Susan by Alice McVeigh is a wonderful prequel to Lady Susan by Jane Austen. Lady Susan, to me, is the least likeable of Jane Austen’s heroines. In Alice McVeigh’s book, Susan Smithson is 16 years old, a manipulative orphan who lives with aunts and uncles, first in London and then in the country. For someone like myself who has loved Jane Austen’s books for so many years, it is a delight to read Alice McVeigh’s version of Lady Susan’s early life and find that the young Susan is actually rather endearing.

Alice McVeighw writes with the voice of Jane Austen, never makes a misstep and cleverly weaves in characters from other Jane Austen novels seamlessly, like Lady Catherine from Pride and Prejudice and Frank Churchill from Emma. Susan in Alice McVeigh’s book is a much more sympathetic figure than the older Lady Susan in Jane Austen’s book which gives a depth to the character that is missing if you only read Jane Austen.

No one captures the style and feel of Jane Austen better than Alice McVeigh. She is so gifted at reinterpreting Jane Austen in a completely believable way that I hope she writes versions of all of Jane Austen’s works. ( )

NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!!!!!!!
https://www.alicemcveigh.com/susan-a-jane-austen-prequel/

In this prequel to Lady Susan by Jane Austen, Susan Smithson at the age of 16 has been expelled from Mrs Ansruther's school and sent to her aunt and uncle Collins (younger brother of Reverend Collins of Hunsford), to live as the poor relation. With only her beauty and wit to aid her how will she survive Society and to her view, make a good marriage.
But Susan while being manipulative and dramatic can be kind to those that she loves.
An entertaining and well-written prequel, with some likeable and interesting characters.

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