LADY SUSAN, THE WATSONS, SANDITON

Unpublished until after the author’s death, LADY SUSAN chronicles the exploits of a young widow and her emerging competition with her daughter for suitable (read, rich) husbands. Husband-hunting likewise forms the plot of THE WATSONS, abandoned unfinished by the author. In SANDITON, also unfinished, Austen explores real estate speculation in a coastal town. Norma West’s cultured, restrained vocal performance suits the author’s style of controlled excess. West reveals Lady Susan’s passions and selfishness, which she holds within the bounds of respectable language, if not actions. The various characters in the unfinished works portray portentousness, outrage, greed, sensuality, and sweetness with equal effectiveness. West obviously appreciates Austin’s subtleties and portrays them to their best advantage. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]