Unfinished Austen: Interpreting "Catharine", "Lady Susan", "The Watsons" and "Sanditon"

Unfinished Austen examines four unpublished Jane Austen manuscripts, providing insight into her writing process and problematizing the romance plot. They have inspired many later writers to complete or amplify them, but also question the enterprise of concluding an unfinished text.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Anthem Press

Unfinished Austen delves into a captivating exploration of four incomplete texts penned by the renowned Jane Austen. These manuscripts, which include Catharine, or the Bower (1792–1793), Lady Susan (1795?), The Watsons (1803–1804?), and Sanditon (1817), remained unpublished until long after her passing. Given the scarcity of manuscript material from Austen's six celebrated novels, these four manuscript texts provide invaluable insights into the creative process of the novelist. They also challenge the conventional romance plot, presenting it in a vague or nascent state that highlights its artificiality.

These texts occasionally reveal how the romance plot is influenced by the financial circumstances in which young marriageable women may find themselves. Moreover, the stories, with the exception of Catharine, have captured the attention of numerous later writers, including those in the realm of theatre and screen, who are eager to complete or expand upon them. These writers may pursue this endeavor by developing the stories towards a satisfying conclusion. However, what is most intriguing about these texts is their ability to prompt certain writers to question the very act of concluding an unfinished text.

Through their examination, Unfinished Austen sheds light on the unfinished chapters of Austen's literary legacy, offering a unique perspective on her artistic development and the enduring allure of her storytelling. These texts serve as a testament to Austen's enduring influence and the enduring fascination with her works, inspiring both scholars and readers alike to engage with her incomplete narratives and explore the rich tapestry of her literary genius.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 153 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839986024