Láska a přátelství – Austenová Jane (2020)

Love and Friendship, a novella in letters, is sometimes confused with a similar work by Jane Austen: Lady Susan. This is contributed to not only by the same literary form but also by the film Love and Friendship, which, despite its title, is based precisely on Lady Susan. "Our" book, that is, Love and Friendship, is, however, an independent work by the world-famous author, remarkable already for being written between the ages of eleven and fourteen. Perhaps precisely because of the youth, which can be ruthless, she mocked many clichés of romantic literature: let’s just mention "scenes full of fainting," "unexpected revelations of previously unknown relatives," "noble feelings versus mundane reality," or "the obligatory resistance against parental despotism." Above all this hovers the insurmountable irony of Jane Austen, her sharp humor – but also feelings, passion, and love, albeit presented in such a way that sometimes we do not know whether to laugh or cry. Laughter is certainly in order, after all, the author wrote these fictional letters for the amusement of her family circle; even so, you will read the portrayal of the beautiful, troubled Laura with bated breath and cannot help but admire the storytelling abilities of young Jane, who later became one of the most beloved and respected writers of all time.