Lesley Castle is a witty and entertaining collection of letters written by Jane Austen in her youth. The novel follows the correspondence between two friends, Margaret Lesley and Charlotte Lutterell, as they discuss the absurdities and intricacies of their respective lives. Austen's sharp wit and humor shine through in these letters, as she explores themes of love, marriage, and social class with a keen eye for detail.

One of the most compelling aspects of Lesley Castle is Austen's ability to create vivid and compelling characters through her use of dialogue and intimate storytelling. Margaret and Charlotte come to life on the page, each with their own distinct personalities and quirks. The dynamic between the two women is captivating, as they navigate the challenges of friendship, love, and societal expectations.

Overall, Lesley Castle is a charming and engaging read that showcases Austen's early talent for storytelling. Fans of her more well-known works, such as Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, will appreciate this glimpse into the author's early writing style. Austen's sharp observations and clever commentary make Lesley Castle a delightful and enjoyable read for any fan of classic literature.

Book Description:
Lesley Castle is a melodramatic epistolary novelette written by Jane Austen when she was sixteen years old. Although the novels Austen became known for were not published until she was in her thirties, she was an active writer from the age of twelve, frequently composing epistolary works such as Lesley Castle. Austen eventually compiled 29 of her early writings in three notebooks that became known as the Juvenilia and that she called “Volume the First”, “Volume the Second”, and “Volume the Third”, including Lesley Castle in “Volume the Second”. Lesley Castle is set contemporaneously to Austen’s writing and consists of a series of ten letters by five characters, all of whom are women of high society living in Great Britain. In this short work, Austen employs a mock serious tone to humorously critique her peers on subjects such as self-absorption and jealousy. Austen acknowledged in a prefatory note that she left Lesley Castle unfinished; it includes several interconnected storylines, but no overarching plot or clear conclusion. - Summary by David Purdy Jane Austen: Michelle PurdyHenry Thomas Austen: Jake MaliziaMargaret Lesley: Michele EatonCharlotte Lutterell: Kelly S. TaylorSusan Lesley: Magda WildeEloisa Lutterell: Amatullah TalksMrs. Marlowe: Joanna Michal HoytWilliam Fitzgerald: David PurdyMr. Lesley: Tomas PeterNarrator: WillForbis