Book of the Week: Lady Susan by Jane Austen

Alright folks, this week’s book pick is a saucy little classic that will give your brain a workout and maybe make you smirk along the way—Jane Austen’s Lady Susan. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why should I pick up a book that wasn’t written yesterday and doesn’t come with explosions?” Well, hold onto your golden squeegees, because this one’s worth the read!

Lady Susan isn’t your typical novel. It’s told entirely through letters, which is like reading other people’s emails from the 1800s—juicy, gossipy, and oh-so-clever. Lady Susan Vernon, the lead, isn’t your simple damsel; oh no, she’s a world-class schemer with a charm so sharp it could cut glass. Picture her manipulating everyone around her while sipping tea with the most innocent smile. It’s a wild social chess game, with romance, wit, and plenty of backstabbing.

Here’s the deal though—because it’s all letters, the back-and-forth style took me a minute to fully catch on. Honestly, it felt like being tossed into a soap opera mid-season. 

Who’s spilling tea? Who’s about to ruin someone’s life? 

It was tricky to figure out some of the situational nuances at first, but once I did, man, it was hard to put it down. The format may be unusual, but when you think about it, that’s part of the charm! And it’s PRIME Austen: social dynamics, biting humor, and characters you’ll love to love—or love to hate.

If you’re into books that are smart, unique, and pack a satirical punch, this one deserves a spot on your classics list. I’ll admit, it’s not the easiest first step into Austen if you’re new to her work, but hey, challenging your brain is always a good thing, right? And Lady Susan herself? She’s like the person who makes drama look effortless—entertaining as all get out, even if she’s a little wicked.

This one earns a solid 4 golden squeegees out of 5 from me! It’s clever, compelling, and different from anything else out there. Give it a read—you’ll laugh, you’ll roll your eyes, and you might even find yourself rooting for a scoundrel. That’s literature, baby!

Keep Shining!

-Gabe Salinas