I enjoyed this book very much. I am a fan of Jane Austen, although I will admit, I have not read Lady Jane. I was glad to find it wasn’t a requirement to enjoy this book. I had a bit of trepidation when I pick up a book that has familiar characters but a new (to me) writer. McVeigh’s writing has its own voice but is similar enough to Austen’s that it is not jarring and I could then enjoy the story.
I’m always happy to visit Austen’s England! Young women finding their way and voice in the world and all the calamity that ensues! This will not disappoint and I’m sure it is quite timely with all of the Bridgerton fans currently looking for their next fix!
I give this review voluntarily for an advanced copy! #netgalley

Alice McVeigh, Susan, A Jane Austen Prequel, Warleigh Hall Press, 2021

Susan Smithson, with luxuriant black curls and acknowledged as the prettiest girl in the school, is expelled because she flirted with the music master and did not cry out when he kissed her hand. She must return to her aunt and uncle’s house in London, but under far more intrusive guard than in the past. Her reputation for beauty, flirtation, achieving her own desires, despite her poverty and low expectations of a grand marriage set the scene for this forerunner of Jane Austen’s Lady Susan. McVeigh establishes her own guidelines for the way in which her Susan will proceed, from her rejection of the fairness with which Lady Susan is endowed, to the liveliness and ingenuity rather than malice which abounds in the latter’s correspondence and behaviour in Austen’s character, and, unlike Lady Susan, her success in winning her own way by the end of the novel.

McVeigh appeals to Janeites’ acceptance of her use of other Austen characters, such as Frank Churchill, and the pleasantness of Alicia Johnston that bears little resemblance to Alicia, recipient of Lady Susan’s correspondence. I am more than happy to appreciate Jane Austen’s works, and have a somewhat sympathetic approach to the dreadful Lady Susan while thoroughly savouring McVeigh’s Susan, Alicia, and their companions in Susan, A Jane Austen Prequel.

Although the story begins slowly, the pace, intrigue and vitality with which Susan approaches every possible pitfall, her delightfully devious use of others’ weaknesses and attempts to maintain the hierarchical workings of the society Susan wishes to defeat become fully engaging. McVeigh, unlike Austen who had to mute her criticisms of the role of class and money somewhat, is clear about the discrimination Susan and Alicia (the ‘Parsonage girls’) suffer. Here, we can see glimmerings of the way in which Lady Susan is possibly forced to operate, or at least has become accustomed to fighting battles that arise only because she is a woman, and poor.

Susan is sixteen, the age of Lady Susan’s daughter, Frederica when that novel begins. Unlike Susan, Frederica has almost crumbled under her mother’s dislike and neglect. However, in her refusal to marry at her mother’s behest, perhaps she is showing a glimmer of fortitude worthy of Susan at sixteen. By valiantly tackling a prequel to Austen, McVeigh encourages a closer investigation of Lady Susan, a wonderful aside to reading this novel. With the introduction of Frank Churchill as a supplicant for Susan’s hand, long before his successful love affair with Jane Fairfax, his character under Austen’s hand is also embellished. So, too, is the character of Charlotte who, in Pride and Prejudice, was forced through circumstance to marry the obsequious Mr Collins. Aunt Charlotte, as she is to Susan and Alicia, must care for the two of them when Susan is sent away from London, to mend her ways. Charlotte is usually in the background, but life revolves around her husband’s obsequiousness to Lady de Brough, her domestic tasks, and wondering if indeed Susan might make the leap from impoverished, but beautiful supplicant to the rich and important to marry well, as did her friend, Eliza Bennett. McVeigh does not bring the Darcys into the novel, except by reputation and conjecture, suggesting that the friendship has deteriorated under the class differences that are so apparent.

Susan’s courting of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, after her success with Mrs Cooper in London is a joy to behold. Both are manipulative, seeking dominance. Susan’s behaviour is honeyed, and Lady De Borough’s sharp, but both pursue comfort. In Lady de Borough’s case it is in the immediate, while Susan plays a longer game. This juxtaposition of the moneyed upper-class woman using the poorer, woman of a lowlier position and vice versa establishes for Susan the only way she can advance. Cajoling men to her point of view is easier, as she can use her appearance and flirtatious skills, but she knows that both sexes must be won.

Warleigh Hall (a nod to the publisher?), its structure and inhabitants, also demonstrates the hierarchical nature of society. The recently widowed Mr Johnson provides both a foil for Susan and a source of anguish for his more restrained children, as well as the site of social occasions that bring Susan and Alicia into contact with people above them in the hierarchy. The play which is the focus of much of the activity provides an insight into the way in which such activities broke down barriers – much to the dismay of those who would keep them intact. The play reflects the role of the play in yet another of Austen’s novels, Mansfield Park.

Alice McVeigh (note her comment in the text about the name Alice in contrast with the ‘pure pretension’ of Alicia, her possible heroine) appears to have had a great deal of enjoyment with her characters, the society she depicts and storylines and their provenance with Jane Austen’s work. The book can be read with this in mind, and drive you to rereading Jane Austen’s novels, or can be enjoyed as a standalone story of two friends, Alicia and Susan, whose role as ‘the Parsonage girls’ is overturned with delightful intervention by Susan.

Hard call this one. I thoroughly dislike Lady Susan and was not sure that reading about her possible youth would change my mind. It didn't. Manipulative and selfish in a way far outweighing Emma she moves through this prequel in a beautiful haze of capriciousness. Expelled from school, sent to the country to live with Uncle and Aunt Collins she manoeuvres the local gentry to put on a play of a risqué book despite warnings not to. There certainly are consequences.. She plays everyone, from being demure and caring to Lady Catherine de Bourgh then more assertive to her friend Alicia in a thoroughly unpleasant way. She is poor and, for the times, has to make something of herself in order to make even a reasonable marriage I suppose but the way she does that does not endear. The author clearly knows her Austen and her writing, with the style of the modern text fitting very well with that of the early 19th century. There are sections where I felt that she was too close to the originals with certain phrases. Lady Catherine's daughter felt unbelievable and, as for poor Colonel FitzWilliam, awww. An enjoyable read even if I still do not like Susan. Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen then you are familiar with the villainous Lady Susan. Have you ever wondered how she came to be the woman Austen created? McVeigh’s novel takes us back to the time when Susan was just sixteen years old and having lost both of her parents, is in the care of the Collins family, her Aunt and Uncle. She has no place in society, no money, and her prospects for a suitable marriage are slim. However, she is beautiful and charming, smart and capable, and that has to account for something, right? Susan convinces a local squire to host a play, bringing together a cast of characters that wouldn't normally run in the same social circles. This leads to forbidden relationships and unforeseen consequences, both good and bad.

According to the author's notes, this story takes place one year prior to Emma and five years after Pride and Prejudice. Sprinkled throughout are Austen characters such as Frank Churchill, Mrs Alicia Johnson, Col. Fitzwilliam, and even a few brief mentions of Mr. Darcy. Austen’s novels are such beloved classics that one must take great care when penning a retelling of her characters. I think McVeigh has succeeded in doing so! The writing is very much evocative of Austen’s style of prose and the characters and story are delightful. Susan herself is precocious and humorous. She is able to easily manipulate people and situations to her desired outcome, yet does so in a likable, endearing way. She reminded me of Emma in this regard.

The cast of characters are well-developed. I particularly liked Mr. Oliver (reminded me of The Duke from the Bridgerton series), sweet Alicia who is Susan’s cousin and best friend, and Mr. Johnson, who reminded me of the dad version of someone trying to be the “cool mom.”

It took me a bit to get into the rhythm of the classical prose (it’s been a while since I’ve read Austen), but once I did I absolutely loved this book. Very much a character driven story, yet I still found the plot to be intriguing and with a very satisfying ending.

Warm and humorous,with enough familiar names to make it feel like a cosy get together with friends.
I'll admit I do not know the character of Lady Susan,but she's charmed me a little bit.
I do know Mr Collins,and he did not charm me in the slightest.
Definitely a must read for Austen fans,but a gentle read with comedy and rules and manners for anyone who hasn't read Austen also