are at present very good Freinds, have quite forgiven all past errors and intend in future to be very good Neighbours. He invites Matilda and me to pay him a visit to Italy and to bring him his little Louisa whom both her Mother, Step-mother, and himself are equally desirous of beholding. As to our accepting his invitation, it is at Present very uncertain; Lady Lesley advises us to go without loss of time; Fitzgerald offers to escort us there, but Matilda has some doubts of the Propriety of such a scheme—she owns it would be very agreable. I am certain she likes the Fellow. My Father desires us not to be in a hurry, as perhaps if we wait a few months both he and Lady Lesley will do themselves the pleasure of attending us. Lady Lesley says no, that nothing will ever tempt her to forego the Amusements of Brighthelmstone for a Journey to Italy merely to see our Brother. “No (says the disagreable Woman) I have once in my life been fool enough to travel I dont know how many hundred Miles to see two of the Family, and I found it did not answer, so Deuce take me, if ever I am so foolish again.” So says her Ladyship, but Sir George still Perseveres in saying that perhaps in a month or two, they may accompany us."
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August 14, 2021 - August 14, 2021.
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Lesley Castle
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Another delightful treat from Austen, in the spirit of Love and Friendship!
................................................................................................
"Lesley is at present but five and twenty, and has already given himself up to melancholy and Despair; what a difference between him and his Father! Sir George is 57 and still remains the Beau, the flighty stripling, the gay Lad, and sprightly Youngster, that his Son was really about five years back, and that HE has affected to appear ever since my remembrance. While our father is fluttering about the streets of London, gay, dissipated, and Thoughtless at the age of 57, Matilda and I continue secluded from Mankind in our old and Mouldering Castle, which is situated two miles from Perth on a bold projecting Rock, and commands an extensive veiw of the Town and its delightful Environs. But tho’ retired from almost all the World, (for we visit no one but the M’Leods, The M’Kenzies, the M’Phersons, the M’Cartneys, the M’Donalds, The M’kinnons, the M’lellans, the M’kays, the Macbeths and the Macduffs) we are neither dull nor unhappy; on the contrary there never were two more lively, more agreable or more witty girls, than we are; not an hour in the Day hangs heavy on our Hands. We read, we work, we walk, and when fatigued with these Employments releive our spirits, either by a lively song, a graceful Dance, or by some smart bon-mot, and witty repartee. We are handsome my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our Perfections is, that we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."
................................................................................................
"I have a thousand excuses to beg for having so long delayed thanking you my dear Peggy for your agreable Letter, which beleive me I should not have deferred doing, had not every moment of my time during the last five weeks been so fully employed in the necessary arrangements for my sisters wedding, as to allow me no time to devote either to you or myself. And now what provokes me more than anything else is that the Match is broke off, and all my Labour thrown away. Imagine how great the Dissapointment must be to me, when you consider that after having laboured both by Night and by Day, in order to get the Wedding dinner ready by the time appointed, after having roasted Beef, Broiled Mutton, and Stewed Soup enough to last the new-married Couple through the Honey-moon, I had the mortification of finding that I had been Roasting, Broiling and Stewing both the Meat and Myself to no purpose. Indeed my dear Freind, I never remember suffering any vexation equal to what I experienced on last Monday when my sister came running to me in the store-room with her face as White as a Whipt syllabub, and told me that Hervey had been thrown from his Horse, had fractured his Scull and was pronounced by his surgeon to be in the most emminent Danger. “Good God! (said I) you dont say so? Why what in the name of Heaven will become of all the Victuals! We shall never be able to eat it while it is good. However, we’ll call in the Surgeon to help us. I shall be able to manage the Sir-loin myself, my Mother will eat the soup, and You and the Doctor must finish the rest.” Here I was interrupted, by seeing my poor Sister fall down to appearance Lifeless upon one of the Chests, where we keep our Table linen. ... leaving her with my Mother I took down the remains of The Ham and Chicken, and sent William to ask how Henry did. He was not expected to live many Hours; he died the same day. We took all possible care to break the melancholy Event to Eloisa in the tenderest manner; yet in spite of every precaution, her sufferings on hearing it were too violent for her reason, and she continued for many hours in a high Delirium. ... And now my dear Margaret let me talk a little of your affairs; and in the first place I must inform you that it is confidently reported, your Father is going to be married; I am very unwilling to beleive so unpleasing a report, and at the same time cannot wholly discredit it. I have written to my freind Susan Fitzgerald, for information concerning it, which as she is at present in Town, she will be very able to give me. ... "
"P. S. I have this instant received an answer from my freind Susan, which I enclose to you, and on which you will make your own reflections.
"The enclosed LETTER
"My dear CHARLOTTE You could not have applied for information concerning the report of Sir George Lesleys Marriage, to any one better able to give it you than I am. Sir George is certainly married; I was myself present at the Ceremony, which you will not be surprised at when I subscribe myself your Affectionate
"Susan Lesley"
................................................................................................
" ... A brother of Mrs Marlowe, Mr Cleveland is with them at present; he is a good-looking young Man, and seems to have a good deal to say for himself. I tell Eloisa that she should set her cap at him, but she does not at all seem to relish the proposal. I should like to see the girl married and Cleveland has a very good estate. Perhaps you may wonder that I do not consider myself as well as my Sister in my matrimonial Projects; but to tell you the truth I never wish to act a more principal part at a Wedding than the superintending and directing the Dinner, and therefore while I can get any of my acquaintance to marry for me, I shall never think of doing it myself, as I very much suspect that I should not have so much time for dressing my own Wedding- dinner, as for dressing that of my freinds."
................................................................................................
" ... Her Ladyship perfectly answers the description you sent me of her, except that I do not think her so pretty as you seem to consider her. She has not a bad face, but there is something so extremely unmajestic in her little diminutive figure, as to render her in comparison with the elegant height of Matilda and Myself, an insignificant Dwarf. Her curiosity to see us (which must have been great to bring her more than four hundred miles) being now perfectly gratified, she already begins to mention their return to town, and has desired us to accompany her. We cannot refuse her request since it is seconded by the commands of our Father, and thirded by the entreaties of Mr. Fitzgerald who is certainly one of the most pleasing young Men, I ever beheld. It is not yet determined when we are to go, but when ever we do we shall certainly take our little Louisa with us. ... "
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"Ah! my dear Freind I every day more regret the serene and tranquil Pleasures of the Castle we have left, in exchange for the uncertain and unequal Amusements of this vaunted City. Not that I will pretend to assert that these uncertain and unequal Amusements are in the least Degree unpleasing to me; on the contrary I enjoy them extremely and should enjoy them even more, were I not certain that every appearance I make in Public but rivetts the Chains of those unhappy Beings whose Passion it is impossible not to pity, tho’ it is out of my power to return. In short my Dear Charlotte it is my sensibility for the sufferings of so many amiable young Men, my Dislike of the extreme admiration I meet with, and my aversion to being so celebrated both in Public, in Private, in Papers, and in Printshops, that are the reasons why I cannot more fully enjoy, the Amusements so various and pleasing of London. How often have I wished that I possessed as little Personal Beauty as you do; that my figure were as inelegant; my face as unlovely; and my appearance as unpleasing as yours! But ah! what little chance is there of so desirable an Event; I have had the small-pox, and must therefore submit to my unhappy fate."
"... We see more of Lady L. who always makes her appearance (highly rouged) at Dinner-time. Alas! what Delightful Jewels will she be decked in this evening at Lady Flambeau’s! Yet I wonder how she can herself delight in wearing them; surely she must be sensible of the ridiculous impropriety of loading her little diminutive figure with such superfluous ornaments; is it possible that she can not know how greatly superior an elegant simplicity is to the most studied apparel? Would she but Present them to Matilda and me, how greatly should we be obliged to her, How becoming would Diamonds be on our fine majestic figures! And how surprising it is that such an Idea should never have occurred to HER. I am sure if I have reflected in this manner once, I have fifty times. Whenever I see Lady Lesley dressed in them such reflections immediately come across me. My own Mother’s Jewels too! But I will say no more on so melancholy a subject—let me entertain you with something more pleasing—Matilda had a letter this morning from Lesley, by which we have the pleasure of finding that he is at Naples has turned Roman-Catholic, obtained one of the Pope’s Bulls for annulling his 1st Marriage and has since actually married a Neapolitan Lady of great Rank and Fortune. He tells us moreover that much the same sort of affair has befallen his first wife the worthless Louisa who is likewise at Naples had turned Roman-catholic, and is soon to be married to a Neapolitan Nobleman of great and Distinguished merit. He says, that they are at present very good Freinds, have quite forgiven all past errors and intend in future to be very good Neighbours. He invites Matilda and me to pay him a visit to Italy and to bring him his little Louisa whom both her Mother, Step-mother, and himself are equally desirous of beholding. As to our accepting his invitation, it is at Present very uncertain; Lady Lesley advises us to go without loss of time; Fitzgerald offers to escort us there, but Matilda has some doubts of the Propriety of such a scheme—she owns it would be very agreable. I am certain she likes the Fellow. My Father desires us not to be in a hurry, as perhaps if we wait a few months both he and Lady Lesley will do themselves the pleasure of attending us. Lady Lesley says no, that nothing will ever tempt her to forego the Amusements of Brighthelmstone for a Journey to Italy merely to see our Brother. “No (says the disagreable Woman) I have once in my life been fool enough to travel I dont know how many hundred Miles to see two of the Family, and I found it did not answer, so Deuce take me, if ever I am so foolish again.” So says her Ladyship, but Sir George still Perseveres in saying that perhaps in a month or two, they may accompany us."
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August 14, 2021 - August 14, 2021.
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August 27, 2017
Hesperus Classics has published in this slender volume three short writings of Jane Austen from her teenage years. I found all three to be entertaining and early indications of Austen’s prodigious powers of observation.
Jane Austen plants tongue firmly in cheek in “Lesley Castle,” a series of letters among female friends revealing themselves to be obtusely self-absorbed and catty. Here is one example: “In short, my dear Charlotte, it is my sensibility for the sufferings of so many amiable young men, my dislike of the extreme admiration I meet with, and my aversion to being so celebrated both in pubic, in private, in papers, and in print shops, that are the reasons why I cannot more fully enjoy the amusements so various and pleasing of London.” [page 35]
“The History of England from the Reign of Henry IV to the Death of Charles I by a Partial, Prejudiced, and Ignorant Historian” is laugh-out-loud funny. Regarding Edward IV, Austen writes, “This monarch was famous only for his beauty and his courage, of which the picture we have here given of him (illustration by Austen’s sister), and his undaunted behavior in marrying one woman while he was engaged to another, are sufficient proofs.” [page 43] And "During his reign, Lord Cobham was burnt alive, but I forget what for." [page 42]
The young, independent protagonist Catharine, or Kitty, in “Catharine, or The Bower” prefigures Austen’s spirited heroines. Kitty’s aunt’s unreasonable fears and friend Camilla’s selfish superficiality also show Austen’s skill in creating consistent characters like the ones that will people her later finished novels. That the story ends midair did not diminish my enjoyment of knowing Kitty and seeing this witty side of Jane Austen.
Jane Austen plants tongue firmly in cheek in “Lesley Castle,” a series of letters among female friends revealing themselves to be obtusely self-absorbed and catty. Here is one example: “In short, my dear Charlotte, it is my sensibility for the sufferings of so many amiable young men, my dislike of the extreme admiration I meet with, and my aversion to being so celebrated both in pubic, in private, in papers, and in print shops, that are the reasons why I cannot more fully enjoy the amusements so various and pleasing of London.” [page 35]
“The History of England from the Reign of Henry IV to the Death of Charles I by a Partial, Prejudiced, and Ignorant Historian” is laugh-out-loud funny. Regarding Edward IV, Austen writes, “This monarch was famous only for his beauty and his courage, of which the picture we have here given of him (illustration by Austen’s sister), and his undaunted behavior in marrying one woman while he was engaged to another, are sufficient proofs.” [page 43] And "During his reign, Lord Cobham was burnt alive, but I forget what for." [page 42]
The young, independent protagonist Catharine, or Kitty, in “Catharine, or The Bower” prefigures Austen’s spirited heroines. Kitty’s aunt’s unreasonable fears and friend Camilla’s selfish superficiality also show Austen’s skill in creating consistent characters like the ones that will people her later finished novels. That the story ends midair did not diminish my enjoyment of knowing Kitty and seeing this witty side of Jane Austen.
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November 5, 2024Not nearly so absurd as other early writings, except for one character who was more concerned and interested in wedding feasts than the trauma experienced by a couple, including her sister.
Another character seemed to look forward to Sir Walter Eliot of Persuasion. The brief description of the title location seemed like what Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey hoped to see. And that setting was also interesting for being in Scotland and I wondered if that was part of why Austen never finished this, as I'm of the impression that she mostly wrote of places she had some experience of. Though Love and Freindship also featured Scotland.
Another character seemed to look forward to Sir Walter Eliot of Persuasion. The brief description of the title location seemed like what Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey hoped to see. And that setting was also interesting for being in Scotland and I wondered if that was part of why Austen never finished this, as I'm of the impression that she mostly wrote of places she had some experience of. Though Love and Freindship also featured Scotland.
October 21, 2021
Lesley Castle. Jane Austen
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Άλλη μία ανολοκλήρωτη δημιουργία της Austen με πλοκή που εκτυλίσσεται αποκλειστικά εντός επιστολών.
Για μένα το ενδιαφερον του συγκεκριμένου εγχειρήματος εντοπίζεται στην αιχμηρότητα της έκφρασης της Austen που διευρύνει κατα πολύ και προς διαφορετική από αυτή που γνωρίζαμε κατευθυνση, τα όρια του κοινωνικού της σχολιασμού και της απόδοσης της χαρακτηρολογίας της. Τραβάει το πέπλο της κοινωνικής ευπρέπειας ώστε τα πισώπλατα χτυπήματα που καταφέρουν οι ηρωίδες της, η μία στην εύθραστη πλάτη της άλλης, με τα κομψότατα σουγιαδάκια τους και με αποκλειστικό θέμα την ομορφιά να μετατρέπεται σ'ένα εντυπωσιακότατο και λογοτεχνικότατο κράξιμο του εσωτερικού μισογυνισμού. Τα σχόλια βεβαίως για τη θέση της γυναίνας στο σύμπαν της πατριαρχίας είναι απολαυστικά και δοσμένα με εκείνη τη μοναδικά διακριτική αλλά τόσο εστιασμένη στην αλήθεια ειρωνία της τεράστιας αυτής δημιουργού που καταφέρνει στις 26 σελίδες μιας ιστορίας που δεν ολοκληρώθηκε ποτέ, να πει όσα άλλοι θα αράδιαζαν σε τριλογία.
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Άλλη μία ανολοκλήρωτη δημιουργία της Austen με πλοκή που εκτυλίσσεται αποκλειστικά εντός επιστολών.
Για μένα το ενδιαφερον του συγκεκριμένου εγχειρήματος εντοπίζεται στην αιχμηρότητα της έκφρασης της Austen που διευρύνει κατα πολύ και προς διαφορετική από αυτή που γνωρίζαμε κατευθυνση, τα όρια του κοινωνικού της σχολιασμού και της απόδοσης της χαρακτηρολογίας της. Τραβάει το πέπλο της κοινωνικής ευπρέπειας ώστε τα πισώπλατα χτυπήματα που καταφέρουν οι ηρωίδες της, η μία στην εύθραστη πλάτη της άλλης, με τα κομψότατα σουγιαδάκια τους και με αποκλειστικό θέμα την ομορφιά να μετατρέπεται σ'ένα εντυπωσιακότατο και λογοτεχνικότατο κράξιμο του εσωτερικού μισογυνισμού. Τα σχόλια βεβαίως για τη θέση της γυναίνας στο σύμπαν της πατριαρχίας είναι απολαυστικά και δοσμένα με εκείνη τη μοναδικά διακριτική αλλά τόσο εστιασμένη στην αλήθεια ειρωνία της τεράστιας αυτής δημιουργού που καταφέρνει στις 26 σελίδες μιας ιστορίας που δεν ολοκληρώθηκε ποτέ, να πει όσα άλλοι θα αράδιαζαν σε τριλογία.
March 3, 2023
A novella dedicated to her favorite brother, Henry, for which he ordered "Messr Demand & Co" to pay one hundred guineas to "Jane Austen Spinster." A clever bit of teasing from a brother to his sixteen year old sister.
It is an unfinished tale, that I wish Jane had finished, for I do want to know what happens. Though I suppose the overall conclusion of the events are not significant, for the comedy of the journey is where the true value lies.
A few favorite lines: "We are handsome, my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our perfections is that we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."
and
"The dear creature is just turned of two years old; as handsome as though two-and-twenty, as sensible as though tow-and-thirty, and as prudent as though two-and-forty."
and also
"She is remarkably good-tempered when she has her own way, and very lively when she is not out of humour."
Excellent work, Jane, as usual.
It is an unfinished tale, that I wish Jane had finished, for I do want to know what happens. Though I suppose the overall conclusion of the events are not significant, for the comedy of the journey is where the true value lies.
A few favorite lines: "We are handsome, my dear Charlotte, very handsome and the greatest of our perfections is that we are entirely insensible of them ourselves."
and
"The dear creature is just turned of two years old; as handsome as though two-and-twenty, as sensible as though tow-and-thirty, and as prudent as though two-and-forty."
and also
"She is remarkably good-tempered when she has her own way, and very lively when she is not out of humour."
Excellent work, Jane, as usual.
July 11, 2018
4.5 STARS!!!!!!
I really enjoyed this. It is astonishing to me that Jane Austen could write this well at 16. I strongly suspect that she was a savant.
There are three pieces here, two of which are unfinished, all of which are brilliant. “Lesley Castle” is dramatic, hilarious, and at times scathing. “The History of England” is pro-Stuart with what has to be one of the most entertaining takes on the royalty of Britain that I’ve ever read. “Catharine” was delightful, with well developed characters that hint at some of her later, more famous ones.
Each piece has an introduction of sorts written by Austen, and her brilliant sense of humor is evident even in these. This is a collection for Austen fans, but not really for beginners. I wish the two stories had been finished, but they will provide enjoyment for the imagination, and will make for a great reread.
I really enjoyed this. It is astonishing to me that Jane Austen could write this well at 16. I strongly suspect that she was a savant.
There are three pieces here, two of which are unfinished, all of which are brilliant. “Lesley Castle” is dramatic, hilarious, and at times scathing. “The History of England” is pro-Stuart with what has to be one of the most entertaining takes on the royalty of Britain that I’ve ever read. “Catharine” was delightful, with well developed characters that hint at some of her later, more famous ones.
Each piece has an introduction of sorts written by Austen, and her brilliant sense of humor is evident even in these. This is a collection for Austen fans, but not really for beginners. I wish the two stories had been finished, but they will provide enjoyment for the imagination, and will make for a great reread.
September 18, 2018
3.5 Stars.
Do you know how hard it is for me to give Miss Jane Austen 3.5 stars?
This particular edition from Hesperus classics also includes a History of England and Catherine which were also written very early on.
Lesley Castle, which you may already know, is a compilation of letters between several young ladies. I loved the letters, they were so amusing. It made me think of one of my dad's phrases: catty women. In all honestly I would've given it a higher rating had this been a full book with an actual ending. Either way definitely funny and enjoyable.
A History of England was YOL... yawn out loud. Sorry not my cuppa tea.
And finally we have Catherine. Same as above for Lesley Castle. Had this been a full novel with an actual ending I would have loved it more. In fact I liked Catherine better than Lesley Castle.
Do you know how hard it is for me to give Miss Jane Austen 3.5 stars?
This particular edition from Hesperus classics also includes a History of England and Catherine which were also written very early on.
Lesley Castle, which you may already know, is a compilation of letters between several young ladies. I loved the letters, they were so amusing. It made me think of one of my dad's phrases: catty women. In all honestly I would've given it a higher rating had this been a full book with an actual ending. Either way definitely funny and enjoyable.
A History of England was YOL... yawn out loud. Sorry not my cuppa tea.
And finally we have Catherine. Same as above for Lesley Castle. Had this been a full novel with an actual ending I would have loved it more. In fact I liked Catherine better than Lesley Castle.
August 29, 2020
A short read with three parts: Part 1, the exchange of letters between arrogant and ridiculous people, to the full laugh-outloud effect; part 2, a trite history of England by a character who knows so little about it that they create laughs for the reader who knows enough British history ( this was not me and so I immediately skipped it); part 3, a short story of romance, possibly, with an ending that was abrupt.
A mild days' diversion, if I sound a little Austen from reading her stuff. It does that to me all the time.
The really cool thing is that she wrote these as a teen. This is great writing for a kid. I was impressed, entertained, and enjoyed the book enough to be glad I read as much of it as I did. I'll be sending it to the local little library.
A mild days' diversion, if I sound a little Austen from reading her stuff. It does that to me all the time.
The really cool thing is that she wrote these as a teen. This is great writing for a kid. I was impressed, entertained, and enjoyed the book enough to be glad I read as much of it as I did. I'll be sending it to the local little library.
May 9, 2020
It is amazing that Jane Austen wrote this collection of fictional letters when she was sixteen. She used her wit so well in order to slay the superficial, vain, jealous, and contradictory women she sometimes saw in society during that period. She was able to concoct four completely vain and somewhat poisonous women along with two somewhat sensible ones in order to comment on the affectations and ridiculous pride of society as a whole. This was a huge feat for a sixteen-year-old, and it made for an entertaining and interesting read.
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