Fragment of a novel written by Jane Austen, January-March 1817 : $b Now first printed from the manuscript

The pages you’ll hear belong to a short, unfinished manuscript written in the first months of 1817, just before the author’s final days. Rendered as closely as possible to the original pen‑and‑ink draft, the work preserves the author’s spontaneous corrections and the lively rhythm of her early prose. Set in a newly fashionable seaside resort, the fragment opens with the arrival of a bright‑eyed young woman whose curiosity is matched by the town’s bustling ambition.

She quickly encounters the charming, forward‑thinking brother of the estate’s owner, whose plans to turn the quiet shore into a health‑focused haven spark both admiration and rivalry. Among the visitors are fashionable aristocrats, a sensible businesswoman, and a mysterious stranger whose motives are hinted at but not yet clear. Their interactions reveal the sharp social observations and witty dialogue that promise a story of love, commerce, and the clash of tradition with progress.