In Which Jane Austen's Lady Susan Vernon Is Entirely Vindicated

Book Review Sue Parrill, Editor From a Leader of the immersed in an over-zealous execration Whit Stillman Fan Base of Jane Austen, the likes of which is an American resembles a graduate-level dissertation: writer and di- Love & Friendship: In Which Jane a Royal dedication, theatrical list of rector, best Austen’s Lady Susan Vernon Is “Principal Personages” and “Locales,” a known for Entirely Vindicated specified genealogical table, the author’s films of the By Whit Stillman & Jane Austen. own preface, a literary analysis of the 9th ‘90’s, such as Little, Brown and Company: Back Bay Books, Commandment and the author’s follow- The Last Days 2016. ix + 262 pp. up manifesto, entitled “A True Narrative of Disco and Paperback. $15.99. of False Witness,” which details his Metropolitan Review by Amanda Kale. obligation to deliver Lady Susan from (which is loose- her “posthumous injustice.” The reader ly based on Mansfield Park). Stillman Did you know that Sir James Martin, the is then led through a narrative from the has a long history with Austen, initially ostentatiously idiotic clown of Austen’s nephew’s heavily-biased perspective disdaining her as a boy in keeping with juvenilia Lady Susan, had an equally that accurately novelizes Stillman’s the preferences of Mark Twain and foolish nephew? And that this nephew recent screenplay (notwithstanding the Charlotte Bronte’s notoriously scathing has resolutely set forth to expose Jane narrator’s thinly-veiled animosity, such critiques. This altered with a more ma- Austen as a fraudulent con artist and as “those in the DeCourcy circle would ture re-reading of Northanger Abbey, “vindicate” the pride and reputation recognize her insinuating tone” and a and it was then Stillman was intro- of his aunt, Lady Susan Vernon, in the myriad of digressions to expertly defend duced to Lady Susan, tucked away be- mock-trial Love & Friendship: In Which his Aunt and Uncle’s honor, copious hind Northanger Abbey. He found Lady Jane Austen’s Lady Susan Vernon Is research and references abound). Then, Susan refreshing and brazen. “I think it Entirely Vindicated? His scathing tell-all in a touching tribute, Stillman includes is a funny story,” Stillman declares in an begins with a pretentious display of royal Austen’s Lady Susan to bookend his interview with the Los Angeles Times, devotion in a dedication to the Prince of flamboyant piece. Austen’s juvenilia discussing his own novel, “particularly Wales (that parallels Austen’s infamous opens with an appendix “By a Lady” for people who like reading completely dedication in Emma to the Prince that is overruled by the nephew’s biased ludicrous footnotes, because the great- Regent), and is signed, “Your Royal intervention once again to smite the est pleasure I had were very pompous Highness’ most obedient, most obliged, “Spinster Authoress.” This is followed and silly footnotes throughout.” Stillman and most dutiful servant, R. [Rufus] by Lady Susan in its original format: considers himself “the ayatollah of the Martin-Colonna De Cesari-Rocca.” a series of letters between Lady Susan Jane Austen fan base,” declaring he Don’t be fooled by the title. This book Vernon, her close American friend Mrs. wants “to lead the fan base, not be at- is not simply Austen’s Lady Susan, Johnson, the DeCourcy family, and tacked and devoured by the fan base.” more. These letters are untouched by nor a novelization of Whit Stillman’s From the first page to the last, Stillman the author’s hand, apart from a recurring recently successful film adaptation of expertly and almost divinely illustrates note at the end of each letter to remind said work (starring Kate Beckinsale, a narrative that is truly felt, experienced, the audience of Jane Austen’s “false” Chloë Sevigny, and Stephen Fry). and digested in a manner that would narration in a performance of cross- Upon opening the novel, one becomes make Austen proud. He employs examination and contradictory evidence. parody and flattery in the same breath, If a more entertaining novel can be and ultimately produces a very skilled found, I would be amazed. execution of Austen’s most beloved literary motif: Irony. The London Times Now, before you raise your pitchforks in said it best: “If, like me, you like your protest, consider the ingenuity that enters Jane Austen subversive, cruel, funny, and a work of this much theatricality, and outrageous, then you will love Stillman’s how it both mocks and flatters the effort Love & Friendship.” of Jane Austen’s own nephew, James Edward Austen, who dutifully entrusted Amanda Kale is a writer, editor, and himself with documenting his Aunt avid Jane Austen scholar. She has been Jane’s life in A Memoir of Jane Austen. published in JASNA’s Persuasions and the Stillman brilliantly employs the most Eastern-Pennsylvanian newsletter, Bits popular and absurd character from his & Scraps, and is currently working on a recent screenplay, Sir James Martin, and screenplay of Jane Austen’s life. She lives in Connecticut’s Kandie Carle at one of the New England. gardens at the Smith Farm and Gardens. lets him have the pen against his maker. JASNA News 11