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Love and Friendship

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'Love and Friendship' by Jane Austen is a collection of the author's early writings, showcasing her development as a writer from a young age. The book includes short stories, letters, and a one-act play, all filled with wit, satire, and humor typical of Austen's style. The plot revolves around themes such as love, friendship, family relationships, societal norms, and the pursuit of a suitable spouse, presented through a series of letters and narratives that provide a glimpse into Austen's sharp observations and storytelling skills.

Characters:

The characters are exaggerated and melodramatic, showcasing early versions of traits found in Austen's later works, centered around marriage and societal norms.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by humor and satire, displaying impressive flow despite youthful spelling errors and a touch of absurdity.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot showcases a humorous take on romance through letters, focused on themes of marriage and societal expectations, with melodramatic twists.

Setting:

The setting reflects early 19th-century England, using familiar locales and social situations commonly seen in Austen's later work.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven and episodic, often slow, making it more suitable for short reading sessions.
You may imagine how greatly we were surprised by the sudden departure of Lord St Clair. "Ignoble Grand-sire!" exclaimed Sophia. "Unworthy Grandfather!" said I, and instantly fainted in each other's ar...

Notes:

Jane Austen wrote Love and Friendship when she was just 14 and 15 years old.
The work is a collection of letters and is seen as a satire of the romance genre of her time.
Austen's writing shows a remarkable sense of flow and timing even at a young age.
The characters often faint or swoon over dramatic romantic developments, reflecting the melodrama of the period.
The spelling in the text, including 'Freindship', reflects Austen's youthful writing style and the language norms of her time.
The stories include themes of marriage, wealth, and social appearances that would reappear in her later masterpieces.
Austen is believed to have read her works aloud to her family, which was likely met with laughter.
The book contains early versions of character traits that would appear in her later works, such as Lady Catherine de Burgh.
The History of England included in the collection features humorous takes on English monarchs, particularly criticizing Elizabeth I.
The writing is disorganized, but still showcases Austen's sharp wit and ability to critique societal norms.
Love and Friendship is not advised for newcomers to Austen, but is a delight for her fans, offering insight into her early talent.
The work illustrates the struggles of young women to find suitable husbands and explores issues related to wealth and class.

Has Romance?

The book contains elements of romance but is more focused on humor and satire.

From The Publisher:

'Love and Friendship' is a hilarious send-up of the novels of the 18th century. The story is told in the form of series of letters from the heroine, Laura, to Marianne, the daughter of her friend Isabel, relating the story of her turbulent life in her youth. Love and Friendship is extremely funny, and wonderfully parodies all the conventions of the popular fiction of the 18th century, elopements, long-lost relatives, heart breaks and dramatic deaths.

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