Other editions of book Lady Susan/The Watsons/Sanditon

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.

Edition perfect as a gift. "This is insufferable! My dearest friend, I was never so enraged before, and must relieve myself by writing to you, who I know will enter into all my feelings. Who should come on Tuesday but Sir James Martin! Guess my astonishment, and vexation - for, as you well know, I never wished him to be seen at Churchhill. What a pity that you should not have known his intentions! Not content with coming, he actually invited himself to remain here a few days. I could have poisoned him! I made the best of it, however, and told my story with great success to Mrs. Vernon, who, whatever might be her real sentiments, said nothing in opposition to mine."

Previously unpublished in unabridged audio, these three works - one a novel unpublished in her lifetime and two unfinished fragments - reveal Jane Austen's development as a great artist. LADY SUSAN, with its wicked, beautiful, intelligent and energetic heroine, is a sparkling melodrama that takes its tone from the outspoken and robust 18th century. Written later, and probably abandoned after her father's death, THE WATSONS is a tantalising and highly delightful story whose vitality and optimism centres on the marital prospects of the Watson sisters in a small provincial town. SANDITON, Jane Austen's last fiction, is set in a seaside town; its themes concern the new speculative consumer society and foreshadow the great social upheavals of the Industrial Revolution.