Lady Susan

Author's name: Jane Austen

A dormant novel. This is how Jane Austen's novel "Lady Susan" is described, as it was not published until more than 50 years after her death, although it was written—according to critics and scholars—when the author was eighteen years old and represents her first attempts at writing.

This novel differs from Austen's other novels in two ways. First, it is an epistolary novel, meaning it is written in the form of a series of letters with multiple narrative voices. Second, the main character, Lady Susan, derives her charm from being provocative and unlikeable, unlike the main characters in Austen's other works. It is a charming and highly enjoyable piece of literature that reveals the author's early understanding of social intrigue and an early flair for plot construction. Although it is her least mature work, it remains, in the opinion of critics, a shining gem exuding wit, humor, and a playful mischief that captivates.