by Jane Austen
ISBN: 978-0-241-74730-8
115 pages
First published post-1817
First written between 1787 and 1793
Publisher: Penguin Archive / Penguin Random House UK
4 / 5 Stars
Jane Austen is a very funny writer. Witty, sarcastic, in turns cruel and kind, unfeeling and romantic.
In that respect she would be very in place at The Comedy Store or in The Comic Strip Presents.
There are 5 very short stories here
- The History of England
- Love and friendship
- Some Letters
- Frederic and Elfrida
- Henry and Eliza
Although all stories tend to deal with romance, Austen has no compunction in killing off suitors or grooms or husbands. Austen clearly gets bored with characters and ends their life as suddenly as they enter her story.
But the wit is sharp and makes the reader laugh out loud.
A husband involved in a carriage accident, “I fear I have been overturned”.
The same husband being asked to explain why he was there by his fearful wife “I will (said he) and instantly fetching a deep sigh, expired”.
One of the most intriguing things about this book, is that Jane’s sister Cassandra did the drawings of the English Kings and Queens. They are also hilarious, reprinted below for your enjoyment …
The Eclectic Book Review 