Lady Susan

Title: Lady Susan

Author: Jane Austen

Narrators: Harriet Walter, Kim Hicks, Carole Boyd, and cast

Published: 2001 by NAXOS Audiobooks

Format: 2 compac discs, 2 hours, 30 minutes, 42 seconds

Genre: classic

Obtained: library


Summary: Lady Susan Vernon, recently widowed, and one of the most flirtatious women in England, goes to visit her brother and sister-in-law.  Here she causes an uproar with her scandalous reputation, coquetry, and selfish schemes.  This story is told through a series of letters.

Thoughts: Lady Susan is a much different novel than Austen's more popular works.  Many consider it "unfinished".  It was not published until 50 years after Austen's death.  Austen had never revised it.  So, it does not seem as complete as Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility.  It is short (80 pages) and written in the form of a series of letters.  Austen originally wrote Sense and Sensibility in this form and changed it to prose before publication.  There are thoughts that Austen would have done this to Lady Susan as well, especially since the end of the book is written in prose.
     Lady Susan, the main character is not likeable, but is a brilliant character.  She is what we would consider a narcissist today.  The other characters in the story are developed, but not to the extent of Lady Susan or characters in the other Austen books I have read.  The writing style is beautiful and witty.  Parody and satire are used throughout the book.  Even though the story was probably written sometime before 1805, it is easy to follow.  Although many consider Austen a romance writer, I think she was so much more.  I believe she had a terrific understanding of relationships and psychology and uses this gift in her writing.
     The narrators read at a good pace.  They were easy to understand and follow.  There was classical music added in between some of the letters, which I enjoyed because it helped set the tone and put a pause between the letters so I could process them.
     This probably would have been an even better book if the author had readied it for publication, but I enjoyed it just as much as her "completed" works.  Read this if you like Austen, but don't expect another Sense and Sensibility or Pride and Prejudice.  It is a different type of book that cannot be compared to these novels.


                                                                   




Company: French Creek Tea Company
325 Mt. Rushmore Road
Custer, SD 57730
Phone: 605-673-5383, Anniesemp@gmail.com

Tea: Lady Jasmine

Obtained: sample from the French Creek Tea Company
                                              



     Lady Jasmine is another wonderful tea from the French Creek Tea company.  This company does not have online ordering, so their contact information is listed above.  The tea I have gotten from them is pakaged in lined, resealable bags which are easy to store and keep the leaves fresh.
     This green tea, scented with jasmine flowers, is composed of all different sizes and shapes of green and brown leaves.  The leaves have a light, refreshing jasmine scent.  I poured 12 ounces of water that had been boiled and cooled for a couple of minutes over 2 teaspoons of the leaves.  I let this steep for 2 minutes.  The liquid was a yellow color and had a wonderful, light jasmine scent.  The taste was of a delicate, yet crisp green tea blended with a subtle jasmine flavor.  It had a mild astringency.
     This was a delicate, light, well-blended tea.  I believe green tea lovers would enjoy this blend.  I myself prefer a stronger jasmine taste because jasmine is one of my favorite flavors, but still enjoyed this lightly flavored green tea.  I will try this one iced as I think it would be quite refreshing chilled.