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The Complete Novels
Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
1047 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
2576 people are currently reading
4775 people want to read
About the author
Jane Austen
3,822 books74.3k followersJane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment upon the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are an implicit critique of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her deft use of social commentary, realism and biting irony have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.
The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.
The anonymously published Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), were a modest success but brought her little fame in her lifetime. She wrote two other novels—Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both published posthumously in 1817—and began another, eventually titled Sanditon, but died before its completion. She also left behind three volumes of juvenile writings in manuscript, the short epistolary novel Lady Susan, and the unfinished novel The Watsons.
Since her death Austen's novels have rarely been out of print. A significant transition in her reputation occurred in 1833, when they were republished in Richard Bentley's Standard Novels series (illustrated by Ferdinand Pickering and sold as a set). They gradually gained wide acclaim and popular readership. In 1869, fifty-two years after her death, her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced a compelling version of her writing career and supposedly uneventful life to an eager audience. Her work has inspired a large number of critical essays and has been included in many literary anthologies. Her novels have also inspired many films, including 1940's Pride and Prejudice, 1995's Sense and Sensibility and 2016's Love & Friendship.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
September 21, 2017
Attraverso i suoi romanzi, la Austen ci parla dell'aristocrazia inglese di inizio '800, una realtà decisamente lontana, e non solo in ottica temporale, dalla nostra. E non è difficile scorgervi una punta di ironia, soprattutto nel modo, quasi "esagerato", di descrivere il trasporto emotivo dei personaggi nelle varie relazioni amorose e non.
Ragione e Sentimento ****
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio ****
Mansfield Park ***
Emma*** all'inizio ammetto che non mi ha preso molto, ma poi è andato solo a migliorare! si è creato un legame di amore/odio con Emma, con la sua incapacità di restare al di fuori delle vicende altrui! Tre stelline, ma solo perché non mi ha coinvolto quanto Orgoglio e Pregiudizio;
Persuasione **** piacevole lettura, una Austen meno "accanita" ma nessuna delusione!
L'Abbazia di Northanger **** che dire, la Austen è la Austen!
Ragione e Sentimento ****
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio ****
Mansfield Park ***
Emma*** all'inizio ammetto che non mi ha preso molto, ma poi è andato solo a migliorare! si è creato un legame di amore/odio con Emma, con la sua incapacità di restare al di fuori delle vicende altrui! Tre stelline, ma solo perché non mi ha coinvolto quanto Orgoglio e Pregiudizio;
Persuasione **** piacevole lettura, una Austen meno "accanita" ma nessuna delusione!
L'Abbazia di Northanger **** che dire, la Austen è la Austen!
October 28, 2017
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio, rilettura - inizio 2 0ttobre 2017 - fine 28 ottobre 2017
...e in mezzo la visione della miniserie TV della BBC.
Ragione e Sentimento, rilettura
il GdL reale è fissato per il 4 luglio.
Il club Jane Austen diventa realtà: inizio oggi a rileggere L'abbazia di Northanger, il GdL reale è fissato per il 12 maggio.
Avevo dimenticato quanto fosse divertente leggere Jane Austen: anche la rilettura assume significato e ogni pagina riletta nuove sfumature (di rosa acceso, soprattutto, nessun grigiume).
«Specialmente una donna, se ha la fortuna di sapere qualcosa, dovrebbe sempre fare in modo di nasconderlo meglio che può.»
Il club Jane Austen
È cosa nota e universalmente riconosciuta che una fanciulla che entri in libreria per acquistare un libro senza essere in possesso di un solido patrimonio debba uscirne a tutti i costi con almeno altri tre. E benché poco sia dato sapere delle vere inclinazioni e dei reali godimenti di chi per la prima volta si accosti alla scoperta di un mondo sconosciuto, accade tuttavia che tale convinzione sia così saldamente radicata nella mente della fanciulla da indurla a considerare i suoi nuovi acquisti fin da quel momento legittimo appannaggio dell'uno o dell'altro dei suoi scaffali.
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Persuasione***
Inizio lettura 12 giugno 2014 - Fine lettura 20 giugno 2014
Poco persuasa.
Finisce così la mia maratona austeniana, con un pizzico di delusione.
Avevo grandi aspettative nei confronti di questo romanzo, l'ultimo di Jane Austen che mi era rimasto da leggere, e l'ultimo scritto per intero dall'autrice inglese.
Ho dato un'occhiata ai commenti degli altri lettori e il pensiero più ricorrente è quello che vuole negare che si tratti di un romanzo cupo.
In effetti non è cupo (ma se tutti negano, chi l'ha detto???), non mi è sembrato affatto cupo; viceversa non è nemmeno brillante, perché sono completamente assenti quella verve e quella vena ironica che avevano caratterizzato, fino a questo momento, l'opera dell'autrice.
Se questo vuol dire 'essere cupo', allora sì, Persuasione è un romanzo cupo.
Se invece devo valutare le impressioni ricevute dalla lettura, prescindendo dal confronto con i romanzi precedenti, pur senza dimenticare che nei romanzi di Jane Austen la fine è nota sin dalla prima pagina (motivo per cui non conta arrivare alla fine, ma scoprire pagina dopo pagina, deliziandosi delle trovate dell'autrice e della sua capacità di farsi beffe dei personaggi che meno le stanno a cuore, come faremo ad arrivarci), devo convenire che quella di Persuasione è una storia equilibrata, bilanciata da piccoli capovolgimenti di fronte e da rari picchi emotivi; una storia in cui i chiari hanno lo stesso identico peso degli scuri e in cui l'amore, il lieto fine, e l'incastro perfetto di tutti i pezzi, hanno sempre il sopravvento sulle avversità della vita: avversità che sono sempre al passato e mai al presente. Un meccanismo perfetto, insomma, talmente perfetto da risultare, pagina dopo pagina, prevedibile come i rintocchi di un campanile allo scoccare delle ore.
E quindi, perfettamente austeniani tutti, dalla dolce Anne Eliot al fascinoso Capitano Wentworth a tutti i comprimari, ma con qualche sbadiglio (imprevedibile!) da parte mia.
Cara Jane, dunque, chi delle due è cambiata in questi anni di maratona, tu o io?
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Emma***1/2
Inizio lettura 30 marzo 2012 - Fine lettura 1 maggio 2012
Ho bisogno di aria pura :-)
Emma, Emma, Emma, ma che casini che combini, mi sembri me.
Anzi, mi ricordi molto Cimabue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3dNq...- quello che faceva una cosa e ne sbagliava due!
Sono andata a scegliermi un'eroina che nessuno tranne me potrebbe amare, scriveva Jane Austen; ed io, senza saperlo, l'ho presa subito in parola, perché la cara Emma Woodhouse, bella, ricca, viziata e presuntuosa, mi è stata antipatica sin dall'inizio; una che crede di avere la dote di poter "abbinare" le persone a proprio gusto e piacimento allo scopo di farle unire in matrimonio.
Solo che la dote che Emma è convinta di avere non trova grandi riscontri nella realtà delle cose e dà vita ad una serie di equivoci e di fraintendimenti che complicheranno e vivacizzeranno la vita quotidiana dell'intera comunità che ruota intorno ad Highbury, la proprietà della famiglia Woodhouse.
Ma anche tutti i personaggi del romanzo, da Harriet Smith, la timida protetta di Emma, a Jane Fairfax, coetanea della stessa Emma e da lei invidiata per le sue doti, dall'ombroso Mr. Knightely, cognato della sorella, a Mr. Elton, il vicario del villaggio, ai coniugi Weston, ai quali Emma è legatissima sin dall'infanzia, sembrano essere caduti vittime dello stesso sortilegio, che li fa credere di ravvedere sentimenti e preferenze dove invece non esistono affatto.
Ancora una volta l'ironia della Austen affonda la penna contro le convenzioni sociali dell'epoca e contro una società nella quale, alla fine, tutto ruota intorno al matrimonio: ci si sposa per sistemarsi, per migliorare la propria posizione sociale, per dare una madre (o un padre) ai propri figli, una padrona di casa alla propria parrocchia, ma soprattutto per finalizzare l'esistenza della donna; quasi mai per amore. In tal senso Emma, pur completamente diversa dalla Elizabeth Bennett di 'Orgoglio e Pregiudizio' o dalla Fanny Price di 'Mansfield Park', è l'eroina austeniana per eccellenza, una giovane donna, moderna e spregiudicata, che non cade preda dell'amore romantico, che non mira a sistemarsi (anche perché non ne ha bisogno) e che soprattutto dichiara di non volersi mai sposare. Ma non ha fatto i conti con le frecce scagliate da Jane Austen, più che da Cupido, che si diverte, come in una commedia degli equivoci, a confondere, seminare indizi, sparpagliare le carte, per poi rimettere ogni tessera al suo posto.
Verso la fine, però, nonostante i numerosi colpi di scena, mi sono un po' annoiata, anche se Emma, immaginandola con le fattezze di Gwyneth Paltrow, ed il suo viso dolce e sbarazzino, mi era diventata via via meno antipatica.
http://www.mymovies.it/dizionario/rec...
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Mansfield Park*****
Inizio lettura 05 luglio 2011 - Fine lettura 25 luglio 2011
E a sorpresa, Mansfield Park passa in testa battendo Orgoglio e pregiudizio nella mia personalissima classifica sui romanzi letti della Austen!
Certamente Fanny non è l'eroina che tutti sogniamo (di essere), anche se è a tutti gli effetti la "Cenerentola" perfetta, così come Mrs. Norris è la matrigna perfetta e altrettanto perfette sono le sorellastre/cugine Bertram, anche se un po' troppo belle.
Il principe c'è, Edmund, anche se per essere un principe è veramente un po' troppo tonto e bigotto, ma tant'è, bisogna accontentarsi e, si sa, l'amore è cieco.
Due piccole riflessioni, al di là delle considerazioni sulla trama e sulla solita piacevole scrittura della Austen: la figura materna ne esce ancora una volta demolita: tra la madre naturale di Fanny, che la piazza dalle sorelle, l'ameba Mrs. Bertram e la perfida, ai limiti della credibilità, Mrs. Norris, non saprei davvero chi scegliere.
Che problemi ha avuto Jane Austen con la propria? Mi piacerebbe studiarne meglio la biografia per capire se in effetti c'è qualcosa di personale in questa scarsa benevolenza che l'autrice riflette nella figura materna nei suoi romanzi.
Gli fa da contraltare, e questa è la mia seconda considerazione, l'occhio sempre benevolo che ha invece nei confronti dei pastori anglicani e della loro vocazione, scelta spesso bistrattata - il dialogo tra Fanny, Edmund e Mrs. Crawford ne è l'emblema - e considerata dai più scelta di comodo anziché di fede; Jane Austen, e quest'occhio di riguardo immagino non sia stato casuale, era figlia di un pastore protestante: che come molte figlie femmine fosse più legata al padre che alla madre? O che semplicemente riflettesse nelle sue preferenze quello che era il pensiero comune dell'epoca e cioè che in fondo le donne non avessero altra preoccupazione che quella di far fare alle figlie un buon matrimonio?
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L'abbazia di Northanger ***1/2
Inizio lettura 29 giugno 2011 - Fine lettura 3 luglio 2011
È stato una piacevole sorpresa: non conosco la letteratura gotica cui Jane Austen fa riferimento, ma mi è molto piaciuta la presa in giro che ne fa ed immagino che più di qualcuno - Ann Radcliffe avrà fatto in tempo a leggerlo? :-) - si sarà sentito mortalmente offeso. Mi è piaciuta molto anche la descrizione della divisione dell'universo femminile da quello maschile dell'epoca nelle letture: alle donne i romanzi in cui giovani eroine vengono spaventate, aggredite e infine salvate, mentre agli uomini le cose serie: saggi di storia e scienze.
L'ironia della Austen mi sta conquistando sempre di più e rimpiango di non essere in grado di leggerla in originale.
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Continua la maratona Jane Austen in vista del gruppo di lettura su Mansfield Park che inizierà a Luglio.
Mi sono messa in testa però di leggerli in ordine cronologico per cui oltre Orgoglio e Pregiudizio (in questo caso però si tratta di una rilettura, anche se la prima lettura risale alla notte dei tempi!) mi aspetta anche L'abbazia di Northanger.
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio ****1/2
Inizio lettura 17 giugno 2011 - Fine lettura 27 giugno 2011
Che dire, la madre di tutte le soap opera: sono convinta che sceneggiatori di successo come quelli di Beautiful conoscano a memoria l'opera omnia di Jane Austen e che si siano impegnati, senza la fatica di dover inventare nulla, nel riprodurli negli schemi e nelle dinamiche avendo l'unica accortezza di rendere i loro protagonisti molto più cattivi degli antenati inglesi ma, purtroppo, totalmente privi di quella matrice ironica tipicamente austeniana.
«Lei sorride soltanto,» scrive Elizabeth alla zia paragonando il suo amore per Mr. Darcy a quello di sua sorella Jane per Mr. Bingley «io rido.» e noi, ragazze sempreverdi che continuiamo ad appassionarci alle storie d'amore del secolo scorso, ben scritte e ben congegnate nelle quali alla fine ogni tassello va al posto giusto, ridiamo insieme a lei, magari asciugandoci le lacrime versate per la commozione con il nostro fazzoletto di pizzo bianco.
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Ragione e Sentimento ***1/2
Inizio lettura 3 giugno 2011 - Fine lettura 5 giugno 2011
Oggi, a scanso di equivoci (vedi commento a "La diva Julia") mi sono portata in spiaggia un volume che avessi inclusi tutti i romanzi :-)
Se assegnassi quattro stelline a "Ragione e Sentimento" farei un torto imperdonabile a "La Fiera delle Vanità" che indubbiamente ha pregi, a mio parere, nettamente superiori.
Le vicende delle due sorelle, Elinor e Marianne, e dei loro travagliati amori, sono indubbiamente un piacevole passatempo (niente di meglio di una giornata piovosa per terminare la lettura e per sentirsi ancor di più a casa nei continui spostamenti dal Sussex a Londra e dal Somersetshire al Devonshire) e un espediente per riflettere su quante volte nella vita la ragione prenda il sopravvento, quasi sempre sbagliando, sul sentimento e viceversa.
Di istinto preferisco Marianne, una sorella come l'assennatissima Elinor mi avrebbe annoiata parecchio, anche se riconosco a quest'ultima la capacità di aver avuto, alla fine, ciò che desiderava.
In ogni caso, pur avendo apprezzato la lettura, nonostante l'anacronisticità e i molti pensieri ormai troppo demodé in essa espressi (giovani poco più che sedicenni che si esprimono come donne che ormai oggi nemmeno a quarant'anni, nonché i poco lusinghieri apprezzamenti su uomini e donne di età intorno ai trentacinque anni ormai considerati con un piede nella fossa!), posso affermare che, e mi riferisco a "Ragione e Sentimento, It's not my cup of tea.
Ciononostante, perché invece i film in costume li amo parecchio, sono pronta a guardare come fosse la prima volta (ma allora è vero che dopo i quaranta si diventa rimbambiti!) il film di Ang Lee con Emma Thompson e Kate Winslet (gli uomini lasciamoli stare che neanche nel romanzo sono dotati di spina dorsale particolarmente eretta :-))
Nota E invece il film non l'avevo visto!
...e in mezzo la visione della miniserie TV della BBC.
Ragione e Sentimento, rilettura
il GdL reale è fissato per il 4 luglio.
Il club Jane Austen diventa realtà: inizio oggi a rileggere L'abbazia di Northanger, il GdL reale è fissato per il 12 maggio.
Avevo dimenticato quanto fosse divertente leggere Jane Austen: anche la rilettura assume significato e ogni pagina riletta nuove sfumature (di rosa acceso, soprattutto, nessun grigiume).
«Specialmente una donna, se ha la fortuna di sapere qualcosa, dovrebbe sempre fare in modo di nasconderlo meglio che può.»
Il club Jane Austen
È cosa nota e universalmente riconosciuta che una fanciulla che entri in libreria per acquistare un libro senza essere in possesso di un solido patrimonio debba uscirne a tutti i costi con almeno altri tre. E benché poco sia dato sapere delle vere inclinazioni e dei reali godimenti di chi per la prima volta si accosti alla scoperta di un mondo sconosciuto, accade tuttavia che tale convinzione sia così saldamente radicata nella mente della fanciulla da indurla a considerare i suoi nuovi acquisti fin da quel momento legittimo appannaggio dell'uno o dell'altro dei suoi scaffali.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Persuasione***
Inizio lettura 12 giugno 2014 - Fine lettura 20 giugno 2014
Poco persuasa.
Finisce così la mia maratona austeniana, con un pizzico di delusione.
Avevo grandi aspettative nei confronti di questo romanzo, l'ultimo di Jane Austen che mi era rimasto da leggere, e l'ultimo scritto per intero dall'autrice inglese.
Ho dato un'occhiata ai commenti degli altri lettori e il pensiero più ricorrente è quello che vuole negare che si tratti di un romanzo cupo.
In effetti non è cupo (ma se tutti negano, chi l'ha detto???), non mi è sembrato affatto cupo; viceversa non è nemmeno brillante, perché sono completamente assenti quella verve e quella vena ironica che avevano caratterizzato, fino a questo momento, l'opera dell'autrice.
Se questo vuol dire 'essere cupo', allora sì, Persuasione è un romanzo cupo.
Se invece devo valutare le impressioni ricevute dalla lettura, prescindendo dal confronto con i romanzi precedenti, pur senza dimenticare che nei romanzi di Jane Austen la fine è nota sin dalla prima pagina (motivo per cui non conta arrivare alla fine, ma scoprire pagina dopo pagina, deliziandosi delle trovate dell'autrice e della sua capacità di farsi beffe dei personaggi che meno le stanno a cuore, come faremo ad arrivarci), devo convenire che quella di Persuasione è una storia equilibrata, bilanciata da piccoli capovolgimenti di fronte e da rari picchi emotivi; una storia in cui i chiari hanno lo stesso identico peso degli scuri e in cui l'amore, il lieto fine, e l'incastro perfetto di tutti i pezzi, hanno sempre il sopravvento sulle avversità della vita: avversità che sono sempre al passato e mai al presente. Un meccanismo perfetto, insomma, talmente perfetto da risultare, pagina dopo pagina, prevedibile come i rintocchi di un campanile allo scoccare delle ore.
E quindi, perfettamente austeniani tutti, dalla dolce Anne Eliot al fascinoso Capitano Wentworth a tutti i comprimari, ma con qualche sbadiglio (imprevedibile!) da parte mia.
Cara Jane, dunque, chi delle due è cambiata in questi anni di maratona, tu o io?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emma***1/2
Inizio lettura 30 marzo 2012 - Fine lettura 1 maggio 2012
Ho bisogno di aria pura :-)
Emma, Emma, Emma, ma che casini che combini, mi sembri me.
Anzi, mi ricordi molto Cimabue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3dNq...- quello che faceva una cosa e ne sbagliava due!
Sono andata a scegliermi un'eroina che nessuno tranne me potrebbe amare, scriveva Jane Austen; ed io, senza saperlo, l'ho presa subito in parola, perché la cara Emma Woodhouse, bella, ricca, viziata e presuntuosa, mi è stata antipatica sin dall'inizio; una che crede di avere la dote di poter "abbinare" le persone a proprio gusto e piacimento allo scopo di farle unire in matrimonio.
Solo che la dote che Emma è convinta di avere non trova grandi riscontri nella realtà delle cose e dà vita ad una serie di equivoci e di fraintendimenti che complicheranno e vivacizzeranno la vita quotidiana dell'intera comunità che ruota intorno ad Highbury, la proprietà della famiglia Woodhouse.
Ma anche tutti i personaggi del romanzo, da Harriet Smith, la timida protetta di Emma, a Jane Fairfax, coetanea della stessa Emma e da lei invidiata per le sue doti, dall'ombroso Mr. Knightely, cognato della sorella, a Mr. Elton, il vicario del villaggio, ai coniugi Weston, ai quali Emma è legatissima sin dall'infanzia, sembrano essere caduti vittime dello stesso sortilegio, che li fa credere di ravvedere sentimenti e preferenze dove invece non esistono affatto.
Ancora una volta l'ironia della Austen affonda la penna contro le convenzioni sociali dell'epoca e contro una società nella quale, alla fine, tutto ruota intorno al matrimonio: ci si sposa per sistemarsi, per migliorare la propria posizione sociale, per dare una madre (o un padre) ai propri figli, una padrona di casa alla propria parrocchia, ma soprattutto per finalizzare l'esistenza della donna; quasi mai per amore. In tal senso Emma, pur completamente diversa dalla Elizabeth Bennett di 'Orgoglio e Pregiudizio' o dalla Fanny Price di 'Mansfield Park', è l'eroina austeniana per eccellenza, una giovane donna, moderna e spregiudicata, che non cade preda dell'amore romantico, che non mira a sistemarsi (anche perché non ne ha bisogno) e che soprattutto dichiara di non volersi mai sposare. Ma non ha fatto i conti con le frecce scagliate da Jane Austen, più che da Cupido, che si diverte, come in una commedia degli equivoci, a confondere, seminare indizi, sparpagliare le carte, per poi rimettere ogni tessera al suo posto.
Verso la fine, però, nonostante i numerosi colpi di scena, mi sono un po' annoiata, anche se Emma, immaginandola con le fattezze di Gwyneth Paltrow, ed il suo viso dolce e sbarazzino, mi era diventata via via meno antipatica.
http://www.mymovies.it/dizionario/rec...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mansfield Park*****
Inizio lettura 05 luglio 2011 - Fine lettura 25 luglio 2011
E a sorpresa, Mansfield Park passa in testa battendo Orgoglio e pregiudizio nella mia personalissima classifica sui romanzi letti della Austen!
Certamente Fanny non è l'eroina che tutti sogniamo (di essere), anche se è a tutti gli effetti la "Cenerentola" perfetta, così come Mrs. Norris è la matrigna perfetta e altrettanto perfette sono le sorellastre/cugine Bertram, anche se un po' troppo belle.
Il principe c'è, Edmund, anche se per essere un principe è veramente un po' troppo tonto e bigotto, ma tant'è, bisogna accontentarsi e, si sa, l'amore è cieco.
Due piccole riflessioni, al di là delle considerazioni sulla trama e sulla solita piacevole scrittura della Austen: la figura materna ne esce ancora una volta demolita: tra la madre naturale di Fanny, che la piazza dalle sorelle, l'ameba Mrs. Bertram e la perfida, ai limiti della credibilità, Mrs. Norris, non saprei davvero chi scegliere.
Che problemi ha avuto Jane Austen con la propria? Mi piacerebbe studiarne meglio la biografia per capire se in effetti c'è qualcosa di personale in questa scarsa benevolenza che l'autrice riflette nella figura materna nei suoi romanzi.
Gli fa da contraltare, e questa è la mia seconda considerazione, l'occhio sempre benevolo che ha invece nei confronti dei pastori anglicani e della loro vocazione, scelta spesso bistrattata - il dialogo tra Fanny, Edmund e Mrs. Crawford ne è l'emblema - e considerata dai più scelta di comodo anziché di fede; Jane Austen, e quest'occhio di riguardo immagino non sia stato casuale, era figlia di un pastore protestante: che come molte figlie femmine fosse più legata al padre che alla madre? O che semplicemente riflettesse nelle sue preferenze quello che era il pensiero comune dell'epoca e cioè che in fondo le donne non avessero altra preoccupazione che quella di far fare alle figlie un buon matrimonio?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
L'abbazia di Northanger ***1/2
Inizio lettura 29 giugno 2011 - Fine lettura 3 luglio 2011
È stato una piacevole sorpresa: non conosco la letteratura gotica cui Jane Austen fa riferimento, ma mi è molto piaciuta la presa in giro che ne fa ed immagino che più di qualcuno - Ann Radcliffe avrà fatto in tempo a leggerlo? :-) - si sarà sentito mortalmente offeso. Mi è piaciuta molto anche la descrizione della divisione dell'universo femminile da quello maschile dell'epoca nelle letture: alle donne i romanzi in cui giovani eroine vengono spaventate, aggredite e infine salvate, mentre agli uomini le cose serie: saggi di storia e scienze.
L'ironia della Austen mi sta conquistando sempre di più e rimpiango di non essere in grado di leggerla in originale.
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Continua la maratona Jane Austen in vista del gruppo di lettura su Mansfield Park che inizierà a Luglio.
Mi sono messa in testa però di leggerli in ordine cronologico per cui oltre Orgoglio e Pregiudizio (in questo caso però si tratta di una rilettura, anche se la prima lettura risale alla notte dei tempi!) mi aspetta anche L'abbazia di Northanger.
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio ****1/2
Inizio lettura 17 giugno 2011 - Fine lettura 27 giugno 2011
Che dire, la madre di tutte le soap opera: sono convinta che sceneggiatori di successo come quelli di Beautiful conoscano a memoria l'opera omnia di Jane Austen e che si siano impegnati, senza la fatica di dover inventare nulla, nel riprodurli negli schemi e nelle dinamiche avendo l'unica accortezza di rendere i loro protagonisti molto più cattivi degli antenati inglesi ma, purtroppo, totalmente privi di quella matrice ironica tipicamente austeniana.
«Lei sorride soltanto,» scrive Elizabeth alla zia paragonando il suo amore per Mr. Darcy a quello di sua sorella Jane per Mr. Bingley «io rido.» e noi, ragazze sempreverdi che continuiamo ad appassionarci alle storie d'amore del secolo scorso, ben scritte e ben congegnate nelle quali alla fine ogni tassello va al posto giusto, ridiamo insieme a lei, magari asciugandoci le lacrime versate per la commozione con il nostro fazzoletto di pizzo bianco.
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Ragione e Sentimento ***1/2
Inizio lettura 3 giugno 2011 - Fine lettura 5 giugno 2011
Oggi, a scanso di equivoci (vedi commento a "La diva Julia") mi sono portata in spiaggia un volume che avessi inclusi tutti i romanzi :-)
Se assegnassi quattro stelline a "Ragione e Sentimento" farei un torto imperdonabile a "La Fiera delle Vanità" che indubbiamente ha pregi, a mio parere, nettamente superiori.
Le vicende delle due sorelle, Elinor e Marianne, e dei loro travagliati amori, sono indubbiamente un piacevole passatempo (niente di meglio di una giornata piovosa per terminare la lettura e per sentirsi ancor di più a casa nei continui spostamenti dal Sussex a Londra e dal Somersetshire al Devonshire) e un espediente per riflettere su quante volte nella vita la ragione prenda il sopravvento, quasi sempre sbagliando, sul sentimento e viceversa.
Di istinto preferisco Marianne, una sorella come l'assennatissima Elinor mi avrebbe annoiata parecchio, anche se riconosco a quest'ultima la capacità di aver avuto, alla fine, ciò che desiderava.
In ogni caso, pur avendo apprezzato la lettura, nonostante l'anacronisticità e i molti pensieri ormai troppo demodé in essa espressi (giovani poco più che sedicenni che si esprimono come donne che ormai oggi nemmeno a quarant'anni, nonché i poco lusinghieri apprezzamenti su uomini e donne di età intorno ai trentacinque anni ormai considerati con un piede nella fossa!), posso affermare che, e mi riferisco a "Ragione e Sentimento, It's not my cup of tea.
Ciononostante, perché invece i film in costume li amo parecchio, sono pronta a guardare come fosse la prima volta (ma allora è vero che dopo i quaranta si diventa rimbambiti!) il film di Ang Lee con Emma Thompson e Kate Winslet (gli uomini lasciamoli stare che neanche nel romanzo sono dotati di spina dorsale particolarmente eretta :-))
Nota E invece il film non l'avevo visto!
February 8, 2018
commento in progress, visto che pian piano leggerò i cinque romanzi che mi mancano.
9 ottobre 2009: l'abbazia di northanger ****
una presa in giro (bonaria e beneducata) dei romanzi gotici tanto amati dall'*eroina* catherine morland e di quelli sentimentali. e allo stesso tempo una descrizione brillante dellla società inglese - in puro stile austeniano. la signora austen punge anche qui e io l'adoro.
10 dicembre 2009: emma ***
forse non l'ho letto nel momento giusto ma l'antipatia per tutti i personaggi femminili (e soprattutto per la protagonista emma, sciocca fino all'inverosimile) non mi hanno permesso di apprezzare una storia fin troppo aggrovigliata.
24 gennaio 2010: persuasione **** e mezzo
una storia osteggiata, che sembra essere finita da anni e invece si dimostra più forte della persuasione, delle convenzioni sociali e delle forzature a cui ci si costringe pensando di far del bene a sé e agli altri. che bello, finora il romanzo di jane austen che ho amato di più.
24 dicembre 2015: ragione e sentimento **** e mezzo
3 febbraio 2018: mansfield park **** e mezzo. strepitoso, ironico, avvincente.
9 ottobre 2009: l'abbazia di northanger ****
una presa in giro (bonaria e beneducata) dei romanzi gotici tanto amati dall'*eroina* catherine morland e di quelli sentimentali. e allo stesso tempo una descrizione brillante dellla società inglese - in puro stile austeniano. la signora austen punge anche qui e io l'adoro.
10 dicembre 2009: emma ***
forse non l'ho letto nel momento giusto ma l'antipatia per tutti i personaggi femminili (e soprattutto per la protagonista emma, sciocca fino all'inverosimile) non mi hanno permesso di apprezzare una storia fin troppo aggrovigliata.
24 gennaio 2010: persuasione **** e mezzo
una storia osteggiata, che sembra essere finita da anni e invece si dimostra più forte della persuasione, delle convenzioni sociali e delle forzature a cui ci si costringe pensando di far del bene a sé e agli altri. che bello, finora il romanzo di jane austen che ho amato di più.
24 dicembre 2015: ragione e sentimento **** e mezzo
3 febbraio 2018: mansfield park **** e mezzo. strepitoso, ironico, avvincente.
January 26, 2022
Some of these were rereads, some not. Mansfield Park and Emma are my favourites of hers but they all are wonderful reads. I might be the first person to compare Jane Austen’s writing to a track and field innovation but having read many other books from her period I feel like she did for the novel what the Fosbury flop did for high jumping; it literally changed the game. Jane Eyre and Middlemarch owe obvious debts to her and they built magnificently on the foundation laid by Ms. Austen but the didn’t revolutionize the genre the way she did.
Currently reading
September 11, 2008Making my way through all seven Jane austen novels. So far, Pride and Prejudice is still my favorite.
January 26, 2025
I started to listen to this abridged volume of 3 (of the 6) novels by Jane Austen after mid-December. On Libby this is available separately, and wanting to listen to each a couple of times required several borrows and being on waiting lists to achieve this. I can give you the long-winded account of how I came across this collection (and it’s very convoluted), the short version is it was purely luck; more so when this Goodreads page has the correct image but the description is referring to the complete collection that combines Volumes 1 and 2.
Of the three here I have previously read the full version of Emma and Persuasion but Northanger Abbey was a new read for me.
This is my first for abridged novels, I completely took to this by the second listening of each one, in fact I enjoyed them so much that if I had the time I would listen to them again. I haven’t given much thought to abridged novels but I would consider them from now on.
Of the three here I have previously read the full version of Emma and Persuasion but Northanger Abbey was a new read for me.
This is my first for abridged novels, I completely took to this by the second listening of each one, in fact I enjoyed them so much that if I had the time I would listen to them again. I haven’t given much thought to abridged novels but I would consider them from now on.
April 5, 2017
Review for Mansfield Park only
For me this is a re-read, however, it felt like I was reading it for the first time. Now that I am more cognizant of Jane Austen and her history, I read it with fresh eyes and actually enjoyed it more. To me this is definitely a more mature view on the vagaries of life. Yes, Fanny is definitely not an Elizabeth but she has a depth to her that only Edmund is able to see and at times we do too. I don't think Edmund would ever be my favourite male character, but he is wiser for his experience at the hands of Mary Crawford. I do think this story shows that circumstances in life definitely shape you, but they shouldn't define who you are.
Jane's knowledge of the greater world around her is more at play here in this novel. We see discussions on the improvement of estates and the mention of Mr. Repton. We see a slight mention of slavery but still it is there. We see a more serious look at the clergy as Mary Crawford disparages it and tries to convince Edmund to give it up. Not all clergy are self-serving and obsequious as Mr. Collins or full of themselves like Mr. Elton. We also get to see the jealousies and secrets that abound in a family.
I am glad I have re-read it and it reinforces my belief that Jane Austen was nonpariel in observing life around her.
For me this is a re-read, however, it felt like I was reading it for the first time. Now that I am more cognizant of Jane Austen and her history, I read it with fresh eyes and actually enjoyed it more. To me this is definitely a more mature view on the vagaries of life. Yes, Fanny is definitely not an Elizabeth but she has a depth to her that only Edmund is able to see and at times we do too. I don't think Edmund would ever be my favourite male character, but he is wiser for his experience at the hands of Mary Crawford. I do think this story shows that circumstances in life definitely shape you, but they shouldn't define who you are.
Jane's knowledge of the greater world around her is more at play here in this novel. We see discussions on the improvement of estates and the mention of Mr. Repton. We see a slight mention of slavery but still it is there. We see a more serious look at the clergy as Mary Crawford disparages it and tries to convince Edmund to give it up. Not all clergy are self-serving and obsequious as Mr. Collins or full of themselves like Mr. Elton. We also get to see the jealousies and secrets that abound in a family.
I am glad I have re-read it and it reinforces my belief that Jane Austen was nonpariel in observing life around her.
Read
June 9, 2020I read all six of Jane Austen's books this year for the Austen Anonymous Readalong and in general I enjoyed every single one for very different reasons.
Since this is a bind up, I'm not entirely sure how I want to do this, but I think I'll just break it down generally for each book.
In January, I read Northanger Abbey. This was my first time reading it and I enjoyed it, but after reading all of Austen's novels, I can say it's not my favorite. For Austen's first novel it was fun, but compared to some of her other works, it's not her strongest. This is a parody/satire on gothic romance novels and I really loved that aspect of the plot. I found Catherine to be a delightful protagonist, despite her naivete. I loved her arc throughout the novel and the romance was fun to read about. All in all a solid Austen book, but not my favorite.
In February, I read Sense and Sensibility. Once again this was my first time reading this novel and I loved it so much. Marianne and Elinor were delightful protagonists and I loved their dynamic so much. Willoughby is forever the worst and I hate him. He's just absolutely despicable. I loved how adorably awkward Edward was and I really liked Colonel Brandon. I just found everything about this book to be delightful and honestly relatable.
In March, I read (or I should say reread) Pride and Prejudice and of course I loved it. This was only my second time rereading it, but it's a story I've come to know really well. Lizzie and Darcy are iconic and I absolutely adore them. Always. I still can't stand Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet got on my nerves a bit too. This time around I found myself really focusing on Jane and Bingley's storyline more. In a way the novel really is all about them. And it's interesting to me that people say P&P is super romantic, but really that's not what the novel is about. Still I loved and will always love P&P and I had a lovely time rereading it this time.
In April, I read Mansfield Park for the first time and it's definitely not my favorite of the lot. I literally hated every single character except for Fanny. I honestly just wanted her to be happy. I liked the play aspect quite a bit though. I found the ending to be frustrating and rushed in a way. But I really did love Fanny and found her to be relatable in a way. So while it wasn't my favorite, it was interesting nonetheless.
In May, I read (or I should say reread) Emma. Emma is the one that was the freshest in my mind since I read it for the first time at the end of last year. Emma is such a frustrating character, but I always find the dynamic between her and Harriet to be very interesting. I also love Mr. Knightley. He's definitely one of my absolute favorite Austen heroes. I do really enjoy watching Emma's growth throughout the novel though and it's fun to see all the trouble she gets into, even if it's also insanely frustrating. This time I noticed the mentions of the age gap between Emma and Knightley a lot more and I just didn't like that much. I love the ending of Emma a lot and getting to see her and Knightley post-engagement is just a delight. Definitely one I have mixed feelings on, but so enjoyable to read regardless.
Finally, in June, I read (reread) Persuasion and I think it's safe to say that for now, it's taken my top spot for favorite Austen novel. I love Anne so much and understood her motivations completely. She's got a subtle snark to her that I love and the PINING ANGST is just delightful! I also adore Captain Wentworth and I also understand where he's coming from. I loved watching his interactions with everyone around him and the jealousy was also delightful for me to read as well. I didn't really hate anyone in this novel, I really understood where most of them were coming from. That's not to say they didn't get grating at times, they absolutely did, but I just loved everything about it. And the ending of this book always destroys me. It's SO GOOD. Definitely one of my favorites and one I'll reread in the future.
So to recap briefly. My ranking as of June 2020 is as follows:
1.) Persuasion
2.) Pride and Prejudice
3.) Sense and Sensibility
4.) Emma
5.) Northanger Abbey
6.) Mansfield Park
My Hero Rankings are:
1.) Darcy (I'm basic)
2.) Wentworth
3.) Knightley
4.) Edward
5.) Henry
5.) Edmund
Heroine ranking varies.
All in all I really enjoyed my read/reareads of all of these and if you haven't picked up any Jane Austen before, I strongly urge you to as her works are timeless and still relevant to today in all kinds of ways.
TW/CW for the novels generally: mentions of slavery, derogatory words for different groups (Romani is an example of one group), loss of family members, depictions of illness and severe injury, mention of nonconsensual relationship, parental abandonment, mentions of underage preganancy. (If anyone wants specifics as to which books any of these belong to, let me know.).
Since this is a bind up, I'm not entirely sure how I want to do this, but I think I'll just break it down generally for each book.
In January, I read Northanger Abbey. This was my first time reading it and I enjoyed it, but after reading all of Austen's novels, I can say it's not my favorite. For Austen's first novel it was fun, but compared to some of her other works, it's not her strongest. This is a parody/satire on gothic romance novels and I really loved that aspect of the plot. I found Catherine to be a delightful protagonist, despite her naivete. I loved her arc throughout the novel and the romance was fun to read about. All in all a solid Austen book, but not my favorite.
In February, I read Sense and Sensibility. Once again this was my first time reading this novel and I loved it so much. Marianne and Elinor were delightful protagonists and I loved their dynamic so much. Willoughby is forever the worst and I hate him. He's just absolutely despicable. I loved how adorably awkward Edward was and I really liked Colonel Brandon. I just found everything about this book to be delightful and honestly relatable.
In March, I read (or I should say reread) Pride and Prejudice and of course I loved it. This was only my second time rereading it, but it's a story I've come to know really well. Lizzie and Darcy are iconic and I absolutely adore them. Always. I still can't stand Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Bennet got on my nerves a bit too. This time around I found myself really focusing on Jane and Bingley's storyline more. In a way the novel really is all about them. And it's interesting to me that people say P&P is super romantic, but really that's not what the novel is about. Still I loved and will always love P&P and I had a lovely time rereading it this time.
In April, I read Mansfield Park for the first time and it's definitely not my favorite of the lot. I literally hated every single character except for Fanny. I honestly just wanted her to be happy. I liked the play aspect quite a bit though. I found the ending to be frustrating and rushed in a way. But I really did love Fanny and found her to be relatable in a way. So while it wasn't my favorite, it was interesting nonetheless.
In May, I read (or I should say reread) Emma. Emma is the one that was the freshest in my mind since I read it for the first time at the end of last year. Emma is such a frustrating character, but I always find the dynamic between her and Harriet to be very interesting. I also love Mr. Knightley. He's definitely one of my absolute favorite Austen heroes. I do really enjoy watching Emma's growth throughout the novel though and it's fun to see all the trouble she gets into, even if it's also insanely frustrating. This time I noticed the mentions of the age gap between Emma and Knightley a lot more and I just didn't like that much. I love the ending of Emma a lot and getting to see her and Knightley post-engagement is just a delight. Definitely one I have mixed feelings on, but so enjoyable to read regardless.
Finally, in June, I read (reread) Persuasion and I think it's safe to say that for now, it's taken my top spot for favorite Austen novel. I love Anne so much and understood her motivations completely. She's got a subtle snark to her that I love and the PINING ANGST is just delightful! I also adore Captain Wentworth and I also understand where he's coming from. I loved watching his interactions with everyone around him and the jealousy was also delightful for me to read as well. I didn't really hate anyone in this novel, I really understood where most of them were coming from. That's not to say they didn't get grating at times, they absolutely did, but I just loved everything about it. And the ending of this book always destroys me. It's SO GOOD. Definitely one of my favorites and one I'll reread in the future.
So to recap briefly. My ranking as of June 2020 is as follows:
1.) Persuasion
2.) Pride and Prejudice
3.) Sense and Sensibility
4.) Emma
5.) Northanger Abbey
6.) Mansfield Park
My Hero Rankings are:
1.) Darcy (I'm basic)
2.) Wentworth
3.) Knightley
4.) Edward
5.) Henry
5.) Edmund
Heroine ranking varies.
All in all I really enjoyed my read/reareads of all of these and if you haven't picked up any Jane Austen before, I strongly urge you to as her works are timeless and still relevant to today in all kinds of ways.
TW/CW for the novels generally: mentions of slavery, derogatory words for different groups (Romani is an example of one group), loss of family members, depictions of illness and severe injury, mention of nonconsensual relationship, parental abandonment, mentions of underage preganancy. (If anyone wants specifics as to which books any of these belong to, let me know.).
February 2, 2025
**Content Warnings at the end of each novel section**
After an impulse purchase in the middle of 2024, I decided that I wanted to start 2025 by addressing a literary blind spot, Jane Austen’s works. I am not a huge classics reader aside from Jane Eyre, which is one of my favorite books, and knew very little about Austen outside of what anyone can pick up via osmosis via popular media. I couldn’t have told you what the plot of any one of these novels was, aside from Pride and Prejudice as it is the one most adapted and Mansfield Park which I read during a Women in Literature course in college. As Austen still influences literature and adaptations to this day, I figured it would make sense to finall read the original texts. Hence, Jane-uary was born (thanks Amy for the perfect name). As people much smarter than I have written whole dissertations on Austen’s work, I am not going to write whole reviews for each novel. Instead, I am just to give some quick thoughts on each novel.
Sense and Sensibility
While Sense and Sensibility is part of the common vernacular, I had no idea what the plot of this book actually contained. What I didn’t expect was that this to be more of a story between Elinor and Marianne than a focus on the romances of the two women. Through various miscommunications, we see Elinor and Marianne navigate the attachments and disappointments known to women of a certain class. Austen’s satire about the landed gentry is done in making everyone in this novel seeming rather silly and self important. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Elinor was one of my favorite heroines (though I think Anne takes that spot) because she is consistent, sometimes to a fault, must shoulder the burden of an emotional mother and sister and the inconsistency of everyone around her with grace and decorum. While I was happy with the happily ever after that we were given, I am still at a loss of how Marianne and Colonel Brandon became a couple besides they were in the same place for a long period of time. I am hoping some of the adaptations will flush this relationship out as in the novel there is not a single recorded conversation between Marianne and the Colonel. The warm feelings I had at the end of this novel were unexpected and it sits high in my feelings. Willoughby can absolutely choke and deserves only bad things.
**Content Warnings**
Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Misogyny, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Death of parent, Death, Medical content
Pride and Prejudice
How I have lived 33 years on this planet without seeing a single Pride and Prejudice adaptation should probably be a record of some sort. Still, I knew most of the plot beats of this novel via osmosis and enjoyed reading through this novel for the first time. This was the first novel that I tandem read along with audio and really helped the reading experience for me. While I found every character in Sense and Sensibility a little silly, Pride and Prejudice are more well-rounded characters, but it makes the silly characters stand out more. Now, I know that there have been many words devoted to the protection of Mrs. Bennet, but I found her rather annoying on page. I think seeing these characters may help with some of the eyerolling I did while reading about them. The romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was fun even though I knew everything that was going to happen. It was also interesting to see the blueprint from animosity to romance that so many people still try to follow, with mixed success. He changes himself due to what she said and therefore makes himself worthy of her. They also have multiple conversations on page, which is a huge benefit from Sense and Sensibility. Austen’s comments on the state of a women’s predicament if she does not marry was also very evident in every woman in this novel from Mrs. Bennet to Miss Bingley.
**Content Warnings**
Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Incest, Death of parent, War
Mansfield Park
As the only Austen work that I had read before, I expected to be happily back at Mansfield Park and returning to well trodden paths. To my surprise, my return to Mansfield Park made me think much worse of the heroine Fanny. This tale almost reads as a fable with the lesson at the end is that if you are quiet, good, and constant, eventually your clergymen cousin will be insulted by the woman he truly loves and eventually will marry you. Fanny is such a passive character that Miss Crawford is more memorable than she is. Fanny doesn’t do anything to achieve her own happiness and even when she is attempting not to get engaged, she does it in such a timid way as to not completely make the man realize there is no chance. In fact, I liked Mr. Crawford’s change in character up and to the issue that causes everyone’s fortunes to change for the worst, besides Fanny. The Crawford siblings are, by far, the most interesting characters in the novel and I would have been more interested in following them. True, they are troublemakers and inconsistent, but at least they do something. The main frame work reminds me a lot of Jane Eyre, Fanny being set apart form her cousins and treated as inferior, but in a much less bleak way. Unfortunately while Jane is known to not be good looking, but strong in spirit, Fanny is pretty but barely says a word to anyone about anything. Expect Edward because he has “shaped her thoughts and feelings”. We are not going to get into all of the issues with that. While this is my least favorite of the novels, I didn’t dislike my time reading it. It is just not one I will be returning to any time soon. This was my least favorite of them all.
**Content Warnings**
Incest, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Slavery, Colonisation, Child death, Alcoholism
Emma
I can see how this might be some people’s least favorite novel and how many people find Emma an unlikeable character, but honestly, I adore her. I think the reason she did not bother me is because Austen very deftly shows that Emma is being impertinent and silly without making her a comical character. Without hitting you over the head, Austen shows the reader that all the conclusions that Emma jumps to are incorrect, even though she doesn’t seem them. Sometimes this is done via Mr. Knightly and other times in the prose itself. It was easy to see everything Austen had learned writing her previous novels as the romance between Emma and Mr.Knightly had a lot of build-up on the page (Ignore the age difference if you will). Emma is proud and thinks she is smarter than she actually is, but who couldn’t say that about themselves at 21 years old. She is also alone with people who do nothing but praise her and nothing to engage her overactive imagination. Is Emma my favorite heroine or someone I would want to be friends with, no, but I love her and will defend her with my last breath.
The supporting characters, even those who were annoying, were in the novel just enough to give them character without be too annoying like some of the previous novels. The incident on the lane was uncomfortable to read with a modern lens, slurs and all, but this was written many years ago. It doesn’t make it right, but it isn’t as if the scene was written in 2024. Much like Sense and Sensibility, I have such warm feelings when I finished this novel. I really want to watch an adaptation because I can see this being very comical visually.
**Content Warnings**
Classism, Sexism, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Racism, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy
Northanger Abbey
I find it very interesting that this was the first novel that Austen wrote, even though it wasn’t published until after her death, because of how strong the authorial voice is. Multiple time the narrator cuts in with her thoughts on books, publishing, women’s plight, and numerous other topics. I really enjoyed it, but it really set it apart from all the other Austen novels. I’ve seen some people say that this novel as Juvenile, but I liked the wonder and overactive imagination that Catherine has. Yes, she seems young, but she is sheltered and only eighteen years old. The scene in the Abbey when she scares herself with her own fanciful imaginations was so relatable that I hold Catherine in a special place in my heart. Henry was one of the most likable heroes (though Frederick Wentworth takes the top spot) because even though his father wanted him to throw himself at Catherine via false information, he was always kind and gentlemanly to her. Also I loved that Austen showcased the difference between a good female friendship and a toxic one.
**Content Warnings**
Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Classism, Death of parent, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Antisemitism, Murder, Adult/minor relationship
Persuasion
The last novel of those completed by Jane Austen and it ended up being my favorite. This is the type of second chance romance that gives me life, separated by external forces and then brought back together to find that they still love each other. When done right, I eat those romances up every time. Anne is the perfect mixture of overlooked and timid with having a backbone and doing what is needed to secure her own happiness. Frederick Wentworth is not perfect, his ego and emotions were hurt, but he wasn’t so prideful to spur Anne forever and let himself even be jealous when she is given notice by someone else. There is no playing with emotions for others, just others being interested in them. I think that this novel is the most focused on the romance compared to all the others, after the beginning of the novel when they are talking about the financial woes of Sir Walter. I just, I really loved Anne and Fredrick so much, the letter at the end. Yes, please.
**Content Warnings**
Sexism, Classism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fatphobia, War, Death, Grief
Overall, this was a great way to spend a cold and gloomy January. I am happy that I finally got to reading these novels and see myself revisiting them again and again. If I had to give them a rating right now it would be Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park. That being said, even Mansfield Park was a 3.5 star. This collection is a five-star all together because what else could it possibly be?
After an impulse purchase in the middle of 2024, I decided that I wanted to start 2025 by addressing a literary blind spot, Jane Austen’s works. I am not a huge classics reader aside from Jane Eyre, which is one of my favorite books, and knew very little about Austen outside of what anyone can pick up via osmosis via popular media. I couldn’t have told you what the plot of any one of these novels was, aside from Pride and Prejudice as it is the one most adapted and Mansfield Park which I read during a Women in Literature course in college. As Austen still influences literature and adaptations to this day, I figured it would make sense to finall read the original texts. Hence, Jane-uary was born (thanks Amy for the perfect name). As people much smarter than I have written whole dissertations on Austen’s work, I am not going to write whole reviews for each novel. Instead, I am just to give some quick thoughts on each novel.
Sense and Sensibility
While Sense and Sensibility is part of the common vernacular, I had no idea what the plot of this book actually contained. What I didn’t expect was that this to be more of a story between Elinor and Marianne than a focus on the romances of the two women. Through various miscommunications, we see Elinor and Marianne navigate the attachments and disappointments known to women of a certain class. Austen’s satire about the landed gentry is done in making everyone in this novel seeming rather silly and self important. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Elinor was one of my favorite heroines (though I think Anne takes that spot) because she is consistent, sometimes to a fault, must shoulder the burden of an emotional mother and sister and the inconsistency of everyone around her with grace and decorum. While I was happy with the happily ever after that we were given, I am still at a loss of how Marianne and Colonel Brandon became a couple besides they were in the same place for a long period of time. I am hoping some of the adaptations will flush this relationship out as in the novel there is not a single recorded conversation between Marianne and the Colonel. The warm feelings I had at the end of this novel were unexpected and it sits high in my feelings. Willoughby can absolutely choke and deserves only bad things.
**Content Warnings**
Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Misogyny, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Death of parent, Death, Medical content
Pride and Prejudice
How I have lived 33 years on this planet without seeing a single Pride and Prejudice adaptation should probably be a record of some sort. Still, I knew most of the plot beats of this novel via osmosis and enjoyed reading through this novel for the first time. This was the first novel that I tandem read along with audio and really helped the reading experience for me. While I found every character in Sense and Sensibility a little silly, Pride and Prejudice are more well-rounded characters, but it makes the silly characters stand out more. Now, I know that there have been many words devoted to the protection of Mrs. Bennet, but I found her rather annoying on page. I think seeing these characters may help with some of the eyerolling I did while reading about them. The romance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was fun even though I knew everything that was going to happen. It was also interesting to see the blueprint from animosity to romance that so many people still try to follow, with mixed success. He changes himself due to what she said and therefore makes himself worthy of her. They also have multiple conversations on page, which is a huge benefit from Sense and Sensibility. Austen’s comments on the state of a women’s predicament if she does not marry was also very evident in every woman in this novel from Mrs. Bennet to Miss Bingley.
**Content Warnings**
Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Incest, Death of parent, War
Mansfield Park
As the only Austen work that I had read before, I expected to be happily back at Mansfield Park and returning to well trodden paths. To my surprise, my return to Mansfield Park made me think much worse of the heroine Fanny. This tale almost reads as a fable with the lesson at the end is that if you are quiet, good, and constant, eventually your clergymen cousin will be insulted by the woman he truly loves and eventually will marry you. Fanny is such a passive character that Miss Crawford is more memorable than she is. Fanny doesn’t do anything to achieve her own happiness and even when she is attempting not to get engaged, she does it in such a timid way as to not completely make the man realize there is no chance. In fact, I liked Mr. Crawford’s change in character up and to the issue that causes everyone’s fortunes to change for the worst, besides Fanny. The Crawford siblings are, by far, the most interesting characters in the novel and I would have been more interested in following them. True, they are troublemakers and inconsistent, but at least they do something. The main frame work reminds me a lot of Jane Eyre, Fanny being set apart form her cousins and treated as inferior, but in a much less bleak way. Unfortunately while Jane is known to not be good looking, but strong in spirit, Fanny is pretty but barely says a word to anyone about anything. Expect Edward because he has “shaped her thoughts and feelings”. We are not going to get into all of the issues with that. While this is my least favorite of the novels, I didn’t dislike my time reading it. It is just not one I will be returning to any time soon. This was my least favorite of them all.
**Content Warnings**
Incest, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Slavery, Colonisation, Child death, Alcoholism
Emma
I can see how this might be some people’s least favorite novel and how many people find Emma an unlikeable character, but honestly, I adore her. I think the reason she did not bother me is because Austen very deftly shows that Emma is being impertinent and silly without making her a comical character. Without hitting you over the head, Austen shows the reader that all the conclusions that Emma jumps to are incorrect, even though she doesn’t seem them. Sometimes this is done via Mr. Knightly and other times in the prose itself. It was easy to see everything Austen had learned writing her previous novels as the romance between Emma and Mr.Knightly had a lot of build-up on the page (Ignore the age difference if you will). Emma is proud and thinks she is smarter than she actually is, but who couldn’t say that about themselves at 21 years old. She is also alone with people who do nothing but praise her and nothing to engage her overactive imagination. Is Emma my favorite heroine or someone I would want to be friends with, no, but I love her and will defend her with my last breath.
The supporting characters, even those who were annoying, were in the novel just enough to give them character without be too annoying like some of the previous novels. The incident on the lane was uncomfortable to read with a modern lens, slurs and all, but this was written many years ago. It doesn’t make it right, but it isn’t as if the scene was written in 2024. Much like Sense and Sensibility, I have such warm feelings when I finished this novel. I really want to watch an adaptation because I can see this being very comical visually.
**Content Warnings**
Classism, Sexism, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, Racism, Death of parent, Death, Pregnancy
Northanger Abbey
I find it very interesting that this was the first novel that Austen wrote, even though it wasn’t published until after her death, because of how strong the authorial voice is. Multiple time the narrator cuts in with her thoughts on books, publishing, women’s plight, and numerous other topics. I really enjoyed it, but it really set it apart from all the other Austen novels. I’ve seen some people say that this novel as Juvenile, but I liked the wonder and overactive imagination that Catherine has. Yes, she seems young, but she is sheltered and only eighteen years old. The scene in the Abbey when she scares herself with her own fanciful imaginations was so relatable that I hold Catherine in a special place in my heart. Henry was one of the most likable heroes (though Frederick Wentworth takes the top spot) because even though his father wanted him to throw himself at Catherine via false information, he was always kind and gentlemanly to her. Also I loved that Austen showcased the difference between a good female friendship and a toxic one.
**Content Warnings**
Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Classism, Death of parent, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Antisemitism, Murder, Adult/minor relationship
Persuasion
The last novel of those completed by Jane Austen and it ended up being my favorite. This is the type of second chance romance that gives me life, separated by external forces and then brought back together to find that they still love each other. When done right, I eat those romances up every time. Anne is the perfect mixture of overlooked and timid with having a backbone and doing what is needed to secure her own happiness. Frederick Wentworth is not perfect, his ego and emotions were hurt, but he wasn’t so prideful to spur Anne forever and let himself even be jealous when she is given notice by someone else. There is no playing with emotions for others, just others being interested in them. I think that this novel is the most focused on the romance compared to all the others, after the beginning of the novel when they are talking about the financial woes of Sir Walter. I just, I really loved Anne and Fredrick so much, the letter at the end. Yes, please.
**Content Warnings**
Sexism, Classism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Fatphobia, War, Death, Grief
Overall, this was a great way to spend a cold and gloomy January. I am happy that I finally got to reading these novels and see myself revisiting them again and again. If I had to give them a rating right now it would be Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park. That being said, even Mansfield Park was a 3.5 star. This collection is a five-star all together because what else could it possibly be?
August 15, 2022
L’Abbazia di Northanger: iniziato il 03/03/2016, finito l' 08/03/2016 - Tre stelline
Ragione e sentimento: iniziato il 25/09/11, finito il 30/09/11 - Due stelline e mezzo
Riletto per il Club Jane Austen: iniziato il 07/01/2016, finito il 12/01/2016
Iniziato in sordina e continuato per puro spirito di sacrificio, devo ammettere che dopo i primi capitoli "bastevolmente noiosi", la storia mi ha in qualche modo spinta avanti nella lettura, anche se in effetti lo stile prolisso delle descrizioni non è il massimo per i miei gusti. Jane Austen è brava a tratteggiare il quadro della borghesia dell'epoca, piena di affettazione e di esibizionismo e io ho ringraziato il cielo di non essere vissuta ai suoi tempi, dove l'occupazione principale di una gentildonna sembra fosse quella di passare il tempo ad elaborare frasi incasinate per dire cose semplicissime, al solo scopo di adeguarsi alle convenzioni sociali dell'epoca. I personaggi sono poco incisivi e abbastanza monotoni, anche se la trama, nella parte centrale, è un pochino più movimentata. In sostanza un feuilleton sentimentale in piena regola, un pò troppo Harmony per quanto mi riguarda, con colpo di scena finale poco credibile e ancora meno soddisfacente.
Orgoglio e pregiudizio: iniziato il 02/10/11, finito il 13/10/11 - Quattro stelline
Riletto per il Club Jane Austen: iniziato il 12/02/2016, finito il 14/02/2016
Oh sì sì, questo mi è piaciuto! Personaggi ben delineati, trama coinvolgente, ritmo perfetto. Anche le abbondanti descrizioni non mi hanno disturbato, anzi in questo libro sono servite ad approfondire meglio i personaggi. Bello! Ora scusate, ma vado a vedermi le sei puntate di Pride and Prejudice, con quel pezzo d'uomo di Colin Firth :)
Mansfield Park: iniziato il 12/11/11, finito il 04/12/11 - Due stelline e mezzo
Riletto per il Club Jane Austen: iniziato il 10/04/2016, finito il 16/04/2016
Sarò breve: che lungo, barboso e noioso!
La storia è anche interessante, ma le lungaggini descrittive sono davvero esagerate. La mirabolante moralità di Fanny e la sua eccessiva riservatezza verso tutto e tutti, la trasformano in un personaggio melenso e insopportabile (e anche un pò inverosimile). Inoltre il libro è pieno zeppo di refusi, ripetizioni ed evidenti errori di traduzione: le edizioni economiche della Newton sono (diventate?) davvero pessime!
Emma: iniziato il 06/05/16, finito il 12/05/16 - Due stelline
Emma è odiosa, credo sia il personaggio che mi sta più antipatico di tutti quelli di Jane Austen.
Libro addirittura più noioso di Mansfield Park.
Persuasione: iniziato il 05/06/2016, finito il 08/06/2016 - Quattro stelline
Bello! Scorrevole, intrigante e coinvolgente, mi è piaciuto molto.
Ragione e sentimento: iniziato il 25/09/11, finito il 30/09/11 - Due stelline e mezzo
Riletto per il Club Jane Austen: iniziato il 07/01/2016, finito il 12/01/2016
Iniziato in sordina e continuato per puro spirito di sacrificio, devo ammettere che dopo i primi capitoli "bastevolmente noiosi", la storia mi ha in qualche modo spinta avanti nella lettura, anche se in effetti lo stile prolisso delle descrizioni non è il massimo per i miei gusti. Jane Austen è brava a tratteggiare il quadro della borghesia dell'epoca, piena di affettazione e di esibizionismo e io ho ringraziato il cielo di non essere vissuta ai suoi tempi, dove l'occupazione principale di una gentildonna sembra fosse quella di passare il tempo ad elaborare frasi incasinate per dire cose semplicissime, al solo scopo di adeguarsi alle convenzioni sociali dell'epoca. I personaggi sono poco incisivi e abbastanza monotoni, anche se la trama, nella parte centrale, è un pochino più movimentata. In sostanza un feuilleton sentimentale in piena regola, un pò troppo Harmony per quanto mi riguarda, con colpo di scena finale poco credibile e ancora meno soddisfacente.
Orgoglio e pregiudizio: iniziato il 02/10/11, finito il 13/10/11 - Quattro stelline
Riletto per il Club Jane Austen: iniziato il 12/02/2016, finito il 14/02/2016
Oh sì sì, questo mi è piaciuto! Personaggi ben delineati, trama coinvolgente, ritmo perfetto. Anche le abbondanti descrizioni non mi hanno disturbato, anzi in questo libro sono servite ad approfondire meglio i personaggi. Bello! Ora scusate, ma vado a vedermi le sei puntate di Pride and Prejudice, con quel pezzo d'uomo di Colin Firth :)
Mansfield Park: iniziato il 12/11/11, finito il 04/12/11 - Due stelline e mezzo
Riletto per il Club Jane Austen: iniziato il 10/04/2016, finito il 16/04/2016
Sarò breve: che lungo, barboso e noioso!
La storia è anche interessante, ma le lungaggini descrittive sono davvero esagerate. La mirabolante moralità di Fanny e la sua eccessiva riservatezza verso tutto e tutti, la trasformano in un personaggio melenso e insopportabile (e anche un pò inverosimile). Inoltre il libro è pieno zeppo di refusi, ripetizioni ed evidenti errori di traduzione: le edizioni economiche della Newton sono (diventate?) davvero pessime!
Emma: iniziato il 06/05/16, finito il 12/05/16 - Due stelline
Emma è odiosa, credo sia il personaggio che mi sta più antipatico di tutti quelli di Jane Austen.
Libro addirittura più noioso di Mansfield Park.
Persuasione: iniziato il 05/06/2016, finito il 08/06/2016 - Quattro stelline
Bello! Scorrevole, intrigante e coinvolgente, mi è piaciuto molto.
July 17, 2017
An enormous Jane fan, I simply couldn't let the 200th anniversary of her death pass unnoticed. It's a melancholy date, especially since she was taken from us so young, when she may have just been coming into her true powers as a novelist, but we can be grateful to have at least gotten the six brilliant canonical novels, plus several other works in various stages of completion and polishing, from her before she was taken from the world too soon.
This is not the exact edition I have, but it's the closest I can come. Mine is the Literary Classics/Gramercy edition that has all the published novels plus Lady Susan, which, while I consider it to be not quite on the level of Austen's true masterpieces, is extremely worth reading, both as a piece of interesting Austenalia, and in its own right as a novel.
So, what can I say about Austen that hasn't already been said? What can I say about these novels? I don't feel up to the task of analyzing them individually or in depth, or convincing those who are not yet ardent Jane fans that they should be, although if you are not yet, you SHOULD be. Because Austen's novels are life, or the closest that splotches of ink on paper can come to it.
And why ARE they so great? Why were they so great then, and continue to be so great now, 200 years later, when society and even language itself has changed enough that modern readers may want to read with an annotated edition in order to figure out what the heck is even going on? What can an untravelled, unmarried, childless woman with little formal education, who lived her whole life with her parents and wrote genteel love stories about upper-class English people, teach us about life in the frenetic 21st century?
Well, perhaps that people then were not so different from people now. Money, love, and children were still their primary concerns, and in a world before social media, people were still susceptible to the opinions of their friends and neighbors, and organized their lives accordingly. Young people were still impetuous and foolhardy, many people liked to gossip, everyone could be vain and foolish, and there's nothing like a good love story to catch people's imaginations. People still had to figure out their own way in life, because only they could live their own lives, no matter how much others might want to run their lives for them. Indeed, while the debate rages on over whether Austen was a social liberal or a conservative (answer: both), the innovation, other than the invention of the romance novel as we now know it, that she brought into Western literature was the concept of free choice within the constraints of one's current society. Her characters were not rebels trying to defy all social conventions--or if they were, they soon fell afoul of those same social conventions--but neither were they meek and compliant doormats, ready to sacrifice themselves and their own happiness in order to avoid displeasing their seniors and superiors. Austen's heroines do not flout convention entirely, but they make up their own minds about what they want in life and then, within reason, they take it, despite the protests of those whom they have hitherto looked up to and obeyed.
I could go on and on, but I think that's a fitting end to this far too brief ode to Austen. Perhaps the secret of her brilliance lay in that very thing that allowed her heroines to get what they wanted: standing up for yourself and creating something that was unusual enough to stand out, but not too outlandish as to be ostracized. And her genius lay in the fact that her work continues to walk that fine line to this day, 200 years later.
This is not the exact edition I have, but it's the closest I can come. Mine is the Literary Classics/Gramercy edition that has all the published novels plus Lady Susan, which, while I consider it to be not quite on the level of Austen's true masterpieces, is extremely worth reading, both as a piece of interesting Austenalia, and in its own right as a novel.
So, what can I say about Austen that hasn't already been said? What can I say about these novels? I don't feel up to the task of analyzing them individually or in depth, or convincing those who are not yet ardent Jane fans that they should be, although if you are not yet, you SHOULD be. Because Austen's novels are life, or the closest that splotches of ink on paper can come to it.
And why ARE they so great? Why were they so great then, and continue to be so great now, 200 years later, when society and even language itself has changed enough that modern readers may want to read with an annotated edition in order to figure out what the heck is even going on? What can an untravelled, unmarried, childless woman with little formal education, who lived her whole life with her parents and wrote genteel love stories about upper-class English people, teach us about life in the frenetic 21st century?
Well, perhaps that people then were not so different from people now. Money, love, and children were still their primary concerns, and in a world before social media, people were still susceptible to the opinions of their friends and neighbors, and organized their lives accordingly. Young people were still impetuous and foolhardy, many people liked to gossip, everyone could be vain and foolish, and there's nothing like a good love story to catch people's imaginations. People still had to figure out their own way in life, because only they could live their own lives, no matter how much others might want to run their lives for them. Indeed, while the debate rages on over whether Austen was a social liberal or a conservative (answer: both), the innovation, other than the invention of the romance novel as we now know it, that she brought into Western literature was the concept of free choice within the constraints of one's current society. Her characters were not rebels trying to defy all social conventions--or if they were, they soon fell afoul of those same social conventions--but neither were they meek and compliant doormats, ready to sacrifice themselves and their own happiness in order to avoid displeasing their seniors and superiors. Austen's heroines do not flout convention entirely, but they make up their own minds about what they want in life and then, within reason, they take it, despite the protests of those whom they have hitherto looked up to and obeyed.
I could go on and on, but I think that's a fitting end to this far too brief ode to Austen. Perhaps the secret of her brilliance lay in that very thing that allowed her heroines to get what they wanted: standing up for yourself and creating something that was unusual enough to stand out, but not too outlandish as to be ostracized. And her genius lay in the fact that her work continues to walk that fine line to this day, 200 years later.
June 24, 2012
Jane Austen, ovvero... il Romanzo
Partiamo dall'edizione: oltre ad avere l'indubbio vantaggio di essere decisamente economica (14 euro per sei romanzi non è male), si presenta anche bene: copertina rigida, un interessante (per quanto breve) saggio introduttivo e addirittura una filmografia e un elenco dei siti Web dedicati alla Austen e alla sue opere.
Per quanto riguarda le traduzioni, un paio (quelle di Emma e di Persuasione, per essere precisi) mi hanno dato l'impressione di perdersi in certi passaggi, resi in maniera troppo contorta rispetto ad altre edizioni che mi è capitato di sfogliare. Si tratta comunque di un fenomeno circoscritto ad alcuni passi dei due romanzi citati, per il resto sono contenta dell'acquisto e, soprattutto, di aver finalmente letto l'opera omnia (Juvenilia a parte) dell'autrice che tanto mi aveva incantato con Orgoglio e Pregiudizio.
Ognuno di questi romanzi, a suo modo (anche se con alcuni alti e bassi), è un piccolo (o grande) capolavoro. L'aspetto più incredibile è come la Austen abbia il potere di ammaliarci narrando alla fine di avvenimenti comuni, quotidiani, che non hanno proprio nulla (o pochissimo) di straordinario. Le sue eroine non vivono avventure o casi particolarmente drammatici, al contrario: conducono tutte la medesima, monotona esistenza (che poi era quella condotta da Jane Austen stessa): un'infinita processione di balli, pranzi, tè, visite, pettegolezzi, piccoli scandali, qualche viaggio di piacere e relazioni amorose più o meno coronate dal successo. E quindi? Come mai questi romanzi e queste eroine così poco eroiche hanno ancora oggi tanti estimatori? Cosa li rende così speciali?
L'ironia, in primo luogo. Quello sguardo lucido e divertito con cui l'autrice analizza e prende in giro la propria classe di appartenenza (pur senza metterne in discussione i valori di base), e in particolar modo le stravaganze e i difetti di molti dei suoi appartenenti. Ma questo da solo non sarebbe sufficiente a spiegare il fenomeno. Quale interesse potrebbero rivestire, infatti, per noi lettori moderni, le abitudini e le bizzarrie dei borghesi e degli aristocratici inglesi di due secoli or sono? Quello che rende la Austen grande, e i suoi romanzi universali, è che nel dipingere l'ambiente che conosceva così bene ha finito per descrivere dei caratteri e delle figure che vanno al di là del contingente. Gli ipocriti, gli adulatori, gli ignoranti, i superbi, i boriosi, i pusillanime, gli invandenti, gli indiscreti, gli avidi... tutti costoro camminano ancora per il mondo e sempre lo faranno, e siccome tutto il mondo (e il tempo) è paese, basterà darci uno sguardo intorno per riconoscere i Wickham e i Collins, le signore Bennet e le signore Norris, i signori Woodhouse e le Lady Catherine, le Mary e gli Henry Crawford, le Miss Bates e via dicendo. Così come riconosceremo sentimenti e situazioni che, a quanto pare, si ripetono sempre uguali. Passando dalle figure di secondo piano ai protagonisti, viene fuori la caratteristica fondamentale della Austen: la sua incredibile bravura nell'analisi dell'animo e dei sentimenti umani. I protagonisti di questi libri (le protagoniste, in particolare) sono personaggi a tutto tondo, con una psicologia profonda e complessa. L'autrice indaga, scandaglia, spiega caratteri, stati d'animo e azioni con tutta la perizia e la lucidità di una vera figlia del secolo dei lumi. Che le giovani lettrici (messe fuori strada da certe edizioni apparse di recente) non si lascino infatti ingannare: Jane Austen era una razionalista, non una romantica. Credeva nei sentimenti, ma anche nella ferma necessità che questi fossero temperati dal senno e dalla prudenza. Come ebbe a dire qualcuno, aveva troppo buon senso per essere una romantica!
Partiamo dall'edizione: oltre ad avere l'indubbio vantaggio di essere decisamente economica (14 euro per sei romanzi non è male), si presenta anche bene: copertina rigida, un interessante (per quanto breve) saggio introduttivo e addirittura una filmografia e un elenco dei siti Web dedicati alla Austen e alla sue opere.
Per quanto riguarda le traduzioni, un paio (quelle di Emma e di Persuasione, per essere precisi) mi hanno dato l'impressione di perdersi in certi passaggi, resi in maniera troppo contorta rispetto ad altre edizioni che mi è capitato di sfogliare. Si tratta comunque di un fenomeno circoscritto ad alcuni passi dei due romanzi citati, per il resto sono contenta dell'acquisto e, soprattutto, di aver finalmente letto l'opera omnia (Juvenilia a parte) dell'autrice che tanto mi aveva incantato con Orgoglio e Pregiudizio.
Ognuno di questi romanzi, a suo modo (anche se con alcuni alti e bassi), è un piccolo (o grande) capolavoro. L'aspetto più incredibile è come la Austen abbia il potere di ammaliarci narrando alla fine di avvenimenti comuni, quotidiani, che non hanno proprio nulla (o pochissimo) di straordinario. Le sue eroine non vivono avventure o casi particolarmente drammatici, al contrario: conducono tutte la medesima, monotona esistenza (che poi era quella condotta da Jane Austen stessa): un'infinita processione di balli, pranzi, tè, visite, pettegolezzi, piccoli scandali, qualche viaggio di piacere e relazioni amorose più o meno coronate dal successo. E quindi? Come mai questi romanzi e queste eroine così poco eroiche hanno ancora oggi tanti estimatori? Cosa li rende così speciali?
L'ironia, in primo luogo. Quello sguardo lucido e divertito con cui l'autrice analizza e prende in giro la propria classe di appartenenza (pur senza metterne in discussione i valori di base), e in particolar modo le stravaganze e i difetti di molti dei suoi appartenenti. Ma questo da solo non sarebbe sufficiente a spiegare il fenomeno. Quale interesse potrebbero rivestire, infatti, per noi lettori moderni, le abitudini e le bizzarrie dei borghesi e degli aristocratici inglesi di due secoli or sono? Quello che rende la Austen grande, e i suoi romanzi universali, è che nel dipingere l'ambiente che conosceva così bene ha finito per descrivere dei caratteri e delle figure che vanno al di là del contingente. Gli ipocriti, gli adulatori, gli ignoranti, i superbi, i boriosi, i pusillanime, gli invandenti, gli indiscreti, gli avidi... tutti costoro camminano ancora per il mondo e sempre lo faranno, e siccome tutto il mondo (e il tempo) è paese, basterà darci uno sguardo intorno per riconoscere i Wickham e i Collins, le signore Bennet e le signore Norris, i signori Woodhouse e le Lady Catherine, le Mary e gli Henry Crawford, le Miss Bates e via dicendo. Così come riconosceremo sentimenti e situazioni che, a quanto pare, si ripetono sempre uguali. Passando dalle figure di secondo piano ai protagonisti, viene fuori la caratteristica fondamentale della Austen: la sua incredibile bravura nell'analisi dell'animo e dei sentimenti umani. I protagonisti di questi libri (le protagoniste, in particolare) sono personaggi a tutto tondo, con una psicologia profonda e complessa. L'autrice indaga, scandaglia, spiega caratteri, stati d'animo e azioni con tutta la perizia e la lucidità di una vera figlia del secolo dei lumi. Che le giovani lettrici (messe fuori strada da certe edizioni apparse di recente) non si lascino infatti ingannare: Jane Austen era una razionalista, non una romantica. Credeva nei sentimenti, ma anche nella ferma necessità che questi fossero temperati dal senno e dalla prudenza. Come ebbe a dire qualcuno, aveva troppo buon senso per essere una romantica!
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December 1, 2021Verstand en gevoel:
Gelezen 29-11-2021.
Wat schrijft Jane Austen toch heerlijk romantische verhalen! Het leest vlot en deze keer had ik wat minder moeite om iedereen uit elkaar te houden. Een echte aanrader.
Overtuiging:
Gelezen 01-09-2021.
Een boek over verkeerde aannames van gevoelens van andere, maar toch een happy end. Zoals het hoort.
Wel weer veel verschillende namen, waardoor ik wel eens kwijt was wie wie is. Misschien de volgend keer eens opschrijven...
Trots en vooroordeel:
Gelezen 03-05-2021.
Een heerlijk boek over romantiek. Ik moest er even inkomen, maar daarna werd ik meegenomen in de wereld van Austen en meneer Darcy.
Mansfield Park:
Gelezen 08-01-2011.
Emma:
Gelezen voor 23-7-2009.
Gelezen 29-11-2021.
Wat schrijft Jane Austen toch heerlijk romantische verhalen! Het leest vlot en deze keer had ik wat minder moeite om iedereen uit elkaar te houden. Een echte aanrader.
Overtuiging:
Gelezen 01-09-2021.
Een boek over verkeerde aannames van gevoelens van andere, maar toch een happy end. Zoals het hoort.
Wel weer veel verschillende namen, waardoor ik wel eens kwijt was wie wie is. Misschien de volgend keer eens opschrijven...
Trots en vooroordeel:
Gelezen 03-05-2021.
Een heerlijk boek over romantiek. Ik moest er even inkomen, maar daarna werd ik meegenomen in de wereld van Austen en meneer Darcy.
Mansfield Park:
Gelezen 08-01-2011.
Emma:
Gelezen voor 23-7-2009.
August 4, 2012
What can be said? I am still a fan of Mansfield Park and Persuasion especially. Pride and Prejudice is unbeatable -- and, finally, after many years, I have been convinced that the BBC series is pretty good. I have been reading Austen many decades.
I had a high school English teacher who loved Austen and was saving one novel to keep looking forward to. I have always wondered whether she managed to get it read.
I had a high school English teacher who loved Austen and was saving one novel to keep looking forward to. I have always wondered whether she managed to get it read.
July 16, 2024
This one took me a while since it was six novels in a single volume and I was reading other things at the same time, but I enjoyed the experience. I had read all of them before except for "Mansfield Park", which turned out to be my least favorite (my most favorite was "Emma"); however, all of them had Austen's trademark wit and piercing observations weaved throughout.
July 6, 2018
Per quanto riguarda l'edizione della Newton Compton, la qualità della carta era scadente a dir poco, la traduzione abbastanza arcaica e poco scorrevole. Il volume, poiché piuttosto grosso, è anche poco maneggevole e la costina posta sul dorso del libro si è staccata praticamente subito.
Per quanto riguarda il romanzo letto, "Orgoglio e pregiudizio", sono riuscito a leggere solamente i primi 22 capitoli su questo volume. Poi, ho preferito utilizzare un'altra edizione trovata in biblioteca (BUR, grandi classici, 2006), la cui traduzione mi è parsa molto più scorrevole e godibile.
TLDR: non comprate i Mammut della Newton Compton.
La Austen dà prova di essere estremamente ironica: un'ironia tagliente, penetrante, quasi brutale. Anche senza considerare il contesto storico-sociale in cui è stato scritto il romanzo, la sua abilità di ironizzare sulla società inglese dell'1800 è a dir poco strabilliante. Ma è proprio grazie alla sua posizione marginale, in quanto donna, che riesce a muovere una critica trasversale alla società androcentrica basata sul patriarcato in modo sottile, fine, ma non per questo meno forte. Una sorta di istinto di sopravvivenza: muovere critiche senza essere eccessivamente esplicite, in modo che le proprie opere non venissero stigmatizzate da una società che non poteva appieno comprendere le rivendicazioni, seppur modeste, della Austen.
Orgoglio e pregiudizio mi è parso molto più maturo dell'Abbazia di Northanger: personaggi dinamici, capitoli avvincenti e sconvolgimenti di trama completamente inaspettati. La tensione amorosa e le descrizioni di bucolici paesaggi inglesi si amalgano perfettamente in un romanzo che, senza ombra di dubbio, non lascerà deluso chi ama la romance, l'ironia e le storie ambietate nella società inglese del 1800.
Per quanto riguarda il romanzo letto, "Orgoglio e pregiudizio", sono riuscito a leggere solamente i primi 22 capitoli su questo volume. Poi, ho preferito utilizzare un'altra edizione trovata in biblioteca (BUR, grandi classici, 2006), la cui traduzione mi è parsa molto più scorrevole e godibile.
TLDR: non comprate i Mammut della Newton Compton.
La Austen dà prova di essere estremamente ironica: un'ironia tagliente, penetrante, quasi brutale. Anche senza considerare il contesto storico-sociale in cui è stato scritto il romanzo, la sua abilità di ironizzare sulla società inglese dell'1800 è a dir poco strabilliante. Ma è proprio grazie alla sua posizione marginale, in quanto donna, che riesce a muovere una critica trasversale alla società androcentrica basata sul patriarcato in modo sottile, fine, ma non per questo meno forte. Una sorta di istinto di sopravvivenza: muovere critiche senza essere eccessivamente esplicite, in modo che le proprie opere non venissero stigmatizzate da una società che non poteva appieno comprendere le rivendicazioni, seppur modeste, della Austen.
Orgoglio e pregiudizio mi è parso molto più maturo dell'Abbazia di Northanger: personaggi dinamici, capitoli avvincenti e sconvolgimenti di trama completamente inaspettati. La tensione amorosa e le descrizioni di bucolici paesaggi inglesi si amalgano perfettamente in un romanzo che, senza ombra di dubbio, non lascerà deluso chi ama la romance, l'ironia e le storie ambietate nella società inglese del 1800.
September 22, 2020
Sense and Sensibility
Austen earnestly grounds life and shows its many attributes, such as wealth, loyalty, and promises, that can intrude upon love. However, there's just enough of believable surprises of life to enable romance to succeed. Despite this, Marianne marrying Colonel Brandon is forced; Austen trying rationalize it through Marianne's maturity is not convincing considering Marianne's romantic personality. As someone who likes reading about characters' engagement with work or their craft, I have to hand it to the author for an engaging story that's thoroughly devoid of work and instead has characters taking a stroll, attending picnics and parties, or lamenting in their home. Lastly, I'm not too fond of Austen's prose here, which has multiple clauses in a sentence flanked by commas.
3.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2008
We're about to take a transatlantic flight so I figured now is a good time to read the whole collection again. Is it wrong that my carry-on weighs more than I do? :)
Read
January 22, 2012Orgoglio e pregiudizio, 01/04; ****
Ragione e sentimento, 21/04; *****
Ragione e sentimento, 21/04; *****
April 28, 2023
can’t find the book on here to mark as read so i’m using this random book as a fill in lol
December 28, 2017
I am not reviewing a particular edition. I had a Jane Austen omnibus edition once, and it was not easy to read from. I just wanted to make some notes regarding ALL the novels, which I re-read in 2017 with an online discussion group.
And this review is based on re-reading the books, so I am not worrying about SPOILERS.
Incidentally, there are 720 different ways of ranking Austen's novels, but only 120 ways if Northanger Abbey is always last. My own personal ranking did not change, although as someone else remarked, my favorite Jane Austen is always the one I'm currently reading. Even Northanger Abbey, simple as it is, has touches of genius. Notably the superb liar Isabella Thorpe, who gets engaged to Catherine's brother, dumps him, and then tries to patch things up when her other thing doesn't work out.
And that reminds me, that the twists at the end of NA are as fast-paced and breathtaking as in any of the later books. Also, the sketch of Catherine's mother, at the end, as a sort of overworked, over anxious, barely affectionate country parson's wife is very well done.
Sense and Sensibility- Elinor and Marianne- what a plot! What amazing comic characters! I knew everything that was going to happen to Marianne when she came to London, and still I was reading as fast as I could to see what would happen next. What a coup de theatre when M. is expecting Willoughby to come walking in the door, and Colonel Brandon appears. Matched a little later by Willoughby's sudden appearance on a dark and stormy night. The twist involving Lucy Steele becoming Mrs. Ferrars- Mrs. Robert Ferrars- is a good one, handled well.
Pride and Prejudice- the favorite of many, and with good reason. I can honestly say I appreciated it more than ever. I must say I still have a thing for Lydia and her "natural self-consequence." Is the whole thing too "light and bright and sparkling"? Of course not!
Mansfield Park- the best novel by the best novelist. This is the one which will amaze the reader more and more with its skill, in every line, the more one re-reads it. Yes, the rival and the scoundrel- Mary and Henry Crawford- are the most charming 'villains.' One might say they have all the charm, and the heroine none.- but Fanny Price is actually quite amazing. And Aunt Norris- words fail me. Some people spread joy wherever they go, some whenever they go.
Emma- the thing to consider about Emma is, is Emma the heroine, or the hated rival? What struck me this time is that Emma is really about Jane Fairfax, telling her story from the wrong end of the telescope. At any rate, this is one of the best parts in Emma:
"Emma," said she, "this paper is worse than I expected. Look! in places you see it is dreadfully dirty; and the wainscot is more yellow and forlorn than any thing I could have imagined."
"My dear, you are too particular," said her husband. "What does all that signify? You will see nothing of it by candlelight. It will be as clean as Randalls by candlelight. We never see any thing of it on our club-nights."
The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, "Men never know when things are dirty or not;" and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself, "Women will have their little nonsenses and needless cares."
Finally Persuasion- This I had not re-read for a long time, and it was wonderful. Whatever level of appreciation you are at, Jane Austen will meet you there. Anne's sister Mary sort of plays the same role as Aunt Norris, but they are completely different. Still Mary's egotism is breathtaking. I love when Anne is talking to her distressed friend Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Smith says she loves having a nurse as a friend, because she has access to all the homes in Bath, and Anne says, oh, yes, she must tell wonderful stories of fortitude in sickness, and Mrs. Smith says, basically, noooo, that's not the kind of inside information I meant.
Anyway- Jane Austen 2017. Thanks to Anna K. for organizing the group, and to Bryan for sticking with it, and to Ian for his scholarship, and to Cphe for always being at the finish line cheering on the stragglers.
And this review is based on re-reading the books, so I am not worrying about SPOILERS.
Incidentally, there are 720 different ways of ranking Austen's novels, but only 120 ways if Northanger Abbey is always last. My own personal ranking did not change, although as someone else remarked, my favorite Jane Austen is always the one I'm currently reading. Even Northanger Abbey, simple as it is, has touches of genius. Notably the superb liar Isabella Thorpe, who gets engaged to Catherine's brother, dumps him, and then tries to patch things up when her other thing doesn't work out.
And that reminds me, that the twists at the end of NA are as fast-paced and breathtaking as in any of the later books. Also, the sketch of Catherine's mother, at the end, as a sort of overworked, over anxious, barely affectionate country parson's wife is very well done.
Sense and Sensibility- Elinor and Marianne- what a plot! What amazing comic characters! I knew everything that was going to happen to Marianne when she came to London, and still I was reading as fast as I could to see what would happen next. What a coup de theatre when M. is expecting Willoughby to come walking in the door, and Colonel Brandon appears. Matched a little later by Willoughby's sudden appearance on a dark and stormy night. The twist involving Lucy Steele becoming Mrs. Ferrars- Mrs. Robert Ferrars- is a good one, handled well.
Pride and Prejudice- the favorite of many, and with good reason. I can honestly say I appreciated it more than ever. I must say I still have a thing for Lydia and her "natural self-consequence." Is the whole thing too "light and bright and sparkling"? Of course not!
Mansfield Park- the best novel by the best novelist. This is the one which will amaze the reader more and more with its skill, in every line, the more one re-reads it. Yes, the rival and the scoundrel- Mary and Henry Crawford- are the most charming 'villains.' One might say they have all the charm, and the heroine none.- but Fanny Price is actually quite amazing. And Aunt Norris- words fail me. Some people spread joy wherever they go, some whenever they go.
Emma- the thing to consider about Emma is, is Emma the heroine, or the hated rival? What struck me this time is that Emma is really about Jane Fairfax, telling her story from the wrong end of the telescope. At any rate, this is one of the best parts in Emma:
"Emma," said she, "this paper is worse than I expected. Look! in places you see it is dreadfully dirty; and the wainscot is more yellow and forlorn than any thing I could have imagined."
"My dear, you are too particular," said her husband. "What does all that signify? You will see nothing of it by candlelight. It will be as clean as Randalls by candlelight. We never see any thing of it on our club-nights."
The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, "Men never know when things are dirty or not;" and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself, "Women will have their little nonsenses and needless cares."
Finally Persuasion- This I had not re-read for a long time, and it was wonderful. Whatever level of appreciation you are at, Jane Austen will meet you there. Anne's sister Mary sort of plays the same role as Aunt Norris, but they are completely different. Still Mary's egotism is breathtaking. I love when Anne is talking to her distressed friend Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Smith says she loves having a nurse as a friend, because she has access to all the homes in Bath, and Anne says, oh, yes, she must tell wonderful stories of fortitude in sickness, and Mrs. Smith says, basically, noooo, that's not the kind of inside information I meant.
Anyway- Jane Austen 2017. Thanks to Anna K. for organizing the group, and to Bryan for sticking with it, and to Ian for his scholarship, and to Cphe for always being at the finish line cheering on the stragglers.
December 18, 2019
****************************
POSSIBLE SPOILERS
*****************************
TITLE: The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
AUTHOR: Jane Austen
EDITION: Chartwell Classics
FORMAT: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0785834212
__________________________
Notes on the Physical Book
The physical hardcover book is quite large, fat and heavy with a pretty dust jacket. The paper is bright white and of good quality. The text is standard sized, similar in size to the Oxford World's Classics series. The book includes an introduction by Jennifer C. Garlen, a section on the life and times of Jane Austen, reviews and notices, and a section of suggested reading.
Sense & Sensibility [3 stars]
Jane Austen originally published this novel, in 1811, anonymously - "By A Lady" appeared on the title page in place of the author's name. Sense and Sensibility is the coming of age story of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood; two sisters with different personalities (one sensible and one emotional) who each experience romance and heartbreak.
Personally, I found the main characters and the majority of the secondary characters to be overly nice and for the most part terribly bland and more similar than different. The majority of the men also appear overly spineless since they can't seem to do anything without mommy's permission or they might loose their inheritance [this is ridiculous - go find something useful to do and make your own fortune!] Despite all the courting drama and descriptions of hysterics in the novel, I found that the story lacked passion. It was all very proper and civilized... and bland. I also couldn't help the mental image of everyone going about their business with huge, florescent price tags stuck to their shirts.
I'm not quite sure why this is such a lauded classic, unless whole generations of impressionable girls were forced to read this and then inflicted it on their own children.
Pride & Prejudice [4 stars]
I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice more than Sense and Sensibility. The characters were more rounded/flawed, with more variety; the pacing a bit faster. This is a novel that revolves around relationships - not just romantic relationships, but those of friends, family and other acquantances. The novel also provides something of a social commentary in terms of the limits imposed on women inheriting property and class structure. There is also a great deal of humour in this novel that I missed on the first read. I do find the female obsession with marriage and marrying someone with lots of money rather irritating, but then that's what was required in that time period if you didn't want to end up destitute or dependant on some other relative. Context (social structure, society, time period etc) really is important with books like this, otherwise all the characters come off as shallow and the plot insipid. The book is not too long winded with some delightfully pithy clauses.
An interesting thing I noticed on the second read was that the reader initially only learns about Mr Darcy through the observations and dialogues of other people, so the reader essentially aquires the same prejudices against him that Elizabeth Bennet has.
NOTE: This is not a historical fiction novel. Jane Austen was writing novels about contemporary life (to her), especially the problems facing young women in her own social class (the country gentry).
Mansfield Park [1 star]
All Austen's novels are social commentaries in one way or another, and one could mine Mansfield Park for all sorts of things such as the marriage market, child abuse, child rearing practises (or lack therof), morality, family dynamics etc. But I found this novel to be rather dull, long-winded and superficial, with nothing substantial happening until the last third of the book. I can't say I was terribly impressed with the very convenient ending either. The majority of the characters were also rather flat, lacking depth, and essentially forgetable. Mrs Norris is terrifyingly devious and manipulative, and would have made a better villain assuming there was someone stronger (or at least more vocal) than Fanny to use as her favourite target. But Austen didn't write that book. She wrote the tedious Mansfield Park instead. Karma is a bitch, but it still doesn't make up for slogging through 400 pages.
Emma [2 stars]
This novel has a tedious beginning, but does pick up pace eventually. There is also too much "tell" and not enough "show". I can't say I was terribly impressed with this novel, but it was better than Mansfield Park. In someone else's hands, this might have been a comedy along the lines of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. But it's not. The plot was superficial and the main character highly annoying. The setting is too idyllic - the worst thing that happens is a bit of snow and a breeze [I'm beginning to wonder if a digression into the Paris sewer system would be preferable?]. Everyone is in perfect health except for the occasional sniffles.
Emma is a snobbish, entitled, arrogant, bored, callous, hypocritical, immature, know-it-all, busybody who has decided to play match-maker for all and sundry. And she somehow comes out of the whole affair with no consequences to herself. Miss Bates could have used less ink time - a lot of irrelevant babbling just doesn't do anything for me. Then again, a whole many pages could have been burned since the characters did nothing but babble about the proverbial weather or how "pleasant" and "agreeable" so-an-so was. All the characters are "agreeable"! Heaven forbid we have someone that is NOT agreeable and charming and nice!!! I'm assuming Mr Woodhouse has issues (agoraphobia and hypochondria comes to mind), if not, he is just plain silly. Mr Knightley is the only redeeming aspect of this book, until one of those very convenient WTF moments. Come to think of it, I liked Mr John Knightley a great deal as well. He didn't waste any words! I also have the impression Austen got bored of her own novels and just ended them in the most expedient manner possible to get a happily ever after.
NOTE: If this is supposed to be a social commentary of some sort, it is extremely narrow in focus (wealthy landed gentry) and highly idealized.
Northanger Abbey [3 stars]
This is the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed, but it wasn't published until after her death, due to publisher vagaries. This is a coming of age story that is not as long, or as tedious, as some of Austen's other novels, but this one still has that chopped off, summarised in a few paragraphs, ending. Northanger Abbey is something of a parody of Gothic fiction, which (no doubt) the reader will get more out of, if they have previous read Gothic fiction.
Persuasion [3.5 stars]
Persuasion was completed 6 months before Austen's death, and published posthumously. This novel deals with old love rekindled and given a second chance, along with some scheming shenanigans by other interfering busy-bodies. This book is fairly short compared to the other novels and thus has less frivolous, long-winded descriptions of the furniture, the weather, clothing, the monetary worth of everyone and sundry, and how "agreeable" everyone is. This novel also has some "action" that does not involve tea parties. I enjoyed this book more than the others (except Pride and Prejudice).
Lady Susan [4 stars]
Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel, which was completed in 1794 but not published until 1871. The narrative follows the schemes of the charming, manipulative and unscrupulous seductress widow, Lady Susan. The letters follow the various attempts of Lady Susan to marry off the daughter she detests and find herself a new, wealthy husband. This is a fairly entertaining and rather amusing novel that has the benefit of skipping all the "boring bits" and dealing with the action and thoughts of Lady Susan and her relations. Too bad Austen didn't write more epistolary novels.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS
*****************************
TITLE: The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
AUTHOR: Jane Austen
EDITION: Chartwell Classics
FORMAT: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0785834212
__________________________
Notes on the Physical Book
The physical hardcover book is quite large, fat and heavy with a pretty dust jacket. The paper is bright white and of good quality. The text is standard sized, similar in size to the Oxford World's Classics series. The book includes an introduction by Jennifer C. Garlen, a section on the life and times of Jane Austen, reviews and notices, and a section of suggested reading.
Sense & Sensibility [3 stars]
Jane Austen originally published this novel, in 1811, anonymously - "By A Lady" appeared on the title page in place of the author's name. Sense and Sensibility is the coming of age story of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood; two sisters with different personalities (one sensible and one emotional) who each experience romance and heartbreak.
Personally, I found the main characters and the majority of the secondary characters to be overly nice and for the most part terribly bland and more similar than different. The majority of the men also appear overly spineless since they can't seem to do anything without mommy's permission or they might loose their inheritance [this is ridiculous - go find something useful to do and make your own fortune!] Despite all the courting drama and descriptions of hysterics in the novel, I found that the story lacked passion. It was all very proper and civilized... and bland. I also couldn't help the mental image of everyone going about their business with huge, florescent price tags stuck to their shirts.
I'm not quite sure why this is such a lauded classic, unless whole generations of impressionable girls were forced to read this and then inflicted it on their own children.
Pride & Prejudice [4 stars]
I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice more than Sense and Sensibility. The characters were more rounded/flawed, with more variety; the pacing a bit faster. This is a novel that revolves around relationships - not just romantic relationships, but those of friends, family and other acquantances. The novel also provides something of a social commentary in terms of the limits imposed on women inheriting property and class structure. There is also a great deal of humour in this novel that I missed on the first read. I do find the female obsession with marriage and marrying someone with lots of money rather irritating, but then that's what was required in that time period if you didn't want to end up destitute or dependant on some other relative. Context (social structure, society, time period etc) really is important with books like this, otherwise all the characters come off as shallow and the plot insipid. The book is not too long winded with some delightfully pithy clauses.
An interesting thing I noticed on the second read was that the reader initially only learns about Mr Darcy through the observations and dialogues of other people, so the reader essentially aquires the same prejudices against him that Elizabeth Bennet has.
NOTE: This is not a historical fiction novel. Jane Austen was writing novels about contemporary life (to her), especially the problems facing young women in her own social class (the country gentry).
Mansfield Park [1 star]
All Austen's novels are social commentaries in one way or another, and one could mine Mansfield Park for all sorts of things such as the marriage market, child abuse, child rearing practises (or lack therof), morality, family dynamics etc. But I found this novel to be rather dull, long-winded and superficial, with nothing substantial happening until the last third of the book. I can't say I was terribly impressed with the very convenient ending either. The majority of the characters were also rather flat, lacking depth, and essentially forgetable. Mrs Norris is terrifyingly devious and manipulative, and would have made a better villain assuming there was someone stronger (or at least more vocal) than Fanny to use as her favourite target. But Austen didn't write that book. She wrote the tedious Mansfield Park instead. Karma is a bitch, but it still doesn't make up for slogging through 400 pages.
Emma [2 stars]
This novel has a tedious beginning, but does pick up pace eventually. There is also too much "tell" and not enough "show". I can't say I was terribly impressed with this novel, but it was better than Mansfield Park. In someone else's hands, this might have been a comedy along the lines of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. But it's not. The plot was superficial and the main character highly annoying. The setting is too idyllic - the worst thing that happens is a bit of snow and a breeze [I'm beginning to wonder if a digression into the Paris sewer system would be preferable?]. Everyone is in perfect health except for the occasional sniffles.
Emma is a snobbish, entitled, arrogant, bored, callous, hypocritical, immature, know-it-all, busybody who has decided to play match-maker for all and sundry. And she somehow comes out of the whole affair with no consequences to herself. Miss Bates could have used less ink time - a lot of irrelevant babbling just doesn't do anything for me. Then again, a whole many pages could have been burned since the characters did nothing but babble about the proverbial weather or how "pleasant" and "agreeable" so-an-so was. All the characters are "agreeable"! Heaven forbid we have someone that is NOT agreeable and charming and nice!!! I'm assuming Mr Woodhouse has issues (agoraphobia and hypochondria comes to mind), if not, he is just plain silly. Mr Knightley is the only redeeming aspect of this book, until one of those very convenient WTF moments. Come to think of it, I liked Mr John Knightley a great deal as well. He didn't waste any words! I also have the impression Austen got bored of her own novels and just ended them in the most expedient manner possible to get a happily ever after.
NOTE: If this is supposed to be a social commentary of some sort, it is extremely narrow in focus (wealthy landed gentry) and highly idealized.
Northanger Abbey [3 stars]
This is the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed, but it wasn't published until after her death, due to publisher vagaries. This is a coming of age story that is not as long, or as tedious, as some of Austen's other novels, but this one still has that chopped off, summarised in a few paragraphs, ending. Northanger Abbey is something of a parody of Gothic fiction, which (no doubt) the reader will get more out of, if they have previous read Gothic fiction.
Persuasion [3.5 stars]
Persuasion was completed 6 months before Austen's death, and published posthumously. This novel deals with old love rekindled and given a second chance, along with some scheming shenanigans by other interfering busy-bodies. This book is fairly short compared to the other novels and thus has less frivolous, long-winded descriptions of the furniture, the weather, clothing, the monetary worth of everyone and sundry, and how "agreeable" everyone is. This novel also has some "action" that does not involve tea parties. I enjoyed this book more than the others (except Pride and Prejudice).
Lady Susan [4 stars]
Lady Susan is a short epistolary novel, which was completed in 1794 but not published until 1871. The narrative follows the schemes of the charming, manipulative and unscrupulous seductress widow, Lady Susan. The letters follow the various attempts of Lady Susan to marry off the daughter she detests and find herself a new, wealthy husband. This is a fairly entertaining and rather amusing novel that has the benefit of skipping all the "boring bits" and dealing with the action and thoughts of Lady Susan and her relations. Too bad Austen didn't write more epistolary novels.
February 25, 2019
Ich glaube, kaum eine Autorin hält sich mit ihren Werken so in den Köpfen der Leser*innen, wie Jane Austen. Ich habe jetzt wirklich lange gebraucht, um alle Romane zu lesen. Da ich immer mal wieder einen gelesen habe und sie nicht direkt hintereinander las, hat mich Jane lange Zeit begleitet. 😍👍 Ich glaube, den 1. Roman aus dem Schuber (ich meine, es war "Verstand und Gefühl") habe ich noch während meines Studiums gelesen (und das ist inzwischen fast 3 Jahre her 👌😅).
Obwohl "Stolz und Vorurteil" vermutlich der bekannteste Roman der Autorin ist, war es nicht der, der mir am besten gefiel (obwohl er zweifelsohne sehr gut ist!). Ich mochte "Die Abtei von Northanger", "Überredung" und "Mansfield Park" am besten. Die Werke haben mich am besten unterhalten und sind stärker "hängen geblieben". 😍👍
"Emma" habe ich zuletzt gelesen und ich muss sagen, dass mir der Roman im Vergleich zu den anderen am wenigsten zugesagt hat. Im Nachwort heißt es, dies sei der Roman, bei dem Jane Austen "reifer" gewesen sei. Vielleicht hängt es damit zusammen. Hier hatte ich das Gefühl, es wurde sich zu stark auf Kleinigkeiten, auf das Drumherum, fokussiert. Die ganze Sache mit der Kuppelei war nichts für mich, glaube ich. 🤷
Der Schreibstil ist durchweg wie gewohnt. Wer einmal etwas von Jane Austen gelesen hat, kennt das feine Gespür der Autorin für Ironie (auch Selbstironie). Ihren Witz und ihre Beobachtungsgabe für die Menschen + Gesellschaft sind ja praktisch legendär. Deshalb bewerte ich bei der Box auch nur die Geschichten selbst - und da finde ich, sind 4 von 5 Sternen genau richtig. 🙂👍
Obwohl "Stolz und Vorurteil" vermutlich der bekannteste Roman der Autorin ist, war es nicht der, der mir am besten gefiel (obwohl er zweifelsohne sehr gut ist!). Ich mochte "Die Abtei von Northanger", "Überredung" und "Mansfield Park" am besten. Die Werke haben mich am besten unterhalten und sind stärker "hängen geblieben". 😍👍
"Emma" habe ich zuletzt gelesen und ich muss sagen, dass mir der Roman im Vergleich zu den anderen am wenigsten zugesagt hat. Im Nachwort heißt es, dies sei der Roman, bei dem Jane Austen "reifer" gewesen sei. Vielleicht hängt es damit zusammen. Hier hatte ich das Gefühl, es wurde sich zu stark auf Kleinigkeiten, auf das Drumherum, fokussiert. Die ganze Sache mit der Kuppelei war nichts für mich, glaube ich. 🤷
Der Schreibstil ist durchweg wie gewohnt. Wer einmal etwas von Jane Austen gelesen hat, kennt das feine Gespür der Autorin für Ironie (auch Selbstironie). Ihren Witz und ihre Beobachtungsgabe für die Menschen + Gesellschaft sind ja praktisch legendär. Deshalb bewerte ich bei der Box auch nur die Geschichten selbst - und da finde ich, sind 4 von 5 Sternen genau richtig. 🙂👍
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August 23, 2021⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑
Pride and Prejudice (Aug 2021)
“That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.”
Who even am I? I’ve read a classic and I absolutely adored it. I knew nothing about this novel before I started, obviously I’d heard of Mr Darcy but honestly that was it! I’ve walked passed the Jane Austen museum so many times when I visit Bath and it was beyond time I picked up a copy of her work, this edition being completely gorgeous may have helped a little bit!
I’m pretty basic so Pride and Prejudice seemed the best place to start. It took me a while to get into it but I loved Lizzy and Mr Darcy. I was practically squealing with happiness at the OG enemies to lovers.
Pride and Prejudice (Aug 2021)
“That would be the greatest misfortune of all! To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate! Do not wish me such an evil.”
Who even am I? I’ve read a classic and I absolutely adored it. I knew nothing about this novel before I started, obviously I’d heard of Mr Darcy but honestly that was it! I’ve walked passed the Jane Austen museum so many times when I visit Bath and it was beyond time I picked up a copy of her work, this edition being completely gorgeous may have helped a little bit!
I’m pretty basic so Pride and Prejudice seemed the best place to start. It took me a while to get into it but I loved Lizzy and Mr Darcy. I was practically squealing with happiness at the OG enemies to lovers.
dnf
December 13, 2023DNF etter side 413 (etter pride and prejudice) fordi Jane Austen ikke er for meg. Synes ho ikke var så god forfatter. Man liker første boka man leser, men så blir man lei fordi alle de andre er akkurat den samme boka, bare med andre karakterer. Dette skjer i alle: 1. Familiemedlemmer blir syke, 2. De drar på besøk hos hverandre, 3. Blir gift, 4. Noen griner på et tidspunkt. Lissom... Dude. Alle starter likt også, med en kjempelang, unødvendig introduksjon til hundre karakterer (vanligvis 12 på side nr 1 av hver bok) som ikke har no å si, så jeg står over, ass... Kanskje i framtida
October 18, 2020
Gloriously beautiful and well printed, this collector’s edition was the perfect companion to study Jane Austen’s works. The introductory essay provided good detail and context at the start of the reader’s journey.
May 17, 2021
I don't like Austen's writing but by the ANGELS this book is gorgeous.
December 16, 2020
I love them and can't tell them apart. I don't know what that says about me.
It's like Hallmark movies before there were such a thing, except I despise those.
And in a sweep of romantic eucatastrophe someone who almost missed love didn't. The End.
It's like Hallmark movies before there were such a thing, except I despise those.
And in a sweep of romantic eucatastrophe someone who almost missed love didn't. The End.
December 9, 2012
Persuasione 22/11/2010-29/11/2010
Bellissimo. Decisamente odiosa la famiglia della povera Anne, ma il finale riscatta gli insulti passati.
5/5
Mansfield Park 20/01/2012 - 05/02/2012 SPOILER
Devo dire che questo libro mi ha alquanto deluso.
Abituata agli altri ero convinta che il tenore sarebbe stato lo stesso: personaggi vivaci, intelligenti. Invece mi ritrovo con una Fanny al limite dell'insopportabilità per quanto è umile, vergognosa e dalla poca stima che ha di sè. Edmund non è un prete, ma un vero e proprio frate. Avrei preferito un finale con dichiarazione d'amore e tutto il resto invece c'è stato un racconto asettico e freddino sulla scelta di Edmund. Della serie... ci sono sempre stato bene ci posso stare bene anche per il resto della mia vita! A favore di lei va il fatto che è sempre rimasta fedele al suo amore nonostante la previsione di un matrimonio vantaggioso. Però davvero non riesco a mettere questo libro a livello di Emma o Ragione e Sentimento. Fanny è talmente... talmente scema alle volte! Capisco il carattere sopito, ma nessuno se non una scema riesce a farsi dire tante cattiverie senza MAI reagire. Ma forse la mia mente è eccessivamente moderna. Questo mi sconcerta perchè ho creduto fino in fondo in una ripresa sia dei personaggi che della storia, ma non c'è stata. Sono quasi triste per un finale del genere in cui avevo messo tutto. L'unica cosa che forse mi è piaciuta è la parte di lei qaundo torna a casa e ritrova la sua famiglia e capisce quanto Mansfield Park l'abbia cambiata; inoltre qui ritrova sua sorella e instaura con lei un rapporto di intimità e questo mi è piaciuto molto. Mi è piaciuta anche la parte della zia Norris che seppur odiosa ha fatto per Maria tutto per affetto. L'ha adulata, l'ha cresciuta malissimo, ma con affetto e glielo ha dimostrato anche alla fine. voto: 3/5
L'abbazia di Northangher - 22/03/2012 - 28/03/2012
E' il libro che meno ho sentito nominare, ed è quello che mi ha fatto divertire di più. In questo libro SENTO davvero Jane Austen perchè con i suoi "fuori onda" mi ha fatto divertire e mi ha fatto capire che dietro ogni "scena" di un libro c'è una riflessione dell'autore, un suo pensiero e soprattutto una sua fatica nello studiarla. Spesso nei libri gli autori cercano di nascondersi il più possibile e invece quest'intrusione di Jane nella vita di Catherine me l'ha fatto sembrare come un pettegolezzo nei giardini di Bath. Raccontato su una panchina e in una bella giornata.
Che comincia "Sai che è successo a Catherine???" Bellissimo. Ultimo libro ti questo tomo immenso, che mi ha regalato emozioni immense. L'amore è la cosa più bella del mondo.
voto 5/5
Emma - non ricordo la data!!
L'ho sicuramente dopo Ragione e Sentimento, ma la data chissà perchè è andata persa. Incredibile visto che è stato il libro di Jane che mi è piaciuto di più. Emma è decisamente la mia preferita. Forse la mia preferita anche rispetto ad Elizabeth (che sto rileggendo ora!). Il perchè forse è da cercare nel fatto che Emma è così maledettamente piena di difetti. E' bella, intelligente, ma è anche una gran pettegola e un'impicciona e questa mi ha divertita un mondo.
Elizabeth sta su un piedistallo e la sua storia d'amore è forse quella "da sogno", ma quella di Emma è quella che io più avvicino al livello umano :)
Magari mentre cerchiamo ovunque il nostro Mr.Darcy scopriamo di avere vicino il nostro Mr.Knightley e tutti si risolve in rose e fiori.
voto 5/5
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio - 2°lettura - 03/12/2012-09/12/2012
Bellissimo. Decisamente odiosa la famiglia della povera Anne, ma il finale riscatta gli insulti passati.
5/5
Mansfield Park 20/01/2012 - 05/02/2012 SPOILER
Devo dire che questo libro mi ha alquanto deluso.
Abituata agli altri ero convinta che il tenore sarebbe stato lo stesso: personaggi vivaci, intelligenti. Invece mi ritrovo con una Fanny al limite dell'insopportabilità per quanto è umile, vergognosa e dalla poca stima che ha di sè. Edmund non è un prete, ma un vero e proprio frate. Avrei preferito un finale con dichiarazione d'amore e tutto il resto invece c'è stato un racconto asettico e freddino sulla scelta di Edmund. Della serie... ci sono sempre stato bene ci posso stare bene anche per il resto della mia vita! A favore di lei va il fatto che è sempre rimasta fedele al suo amore nonostante la previsione di un matrimonio vantaggioso. Però davvero non riesco a mettere questo libro a livello di Emma o Ragione e Sentimento. Fanny è talmente... talmente scema alle volte! Capisco il carattere sopito, ma nessuno se non una scema riesce a farsi dire tante cattiverie senza MAI reagire. Ma forse la mia mente è eccessivamente moderna. Questo mi sconcerta perchè ho creduto fino in fondo in una ripresa sia dei personaggi che della storia, ma non c'è stata. Sono quasi triste per un finale del genere in cui avevo messo tutto. L'unica cosa che forse mi è piaciuta è la parte di lei qaundo torna a casa e ritrova la sua famiglia e capisce quanto Mansfield Park l'abbia cambiata; inoltre qui ritrova sua sorella e instaura con lei un rapporto di intimità e questo mi è piaciuto molto. Mi è piaciuta anche la parte della zia Norris che seppur odiosa ha fatto per Maria tutto per affetto. L'ha adulata, l'ha cresciuta malissimo, ma con affetto e glielo ha dimostrato anche alla fine. voto: 3/5
L'abbazia di Northangher - 22/03/2012 - 28/03/2012
E' il libro che meno ho sentito nominare, ed è quello che mi ha fatto divertire di più. In questo libro SENTO davvero Jane Austen perchè con i suoi "fuori onda" mi ha fatto divertire e mi ha fatto capire che dietro ogni "scena" di un libro c'è una riflessione dell'autore, un suo pensiero e soprattutto una sua fatica nello studiarla. Spesso nei libri gli autori cercano di nascondersi il più possibile e invece quest'intrusione di Jane nella vita di Catherine me l'ha fatto sembrare come un pettegolezzo nei giardini di Bath. Raccontato su una panchina e in una bella giornata.
Che comincia "Sai che è successo a Catherine???" Bellissimo. Ultimo libro ti questo tomo immenso, che mi ha regalato emozioni immense. L'amore è la cosa più bella del mondo.
voto 5/5
Emma - non ricordo la data!!
L'ho sicuramente dopo Ragione e Sentimento, ma la data chissà perchè è andata persa. Incredibile visto che è stato il libro di Jane che mi è piaciuto di più. Emma è decisamente la mia preferita. Forse la mia preferita anche rispetto ad Elizabeth (che sto rileggendo ora!). Il perchè forse è da cercare nel fatto che Emma è così maledettamente piena di difetti. E' bella, intelligente, ma è anche una gran pettegola e un'impicciona e questa mi ha divertita un mondo.
Elizabeth sta su un piedistallo e la sua storia d'amore è forse quella "da sogno", ma quella di Emma è quella che io più avvicino al livello umano :)
Magari mentre cerchiamo ovunque il nostro Mr.Darcy scopriamo di avere vicino il nostro Mr.Knightley e tutti si risolve in rose e fiori.
voto 5/5
Orgoglio e Pregiudizio - 2°lettura - 03/12/2012-09/12/2012
August 21, 2025
This leather-bound collector’s edition "The Complete Novels of Jane Austen" is a treasure on every level—visually and intellectually. It includes all six of Jane Austens completed novels and comes beautifully printed, with elegant endpapers and a scholarly introduction that offers helpful historical context. As someone who has read some of Austen’s novels before in German, receiving this edition as a gift was incredibly meaningful.
Reading these novels in English was a rewarding challenge. English is not my native language, and Austen’s prose—with its early 19th-century style, intricate sentence structures, and subtle irony—required patience and effort. There were definitely moments when I had to slow down or reread passages, but that effort also paid off: I feel I’ve grown not only as a reader but also in my understanding of the English language itself. I look forward to re-reading this volume again in the future—both to further improve my language skills and to experience the stories with deeper appreciation.
Out of the six novels, Emma was my clear favorite. Its wit, energy, and sharp social observations were simply delightful. Of course, every novel carries Austen’s unmistakable voice—her cleverness, humor, and piercing insight into human nature and social structures shine throughout.
What struck me most this time around was how Austen's writing evolves from novel to novel. Her early works are full of bold wit and vivid character sketches, while her later novels lean more toward refined irony and nuanced critiques of society.
Though often categorized as romantic fiction, I think Austen’s novels are so much more. They are social commentaries, often with a satirical edge, and they subtly challenge the conventions of their time. Whether it’s through the narrator’s ironic tone or a character’s sudden self-awareness, Austen reveals just how unreliable social norms and appearances can be.
In short, this volume is perfect for long-time Austen admirers as well as newcomers who want to immerse themselves in her world. It invites re-reading—and rewards it. I’m incredibly grateful to own this edition and already know I’ll return to it many more times—both to enjoy Austen’s brilliant storytelling and to continue growing as a reader in a language that still challenges me.
Reading these novels in English was a rewarding challenge. English is not my native language, and Austen’s prose—with its early 19th-century style, intricate sentence structures, and subtle irony—required patience and effort. There were definitely moments when I had to slow down or reread passages, but that effort also paid off: I feel I’ve grown not only as a reader but also in my understanding of the English language itself. I look forward to re-reading this volume again in the future—both to further improve my language skills and to experience the stories with deeper appreciation.
Out of the six novels, Emma was my clear favorite. Its wit, energy, and sharp social observations were simply delightful. Of course, every novel carries Austen’s unmistakable voice—her cleverness, humor, and piercing insight into human nature and social structures shine throughout.
What struck me most this time around was how Austen's writing evolves from novel to novel. Her early works are full of bold wit and vivid character sketches, while her later novels lean more toward refined irony and nuanced critiques of society.
Though often categorized as romantic fiction, I think Austen’s novels are so much more. They are social commentaries, often with a satirical edge, and they subtly challenge the conventions of their time. Whether it’s through the narrator’s ironic tone or a character’s sudden self-awareness, Austen reveals just how unreliable social norms and appearances can be.
In short, this volume is perfect for long-time Austen admirers as well as newcomers who want to immerse themselves in her world. It invites re-reading—and rewards it. I’m incredibly grateful to own this edition and already know I’ll return to it many more times—both to enjoy Austen’s brilliant storytelling and to continue growing as a reader in a language that still challenges me.
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