Short Stories/Novellas

One of Jane Austen’s most charming youthful “novels”-in-miniature―presented in a deluxe illustrated edition that will delight all Austen fans Most people think Jane Austen wrote only six novels. Fortunately for us, she wrote several others, though very short ones, while still a young girl. Austen was only twelve or thirteen when she wrote The Beautifull Cassandra , an irreverent and humorous little masterpiece. Weighing in at 465 occasionally misspelled words, it is a complete and perfect novel-in-miniature, made up of a dedication to her older sister Cassandra and twelve chapters, each consisting of a sentence or two. Narrating the slightly criminal adventures of the sixteen-year-old title character, The Beautifull Cassandra gives us Austen’s most irrepressible heroine, who, after stealing a hat, leaves her mother’s shop to flounce around London, eating ice cream (without paying), taking coach rides (without paying), and encountering handsome young ladies and gentlemen (without speaking)―all to return home hours later with whispered joy: “This is a day well spent.” This charming edition features elegant and edgy watercolor drawings by Leon Steinmetz and is edited by leading Austen scholar Claudia L. Johnson. In her illuminating afterword, Johnson calls The Beautifull Cassandra “among the most brilliant and polished” of Austen’s youthful writings―a precocious work written for the amusement of her family but already anticipating her mature irony, sense of the absurd, gift for parody, and, above all, stylistic mastery. The result is a marvelous edition of a literary treasure that is sure to delight.

Lesley Castle by Jane Austen is an epistolary novel, originally written in 1790. It follows the story of two sisters, Charlotte and Maria, as they spend their summer with their Aunt and Uncle at Lesley Castle. Throughout their stay, the two girls must navigate the intricacies of social class, gossip, and courtship. During this time, Charlotte and Maria learn about the power of love, friendship, and family bonds. While short and not quite finished, Lesley Castle is still a captivating novel full of wit and humor, making it a timeless classic. Written by one of the most influential writers of the 18th century, Lesley Castle is a must-read for fans of Jane Austen. With its charming characters and sharp observations, it is sure to delight readers with its wit, charm, and insight. It is perfect for literature lovers and Austen fans alike. Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most beloved and influential authors in English literature. She is best known for her novels of romance, wit, and social commentary such as Pride and Prejudice , Sense and Sensibility , and Emma . Her work has been praised for its realism and humor, as well as its engagement with issues of class and gender. Her writing style has been widely imitated, and her characters remain beloved by readers around the world. Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England. She was the seventh of eight children of the Rev. George Austen and his wife Cassandra. Her early education was primarily in the home, and she enjoyed reading, writing, and playing music. In 1801, the family left Steventon and moved to Bath, where Austen continued to write and revise her early works. Austen published her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, in 1811. The novel was well-received, and it established her as a serious novelist. In 1813, she followed up with Pride and Prejudice , which has become one of the most popular and beloved novels of all time. She went on to publish three more novels: Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), and Persuasion (1817). Austen was deeply committed to her craft, and she carefully revised her work multiple times before submitting it for publication. Her novels often featured witty dialogue and sharply observed social commentary, as well as complex and relatable characters. Her influence can be seen in the works of authors such as Charlotte Brontë and Virginia Woolf. In 1817, Austen died of a mysterious illness. She was only 41 years old, but her books have endured and remain beloved by readers around the world. Her works have been adapted for film and television numerous times, and her influence on the literary world is undeniable.

Beautiful, flirtatious, and recently widowed, Lady Susan Vernon seeks a new and advantageous marriage for herself, and at the same time attempts to push her daughter into marriage with a man she detests. Through a series of crafty maneuvers, she fills her calendar with invitations for extended visits with unsuspecting relatives and acquaintances in pursuit of her grand plan. As the plot unfolds, characters are revealed and the suspense builds — all through letters exchanged among Lady Susan, her family, friends, and enemies. Described by her rivals as the "most accomplished coquette in England," amply endowed with "captivating deceit," Susan proves to be a remarkable figure, devoid of any redeeming qualities, whose intrigues and devious machinations ultimately lead to disastrous results. The inspiration for the 2016 film Love & Friendship starring Chloë Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale, Lady Susan is a magnificently crafted (and frequently provocative) novel of Regency customs and manners, which has become a readers' favorite among the author's shorter works. Austen enthusiasts and students of English literature will delight in its wit and elegant expression.

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