Customer Reviews

Lesley Castle (Hesperus Classics)

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Jane Austen's early work can never seem truly great to those readers who know her more mature novels, and that will be the case with Lesley Castle. Yet it is by no means to be treated with scorn. Lesley Castle is a delicious and amusing comedy presented to us as a series of letters written between two worldly and at times very cynical correspondents. In using this epistolary form the young Austen is imitating the works of the eighteenth Century masters (Richardson particularly comes to mind) and more than rivaling them. For what is most unusual in Austen is the authentic 'voice' of the upper class women she is describing. They stand before us, revealed in their letters, utterly convincing as examples of closely observed humanity. Richardson's women, though charming in their way, never had such energy.

Reading this collection it's hard not to look for the ways her writing would develop later, into a more assured style. Yet it is here that we see how Austen honed those skills that make her mature novels' conversations so pleasing, so arch, so comic.

Charming three short novellas/pieces of writings from Lady Austen. Her humorous side is quite apparent here and her characters, are very believable.

The first novella, Lesley Castle, is told entirely in letters. Think chick lit of Austen's century, think cabot and her novels (like the guy next door, written in email form). You'll laugh at the obvious exaggeration in some parts, and giggle helplessly at the turn of events.

Then comes 'A History of England', Austen's take on another historical book. This parody would surely give you a glimpse of the author's sense of humour and you might even side with her when she attacks Queen Lizzie.

The last novella, Catharine, was entertaining, humorous and light.

Any Austen fan should read this!