The Watsons is one of Jane Austen’s two unfinished novels (the other being Sanditon). It is an abandoned fragment that is only about 7,500 words (or 80 pages), about a fifth of the length of her other novels. Though it is thought to be written around 1803 (and abandoned around 1805 after the death of her father), the fragment was given the title of The Watsons and published after her death in 1871 by the novelist’s nephew, James Edward Austen-Leigh.
The heroine of the story is the youngest daughter in the Watson family, Emma Watson. Our MC Emma enters the story after being sent back to her family’s humble country home after having spent her youth raised by a wealthy aunt, who did everything to support a fashionable education for Emma. Unfortunately for Emma, she is now much more well-bred than the rest of her family, who is no doubt meant to be the cause of hijinx in the story. The action starts at Emma’s first ball, where she makes herself likable from the start by showing kindness to a sad little boy (which also warms her to the boys’ family, who happens to include the wealthy Lord of the neighborhood).
Introduced early on are a few of the story’s supporting characters, which gives us a glimpse into where the plot might have been headed—a gossiping sister who introduces us to some minor drama, a sickly father, a gentleman who makes himself unlikeable pretty quickly, a gentleman who makes himself agreeable, and another gentleman who remains mysteriously aloof.
The fragment offers a promising start, and it is just too bad that Jane never got around to finishing the story. The novella ends here, but Jane’s sister Cassandra hinted at a possible ending that had been revealed: Emma is meant to ultimately marry Mr. Howard, after declining an offer from Lord Osborne! What a twist!
Fan Fiction to read if you liked The Watsons:
Fortunately, many authors over the years have written their own continuations of the fragment, though sadly none will ever live up to Jane herself. One particular Jane Austen Fan-Fic author who has earned my devotion is the infamous Joan Aiken—her interpretation “Emma Watson” is an attempt to finish what Jane started with “The Watsons”, and the book does it’s best to follow the intended plot arc (according to Janes sister and closest confidant, Cassandra).
Emma Watson: a Jane Austen Sequel by Joan Aiken
MANDY'S READING LIST 