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Juvenilia #2
Love and Freindship
When a noble youth arrives unannounced to request the hand of the matchless Laura, it seems their future is one of contentment and bliss - that is until his family learn of the marriage and, one by one, they reject the new bride. So begins a series of unspeakable events that Laura must confront and overcome, by way of the occasional fainting fit and bout of delirium.
Tragedy and comedy here go hand in hand as a very foolish young heroine is placed at the centre of Jane Austen's early satire on drawing-room society. Written as a series of letters, "Love and Friendship" is a delicious romp through the highs and lows of a young girl's lot in life and a precursor of Austen's later works of genius.
Tragedy and comedy here go hand in hand as a very foolish young heroine is placed at the centre of Jane Austen's early satire on drawing-room society. Written as a series of letters, "Love and Friendship" is a delicious romp through the highs and lows of a young girl's lot in life and a precursor of Austen's later works of genius.
90 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1787
About the author
Jane Austen
3,098 books66.9k followersIrony, wit, and meticulous style of noted British writer Jane Austen penetrates and observes middle-class manners and morality; her novels include
Pride and Prejudice
(1813) and
Emma
(1816).
Jane Austen set her English works of romantic fiction among the landed gentry and earned a place as one of the most widely read in literature; her realism and biting social commentary cemented her historical importance among scholars and critics.
Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family, located on the lower fringes of the English landed gentry. Primarily her father and older brothers as well as her own reading educated her. The critical steadfast support of family developed her as a professional. From her teenage years, her artistic apprenticeship lasted until 35 years of age circa 1810. During this period, she experimented with various literary forms, tried and then abandoned the epistolary, extensively revised three major works, and began a fourth.
From Sense and Sensibility in 1811 and with the release of Mansfield Park in 1814, she achieved success and published until 1816. She added Northanger Abbey and Persuasion , published posthumously in 1818, and began a third, eventually titled Sanditon , but died before completing it.
Works of Austen critique the of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and in part transition to 19th-century realism. Her fundamentally comic plots highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social and economic standing.
Her work brought her little personal fame and only a few positive reviews during her lifetime, but her nephew published A Memoir of Jane Austen in 1869 and thus introduced her to a wider public, and academia widely accepted her great English before the 1940s. The second half of the 20th century saw a proliferation of scholarship and the emergence of a fan culture.
Jane Austen set her English works of romantic fiction among the landed gentry and earned a place as one of the most widely read in literature; her realism and biting social commentary cemented her historical importance among scholars and critics.
Austen lived her entire life as part of a close-knit family, located on the lower fringes of the English landed gentry. Primarily her father and older brothers as well as her own reading educated her. The critical steadfast support of family developed her as a professional. From her teenage years, her artistic apprenticeship lasted until 35 years of age circa 1810. During this period, she experimented with various literary forms, tried and then abandoned the epistolary, extensively revised three major works, and began a fourth.
From Sense and Sensibility in 1811 and with the release of Mansfield Park in 1814, she achieved success and published until 1816. She added Northanger Abbey and Persuasion , published posthumously in 1818, and began a third, eventually titled Sanditon , but died before completing it.
Works of Austen critique the of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and in part transition to 19th-century realism. Her fundamentally comic plots highlight the dependence of women on marriage to secure social and economic standing.
Her work brought her little personal fame and only a few positive reviews during her lifetime, but her nephew published A Memoir of Jane Austen in 1869 and thus introduced her to a wider public, and academia widely accepted her great English before the 1940s. The second half of the 20th century saw a proliferation of scholarship and the emergence of a fan culture.
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October 19, 2023Austen's short story made me reflect on the inherent ups and downs of the amalgam of the term that defines friendship, and the crossroads between love and frienship. Regardless of where one begins and the other ends, I think there is a certain dynamic of the relationship, based on mutual experiences of feelings, but not only that. I think the essence of a true friendship also lies in the depth of unconscious connections, where souls intervene in a tapestry of shared and unspoken understanding. It is through this uncharted realm that the bonds of friendship are forged, transcending the limits of the conscious mind. Friendship, at its core, is a symphony of acceptance, kindness and resilience. It is a sacred pact that weaves together two beings, allowing them to see beyond the surface and embrace each other's flaws with unwavering respect. In an indestructible friendship, imperfections become a source of beauty, celebrated rather than judged. It is an unspoken agreement to stand together through storms and sunlight, seeing each other's flaws as fragments of a mosaic that compose a unique and profound bond. In this realm of mutual respect and understanding, the flaws of one become the guiding light for growth and introspection in the other. Friends reflect back what we may not see within ourselves, they offer a hand not to fix or erase, but to accompany and uplift, recognizing that the beauty of friendship lies not in perfection, but in the journey of growth and acceptance. I'm sorry if someone expected me to express my opinion on Austen's book, but I have this flaw - among others - in expressing myself only on the thoughts that remain after reading, thoughts that often compress only the essence of my unconscious.
February 29, 2024
This book was hilarious😅 Very “tongue in cheek”. I read that Austen was 14 when she wrote it and that it was a parody of romance novels she read. She was a prodigy to have written such a wonderfully enjoyable tale at such a young age.
August 12, 2019
Ona je ovo pisala s 14 godina, a ja se s još toliko smejem i smejem i osvrćem preko ramena da proverim da li se neko čudi mom ponašanju sa slušalicama ili su svi već navikli.
Sve preporuke za novelu, ja sam je slušala ovde https://librivox.org/love-and-freinds... a vi možete kako vam drago.
Sve preporuke za novelu, ja sam je slušala ovde https://librivox.org/love-and-freinds... a vi možete kako vam drago.
February 4, 2017
Beware of swoons Dear Laura... A frenzy fit is not one quarter so pernicious; it is an exercise to the Body and if not too, is I dare say conducive to Health in its consequences---Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint-
My edition included the juvenile epistolary works of Jane Austen, including,Love and Freindship, Lesley Castle, The History of England, Collection of Letters, and "Scraps." Although I wouldn't recommend a new reader to Austen starting with this collection, it does give us insight to the youthful writing style that would encourage Jane Austen to become a writer.
As a reader who fell in love with Austen's writings at the tender age of 13( Sense and Sensibility) and as an adult that now owns almost all the adaptations of her novels to the small and big screens, this was incredibly enjoyable. It was also absolutely ridiculous! Since Austen never really intended for these writings to see a printing press, I feel that there are things we have to overlook, such as, disjointed writing, swooning, and other hysterical dramas.
My edition included the juvenile epistolary works of Jane Austen, including,Love and Freindship, Lesley Castle, The History of England, Collection of Letters, and "Scraps." Although I wouldn't recommend a new reader to Austen starting with this collection, it does give us insight to the youthful writing style that would encourage Jane Austen to become a writer.
As a reader who fell in love with Austen's writings at the tender age of 13( Sense and Sensibility) and as an adult that now owns almost all the adaptations of her novels to the small and big screens, this was incredibly enjoyable. It was also absolutely ridiculous! Since Austen never really intended for these writings to see a printing press, I feel that there are things we have to overlook, such as, disjointed writing, swooning, and other hysterical dramas.
August 1, 2022
Written when she was just 15, this is utter nonsense, but so much fun and just sparkled. It gives us a taste of what was to come.
September 29, 2019
Tinejdžerka Džejn Ostin u formi epistolarnog romana parodira tadašnje klišee ljubavnih romana.. Čitajući ga u ovom ludom vremenu u kom gospodare društvene mreže nisam mogla a da ga ne posmatram kroz šablon sarkastičnog gifa ili do besvesti retvitovanog mima.
No one:
19th century bored and nosy women: Swooning to death™
No one:
19th century bored and nosy women: Swooning to death™
November 4, 2020
I thought that this book was good
March 6, 2019
I found some Juveniles Kindle editions of Jane Austen & "Love & Friendship" was the one I wanted to try next. This was about 97 pages which included 2 short stories, Jane's history of the kings & Queens of England, collections of letters & scraps. Love and Friendship is more of a rough incomplete thought story but complete enough that you would have liked a book instead of this 30 page story. When I was ready this I saw the mature writer Jane Austen trying to tell a story. Having read all her novels including Lady Susan which many say these stories in Love & Friendship should have been published instead of that story. The similarity between Lady Susan & almost all the short stories in Love & Friendship is that they are all written epistolary style which I must say I really enjoy. I agree that these stories are better than Lady Susan. I have read Sense & Sensibility and loved that book but had a hard time understanding the "Sensibility" but these stories had cleared that up for me. I know that seem silly that a word being defined in a dictionary but not really understanding what it means. It is simple "Sensibility" means caring, understanding not just for oneself but others & that is how it is used in her Juveniles stories.
Love and Friendship-- Isabel is imploring her friend, Laura & now middle age to give the details of her "misfortunes and Adventures of your Life.". Laura decides to write to her daughter Marianne. She gives the history through a series of letters. This story is the roughest & reminds me of Anne Radcliffe's characters, swooning & in need of assistance. I really think this would have made a great novel because there is a lot of adventure but too coincidental at parts throughout. All these stories seem to have a melancholy endings compares to a happier Austen in her books. This was written in 1790 & most of her works at this time around 17 years old.
Lesley Castle--- This is my favorite of these stories. The humor in this delicious, in more ways than one. This is so like her published adult books but also with a kind of sadness but not as much as Love & Friendship. Charlotte & Margaret are friends and correspond about friends & family.
The History of England--- Jane tells of the Kings & Queens with her dry sense of humor.
Collection of Letters - 5 letters a story in each & not related to each other. Interesting mix of the working of Austen's mind.
Scraps- a very short play & many really short stories.
Excerpt-This is from Love & Friendship--"My Father started - "What noise is that," (said he.) "It sounds like a loud rapping at the door" - (replied my Mother.) "it does indeed." (cried I.) "I am of your opinion; (said my Father) it certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommon violence exerted against our unoffending door." Yes (exclaimed I) I cannot help thinking it must be something who knocks for admittance"
Love and Friendship-- Isabel is imploring her friend, Laura & now middle age to give the details of her "misfortunes and Adventures of your Life.". Laura decides to write to her daughter Marianne. She gives the history through a series of letters. This story is the roughest & reminds me of Anne Radcliffe's characters, swooning & in need of assistance. I really think this would have made a great novel because there is a lot of adventure but too coincidental at parts throughout. All these stories seem to have a melancholy endings compares to a happier Austen in her books. This was written in 1790 & most of her works at this time around 17 years old.
Lesley Castle--- This is my favorite of these stories. The humor in this delicious, in more ways than one. This is so like her published adult books but also with a kind of sadness but not as much as Love & Friendship. Charlotte & Margaret are friends and correspond about friends & family.
The History of England--- Jane tells of the Kings & Queens with her dry sense of humor.
Collection of Letters - 5 letters a story in each & not related to each other. Interesting mix of the working of Austen's mind.
Scraps- a very short play & many really short stories.
Excerpt-This is from Love & Friendship--"My Father started - "What noise is that," (said he.) "It sounds like a loud rapping at the door" - (replied my Mother.) "it does indeed." (cried I.) "I am of your opinion; (said my Father) it certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommon violence exerted against our unoffending door." Yes (exclaimed I) I cannot help thinking it must be something who knocks for admittance"
March 27, 2017
Aşa-zis roman epistolar. Povestea in sine nu se deduce prea bine, iar personajele sunt vag conturate.
January 3, 2022
Love and friendship written in a form of letters from heroine Laura to Marianne, the daughter of her friend Isabel. And now the most important part, is that Jane Austen wrote it at the age of 14!!!
First I considered it to be silly.. In compare to her other works.. But when I found out in what age she wrote it.. Damn!!
Although I wasn’t impressed by this small novella.. I give a credit to it!
First I considered it to be silly.. In compare to her other works.. But when I found out in what age she wrote it.. Damn!!
Although I wasn’t impressed by this small novella.. I give a credit to it!
November 11, 2011
This collection of Jane Austen's juvenilia incudes the titular story, "Lesley Castle" (both of which are experiments in the epistolary novel form), "The History of England", "First Act of a Comedy" and various fictional letters.
All of the works in the collection are worth reading. "Love and Freindship", with its multiple deaths, illegitimacy and fainting fits, is a very silly satire on the sensibility evident in novels of the period. "Lesley Castle" is rather more confusing because of its multiple writers and recipients of letters, but is also evidence of Austen's gift for poking fun at the ridiculous. "The History of England" is a wonderfully exuberant race through a number of the kings and queens of England ostensibly told to praise Mary, Queen of Scots and to criticise Elizabeth I. I found it laugh-out-loud funny and in some respects it reminded me of the equally silly but very entertaining 1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England). In the various letters, characters appear who have names or characteristics which are recognisably those of characters who figure in Austen's mature works. There is a Lady Greville, for example, who is a clear precursor to Lady Catherine de Burgh. A Willoughby, a Crawford and a Musgrove also make appearances.
Overall, this a quick, undemanding and very entertaining read. For readers who appreciate Jane Austen's novels, it is fascinating to see her gift for wit and satire, her lively mind and her sense of the ridiculous so evident in her teenage writings. It is said that Austen used to read her works aloud to her family and it is easy to imagine how much laughter there must have been in the Austen household when Jane shared some of these very silly, but very funny works with her parents and siblings.
April 7, 2018
I was going to give this two and a half stars but it's Jane Austen (I know that's cheating a bit). While this novel was not her best ("Emma" "Pride & Prejudice") it was certainly not her worst ("Lady Susan"). There are some humorous parts with extremely clever dialogue which reminds the reader as to why Jane Austen is the literary icon that she is. While I wouldn't highly recommend this one it was a decent read and anyone who is an avid Jane Austen fan such as myself will appreciate it.
November 4, 2016
“This was too cruel, to unexpected a Blow to our Gentle Sensibility - we could not support it - we could only faint.”
I think I sprained both eyeballs from rolling them so hard and so frequently at this story. Which was most likely the point. Ms. Austen’s objective in writing this story at the tender age of fifteen was to convey that, for the most part, teenagers are kind of terrible. Or at least, that’s what I got from it. She made her point and made it well, but I can’t say that I enjoyed this story as much as the other five I’ve read by her. Lady Susan was a tasteful comedy of errors; Love and Freindship was over the top. The dramedy was strong with this one.
And no, I didn’t spell the title wrong.
I think I sprained both eyeballs from rolling them so hard and so frequently at this story. Which was most likely the point. Ms. Austen’s objective in writing this story at the tender age of fifteen was to convey that, for the most part, teenagers are kind of terrible. Or at least, that’s what I got from it. She made her point and made it well, but I can’t say that I enjoyed this story as much as the other five I’ve read by her. Lady Susan was a tasteful comedy of errors; Love and Freindship was over the top. The dramedy was strong with this one.
And no, I didn’t spell the title wrong.
May 23, 2017
I don't think I've ever read something so stupid.
February 22, 2022
I'm so lucky I didn't read this in middle school so my one sided rivalry with Mary "Reinvented Horror at 19 Years Old" Shelley wasn't made worse by knowing Austen was somehow a master of satire even younger? Genuinely laughed out loud multiple times while reading a classic which almost never happens to me.
Anyways, then the reviewer fainted.
Anyways, then the reviewer fainted.
June 21, 2021
Despite this being short, it was super good and I liked it.
October 14, 2016
This one was sort of...meh.
I know it was supposed to be kind of a parody. But it ended up being quite boring and silly. Didn't care for it.
I know it was supposed to be kind of a parody. But it ended up being quite boring and silly. Didn't care for it.
March 15, 2022
Jane was probably only around 14 when she penned this biting satirical tragedy in which the dangers of excessive fainting and a low income are clearly detailed.
February 5, 2018
When I consider that Jane Austen wasn't even 15 years old yet when she wrote this, it is an amazing book. It doesn't take long to catch onto the fact that this is biting SATIRE- from a 14-year-old!- mocking over-melodramatic romance novels.
It starts as a letter from Isabel to her dear friend Laura, begging her to disclose the unhappy story of her life to her daughter Marianne as a cautionary tale. Laura complies in a series of letters to Marianne, and a more convoluted life history would be hard to imagine.
A recurrent theme throughout the letters indicates that the circumstance least likely to result in compliance from an offspring is for a father to suggest marriage to someone. So, although Edward's father wishes him to marry Lady Dorothea, Edward immediately runs off and marries Laura instead. When his sister Augusta also disapproves, the couple go to the home of his best friend, Augustus, who is married to Sophia. Sophia and Laura become close friends. The two ladies spend much of the rest of the book fainting and swooning and running mad over one tragedy or another.
I couldn't keep up with the bizarre weaving and bobbing of the plot, with numerous characters appearing and disappearing and then reappearing later in unlikely circumstances. It's all very Tragic and Sorrowful and surely Miss Marianne will have learned to walk the Strait and Narrow after reading all the Horrible Things that happened to Laura and her friends during this period of her life.
This is by no means up to the quality of Jane Austen's most revered works. I expect she would be mortified to know that it was ever published, since it was composed as an amusement for only her immediate family to read. Her sharp sense of humor shines through, as does her clever dialogue. However, it demonstrates only the author's potential, not her mastery.
It starts as a letter from Isabel to her dear friend Laura, begging her to disclose the unhappy story of her life to her daughter Marianne as a cautionary tale. Laura complies in a series of letters to Marianne, and a more convoluted life history would be hard to imagine.
A recurrent theme throughout the letters indicates that the circumstance least likely to result in compliance from an offspring is for a father to suggest marriage to someone. So, although Edward's father wishes him to marry Lady Dorothea, Edward immediately runs off and marries Laura instead. When his sister Augusta also disapproves, the couple go to the home of his best friend, Augustus, who is married to Sophia. Sophia and Laura become close friends. The two ladies spend much of the rest of the book fainting and swooning and running mad over one tragedy or another.
I couldn't keep up with the bizarre weaving and bobbing of the plot, with numerous characters appearing and disappearing and then reappearing later in unlikely circumstances. It's all very Tragic and Sorrowful and surely Miss Marianne will have learned to walk the Strait and Narrow after reading all the Horrible Things that happened to Laura and her friends during this period of her life.
This is by no means up to the quality of Jane Austen's most revered works. I expect she would be mortified to know that it was ever published, since it was composed as an amusement for only her immediate family to read. Her sharp sense of humor shines through, as does her clever dialogue. However, it demonstrates only the author's potential, not her mastery.
March 18, 2016
Whew finally....took me almost a year to finish that since I was reading a million other things. Anyway, hilarious and delightful early Austen--she wrote this stuff when she was like 12, 13, 14...makes me feel even worse for thinking Twilight was a good book when I was 12....Would recommend for the big Austen fans who have been through all 6 of the novels and want more! But be aware these stories are quite different in content and tone at times!
May 15, 2012
I can't say that this is one of my favorites of Austen's. It was very quick, and very short, and funny in an over-the-top way, but I find that I much prefer her subtlety. Considering how young she was when writing this though, it's pretty damn impressive.
"Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint--"
Words to live by. ;)
"Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint--"
Words to live by. ;)
October 22, 2010
There didn't seem to be much of a point to this book, though I don't think Jane ever expected it to be published. I've noticed that all but the 1 or 2 main characters of each of her novels are complete assholes. However, I've only read L&F, P&P and am currently reading S&S, so maybe this is not a true pattern in her writting. I'll know better once I've read them all I suppose.
June 17, 2020
Having laboured my way through half the book, I have finally discarded it. I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen's major works, but this was so silly and soooo tedious that I just couldn't hack it. It's vaguely possible to perceive the crude beginnings of her later abilities and I imagine that when she wrote it, it might even have been considered amusing in parts, but for me it was simply boring.
November 16, 2008
The title's spelled wrong! (It's Freindship as fourteen year old Jane spelled it.) Juvenilia, epistolary form, and a satire of Gothic romances, this book is priceless for the Austen fan.
"Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint --"
"Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint --"
July 29, 2021
It's no P&P, but it made me chuckle. Always funny how Austen's stories stand the test of time to remind us that people are ridiculous.
March 5, 2019
A sweet story with an emphasis on friendship, which I really liked.
January 3, 2018
Read this book unexpectedly....Hilarious and dramatic start to the year.....
December 2, 2022
Arguta parodia dei clichè comportamentali e stereotipi sociali di un'Austen non ancora ventenne!
April 18, 2023
quite exciting, a lot of people die and advice is given out (don’t faint, it makes you weak).
October 7, 2020
Yet another required text for my "Reading Jane Austen" class. I would recommend this to any usual fans of Jane Austen but would not shout about this from the rooftops.
I typically enjoy epistolary tales, however, I struggle enough as is with classic literature and I think the letter form made it even harder for me to immerse myself in the story. Still an important text to consider when looking at the overall themes of her writing!
I typically enjoy epistolary tales, however, I struggle enough as is with classic literature and I think the letter form made it even harder for me to immerse myself in the story. Still an important text to consider when looking at the overall themes of her writing!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 611 reviews