Lady Susan
Lady Susan is a romantic novel written by Jane Austen and originally published in 1871.
This short story, written in epistolary form, introduces us to Lady Susan. She is an ambitious widow seeking a second marriage that will bring her a better financial situation.
Intelligent and beautiful, Lady Susan lacks scruples and is cold and calculating. She will have no qualms about forcing her daughter to accept a marriage she does not want, as well as manipulating other family members for her own benefit.
Lady Susan's only concern is to maintain her former lifestyle, impoverished after becoming a widow, and to maintain a high reputation.
Jane Austen once again uses her characteristic elegant writing style and biting criticism of the society of the time.
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Public domain (US)·No sign-up·DRM-free·Real text, not scans
Copyright note. Lady Susan by Jane Austen is believed to be in the public domain in the United States only. It may still be copyrighted in other countries. If you are not in the United States, please check your local laws to ensure this eBook is in the public domain in your country before downloading Lady Susan in PDF or EPUB.
- Pages
- 82
- Reading time
- 1 hour 56 minutes
- Pace
- Intermediate
- First published
- 1871
- Language
- English
- Downloads
- 4,546
155 years later, still timely
Why Read Lady Susan in 2026?
An epistolary comedy about a brilliant schemer. Austen’s sharpest fox plays society like a game—and the letters let us watch every move.
Today's connection
Short, biting, and modern-feeling in its social intelligence. Great for readers who enjoy anti-heroines and the pleasure of subtext.
Letters as chess
Positioning, persuasion, payoff.
Charm as tactic
Affection and advantage entwine.
Seeing the player
Narrators reveal themselves.
These collections include Lady Susan
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Love tested by money, class and time — including the six Austen novels and all seven the Brontë sisters wrote.
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Short enough to finish today — and none of them minor. Page count and reading time on every card.
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About the author
Jane Austen
Sharp and witty portraits of love, money, and choice in Regency England.
