I re-read these novels (two unfinished) which were unpublished in Jane Austen's lifetime. I am not a Janeite as such though have consumed much Austen content over the years. I talked about Austen in the past, including watching (and reading) The Jane Austen's Book Club, and reading multiple biographies.
Jane Austen wrote from her teens to her death in her early 40s. She was from a family of eight (six brothers and one sister), notable for (except for her) generally for long life spans. Her teen writings are called "Juvenalia" and are basically parodies.
There are then her adult works, three of which were written in an early form in the 1790s.
Novels
Short fiction
Unfinished fiction
Northanger Abbey was first written years earlier, sold but not published, and eventually bought back. It is a satire of overheated Gothic novels with the teen heroine having an overactive imagination. I think it is a flawed first novel, having somewhat of a feel of a first draft, a sort of bridge from her juvenalia.
Sense and Sensibility was first written in the form of an epistolatory (letters) novel, which was common at that time. Lady Susan is an epistolatory novel concerning a wicked thirty-something widow. It is rather fun and I wish she wrote it later as a normal novel. But, she would never have such a character dominate in her adult years.
The Watsons is a short fragment of an unfinished novel. The fragment consists of a few scenes related to a dance and the home life of the heroine.
She wrote it while in Bath, an unpleasant portion of her life away from her preferred country life. Her father also died during the time she wrote it. The characters remind me of others, including an invalid father (Emma). It's an easy reading few scenes though I'm unsure how substantial the whole book would be.
Pride and Prejudice is a favorite novel of many. Fanny of Mansfield Park is somewhat insufferable though Jane Austen has a personal attachment. Ironically, Fanny is upset at other characters performing a play -- Jane Austen's family amused themselves by acting out plays when she was growing up (sometimes material of her own creation).
Emma is the second book in Jane Austen's prime that is quite popular. The teen comedy Clueless is a loose translation. Multiple Jane Austen films inspired modern-day take-offs ala Shakespeare in many cases.
Austen started Sanditon (now a t.v. series) shortly before her death. Nonetheless, I found Persuasion somewhat rough. It is shorter than her other adult novels, and I wonder if she was satisfied with the final result. It was published after her death.
Sanditon has a somewhat strange feel for a Jane Austen novel. Reviewers note its novel components, including her use of satire of a health resort. The fragment largely consists of caricatures, including three hypochondriacs and an excessively enthusiastic business owner. It would have been interesting to see the complete novel.
The three novels here are a good way to read Jane Austen in small doses. I read all of her published novels. I tried to re-read them but could not get into the flow of things. Many people re-read them multiple times. Maybe, I will try Persuasion, which is the shortest of her adult novels.
To toss it in, Austentatious is worthwhile to try short-lived television series using multiple Jane Austen characters in a modern-day context. Not to be confused with a play based on the works of Jane Austen, which sounds good, but I never saw it.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your .02!